Episode 937
Radical Neighborliness: Disrupting Systems of Indifference
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".
Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.
Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
Exploring the profound implications of the parable from Luke 10:25-37, the podcast engages with the fundamental question of what it means to be a neighbor in a world often characterized by indifference and division. The narrative of the Good Samaritan serves as a critical lens through which we can assess our own actions and attitudes towards those in distress. The speaker elucidates how the Samaritan's compassionate response, juxtaposed with the apathy of the priest and Levite, underscores a radical redefinition of community and care. This discussion invites listeners to reflect on their own lives, challenging the societal norms that dictate our boundaries of concern and compassion.
The podcast articulates several key themes that emerge from the parable, emphasizing the dangers of institutional indifference. The priest and Levite's choice to ignore the wounded man serves as a poignant reminder of how entrenched systems and traditions can often inhibit our moral responsibilities. Furthermore, the speaker highlights the revolutionary aspect of the Samaritan's actions, particularly in a historical context where Samaritans were marginalized and deemed 'other'. This prompts a critical examination of our own prejudices and the individuals or groups we may unconsciously exclude from our circle of compassion. The discussion encourages a broader understanding of love and neighborliness that transcends societal constructs.
The episode concludes with an actionable charge to the audience: to engage in boundary-crossing solidarity. By identifying communities that they might typically avoid or judge, listeners are encouraged to support initiatives led by those very communities, fostering a spirit of allyship and active participation in social justice. This transformative approach to neighborliness not only calls for immediate acts of kindness but also advocates for sustainable change that addresses systemic issues. The episode wraps up with a prayer, invoking a commitment to embody radical love and to challenge the societal structures that perpetuate division and indifference.
Takeaways:
- The podcast explores the concept of radical neighborliness as a means to disrupt systems of indifference and foster genuine community engagement.
- In examining the parable of the Good Samaritan, we are challenged to redefine our understanding of what it means to be a neighbor in today's society.
- The legal expert's attempt to limit his definition of neighbor demonstrates a common inclination to avoid responsibility for others in need.
- The Samaritan's actions exemplify the importance of ongoing care and support, moving beyond mere charity to sustainable assistance for those in crisis.
- Reflecting on institutional indifference, we must question how our traditions may inhibit our ability to help those in need effectively.
- The episode encourages listeners to engage in boundary-crossing solidarity, urging them to support marginalized communities without positioning themselves as saviors.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
- Voice of God Daily
Transcript
Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh your daily visit into the New Testament of the Bible from a progressive perspective.
Speaker A:We take the Revised Common Lectionary reading for this very day.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle.
Speaker A:We present it in a way that is understandable.
Speaker A:That means we use the message version of the Bible Relatable.
Speaker A:We give you three points to ponder and applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to have we do all of this and we have a prayer as well.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is our website where you could find our free resource the ABC123 Bible study method.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A: reading for the day from Luke: Speaker A:Teacher, what do I need to get to eternal life?
Speaker A:And he answered, what's written in God's law?
Speaker A:How do you interpret it?
Speaker A:And he said, that you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence, and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.
Speaker A:Good answer, said Jesus.
Speaker A:Do it and you'll live.
Speaker A:Looking for a loophole, he asked, and just how would you define neighbor?
Speaker A:Jesus answered by telling a story.
Speaker A:There once was a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, and on the way he was attacked by robbers and they took his clothes, beat him up and went off, leaving him half dead.
Speaker A:Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road.
Speaker A:When he saw him, he angled across to the other side.
Speaker A:Then a Levite, a religious man, showed up and he also avoided the religious.
Speaker A:The injured man, now a Samaritan, was traveling the road came on him, and when he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him.
Speaker A:He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandage, bandaging his wounds.
Speaker A:Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn and made him comfortable.
Speaker A:In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, take good care of him.
Speaker A:If it costs any more, put it on my bill.
Speaker A:I'll pay you on my way back.
Speaker A:So what do you think?
Speaker A:Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?
Speaker A:The one who treated him kindly.
Speaker A:The religion scholars responded Jesus said, go and do the same.
Speaker A:Well, my friends, we're exploring this passage of scripture, one of the most famous parables in the Bible that challenges you and I to radically redefine our understanding of community and care in this passage of scripture.
Speaker A:This legal expert was trying to justify limiting his circle of concern by asking Jesus to define neighbor.
Speaker A:And Jesus responds with the story that dismantles this guy.
Speaker A:This completely dismantles religious, ethnic and social boundaries.
Speaker A:So let's get into some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first has to do about institutional indifference.
Speaker A:The priest and Levite were representatives of a religious institution and they chose to maintain ritual purity over helping somebody in need.
Speaker A:This challenges us to examine how our own institutions, traditions and proper ways of doing things might prevent us from showing up for those in crisis.
Speaker A:So what systems of respectability keep us from radical love?
Speaker A:Something to ponder.
Speaker A:A second point to ponder is the Samaritan as revolutionary.
Speaker A:Jesus deliberately chose a Samaritan, someone considered racially and religiously as, quote the other as the hero.
Speaker A:This would have shocked his audience today.
Speaker A:Who would be the Samaritan in our story?
Speaker A:Which groups do we consider, quote the other, who might actually be showing us how to live out divine love more faithfully?
Speaker A:One more point to Potter is going about beyond individual charity.
Speaker A:Notice how the Samaritan doesn't just offer immediate help.
Speaker A:He ensures ongoing care through systematic support, paying the innkeeper, promising future coverage of expenses.
Speaker A:This challenges both individual focused charity models and corporations.
Speaker A:Quote thoughts and prayers Responses how do we move from temporary aid to sustainable support, Support and systematic change?
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Practice boundary crossing solidarity.
Speaker A:That is Identify a group you maybe tend to avoid or judge.
Speaker A:Or it may be about political differences or social status or cultural background, any number of things.
Speaker A:And find an organization led by members of that community who are doing some form of justice work and support their efforts not as trying to be a savior, but as an ally, a humble ally and with your resources and presence and willingness to listen and learn.
Speaker A:We're going to come back with a closing prayer here in a moment.
Speaker A:Just a reminder.
Speaker A:We have a great resource for you.
Speaker A:It is about your own individual at home Bible study.
Speaker A:It is called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:I invite you to head over to our website Voice of God Daily.
Speaker A:It's free to you, so pick it up.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are a divine boundary crosser.
Speaker A:When we try to limit our love, expand our hearts beyond comfortable borders, when we seek loopholes to avoid responsibility, challenge our carefully constructed excuses.
Speaker A:When we pass on by the other side.
Speaker A:Stop us in our tracks.
Speaker A:Give us courage to cross dividing lines, wisdom to support sustainable change and love that looks like the Samaritans.
Speaker A:Practical, persistent and revolutionary.
Speaker A:Make us neighbors without borders.
Speaker A:Living your radical love in real time.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well my friends, it's always great to be with you here here on the Daily Bible Refresh Completely.
Speaker A:Love being with you.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:So you can help us out by just going to our website Voice of God Daily Scrolling to the bob to the bottom of the page page.
Speaker A:There is a place there that you can leave your gift.
Speaker A:Any amount is appreciated.
Speaker A:A dollar or more.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I look forward to being with you again tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes by 6am until that time, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.
Speaker A:Every.
