In a political climate with intolerance as a theme, the goodheartedness that shows up in Springfield is remarkable. Last Thursday evening the big sanctuary at Westminster Presbyterian Church was nearly filled when more than 400 Christians and Jews and the curious of all stripes came out to hear Jewish scholar Amy-Jill Levine [see “Levine and the divine,” by Patrick Yeagle, p. 13]. The Vanderbilt Divinity School professor who teaches New Testament explained how and why Christians and Jews read the Bible differently, while assuring listeners they can learn about other religions without giving up their own beliefs. At the end of her lecture she noted the miracle of so many Christians and Jews coming out on a Thursday night to hear an Orthodox Jew speak about Jesus and Christianity. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she said, “this is the Kingdom of God!” –Fletcher Farrar, editor and publisher
This article appears in Sep 1-7, 2016.
