Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Here's a link to an interview with Ruth Padilla DeBorst, the daughter of the Latin American theologian Rene Padilla. She says true Christian mission must address issues of power and poverty. I had the privilege of meeting Rene Padilla in San Jose a few years ago and really appreciated his depth of wisdom and commitment to justice. I love that his daughter is picking up that same mantle. Here's a quote from the interview.

In the end, we find the new Jerusalem and all people bowing before the Lord of all nations. The story between that beginning and that end is not divorced from human history. Rather, it is a picture of God's involvement in history. It's the story of a people wandering closer and further away from his call and claim on their lives to serve as a light to the nations, an example of how people can relate to God and to one another in right and healthy ways. It's also the story of God calling his people back through the prophets, to the point of sending Jesus himself to say, I am serious about this world; I love this world; I'm willing to suffer and die for this world.

In the Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to baptize disciples in all the world. But he also says, "Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you." I often think about the disciples on the way to Emmaus. When they were blind to Jesus, he explained "all the Scriptures." Too often we don't look at all the Scripture, all of life, and God's comprehensive intentions of not leaving any corner of the earth untouched by his love.