God's Happy To Be Homeless So You Don't Have To Be

This is Pastoral Theology with Joseph Lear: Housing is a major problem in Iowa City. Over the years at Resurrection Assembly, we’ve moved our congregants in and out of houses, advocated for them with their landlords, and facilitated emergency storage when they have no place to keep their belongings. Pastor Abby and her husband have housed homeless kids. We’ve prayed for the miracle of a roof over every congregant’s head. And the vast majority of our benevolence fund has gone to help the vulnerable keep up on their rent when they lose a job, their car breaks down, or they’re hit with medical bills. To make matters worse, Iowa City is full of what we call “slum lords.” They’re landlords with minimal morality and maximal greed. As the month of July rolls around every year, it’s one story after another that all have the same basic themes: the landlord won’t fix the water pipes, won’t deal with the cockroach infestation, or won’t address the chipping asbestos. So the tenant stops paying rent, and, in response, the landlord evicts them.As you’ll hear in this sermon, I think the answer to our housing problems begins with Christology and a theology of the temple. In this message, I continue a lectionary series on the life and rule of king David. I don’t simply moralize the story of David’s desire to build God a temple. But the moral theology—that God wants every person to have a roof over their head—seems to me to jump from the pages if we but pay attention to the character of God revealed in Jesus.Give it a listen, and let me know what you think in the comments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit josephlear.substack.com