Tag: <span>syrophoenician woman</span>

Summary: Numerous biblical stories describe apparent “outsiders” who have clear vision and insight. Because of those people, the supposed “insiders” gain a new, better, or enlarged perspective on the values and virtues they hold dear. Such stories can also remind a nation that an insular approach to the wider world and cultures is liable to degrade our most cherished values.

Read the full document, which is part of the American Values Religious Voices letter-writing project, here.

Bible commentary: general audience

Summary: In this biblical passage, a woman, named as a Syrophoenician, with a demon-possessed daughter persuades Jesus to heal the girl. As a result, Jesus’ ministry moves in new directions with a new urgency toward an increasingly broad “audience.”

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers workingpreacher.org commentary

Summary: This article is more academic than most of the other things I’ve written that are accessible on the Web. In it, I explore the story of a woman who asks Jesus to drive a demon from her daughter, but Jesus initially refuses. It’s a fascinating, troubling story. My article explores the deep, persistent, and even argumentative faith of this admirable woman who ultimately persuades Jesus to grant her request.

Read the full article from the journal Word & World. It was originally published in the Winter 2006 issue.

Journal articles