With a title like “UnChristian”, one has to wonder about the starting point – and intention – of a full blown study and exposition of the state of the contemporary church. First published in 2007, UnChristian continues to stir controversy and unsettles too comfortable cultural...

“I’m not black, but there’s a whole lot of times I wish I could say I’m not white.” Frank Zappa The history and progress of civil rights in America has never been easy, and many times it has been downright ugly and dispiriting.  But sometimes, yes, sometimes, glory breaks...

In mainland China, at least in 1999, they didn’t celebrate – or even acknowledge – Christmas. The brutal winters fit that line from “The lion, the witch and the wardrobe” where Narnia is described as “always winter and never Christmas.” I was teaching English for a major university...

With each election, we see “We the people” in action. Once again, “the people have spoken” and American voters have done what we do best; we changed our minds. We may not know what we want politically – but we know what we don’t want. At least until the next distraction. Politicians...

I recently heard an interview with an anthropologist whose area of study was the native people in far northern Canada. He had studied their stories and legends and worked directly with them for many years. This is one of those arctic (and sub-arctic) people groups who live a purely subsistence lifestyle....

“Allah is not God.” I’m sure you’ve heard this term. You may have even used it a few times.  But what does it mean? What do we really mean when such a catchy slogan jumps out? In any grown-up conversation we should start with the basics; what is the literal agreed upon, dictionary...

I love the USA.  I love everything about it.  I love the Constitution (and ALL of the amendments) and the Declaration of Independence.  I love the Founding Fathers – those who “pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.”  I love my country as a parent loves a child...

Kill your gods. That’s what the graffiti on the wall of the industrial warehouse on the way to the mall said: “Kill your gods.” It’s painted over now, but the message stuck – and seems even more relevant now.  ”Kill your gods” after all, could not be a more...

“I’m sure God sent them to us.” Politicians love to claim credit for the big – and best – changes of history. Life is rarely so simple. There are those odd little movements like twitches on obscure nerve endings that end up reverberating throughout cultures and eras. The twentieth...

“I’m sure God sent them to us.” Politicians love to claim credit for the big – and best changes – of history. Life is rarely so simple. There are those odd little movements like twitches on obscure nerve endings that end up reverberating throughout cultures and eras. The twentieth anniversary...