The Park Forum

July 3, 2026July 1, 2026

Friendly and Unfriendly Fields

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 3 Read: Isaiah 32 Listen: (2:46) Read: Acts 19 Listen: (5:47)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jul 4 Read: Isaiah 33 Listen: (3:45) Read: Acts 20 Listen: (5:22)
Jul 5 Read: Isaiah 34 Listen: (2:59) Read: Acts 21 Listen: (5:55)

Scripture Focus: Acts 19.8-20

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Reflection: Friendly and Unfriendly Fields

By John Tillman

Paul took his time in Ephesus. He started in the synagogue, then spoke at a local public space, the hall of Tyrannus. Paul repeated this evangelistic strategy in many cities.

Churches and synagogues today typically have one person speak and everyone else listens. But that doesn’t seem to have been the case in the recorded experiences of Paul and Jesus at New Testament period synagogues.

Synagogues were public spaces where those who worshiped Yahweh gathered. In some places this meant both Jews and “Greeks,” most probably Gentiles (Acts 13.16; 14.1; 17.17). The scriptures would be read, sometimes by a selected visitor, such as when Jesus was asked to read at Capernaum (Luke 4.16-21). Then comment and discussion seem to have been typical, such as when Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13.15) Debates and arguments at synagogues could be intense and occasionally violent. Both Jesus and Paul experienced synagogue crowds attempting to kill them (Luke 4.28-30; Acts 14.1-7, 19-20). Being roasted on Twitter or social media seems mild by comparison.

We don’t know exactly what worship or teaching at synagogues was like. However, New Testament synagogues seem to have been spaces of debate, conversation, and dialogue, in addition to exercising some levels of community/civil authority.

Synagogues were part of Paul’s evangelism strategy. They should have been (and sometimes were) friendly ground. They shared a common language and culture and were predisposed to believe in a Messiah sent by God. Paul just had to convince them that Jesus was that Messiah. But Paul never stopped sharing the gospel just because the ground became unfriendly.

Some Greeks opposed Paul for financial reasons, such as the idol-manufacturing guilds of Ephesus. Some Jews opposed Paul for theological reasons, calling him a blasphemer or heretic. Yet, Paul never became ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1.16) or held back from sharing it in any place he could find an audience.

We have the same responsibility Paul did. We must take the gospel to both friendly and unfriendly audiences. Like Paul, start with those closest to you, with whom you share many common things. Then move to less friendly fields.

The anticipation of opposition should not deter us. The gospel has robust logic, moral reasoning, and explicatory power that can stand the scrutiny of the public square. But do not rely on your own wisdom, but on the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though some will sneer, those with ears will hear.

Resource: Listen to/watch this episode of The Biblical Mind podcast for a deep dive into what scholars know about New Testament era synagogues.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God is the Holy One. — Psalm 99.9

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Horses of Flesh or Spirit

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 2 Read: Isaiah 31 Listen: (1:49) Read: Acts 18 Listen: (4:06)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 31.1-3

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

who rely on horses,

who trust in the multitude of their chariots

and in the great strength of their horsemen,

but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,

or seek help from the Lord.

2 Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster;

he does not take back his words.

He will rise up against that wicked nation,

against those who help evildoers.

3 But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God;

their horses are flesh and not spirit.

When the Lord stretches out his hand,

those who help will stumble,

those who are helped will fall;

all will perish together.

Reflection: Horses of Flesh or Spirit

By John Tillman

Egypt is the longest-lasting national superpower in the Bible.

Other nations rose and fell, but Egypt was always there, even if they waxed and waned in power. Egypt was the “arms dealer” of the ancient Near East, producing the finest war horses and chariots. Wealthy nations bought from them and no wise nation wanted to face them in battle. In addition to military aid, many nations found Egypt a reliable source of shelter, food, wisdom, and political support.

When David wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God,” he almost certainly referred to chariots and horses from Egypt. He had faced chariot-outfitted armies and seen that “The Lord gives victory.” (Psalm 20.6-7)

But Israel failed to live up to the lofty, poetic principle David penned. Principles are often sacrificed to practicality in times of crisis or undermined in times of comfort.

For Israel, a recurring temptation popped up in crisis after crisis. They wanted to go back to Egypt. Egypt was often an enemy, but Israel had a long history of trusting them for help. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sought help and shelter there. The instant Moses led the Israelites out, they wanted to go back. When Solomon secured his throne, he furnished his army with Egyptian horses and chariots. Practicality won out over his father’s poetic wisdom. And multiple times, throughout the history of kings and prophets, the nation wanted to ask Egypt for help while the prophets cried out for God’s people to trust him.

