Belief in a deity: it’s a debate that’s often framed in predictable ways. Either a person believes in God or is an atheist. Or a person believes in the Christian God or a Muslim God or a Hindu God.. Or perhaps one has made money, power, or prestige a deity.… Read More »What God do You Believe In?
I’ve just returned from Oberlin College outside of Cleveland, Ohio. It was there I watched election night coverage which left me nothing less than stunned. Oberlin College: a place that served as a way-station along the Underground Railroad helping to move Southern slaves to new lives in Canada. Yes, a… Read More »Reflections on the Election by a Progressive Christian Minister
Advent: a time of anticipation, preparation, and expectation for something yet to come. In the weeks before Christmas, Christians mark the time of Advent. The four Sundays before Christmas Day are meant to draw Christians to look for what is not seen, to hope for something more, to anticipate good… Read More »Keeping Christ in Christmas, part 1: Hearing Voices
It happened so quickly that it caught me off guard. A student in class stopped me in the middle of what I was saying. In a loud voice, she claimed that certain words came out of my mouth implying something offensive about her. It was something similar to what I… Read More »The Accusation
It was a question that caught me a bit off guard. But I’ve learned to expect such questions from my friend. Over the last year and a half I’ve been corresponding with someone who would normally be outside of my social circle: a former professional football player turned coach who’s… Read More »Social Consciousness: Awareness of the Needs of Others
It was a humid day. A slow, steady rain fell as we stood in the line. Some friends told us that they waited over two hours in this line. I suspected that because of the rain it would be much faster. I was right. Our wait was only 45 minutes.… Read More »Providing Refuge: History Repeats Itself
How can we recognize a spiritual person? What might we look for in ourselves as a sign of spiritual growth or maturity? In what way should religious beliefs influence the quality of a person’s life? As I reflect on these questions, I look to my own spiritual and religious heritage… Read More »Spiritual Growth: Where Do Love and Hate Fit In?
In many parts of the world, including the United States, there is a growing desire to eat food grown from seeds that were not genetically modified, i.e., non-GMO foods. Much of this food is organic. Monsanto, as well as other companies, make seeds that are genetically modified to resist the… Read More »Tending One’s Own Vineyard