The remarkable story of the widow who shares the last of her food with Elijah (1 Kings 17) might remind us of modern religious speakers who claim special blessings for their benefactors. Those who misuse this story to increase their own wealth miss the importance of a non-Israelite caring for God's prophet. Maybe those the Church labels as 'sinners' are teaching us how to love well and to care for the vulnerable.
Churchtoons, cartoons from Church
Friday, November 15, 2024
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Why the tears?
"Jesus wept."(John 11) Is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. The occasion for Jesus's weeping was a visit to the grave of His friend, Lazarus. Because Jesus had already resurrected others and seemed to know that Lazarus was also going to be resurrected, could Jesus's tears have been for those nearby who saddened by this death Who do you feel this kind of empathy toward? Who would you like to comfort?
Sunday, November 3, 2024
2024 Election and voting 'biblical values'
What are 'biblical values?' Are they the Law of Moses, or the Noahic Covenant, or maybe the Edenic covenant? To be honest, 'biblical values' seem to be based on cherry-picked verses that support specific agendas. Think of the sins you believe to be so ardently wrong and must be legislatively punished.
Then ask yourself, what does the Bible really say about those sins? Are those the sins God judged Israel for? Did the major or minor prophets spent time warning of culture wars, or did they condemn a nation that turned its back on the stranger, the poor, and the disenfranchised?
You could also ask if your version of 'biblical values' is truly pro-life. Have the recent changes in reproductive rights (in the name of 'biblical values') increased maternal mortality rates and is it continuing to endanger women?
Instead of cherry-picking a set of verses that support our cultural bias and labeling them 'biblical values,' maybe we should just ask ourselves 'what would Jesus do.' Maybe we should consider Matthew 25, when Jesus sends those who did not care for the 'least of these' away, while embracing those who visited the needs of the poor as if they had visited Him and provided for His earthly needs.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Help me, Jesus!
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Who is awesome?
Proverbs 22 emphasizes the importance of a 'good name.' We might think of this as a person's character, or what they are known for. Many people seek fame or a legacy or give themselves impressive titles but miss the importance of being a good person or bearing a good name. Do you indulge your pride by seeking fame, or do you live out the gospel of Christ taking His good name as yours?
Friday, October 18, 2024
Who does?
Although he was faithful to God in every way, Job suffered greatly (Job 23). Job's suffering reminds us of our inability to judge other's devotion or situation. The theme of Job, and maybe the Bible itself, is that we should be humble enough to see ourselves in those who suffer and to offer assistance and comfort. The core of Christianity is that we cannot save ourselves, we need Christ's intervention. May we be like Christ.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Trash the people
When confronted with the question of divorce, Jesus surprised the religious leaders by undermining their interpretation of the Law and their understanding of who God is (Mark 10). Jesus asserted that God did not allow the arbitrary removal of support for a wife through divorce. We might consider how our interpretations of God and His word affect how we care for vulnerable people.
Welcome
Each of the cartoons on this site is an expression of a sermon I heard in church. As a cartoonist, my method of understanding complex theological topics is to boil them down to simple images.