Posts by D C

What are people of faith to do when others who claim to have the same faith use that faith against democracy?  This is the question I wrestle with more and more as advocates of “Christian nationalism” seem intent on subverting our democracy in the name of God.   There are examples all across our country of…

This might seem a strange question to ask, but it needs to be asked anyway.  “What is the greatest problem that our country—no, not just our country, but the whole world—needs to tackle in 2023?”   Sadly, we have a long list of problems to choose from, but there is one problem that is hardest to…

Once I retired, I knew that I’d finally have the time to read books that were on my “need-to-read” list.  Recently, I accidentally or providentially ran across the name of Dr. Howard Thurman, an author whom I always intended to read but, for some reason, hadn’t managed to.  But once I discovered that Martin Luther…

It is a Christmas tradition in our family to watch the film version of A Child’s Christmas in Wales.  The film is a sentimental window into Christmastime a hundred years ago in a different culture, but not so different as to confuse American viewers.   The film, based on Dylan Thomas’ poem of the same name,…

I will admit to having a mild case of World Cup fever.  As is true of most Americans, I had seen soccer, or what the rest of the world calls “football” or “futbol,” played before.  But my passions when I was growing up were basketball and baseball, and I am positive that my high school…

I was watching a movie version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with my wife recently when I had a strong feeling that I’d encountered this story before.  No, I’m not talking about earlier film versions of Dickens’ classic, but something far more ancient.  Growing up the son of a minister and ending up teaching…

If you are looking for a nearly foolproof Christmas gift idea, I have a suggestion for you to consider.  And as an added bonus, I can promise that this gift will actually be good for the brains of those who receive it.     I am talking about a book, but not just any book.  I am…

This is the type of fast that I wish: to loosen the fetters of injustice . . . to set free those who are oppressed . . . to share your bread with the hungry, and to offer shelter to the homeless poor, to clothe the naked when you behold them and not turn your…

Donald Trump and Ted Lasso Walk into a Bar . . .   How would you finish that sentence?  What would be the outcome of a meeting between someone like Donald Trump and someone like Ted Lasso?   If we think of masculinity on a spectrum, then there could hardly be two more different versions of what…

Who can predict the future?  That’s kind of a trick question, because anyone can predict the future.  The real question is “Who can predict the future accurately?”   We might think that predicting the future accurately is the task of religious mystics or seers.  But there are others who are accurately predicting the future, and those…