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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On Being a Tolerant Person
It feels quite fortuitous that this sermon of November 28, 1965 made its way onto the blog after a very hotly contested presidential election. The election highlighted an already divided nation grappling with serious issues …
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The Wisdom of Our Fathers
“ … [W]isdom is not only a respect for tradition, an appreciation of time, it is living by faith. The Bible describes the unbeliever not as a sinner, but as a fool.” Organizations display mission …
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On Getting Your Money’s Worth
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On Getting Your Money’s Worth
“What a man needs is some far-reaching ultimate concern which will bind all of his warring selves together and give meaning and purpose to his life.” In his sermon of November 14, 1965, Rabbi Olan …
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Religion’s New Look
“Religion is trying to get along without God. It is somewhat like producing a new style in an automobile and removing the engine at the same time.” In Rabbi Olan’s day, many Americans were attracted …
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A Plea for Disciplined Living
“If we would be free, we must choose to discipline ourselves.” In his sermon of October 31, 1965, Rabbi Olan argues that self-discipline is essential to education, to the creative life, to family life, and …
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One Secret of Eternity Is Revealed
“Biblical faith is rooted in the mysterious.” This sermon of October 24, 1965 by Rabbi Olan focuses on the mystery of life, because, as he notes, “life is more mystery than fact.” Sometimes it may …
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We Are All Guilty
“It is time for us to recite the confession of our collective guilt….” Have you ever driven on the freeway behind a car whose exhaust fills your own car with the smell of a rotten …
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All Real Life Is Meeting
“There are only two things certain about our lives – we must die and we are not dead now. What each of us confronts is the period between now and death. What shall we do …
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The Unleavened Life
“It is time that we cleaned out all of the fermenting leaven of our lives and got rid of it. It is time to eat unleavened bread, symbol of the new, the hopeful, the fresh, …
