Wow. Excellent texts, and humbling reminders. Thanks!

I was always told this: The Holy Spirit convicts us of specific sin; the enemy will simply try to make us feel vaguely guilty.

(Of course you know this. But it’s worth a mention perhaps.)
Such passages in scripture tend to be in the context of describing a specific sin:

eg
Isaiah 1: “Your rulers are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does the widow’s plea come before them.”

Amos 5: “because you impose heavy rent on the poor and exact a tribute of grain from them…”

And they also come in the larger context of mercy offered. “Come let us reason together; though your sins be as scarlet… etc”

In comment to Tim, I think if the minor prophets were around today they would speak very specifically to specific churches (somewhat like the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation), and the aim would be restoration and wholeness.

Thanks for the thesis. I have saved it and will read it soon.

Also, I got the paper from Fred Chay. Email me and I will send it to you. My email comes from this website, and is jmyers@————

Good work. Very good work. I often wonder what the minor prophets might do with many of today’s churches.

His forever,
Tim Nichols

http://www.bcv.vic.edu.au/content/documents/Thesis/Ben%20Chenoweth%20-%20A%20Critique%20Of%20Two%20Recent%20Interpretations%20Of%20The%20Parable%20Of%20The%20Talents.pdf

Nice piece.