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So much of human religiosity comes down to a hoax we perpetrate on God.

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

Daniel Hawk avoids easy responses to violence in the Bible—but then enters some troubling territory.

We preach the gospel of peace and justice. Are there divides between our words and actions?

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

In last week’s post I talked about the practice of asking “Who am I in this story?” It’s a way of trying to hear a story with a beginner’s mind.

Jesus is the thief, and the powers of this world own the house in which we’re waiting.

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

The story of the Good Samaritan is so familiar to many of us.

This is a funny story. We laugh. But we're laughing at ourselves.

Artemisia Gentileschi is the most famous female artist of the Italian Baroque period. Her Conversion of the Magdalene was likely executed in Florence in 1615–16. In post-Tridentine theology, Mary Magdalene was an exemplar of the penitent sinner. Artemisia captures a delicate balance between the Magdalene’s sensuality and her faith through both her attire and the gesture of clutching her breast.

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

Recently, in Memphis where I live, there was another officer-involved shooting of a young black man.