August’s Recommended Reading
The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide
By Pamela Cooper-White
Winner of a 2022 Foreword INDIES Award Gold Medal
How do we overcome polarization in American society? How do we advocate for justice when one side won’t listen to the other and cycles of outrage escalate?
These questions have been pressing for years, but the emergence of a vocal, virulent Christian nationalism have made it even more urgent that we find a way forward.
In three brief, incisive chapters Pamela Cooper-White uncovers the troubling extent of Christian nationalism, explores its deep psychological roots, and discusses ways in which advocates for justice can safely and effectively attempt to talk across the deep divides in our society.
Thank You!
We want to take this moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters for your invaluable role in the Renewed Heart Ministry community and for your dedication to our mission of fostering love, justice, compassion, and healing. Your support is the bedrock of our work. Your support empowers us to do what we do. At a time when ministries like ours are being asked to achieve more with fewer resources, your support is incredibly important, 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 in our world. From all of us here at Renewed Heart Ministries, thank you for your generous support. We deeply appreciate each and every one of our supporters.
If you’d like to join them in supporting our work, please go to renewedheartministries.com and click on “Donate.”
Last Week’s Social Jesus Posts
Articles posted each week at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/
The Evolution of the Eucharist, Part 1
Our reading this week is the Johannine’s community’s nod to the Eucharist. In John’s gospel, Jesus’ last supper is quite unique.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2024/08/evolution-eucharist-part1/
The Evolution of the Eucharist, Part 2
At these stages, this shared Eucharist meal was still about mutuality and resource-sharing, ensuring that there was no need among them.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2024/08/evolution-eucharist-part2/
The Evolution of the Eucharist, Part 3
It would be transformative for privileged sectors of Christianity to listen to Eucharist interpretations from marginalized faith communities.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2024/08/evolution-eucharist-part3/
New Episode of “Just Talking
Season 2, Episode 24: John 6.51-58. Lectionary B, Proper 15
The Bread of Life
Each week, we’ll be talking about the gospel lectionary reading for the upcoming weekend in the context of love, inclusion, and social justice. Our hope is that our talking will be “just” talking (as in justice) and that during our brief conversations each week we’ll be inspired to do more than just talking.
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.
Watch at https://youtu.be/FCHmsbosSxc?si=3sLHd_r7I3cOVuMl
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.
This week:
Season 1 Episode 18: The Evolution of the Eucharist
John 6:51-58
“The early Jesus community’s shared meal evolved away from a meal of real bread and fish among a hungry crowd of Jewish Jesus followers where open mutuality and sharing resulted in baskets of food left over. It became a ritualized meal appropriating the Greco-Roman “bread and wine” and symbolizing Jesus’ death among Christians. This evolution happened as Jesus followers’ social locations changed. What had begun as a Jewish peasant movement became more affluent by the time the gospels were written down. And as the church’s social location continued to transition toward prosperity, privilege, and power there would be many other changes in the Jesus movement as well.”
Available on all major podcast carriers and at the link in the comments:
https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-evolution-of-the-eucharist
Upcoming Events
September 21, 2024
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.
Audiobook Available Now on Audible
Finding Jesus: A Fundamentalist Preacher Discovers the Socio-Political & Economic Teachings of the Gospels (2nd Edition)
by Herb Montgomery, Narrated by Jeff Moon
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. Readers will journey through the Gospel narratives, discovering the ways in which the Jesus of these stories challenged the political and religious establishments of his time. Herb Montgomery draws parallels between the societal issues faced by the people of Jesus’ era and the challenges of the present day, sparking reflection on the role of faith in addressing contemporary political and social issues. 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.
Available now on Audible.
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!”
Donate to RHM online or by mail at
RHM, PO Box 1211, Lewisburg, WV 24901