Juneteenth and the ethnic mosaic of Christianity
In the past few years, we’ve finally recognized Juneteenth, which celebrates the eagerly awaited complete emancipation of enslaved African Americans in America. As I reflect on it this year, I remember that Christian principles were the pulse of the abolitionist movement that led to Juneteenth. Yet a growing group of people see Christianity as a […]
Arise, Hope
The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness. -Vladimir Nabakov[i] Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home,— Lead thou me on! […]
Science DESTROYED Faith? The Curious Case of Nicolaus Copernicus
Up in the mornin’ Out on the job Work like the devil for my pay But that lucky old sun has nothin’ to do But roll ‘round heaven all day -Bob Dylan, 2015[i] Full Moons rise at sunset & set at sunrise. New moons rise at sunrise & set at sunset, but the lit […]
Not So Fast, Bart Ehrman: Jesus and Peregrinus, twinsies?
Is there anything worse than being unoriginal? Our culture has been cultivating the image of the ultimate free spirit over many decades now: the rugged individuals, taking on the world by themselves. The mavericks. The influencers. Who recalls the famous scene from Good Will Hunting where Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon, must defend the […]
Did Curiosity Kill the Christian?
“You’re just burying your head in the sand!” Have you ever been accused of this? When a person of one belief can’t convince a person of a different belief to change his or her mind, the unsuccessful persuader might use this phrase to imply that the fault lies not in their incredible powers of argumentation […]
Jesus Was Born: How Then Shall We Live?
Every year Christmas comes and Christmas goes. When I was a child, it felt like I waited all year for Christmas. And then for a few glorious hours I was opening presents, throwing wrapping paper on the floor, throwing new socks over my shoulder and out of my mind, and throwing food—my favorite was always […]
The Paradox of Christmas | Advent Devotional 3
Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place […]
Still the One? | Advent Devotional 2
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3 On this Sunday of Advent, churches around the world will read John the Baptist’s plaintive question: “Are […]
Don’t Say Patience! | Advent Devotional 1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; From his roots a Branch will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 “Don’t say patience. I hate it when people say patience. Everyone says patience!” A wily Lutheran pastor spoke these cheeky-yet-dead-serious words to me in a 2015 job interview. He asked me what the Lord had […]
