J. Philip Wogaman, a professor of ethics and the former dean of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC, began the first day of my class with this question: "What is the central theme of the Bible?" He heard from the students the expected responses of love, forgiveness, and salvation. I am sure you could name the continuing list of replies. The one answer he did not receive was the word "hope." The professor then lectured that hope is the central message of the scriptures. Hope is the message of the Resurrection. It is the message that there is always a new day in the morning.