Crises expose what we truly rely on. They turn up the volume on temptations and drown out trusted voices. Comfort dulls our hold on principles and the strength of our convictions. In times of plenty, it’s not that we actively choose not to trust God, we just don’t sense our need for him. Comfort weighs us down, weakens our muscles and joints, and slows our reflexes and capacities. When it comes time to stand or fight, we are slow to respond and hesitant to do so.

What biblical wisdom have you explained away in service of a current crisis?

What comforts dull or delay your reliance or response to God?

What crises send you looking for an Egypt to save you?

What principles have you sacrificed to practicality?

Are you trusting horses of flesh, not spirit?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm — The Lord Beholds All People

Yahweh looks down from heaven, he sees the whole human race; From where he sits he watches all who live on the earth, He who molds every heart and takes note of all that men do. A large army will not keep a king safe, nor does the hero escape by his great strength; It is delusion to rely on the horse for safety, for all its power, it cannot save. But see how the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear him, on those who rely on his love, to rescue their souls from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul awaits Yahweh, he is our help and shield; Our hearts rejoice in him, we trust in his holy name. Yahweh, let your love rest on us as our hope has rested in you. — Psalm 33:13-22

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Worm Theology (a.k.a. Scrupulosity)

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 1 Read: Isaiah 30 Listen: (5:52) Read: Acts 17 Listen: (5:28)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30.20-21

20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Reflection: Worm Theology (a.k.a. Scrupulosity)

Erin Newton

I have a theory called “worm theology.” It is the way of thinking, living, believing, or preaching that needs me to always think, “I am a worm.” I use the phrase negatively when I want to emphasize my frustration about how God’s grace is often exchanged for scrupulosity. (Scrupulosity is defined as a psychological disorder primarily characterized by pathological guilt or obsession associated with moral or religious issues.)

What if we are more than worms?

Prophetic texts are used as warnings and correctives. The harsh statements and forecasts of destruction are meant to stir the heart toward change and are often needed.

But I wonder if we place an odometer on our sanctification as a means of always tracking our gaining speed. More repentance. More correction. More introspection. More self-hate. The focus somehow shifts from learning to be Christ-like to trying to outpace other Christians or even our own spiritual state from the day before.

The result can be that we forget God’s love and grace.

Isaiah calls his community an obstinate people. God chides them for seeking help from Egypt and trusting in others. They need the wake-up call. But what is also needed, what interrupts Isaiah’s admonishment in chapter 30, is the reminder that God eagerly listens, responds, and loves. Verse 19 ends with “As soon as he hears, he will answer you.” Not as soon as you get your act together. Not even as soon as you perform some ritual. As soon as the cry of help passes your lips. I dare to say that as we pray so often in our hearts, without

speech, the cry is heard when the innermost part of our souls groan.

God loves you; let us remember that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.

Isaiah acknowledges that adversity and hardship come—even at the hand of God as a just consequence from our actions. Stopping here would be to adopt the “worm theology.” So Isaiah reminds everyone: You’re not alone. God has heard you. He’s sending rain to nurture your body. He’s sending helpers to guide you.

We are not alone. Jesus reminded his disciples before his crucifixion: “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16.22).

Listen to the Helper—the Spirit who guides us toward Christlikeness—in fullness of joy.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust. Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you. — Psalm 33.20-22

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Avoiding Avoidable Offense

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 30 Read: Isaiah 29 Listen: (3:55) Read: Acts 16 Listen: (5:53)

Scripture Focus: Acts 16.15

15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Reflection: Avoiding Avoidable Offense

By John Tillman

Accommodating to the culture does not include compromising the gospel. The gospel is non-negotiable. Paul consistently defends the gospel, refusing to compromise with sin or affirm sinful behaviors. But he strives to accommodate to the culture of those he is reaching, adjusting his behavior and language. The gospel is offensive and countercultural in its nature, but Paul strives to avoid avoidable offense.

In the rest of Paul’s ministry, he goes first to a synagogue to teach the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. Here in Phillipi, he goes out to the river to find a “place of prayer” and speaks to a group of women. The word proseuchē, which is translated as “place of prayer,” is occasionally synonymous with a synagogue; however, many commentators believe its usage means there were not enough male Jewish believers to form a synagogue.

What is unusual about this Jewish gathering is the prominence of Lydia—not only a woman but a non-Jew. In all the other cities they visit, Luke neglects to name the male leaders of synagogues who either welcomed or rejected Paul’s message, but here in Phillipi, Lydia is given special attention. By comparison, later in the chapter, Luke leaves nameless the Philippian jailer who also came to faith “with his entire household” as Lydia did.

