Scripture Study

Once a month at the Universalist Recovery Church, we hold a Scripture Study to explore teachings from various religious traditions. These reflections were written for those Sunday gatherings. Although they mostly draw from Christian or Hebrew Scriptures, we also consider Buddhist, mystical, and other teachings.

Tamar and the Power of the Trickster
Trickster Tales of Scripture In last week’s column, we looked at the trickster motif and its relationship to […]

1 Feb, 2020 in Scripture Study tagged Power / Tamar / Trickster by Barbara Stevens

Two children walking arm in arm down a dirt road, listening, walking a mile in each other's shoes — Humility and Walking in Another’s Shoes
Walking in Each Other’s Shoes Early in my chaplaincy, when I worked on a detox unit where residents […]

4 Jan, 2020 in Scripture Study tagged Gethesemane / Healing / Jesus / Listening / Mother Teresa / Suffering by Barbara Stevens

An evergreen tree with a mountain behind it on a sunny day - a goat is hidden in the shadows — What Is Hidden in the Parable of the Leaven
Myth as Self-Creation We invent ourselves with our stories. Not that we would cease to exist in body […]

1 Dec, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Hidden Things / Jesus / Kin-dom of God / Love / Parable of the Yeast / Parables by Barbara Stevens

A clown with a red nose and brightly-colored hat and coat - the clown acts as the holy fool opening us to faith, hope, and love — Jesus and the Holy Fool
God Chose Foolish Things In his first letter to the Christian community of Corinth, Paul writes, “But God […]

2 Nov, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Clowns / Corinthians / Faith / Holy Fool / Hope / Jesus / WIsdom by Barbara Stevens

Jephthah's daughter mourning her virginity - she shows courage, wisdom, and love — The Courage of Jephthah’s Daughter
The Unnamed Daughter Jephthah’s daughter has no name. That’s not unusual for biblical characters. Men and women alike […]

5 Oct, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Beloved Community / Book of Judges / Courage / Love / Sacrifice by Barbara Stevens

At the site of an abandoned and crumbling hotel, someone posts a sign about finding love; even when in the pigpen, we can wake up — Waking Up and Creating Beloved Community
Out of the Pigpen In my work as a chaplain, I have met many people who could not […]

31 Aug, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Addiction / Beloved Community / Love / Prodigal Son / Waking Up by Barbara Stevens

Claiming a Voice: Prodigal Son’s Mother
Voiceless and Invisible Throughout the world, women lack a voice. Even in the United States, where women have […]

24 Aug, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Courage / Joy / Mothers / Prodigal Son / Voice by Barbara Stevens

A man knees on the sand by the ocean - we fall to our knees and submit to the holy; this builds our faith — Falling and Faithfulness
The Pain of Falling It hurts to fall. Sometimes, when the pain of falling is intense, we lose […]

3 Aug, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Buddhism / Faith / Falling / Flying / Pilgrimage / Prostration / Salvation by Barbara Stevens

Cinco de Mayo and World Laughter Day
Cinco de Mayo and Resilience Mexico lost the war, but won the battle. On May 5, 1862, with […]

4 May, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Cinco de Mayo / Ecclesiastes / Grief / Laughter / Laughter Yoga / World Laughter Day by Barbara Stevens

Woman looking at red flowers, hiding her smile behind her hand - joy that is life and the opposite of evil — Evil, Idolatry, and Life
Paul and Religious Authority Nearly thirty years ago, when I started seminary, I read an article about the […]

6 Apr, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged choose life / Colossians / Evil / Love / Moral Foundation's Theory / Self-Righteousness by Barbara Stevens

Woman screaming wrapped in tape with red letters that read "Fragile" - the shame that is part of our vulnerability and can lead to anger and envy — Letting Go of Envy
Envy Versus Jealousy Most of the authors I’ve read who write about envy start by explaining the difference […]

2 Mar, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Ecclesiastes 4 / Envy / Healing / Illusion / Shame by Barbara Stevens

Martha and Mary and the “One Thing”
Martha and Mary – the Traditional Rendering You may know the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus arrives […]

2 Feb, 2019 in Scripture Study tagged Gospel of Luke / Martha and Mary / Minfulness / Ministry by Barbara Stevens