First Words
The good kind of patriotism
The church is called to be a loving critic, not a national cheerleader.
A heart broken open
When the teenager stepped into the pulpit, her IV pump slung over her shoulder, the congregation grew quiet.
Jesus the fallible
Why would we want a higher doctrine of scripture than we have of Jesus?
Dad
In memoriam: Martin E. Marty (1928–2025)
A dish best not served
The desire for revenge is sweeping our nation. How can Christians counter this?
The privilege of ministry
Demoralization among clergy is high—and with good reason. But we need another narrative besides burnout.
Made to be broken
Sometimes the harm caused by breaking a promise is less than the harm caused by keeping it.
Sheer vulnerability
The nakedness of the incarnation reframes what it means to be strong.
Playing to the crowds
J. D. Vance’s lies about Haitian immigrants reveal his willingness to trade his dignity for attention.
The heart of the humanities
In a culture that too often values people simply for their labor, learning for learning’s sake is its own good.
A posture of hope
No, everything is not fine. But we can help each other envision a better way.
Working with conscience
Our repair person refused to try to fix our fridge. He wanted to be able to sleep at night.
Self-evident truths?
What may have been obvious to Thomas Jefferson was probably not obvious to those he enslaved.
A failure of compassion
Outdoor workers need a little water and shade every four hours. Is that too much to ask?
Reflecting on our reflection
Many of us are unimpressed when we look in the mirror. But we bear a more important image.
In praise of church musicians
Great leaders of congregational song attend to the new community formed every time a church gathers.
Sloth in a bathrobe
Does weariness of the soul make us apathetic toward what is good?
Accumulated faith
Faith is a way of life that acquires its layers and contours incrementally, often imperceptibly.
False prophets and their dog whistles
Jesus warned of them and the fruit they bear.
The eerie call of John the Baptist
His followers realized there was no quick exit from the discomfort of his words.