Happy Lutheran

As part of my Seminary’s Anti-Racism Workshop this year, we invited the students [and the whole community] to read The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander; and boy, I’m glad we did!  I hadn’t read it before, and if you haven’t read it yet, put down this blog and go start reading it right now:  it’s eye-opening, thought-provoking, frustrating,…… Continue reading The New Jim Crow: Race and Theology

I’m a professional Christian theologian, which means I’m always looking for ways and opportunities to articulate why Christian theology matters in our life today, and how it can facilitate position transformation in the lives of individuals and communities.  One such opportunity presented itself to me when I read through a book review article in The…… Continue reading Re-humanizing, not De-humanizing

I read a bit of wisdom from my friend Margaret Miles a long time ago that I continue to quote repeatedly and enthusiastically at every opportunity:  “Read promiscuously.”  I love it because it points to the serendipitous rewards that await the reader who ventures outsider her comfort zone, and chooses to read books on topics…… Continue reading The Secret History of Wonder Woman

True story.  Last night, I went to bed early, because today is Palm Sunday & I knew I would have to be up early.  At around 10:45 pm, I got up to go to the bathroom, and checked my phone for the Kentucky/Notre Dame score:  for you non-basketball fans, this was the “Elite Eight” game…… Continue reading Is God a ‘Cats Fan?

So last night my friend Lauren & I went to see “Ailey II,” a junior company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which, if you don’t know, is one of the premier modern dance companies in the United States.  The dancers were absolutely amazing–really, really incredible; and the high point of the evening was…… Continue reading Alvin Ailey and the Embodiment of the Word

Plastic surgery:  yea or nay?  In truth, I don’t think about plastic surgery so much, but I’ve been thinking about it a little more this week, because in class on Friday we’re talking about anthropology, which includes conversation about bodies and sexuality.  So that was all in the back of my mind when I read…… Continue reading Plastic Surgery: "a burqa made of flesh"?

I live in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  This means that I see the Confederate Flag all the time, everywhere I go.  There’s a house next to the place where I take Henry to be groomed that flies it; and I run and walk on the battlefield every day, primarily on the Southern line, which means that I…… Continue reading Selma and the Confederate Flag

I have been thinking alot about the Psalms this Lenten season.  The main reason for that is because I am leading an Adult study using the Psalms at John’s church.  I have chosen one Psalm for each week to “accompany” us that week.  I’ve asked people to try to read it every day, and just…… Continue reading Tonglen and the Psalms

If you’re like me, you know that Plessy vs. Ferguson is code for “separate but equal”–or, as it turned out, “separate but totally NOT equal”–but you don’t remember much more than that.  To be honest, I’m sure I learned about it at some point, but until last week, I didn’t remember who Plessy was–or Ferguson,…… Continue reading Plessy vs. Ferguson–A Recap & A Reminder