Oneword Merch's origin story is a wild one

The cultural context of scripture – who wrote a particular passage/book, to whom, why, social norms at the time, historical happenings, etc. – and understanding the Jewish aspects of it all are deeply interesting. Major nerd level.

Last year brought a study through Romans and chapters 9-11 struck deeply (though entire book is…whoa!).

Apostle Paul (previously known as Saul, a highfalutin Jewish leader/teacher who once guarded the coats of people who stoned Stephen to death in Acts 7), became known as an apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jews).

So in Romans, written to Italian Gentiles, he summarizes God’s redemption plan for and through the Jewish people from the Old Testament and extends that redemption to Gentiles. He drives this point home in Romans 11 with an illustration of a cultivated olive tree (the Jews) with *wild olive* branches (Gentiles) grafted to the rich root of that tree.

What great news for us!

This struck a creative chord when this Gentile realized I’m “with the band” and have been given an all-access backstage pass to that redemption plan … so I made a “band tee” to remember the Wild Olive illustration.

At that moment, Oneword Merch was born. That “band tee” design is also available on a comfy hoodie, campsite mug, and vinyl decal for your vehicle, laptop, cooler, or anywhere you decorate with stickers.