The mission of this blog is to stimulate interest in the deeply perceptive and still-relevant teachings of Levi A. Olan (1903-1984) by sharing from the Levi A. Olan Sermons and Images at Bridwell Library Digital Collection. The title "Conscience of the City" was applied to Rabbi Olan by a Fortune magazine reporter in 1964. Although Olan's city was Dallas, his thought transcends locality. Our goal is to...
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Tested by Trouble
“Religion must have something better to say in times of great suffering than, ‘It is God’s will, have faith.'” Are you troubled by the circumstances of your life and the times in which we live? …
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Our Changing Morality
“Is there anything which is right or wrong for all time and in all places?” In his sermon of April 17, 1966, Rabbi Olan begins his quest for a universal moral standard by acknowledging that …
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It Will Take a Miracle
“Our day is very ominous and there are dark hours when we seem doomed to extinction. It will take a miracle to save us. But we no longer can expect a miracle. What hope is …
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Thou Shalt Teach Thy Son
“Each person is a unique creation and is important because he is especially the work of the Creator. This gives him dignity and worth; it speaks of his significance and calls for respect. It is …
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If It Had Not Happened
“We… will make decisions in our personal lives and for the nation…. Let us be as sure as we can possibly be that the consequences are those we want.” We have all played the game …
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On Being Unimportant
“Moses commanded the people, ‘And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it into the blood, and strike the lintels and the two side-posts of your houses.’” Rabbi Olan makes a simple point …
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Taking God Seriously
“The church and the synagogue have too often stood in the way of the God-faith by opposing truth and ignoring the demands of justice.” Surely this is one of Rabbi Olan’s most pointed and powerful …
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Come Let Us Pray
“In the real issues of our lives, in facing grief or experiencing joy, in the presence of fear, or the need for hope, hard work and hard thought are not enough…Prayer can lead [us] to …
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Why Do People Live Double Lives?
We profess noble ideals but in practical life adhere to something far less. In this sermon of February 27, 1966, Rabbi Olan isn’t talking about a double life in the context of a marriage, but …
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The Modern False Messiah
“Science is itself becoming a new superstition, a false Messiah.” Rabbi Olan was not anti-science. In fact, he was clearly in awe of it. However, in his February 20, 1966 sermon Olan wanted to challenge …
