Editor's Desk

There's a broad consensus that peace between the Israelis and Palestinians depends on a two-state solution. So why doesn't it happen?

Like millions of others, I was a devoted Dave Brubeck fan—ever since I first heard his music in the 1950s.

On Sunday I attended a worship service at which the air was heavy with a sense of loss. But I saw the church being the church at its best.

Christians have always been uncomfortable with the Magnificat. Advent takes us places we would rather not go.

Patience is not one of our stronger characteristics. A flight delay or traffic jam can become an emotional and physical crisis.

I cherish Thanksgiving for its cultural institutionalization of the practice of gratitude. And because there are no gifts and few cards.

I entered divinity school assuming that Christians ought to believe something is seriously wrong with the world. But I also loved the world.

The Reformation led to a full embrace of the radical political implications of a humanity created in the image of God.

When I was a child, I read only baseball box scores. More recently, when Marilynne Robinson has a new book I immediately order it.

My files are full of stewardship sermons. So it came as a shock when people would say, “We know you don’t like to talk about money.”

Whenever I preached a dense sermon or used too many references, a missionary friend would gently remind me to proclaim the gospel simply.

The Peaceable Kingdom pricks my conscience every time I see it because of the enormous gap between its vision and the world's reality.

We like to think of our congregations as families. That's a powerful thing—but it can also be exclusive and off-putting.

What is it about theological educators that allows them to get along with civility and respect in spite of wide theological diversity? I attended the recent biennial meeting of the Association of Theological Schools and was impressed with the spirit of friendship there.

Richard Lugar symbolizes something great but fragile about the American system of government: it relies on partisanship tempered by wisdom.

Since childhood, I've been uncomfortable with the idea that accepting Jesus is an automatic ticket to heaven—and with the reverse idea.

The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908. I have learned to comfort myself with Christian verities such as steadfastness and hope.

When I was ten, baseball became the organizing principle of my life. The game taught me that success is rare and precious.

A rabbi and strong advocate for Palestinians’ rights told me this: "When you Christians start talking about divesting from Israel, it sounds to us as if you are undermining Israel’s economy and thus Israel’s existence. We close ranks."