In today’s episode Heather explains why she chose “Who Is My Neighbor?” as the subject for our next four-part, pod-class series, which starts next week. To help set the tone, Heather walks us through the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Using Kenneth E. Bailey’s book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes as a framework, Heather challenges us to experience the explosive message of the parable in a way similar to how its first-century audience heard it.

Also, for this week’s Social Toolkit, Heather sits down with theologian Esau McCaulley to discuss the sensitive topic of gun reform in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville. How can Christians helpfully engage the topic? Esau contributed to the public conversation with his latest New York Times article: “How Can We Be a Country That Does This to Our Children?”

Esau McCaulley is associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and is the author of Reading While Black. His latest book is a memoir titled How Far to the Promised Land, and it is available for preorder now.

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper