Latest Articles
True crime at the div school
In 1991, religion scholar Ioan Petru Culianu was murdered at the University of Chicago. Was this killing related to his controversial mentor, Mircea Eliade?
Conspiracies of goodness
When I fear a dystopian future, I hold on to stories of everyday resistance.
“Do you believe this?” (Isaiah 25:6-9; John 11:32-44)
Jesus’ question to Martha extends to all believers.
When the doctrine of discovery became law
Steven Schwartzberg shows how the 19th-century arguments for Native American expulsion went against the intentions of the framers of the Constitution—and how they remain with us today.
The gift of interfaith difference
At the Muslim community center, I felt the tension of our divergence. But I also sensed gratitude.
Bone chapels and their strange art
In catacombs, crypts, and ossuaries, I’ve seen the ugliness of death transformed into something beautiful.
November 3, Ordinary 31B (Mark 12:28–34)
The scribe’s question to Jesus is not merely an academic exercise.
Creating a disruption (Mark 10:46-52)
There is a tearing at the social fabric when Bartimaeus cries to Jesus.
November 1, All Saints B (Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 21:1-6a)
God swallowing up death indicates the ultimate defeat of sorrow and chaos.
Healing from the ground up
In her memoir, Lore Ferguson Wilbert draws connections between her life and the forest‘s understory.
Bridging the ideological divide
It isn’t easy to lower the temperature of our political discourse. But there are people working to help us have better conversations.
Gustavo Gutiérrez accompanied God’s suffering people
The father of liberation theology endured much criticism, but he lived to see his groundbreaking work transform the church.
What happened to the American dream in the 20th century?
David Leonhardt tells the story in the language of economic analysis.
October 27, Ordinary 30B (Job 42:1–6, 10–17)
Job passively endures a lot of trauma before he finally speaks directly to God about it. That’s the turning point.
Why church marketing won’t work with Gen Z
Equity requires people with power giving some of it up. What if we applied this principle to young adult ministry?
Longing for answers (Job 38:1-7, 34-41)
Job experiences awe at God’s response, but not necessarily peace.