The paradox of being a writer is that you are more likely to get outcomes when you let go of getting outcomes: it frees you from the ego's grip. There is a parallel here to the faith journey: seek your life and you will lose it, lose your life and you will find it.
Ulysses S. Grant never allowed alcohol to interfere with his responsibilities. His reputation as a corrupt, inadequate president is also wrong, or at least incomplete.
I noticed a disheveled and unshaven man in his early fifties a few barstools down from me. Something about him seemed uninviting. Soon an attractive 40-something woman arrived in a crisp little black dress and perched on the stool next to him. She seemed nervous.
When the World Missionary Conference gathered in Edinburgh in 1910, it would have taken real optimism to identify Korea as a prospect for major Christian growth. Through the 20th century, though, Christian growth in Korea has been astonishing.
The steward's only failing may be that he's replaceable, and the lesson he learns is that money talks.
A few years ago when Tomas wrecked a car, the police didn't care about his immigration status. But times have changed.
A review of The Sabbath World
When we complain about how busy we are, are we actually boasting of our importance?
A review of To Change the World
The call to make the world a better place is inherent in Christianity. But why have so many efforts by Christians gone so tragically wrong?
A review of How Enemies Become Friends
Countries, not individuals, are the enemies and friends that Charles Kupchan has in mind in How Enemies Become Friends, and beginning with the book's title, he sets himself against the most influential school of thought in international relations.
A review of Putting Away Childish Things
Being the Jesus scholar that he is, Marcus Borg certainly understands the power of a story. In Putting Away Childish Things he offers up a didactic novel that explores some of the thorniest theological issues facing the Christian community.
A review of The Judaizing Calvin
The accepted baseline for study of the Psalms is genre analysis. Beyond that baseline, however, several interpretive options are available.
Becoming African American
Amateurish historians often tell us that we must study the past to avoid repeating its mistakes. Such efforts rarely work out well. Laurie Maffly-Kipp, by contrast, offers an unusual, complex and thoughtful approach to history.
Focus on the Family has announced 110 job cuts in its latest round of layoffs, which the Colorado ministry attributes to the departure of founder James Dobson and the reduced financial support from donors.
In U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's reasoning, religion amounts to a "private moral view," which should not infringe upon the constitutional rights of others. While some legal scholars say Walker's decision to overturn California's Proposition 8 lands on firm legal ground, some religious leaders accuse the judge of trying to scrub faith from the public square.