Rabbi Levi A. Olan: The Conscience of the City

“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 …

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 …

“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 …

“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, …

“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 …

“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 …

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 …

“ … [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 …

“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 …