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.
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This stirring series of essays by Walter Brueggemann represents the inaugural book for the new imprint, Santos Books. Who better than Walter Brueggemann to inaugurate this imprint? Sinner? Undoubtedly. Saint? By God’s grace alone. Walter once told me that he is disliked by progressives because he still believes in the old formula, that it is by grace alone that we are saved. And then he confided in me, “Conrad, I have to work to stay in that place of grace.” And I love that old truth. Work to stay in the place of grace. For without the work there is but cheap grace. But without the grace, the work matters not. And is ultimately, expensive work. Each of these essays in this book poignantly speak to the crisis of the current American church. Decades ago, sociologist Robert Bellah warned us of the development of civil religion in America. The merging of God and country. The legitimization of country by God. The validation of war and violence and racism and abuse and oppression in the name of Christ. While Donald Trump may represent among the worst outcomes of this combination, he thrives on its existence that has been part of our country’s history since the beginning. As always, Brueggemann begins with the Bible and ends with the Bible. And if your allegiance is to other than the Bible, you will find him offensive. But if your heart has been softened by the sword that lays bare the intends and motives of our souls, you will find in these essays great comfort.
New Episode of “Just Talking” Now Online! Lectionary Readings in the context of Love, Inclusion, & Social Justice
Season 3, Episode 7: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Lectionary C, Lent 4
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.
Last Week’s Social Jesus Posts
Articles posted each week at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/
Social Justice Lessons from the Prodigal Son
Part 1 of We Won’t Be Great Until Everyone Is Great
In the prodigal story, the label “sinner” was assigned to anyone being politically or socially marginalized
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/03/social-justice-lessons-prodigal-son/
When Sinner Only Means Different
Part 2 of We Won’t Be Great Until Everyone Is Great
They were simply different. Applying the term sinner to this group only served to socially and politically marginalize.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/03/sinner-different/
The Prodigal Teaches We Aren’t Great Until Everyone Is Great
Part 3 of We Won’t Be Great Until Everyone Is Great
It wasn’t enough to enable more people to compete for power. The prodigal story envisions a world where we rise by lifting each other up.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/03/prodigal-great-everyone/
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 13: We Won’t Be Great Until Everyone Is Great
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Today Christians pick something that triggers our own bigotry and attach moral value to it, describing it as sinful when intrinsically there really is nothing harmful or “wrong” involved and we are simply triggered by someone being different than ourselves. A example today would be certain denominations that still refuse to acknowledge women as equals to men in ministry though women are by no means less qualified or less righteous than men. But somehow they are defined as less than. Certain Christian communities continue to label members of the LGBTQ community as “sinners” when in all actuality they are simply different than cisgender, straight Christians. Different is not synonymous with sinful. Differences simply reveal the rich and beautiful diversity of our human family. In our story this week, “sinner” simply meant a person living in poverty that could not afford a more expensive interpretation of “righteousness.”
Available on all major podcast carriers and at:
https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/we-wont-be-great-until-everyone-is-great
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.
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