Six New Things – Week of July 20, 2026
Bring the Bible to bear in uplifting, exhorting, encouraging, and holding accountable. Theology and scholarship, reflections and stories – the Bible has plenty to say in these days of empire’s rise and fall.
ONE
Let’s start by Reimagining Biblical Politics: What Scripture Says about Public Life and Why It Matters (Baker), which ‘invites readers from across the political spectrum to rediscover the …world of biblical politics‘, through snapshots of biblical texts and figures and ‘a vision of political discipleship for today’.
Great Idea: Participate in ISAIAH’s Public Discipleship Training for a deeper and practical dive into discipleship in these days. Contact ED Rev. Emily Meyer for info on connecting with ISAIAH for resources and available trainings.
TWO
Hone in on biblical wisdom and current political trends with Lutheran School of Theology – Chicago’s, Currents in Theology – Vol. 53 No. 3 (2026): Declaring Independence from Christian Nationalism. Every article, critiques, ‘the racist, antidemocratic, and exploitative politics fueled by Christian nationalist ideology that distorts interpretation of Bible and theology to support authoritarian rule in the United States…’
THREE
Balance that with the Good News of emerging Mary Magdalene research. Diana Butler Bass has been touting this for a few years, now, but here’s a recent interview with lead scholar, Prof. Elizabeth Schrader Polczer, DBB’s 2022 Wild Goose Festival Sermon that introduced us all, and two extraordinary accompanying art pieces. Blessed Mary Magdalene’s Day!
FOUR
From biblical women vis a vis contemporary misogyny to the ‘renewed debate over the limits of the love we owe to others‘, Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West (Simon & Schuster) ‘charts the causes and consequences’ of the ‘ethical revolution’ Jesus put in motion.
FIVE
And why set those limits?
The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We All Belong (St Martin’s) is a ‘research-backed guide’ with ‘an actionable path’, ‘that helps us communicate, coexist, and imagine a new story for our shared future where we all belong’.- Beloved As We Are: Building a Congregational Culture of Disability Inclusion (Skinner) admits that ‘every congregation has work to do around ableism and this work is never finished’, as it ‘offers both a call and a companions for communities committed to living their values more fully’.
Ready to develop ministries of deeper and broader inclusion? Beyond Belonging: Branch Out – Bring In – Build Together will feature David Scherer (AGAPE*) as plenary speaker and Alsa Bruno as Worship and Music leader. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to develop knowledge and skills for more inclusive ministry while you broaden your own network of colleagues in the work. Registration for ConNext Summit 2026 – is open!
SIX
Amidst all this good work, self-care is important: Created to Play: How Taking Hobbies Seriously Grows Us Spiritually (IVP) ‘helps you view your hobbies as opportunities not just for individual expression but also for communal enjoyment’ and opportunities to ‘glory in the God who loves and teaches you through play’.
