Articles by James C. Howell

Books

The Jesus Creed/Loving Jesus

Aug 23, 2005 reviewed by James C. Howell

Two bible scholars have weighed in with books that emphasize love as the heart of our life with God—a stirring reminder for those of us who function in brain mode and speak of the practices of spiritual formation so adamantly that it begins to feel like boot camp.

Features

Quirks of grace

When strange things happen

Jul 12, 2005 by James C. Howell

Ministry is befuddling, either in the way the people we serve are just so very strange, or in the way the grace of God catches us off guard—or both. Granted, some out there “get” the liturgy and sound theology we’re offering them, and in admittedly wobbly ways try to embody what the scriptures are about.

Features

What I want for Christmas

A prayer rug

Dec 14, 2004 by James C. Howell

I am surprising my wife, Lisa, with a rug for Christmas, and since she isn’t a reader of this magazine, I trust my secret is safe with you. We weren’t looking for a rug; it just showed up. Terry, from whom I had purchased a rug in Ephesus a couple of years ago, decided to bring his rugs to America and materialized in my driveway.

Books

Plain truths

Oct 19, 2004 reviewed by James C. Howell

Known among scholars as a New Testament expert, and among Anglican clergy as a bishop, N. T.

Faith Matters

Enemy territory

Unexpected tastes of joy

Sep 21, 2004 by James C. Howell

Although it would be easier at age 48 to take up the violin or pole-vaulting, I am tiptoeing into a long-postponed project of learning how to love my enemies. Not that I haven’t talked a good game or done admirable work up to now. I appeared on TV arm in arm with a Muslim imam to calm public ire the evening of 9-11. I met often to reconcile with a man who sued my church.

The Christian Century