Articles by John M. Buchanan

Editor's Desk

Gun madness

Aug 06, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

The Peaceable Kingdom pricks my conscience every time I see it because of the enormous gap between its vision and the world's reality.

Editor's Desk

Strangers at church

Jul 27, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

We like to think of our congregations as families. That's a powerful thing—but it can also be exclusive and off-putting.

Editor's Desk

Respectfully diverse

Jul 10, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

What is it about theological educators that allows them to get along with civility and respect in spite of wide theological diversity? I attended the recent biennial meeting of the Association of Theological Schools and was impressed with the spirit of friendship there.

Editor's Desk

Courage to compromise

Jun 26, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

Richard Lugar symbolizes something great but fragile about the American system of government: it relies on partisanship tempered by wisdom.

Editor's Desk

Grace before anything

Jun 22, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

Since childhood, I've been uncomfortable with the idea that accepting Jesus is an automatic ticket to heaven—and with the reverse idea.

Editor's Desk

Springtime hopes

May 29, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908. I have learned to comfort myself with Christian verities such as steadfastness and hope.

Editor's Desk

The baseball life

May 15, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

When I was ten, baseball became the organizing principle of my life. The game taught me that success is rare and precious.

Editor's Desk

Investing in Palestinians

May 02, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

A rabbi and strong advocate for Palestinians’ rights told me this: "When you Christians start talking about divesting from Israel, it sounds to us as if you are undermining Israel’s economy and thus Israel’s existence. We close ranks."

Editor's Desk

St. Ernest?

Apr 17, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

Reynolds Price says that Hemingway yearned for “sanctity.” I’m not sure what to make of that, but Hemingway’s general yearning is clear.

Editor's Desk

Life after resurrection

Apr 03, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

Easter Sunday is glorious. But the most important Sundays come afterward, when we are left—as were Jesus' disciples—with the sense that nothing can ever be the same.

Editor's Desk

Longing for certainty

Mar 30, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

Seekers often want Christianity to be a set of ideas one knows to be true, or at least to provide a feeling of certainty.

Editor's Desk

Dignity and choice

Mar 06, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

How do we move from Jesus' core ethical mandate to the complex issues we face in the modern world?

Editor's Desk

Life and health

Feb 21, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

I recall three times when the churches I served were picketed. The one that was by far the most traumatic had to do with abortion.

Editor's Desk

Answering yes

Feb 14, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

One of our tradition's best ideas is that God calls us to become all we were created to be. One of its worst is that only clergy are called.

Editor's Desk

Beginnings and endings

Jan 25, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

After 48 years as a minister of word and sacrament, I will retire at the end of January.

Editor's Desk

Incomparable pair

Jan 20, 2012 by John M. Buchanan

In this issue Rebekah Miles describes the key role that Ursula Niebuhr played in the development of her husband's thinking and writing ("Uncredited"). The article sent me to the bookshelf for Elisabeth Sifton's fascinating account of her parents' life together.

Editor's Desk

Scorched earth

Dec 19, 2011 by John M. Buchanan

How is it possible to read the first chapter of the Bible and not be an environmentalist?

Editor's Desk

A this-worldly story

Dec 12, 2011 by John M. Buchanan

The colonial Puritans did a lot of good things, but banning Christmas was not one of their better ideas.

Editor's Desk

Ready for Advent

Nov 25, 2011 by John M. Buchanan

I'm particularly eager for Advent this year. Per­haps it's because recent world events have been so relentlessly grim.

Editor's Desk

Gross inequity

Nov 04, 2011 by John M. Buchanan

Over 20 years, the CEO pay multiple went up 1,000 percent. Former bank CEO William J. McDonough calls this "grotesquely immoral."