Last Week at RHM: April 14, 2025

We want to take this moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters for your support of Renewed Heart Ministry’s work of love, justice, and compassion.

At a time when ministries like ours are being asked to achieve more with fewer resources, your support is so deeply appreciated, and we want to simply say thank you. Whether in our larger society or within our local faith communities, Renewed Heart Ministries remains committed to advocating for change, working towards a world that is inclusive, just, and safe for everyone, and being a source of love. From all of us here at Renewed Heart Ministries, thank you for your generous support.

We deeply appreciate you.

If you’d like to join them in supporting our work, please go to renewedheartministries.com and click on “Donate.”


 

The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted

by Obery M. Hendricks Jr.

Who was Jesus? And how was this first-century political revolutionary, whose teachings are meant to lead the way to freedom, turned into a meek and mild servant of the status quo? How is it possible to profess a belief in Jesus, yet ignore the suffering of the poor and the needy? Just how truly faithful to the vision of Jesus are the many politicians who claim to be Christian? These are the kinds of questions Obery Hendricks, a biblical scholar, activist, and minister, asks in this provocative new book. In this day and age of heated political debate, Hendricks’s The Politics of Jesus stands out as much for its brilliant re-creation of the life and mind of Jesus of Nazareth as for its scathing critique of modern politicians “of faith.”

 

 


New Episode of “Just Talking” Now Online!

Lectionary Readings in the context of Love, Inclusion, & Social Justice

Season 3, Episode 9: Luke 19.28-40. Lectionary C, Palm Sunday

Each week, we’ll discuss the gospel lectionary reading for the upcoming weekend in the context of love, inclusion, and justice. We hope that our talking will be “just” talking (as in justice) and that we’ll be inspired to do more than “just talking” during our brief conversations each week. If you teach from the lectionary each week, or if you’re just looking for some thoughts on the Jesus story from a more progressive perspective within the context of social justice, check it out.

 


social jesus blog banner

Last Week’s Social Jesus Posts

Articles posted each week at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/  

Peace Through Justice Doesn’t Need A War Horse

The prophets envisioned a different kind of peace achieved through a different type of means. Peace through justice doesn’t need a war horse.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/04/peace-through-justice-doesnt-need-war-horse/  

Achieving Peace Through Distributive Justice

Part 2 of Peace Through Justice Doesn’t Need A War Horse

This kind of peace and liberation will not come stronger violence, but through the holistic and intrinsic work of a distributive justice.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/04/peace-through-justice/  

If You Want Peace, Work for Justice

Part 3 of Peace Through Justice Doesn’t Need A War Horse

Moving from teaching to protest happens in the story on the back of a young donkey because peace through justice doesn’t need a war horse.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/04/peace-work-justice/  

 


The Social Jesus Podcast from RHM!

A podcast where we talk about the intersection of faith and social justice and what a first century, prophet of the poor from Galilee might have to offer us today in our work of love, compassion and justice.

Last week:

Season 2 Episode 15: Peace Through Justice Doesn’t Need A War Horse

Luke 19:28-40

What would our local communities look like if each person simply had enough to thrive and we all were committed to making sure we were taking care of each other? Today, as in the time of Jesus, there are two philosophies of peace in our world. One says, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” The other says, “If you want peace, work for justice.” As MLK and so many other justice workers have rightly reminded us, true peace is not just the absence of conflict, but also the pursuit of fairness and equality for all. It is with peace through justice that the gospel authors align the work and ministry of Jesus. This is why I believe Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time to protest in the Temple for economic justice on the back of a young donkey. Because peace through justice doesn’t need a war horse. 

Available on all major podcast carriers and at:

https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/peace-through-justice-doesnt-need-a-war-horse  



Upcoming Events

April 19, 2025

Good News Fellowship (via Zoom); Toronto, Ontario Canada

For info: 304.520.0030


Weekly Zoom HeartGroup on Wednesday Nights

Each Wednesday evening, Glendale City Church will be hosting a Zoom-HeartGroup led by Herb Montgomery.  Our discussion each week will focus on the content in Renewed Heart Ministries’ weekly eSight articles, The Social Jesus podcast, and RHM’s Just Talking YouTube show. The time of each Zoom session will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Pacific/10:00 p.m. Eastern.

For more information and for the link to participate each week, contact RHM here.


Finding Jesus: A Fundamentalist Preacher Discovers the Socio-Political & Economic Teachings of the Gospels

by Herb Montgomery

Available now on Amazon!

In Finding Jesus, author Herb Montgomery delves into the profound and often overlooked political dimensions of the gospels. Through meticulous analysis of biblical texts, historical context, and social discourse, this thought-provoking book unveils the gospels’ socio-political, economic teachings as rooted in a profound concern for justice, compassion, and the well-being of the marginalized. The book navigates the intersections between faith and societal justice, presenting a compelling argument for a more socially engaged and transformative Christianity.

Finding Jesus is not just a scholarly exploration; it is a call to action. It challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of Christianity’s role in public life and to consider how the radical teachings of the gospels can inspire a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and compassion. This book is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the social implications of Christian faith and a blueprint for building a more just and inclusive society.


 

 

Are you receiving all of RHM’s free resources each week?

You can find Renewed Heart Ministries on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for our daily posts. Our JFE podcast can be subscribed to through the podcast platform you use. And you can even get messages from RHM delivered to you email inbox every day.

Sign up today so you don’t miss a thing!

Click “Sign Up!

 


Logo and Website

Donate to RHM online or by mail at

RHM, PO Box 1211, Lewisburg, WV 24901