I can’t count the number of times people have said to me, in the aftermath of an attack by Muslim extremists, “Where is the moderate Muslim response? If most Muslims are against these acts, why don’t they say anything?” And I always say that they ARE responding–they DO stand up and speak out–but the fact…… Continue reading A Muslim Response to the Paris Attacks
Beyond Joy and Sorrow
As nearly all of us have experienced, Christmas has a dark side. Lurking around the edges of the joy, the family reunions, the good food and the beautiful church services are loss, grief, loneliness, and addiction–and sometimes those things even come front and center, and become for some the dominant and defining characteristics of the…… Continue reading Beyond Joy and Sorrow
All Dogs DO Go to Heaven!
So, sometimes I really have to work to come up with a topic for my blog post, which, as you know, I try to do weekly. But other times, something drops into my lap like this story from The New York Times, about Pope Francis’ comments about dogs and heaven: Pope Leaves the Pearly Gates Open…… Continue reading All Dogs DO Go to Heaven!
Being Mortal
Today, I am here to help you with your Christmas shopping! If you would like a book suggestion that would work for almost anyone, may I commend to your attention Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande. I’ve mentioned him before [most recently in a post on Oct. 10th of this year]: he’s a surgeon at Brigham…… Continue reading Being Mortal
Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and Race
I don’t know where you are today, or where [if anywhere] you went to church–either last night or this morning–but I can guarantee that you did not hear a better sermon than I did in chapel this morning. Lauren Muratore was preaching, and she went there: that’s right, instead of preaching a typical feel-good Thanksgiving…… Continue reading Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and Race
Why Secrecy isn’t Good for the Death Penalty
I was listening to a story on NPR this morning, talking about a bill in the Ohio House of Representatives that would provide anonymity for pharmacies that compound the drugs used in state-ordered executions, and also physicians who consult on the procedures–read about it here: Death Penalty Reform BillThis has come about because European companies are…… Continue reading Why Secrecy isn’t Good for the Death Penalty
Universal Salvation
So, all my students know that the topic of salvation is my very favorite theological locus–I find it infinitely fascinating, rich and rewarding, and continue to think it is really the heart of any proclamation of the gospel, and stands at the core of what Christianity is all about. And, of course, this topic also…… Continue reading Universal Salvation
Remembering the Good
I just landed in Halifax tonight for a public lecture on Monday, and I wanted to write a quick blog post before I go to bed. One of the things I love about flying is that I get to catch up on all my reading. So, for example, today I read one Christian Century , four New Yorkers,…… Continue reading Remembering the Good
More with Us than against Us
This may be my shortest blog post ever, but I wanted to share a little gem of a story with you, which came from chapel yesterday. Mark Oldenburg, our dean of the chapel and worship [and sometimes preaching] professor, was our preacher for our Wednesday Eucharist service. I’ve mentioned him before in my blog because…… Continue reading More with Us than against Us
Four Questions to ask the Dying
I’m a huge fan of Atul Gawande. I first discovered him in The New Yorker, where he is a regular contributor, and then I read his books: Complications, Better, and The Checklist Manifesto. [I just saw he has a new one out, too: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Happens in the End–I just put that in my…… Continue reading Four Questions to ask the Dying
Happy Lutheran 