Lydia is also the first person scripture records as being baptized in Paul’s ministry (though we know there were others before her). She is also the first baptized Christ-follower on the European continent. Scripture tells us that after Lydia’s conversion, she “persuaded” Paul and the others to stay with her. The word implies entreaty or compelling someone to do something they would not ordinarily do. Jews would not normally stay in the home of a non-Jew, not even a proselyte believer such as Lydia.

What we see at work here is the continuing development of Paul’s pattern of accommodating himself to different cultures for the sake of spreading the gospel. As Paul set out on this journey, he had Timothy circumcised, so as not to be an offense to Jews as they traveled. This was an accommodation to his intended audience. Paul was opposed to requiring non-Jews to be circumcised. And here, among the most Jewish part of Phillipi’s culture, Paul abandons Jewish customs that he upholds at other times.

Too often, perhaps, we confuse “boldly” proclaiming the gospel with “rudely” proclaiming the gospel. This is a mistake Paul works hard to avoid. May we do the same.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good and to those who are true of heart. — Psalm 125.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Neither Cave Nor Cling to Culture

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 29 Read: Isaiah 28 Listen: (4:49) Read: Acts 15 Listen: (5:43)

Scripture Focus: Acts 15.5-11

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Reflection: Neither Cave Nor Cling to Culture

By John Tillman

It seems silly to have to say it, but…Jesus was Jewish.

One reason we must say it is that, at times in history, the Jewishness of Jesus was de-emphasized or erased to promote anti-Semitism. Another reason we must remember that Jesus was Jewish is in order to understand New Testament controversies.

Jesus and his followers were so Jewish (How Jewish were they?) that many had a hard time imagining anyone following Jesus without first becoming a Jew. Jesus’ followers affirmed that the gospel was for everyone. Some just thought it had the prerequisite of Jewishness.

Don’t you have to become Jewish to follow a Jewish rabbi named Jesus? Don’t you have to be circumcised? Observe Sabbath laws? Food laws? Purity laws? Is Jesus for everyone?

To some, not upholding circumcision was caving to Greek culture. “If we approve of uncircumcision, what’s next? Eating in idol temples? Sexual immorality? Eating impure foods?”

It’s a valid concern. Accommodating some cultural norms would mean betraying vital truths of our faith. We must look downstream and beware slippery slopes. When addressing a cultural shift, we should rightly ask, “What’s next?”

Caving to culture as it changes is a problem and erodes true faith. Clinging to cultures of the past is also a problem, and poisons our faith with pride, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy. On one hand, we “let go of the commands of God” to hold on to new “human traditions.” On the other hand, we “nullify the word of God by” the traditions we “have handed down.” (Mark 7.8-13)

When the Jerusalem Council struggled with these questions, they set an example for us. They separated essential from non-essential. They separated unchanging commands from cultural traditions.

How? They 1) listened to the Holy Spirit 2) applied the teachings of scripture, and 3) analyzed the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Through Peter’s vision, Paul and Barnabus’ testimony, and James’ application of the scriptures, they realized requiring circumcision would hinder God’s work. Then they carefully and lovingly explained their convictions.

Christian communities engage in this process today. The Holy Spirit will not negate or overturn scripture. If we think he is, the error is our own. In biblical communities, we must check each other, challenge each other, and work to convince each other, all within the security of loving and accepting one another as Christ loved us.

Neither cave nor cling to culture. Cling only to Christ.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

For your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you.

I have not sat with the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful.

I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down with the wicked.

I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, that I may go in procession round your altar,

Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds. — Psalm 26:2-7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Friendly and Unfriendly Fields

Links for today’s readings:

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Acts 19.8-20

Reflection: Friendly and Unfriendly Fields

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Read more: Dethrone the Fool

Read more: The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

Horses of Flesh or Spirit

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 31.1-3

Reflection: Horses of Flesh or Spirit

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm — The Lord Beholds All People

Read more: Portrait Shaped by Scripture

Read more: Default Settings for Scripture

Worm Theology (a.k.a. Scrupulosity)

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30.20-21

Reflection: Worm Theology (a.k.a. Scrupulosity)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Read more: Prophets in Our Path

Read more: Gods in Our Image

Avoiding Avoidable Offense

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Acts 16.15

Reflection: Avoiding Avoidable Offense

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Read more: Cringing at Culture or at Christ?

Read more: Detoured by the Holy Spirit

Neither Cave Nor Cling to Culture

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Acts 15.5-11

Reflection: Neither Cave Nor Cling to Culture

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Read more: Retched Leaders

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