Topic > Ethical Issues
Can’t Die But Once
Born into slavery and badly treated as a young girl, Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913) found a shining ray of hope in the Bible stories her mother told. The account of Israel’s escape from slavery under Pharaoh showed her a God who desired freedom for His people.
Eventually Harriet slipped over the Maryland state line and out of slavery. She couldn’t remain content, however, knowing so many were still trapped in captivity. So she led more than a dozen rescue missions back into slave states, dismissing the personal danger. “I can’t die but once,” she said.
Harriet knew the truth of the statement:…
Relief for the Troubled
One of my favorite scenes in literature occurs when a feisty aunt confronts an evil stepfather over the abuse of her nephew, David Copperfield. This scene takes place in Charles Dickens’ novel named after the main character.
When David Copperfield shows up at his aunt’s house, his stepfather is not far behind. Aunt Betsy Trotwood is not pleased to see the malicious Mr. Murdstone. She recounts a list of offenses and does not let him slither out of his responsibility for each act of cruelty. Her charges are so forceful and truthful that Mr. Murdstone—a normally aggressive person—finally leaves without a…
Cultural expectations of a man
We all have a script we’d like to see work out for our lives. And Joseph of Nazareth likely had one too. But you can be sure his script didn’t include having his teenage fiancée come to him claiming she was pregnant–by God! Today on “Discover the Word,” the group and author Carolyn Custis James continue their study called “Malestrom” by exploring how Joseph battled the Malestrom and his culture’s expectations of what he should do as a man. Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
Being treated like outsiders
Have you ever felt marginalized because of your gender? Well, today on “Discover the Word,” the group continues their series called “Malestrom” by observing that both women and men can be treated like outsiders because of their gender. Today on “Discover the Word,” the group and author Carolyn Custis James discuss how that happens today even in church. Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
When power is used to protect
In the story of Ruth, she’s an outsider, a woman, and a non-Jew. In contrast, Boaz was male, Jewish, and a person of power and influence. Today on “Discover the Word,” we, along with our guest Carolyn Custis James, explore this familiar story through the lens of what happens when power is used not to corrupt but to protect the vulnerable. Be part of the conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
The real message behind Deborah and Barak
Many people interpret the story of Deborah, a judge and prophetess of Israel, and Barak, the chief military commander in Israel, to be about gender. One where the male doesn’t “man up” and a woman has to step in. But is this true? Today on “Discover the Word,” the group, along with author Carolyn Custis James, talks about the real message behind Deborah and Barak. Join the discussion today on “Discover the Word”!
The favored son
Most parents try not to play favorites with their children. But that wasn’t true for some famous families in the Bible. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss, along with our guest Carolyn Custis James, how Jacob’s obvious preference for his younger son, Joseph, created a deep father-wound in his son, Judah. It’s an overlooked “side note” in the Bible that’s critical for us to learn from. A revealing conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
How Abraham influences us today
How does the patriarchal world of the Bible impact our modern understanding of what it means to be a man? Today on “Discover the Word,” we continue our study on “Malestrom” with author Carolyn Custis James. And we’ll be going to the story of Abraham to see how one of the patriarchs influences us today. Join us on “Discover the Word”!
Never Give Up
We will always be battered in this life. Physical limitations. Cruel people. Spiritual battles. But God is with us. He promises never to abandon us. And He renews our spirits even during the struggles. We can keep going in this life and look with anticipation to the next.
“The blessed alliance”
What does it mean in the second chapter of Genesis, when God said, “It’s not good for man to be alone”? Today on “Discover the Word,” the group, and author Carolyn Custis James introduce an important concept Carolyn calls “the blessed alliance.” Be part of the group for this key conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
The Creator’s view of both men and women
The Bible’s patriarchal culture may seem to be “heaven-stamped and God approved,” but is it? Today on “Discover the Word,” author Carolyn Custis James and the group talk about how from Genesis on, the Creator’s view of both men and women is often very different from what plays out in the culture, both then and now. Join the discussion today on “Discover the Word”!
A Patriarchal culture of the Bible
When reading the Bible, you can’t escape noticing that men were clearly in charge. A patriarchal world is definitely the setting in which the story of the Bible is told. But today on “Discover the Word,” author Carolyn Custis James and the group discuss how making the patriarchal culture of the Bible the message instead of the backdrop to the message can cause confusion. An enlightening conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
Let’s begin a study called Malestrom
Today on “Discover the Word,” author Carolyn Custis James joins the group to begin a series of conversations about something she calls the m-a-l-e “malestrom.” Just as women are often marginalized in our world, Carolyn feels that in many ways men are in trouble too. So be part of the “Discover the Word” group with special guest Carolyn Custis James as they begin a study called, Malestrom on “Discover the Word”!
Ultimate Leadership I
Based on spiritual principles of leadership and character development, this four-lesson course offers studies on Character and Leadership, Knowing God’s Will, Building Trust and more. The Ultimate Leadership course will give you practical skills that will increase your success in every area of life.
The Ultimate Leadership Series is offered in two separate courses, to take Ultimate Leadership II click here.
Don’t miss the Ultimate Leadership Workshops with Dr. Cloud & Dr. Townsend (Click here to learn more).
Minister of Reconciliation
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached on a Sunday morning in 1957, he fought the temptation to retaliate against a society steeped in racism.
“How do you go about loving your enemies?” he asked the Dexter Avenue Baptist congregation in Montgomery, Alabama. “Begin with yourself. . . . When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time which you must not do it.”
Quoting from the words of Jesus, King said: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you .…
