Worldly Wisdom and Foolish Grace: Lessons from Abraham's Tent

Rabbi Jesus interpreted the teachings of Torah to his followers. The Prophet Mohammad received a divine revelation centuries later that returned his people to the faith of Abraham. The holy texts of all three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, teach compassion, generosity, and nonviolence. While culture and politics often speak one understanding of “wisdom,” each of these faith traditions asks very different and difficult behavior of their followers, i.e., loving enemies, showing compassion for all, and giving away wealth to serve the poor; in other words, grace-filled living which the world sees as “foolish.” Worldly Wisdom and Foolish Grace reflects on ten of the hardest words spoken in Abraham’s tent, places “foolish grace” up against “worldly wisdom,” and asks us to choose which road to take.

Barbara Carnegie Campbell received her master of divinity and doctor of ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She is an ordained Presbyterian (PCUSA) pastor who has served five congregations in Oregon. St. Mark Presbyterian Church, which she served for thirteen years, worked and worshiped hand-in-hand with P'nai Or Jewish Renewal Congregation, who shared their building, and Riswan Ahmadiyya Mosque nearby. She presently shares in leadership of Cascades Presbytery.