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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Let Us Resolve
“An intelligent guilt can be a stimulus and a guide.” January 17, 1965 As 1965 began, Rabbi Olan contemplated the meaning and relevance of New Year resolutions. Are they useless exercises or helpful aspirations? In …
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What the New Year Holds in Store
“ If there is a moral law in the universe, then if we choose the right we shall achieve the good.” In his sermon of January 23, 1966, Rabbi Olan begins by making it clear …
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What a Beginning!
“In a world that is never finished, there is always hope, and hope is the greatest good of all.” In his sermon of January 16, 1966, Rabbi Olan says that the creation of the world …
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On These Foundations
This week’s sermon finds us entering 1966 (January 9), still in the midst of the civil rights movement, as Rabbi Olan reminds us that the prophetic faith “begins with the declaration that each person is …
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Is Anyone Listening?
“When we pray, is anyone listening?” “Indeed, it is almost impossible for a modern today to accept the belief in a God who listens to and answers the prayers of one person on earth.” In …
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The Greatest Story Ever Told
“The distinguishing characteristic of the Bible as it speaks of all of life is the recognition that the secular and profane must come under the control of the sacred.” In this sermon of December 19, …
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To Affirm a Faith
“The beliving person lives with the faith that upon him rests the destiny of the world.” At exactly four minutes, “To Affirm a Faith” is the shortest sermon in the SMU online database… and perhaps …
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Who Is Your Scapegoat?
“I place before thee this day,” said God, “good and evil, life and death. Choose thou the good, choose thou life.” In his sermon of December 5, 1965, Rabbi Olan develops the metaphor of the …
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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 …
