I’ve never been great at languages. I wish I were. A natural linguistic facility would have made my years of learning biblical languages (or living in foreign countries, for that matter) slightly less trying. Language study, I understand, comes with…
OPINION: Predestination, free will and Matt Damon
I wish I could say that deep theological reflection spurred my action, but I'll go ahead and admit that Matt Damon probably had more to do with my inspiration to head to the movie theater to see The Adjustment Bureau….
OPINION: When church is the real thing
Hands down my favorite question to ask people in casual conversation is: Why do you go to church? I often wonder what compels people — what compels me — to offer so much of my life to the work of…
OPINION: When a pastor goes to church
Amy Butler I had a free evening last week, so I decided to go to church. Though I spend quite a bit of time at church, I don’t often go to church in the way that most people think of…
SECOND OPINION: Pastors need pastors, too
When I left seminary, I was just dying to get into a pastorate so I could try out all the good ideas that had been germinating through all those hours and hours of sitting in a seminary classroom. I believe…
SECOND OPINION: Teaching laypeople about preaching — and rediscovering its beauty
If I were being completely honest, I would tell you that the whole idea was a little, tiny bit self-serving. Having recently completed my doctor-of-ministry degree in preaching, I, strangely enough, managed to maintain my passion for the subject even…
SECOND OPINION: Dear Michelle
Dear Michelle: I'm probably supposed to call you something more important now that you'll soon be our country's first lady, but I'm not sure what I should call you exactly, and, anyway, we're not much for titles around here. I…