Category: Challenges
Discipline and Punish: The Buddha on the Dangers of Divinity School
In the Kalama sutta, the Buddha is approached by a group of villagers called the Kalams, who ask him a very simple question: “All of these preachers pass through here praising their own doctrines an... Read More
“More nations than one”: Mormonism and Inter-religious Dialogue
I was recently struck by the realization that a particular chapter in the Book of Mormon seems to demand of its readers an openness to something like inter-religious dialogue. This was an interesting ... Read More
Discipline in Formation
My Introduction to Ministry Studies professor told us a few weeks ago that if we plan on practicing any spiritual discipline in our later life, we had better get going. “If you don’t find time for... Read More
Between Native Americans and Pilgrims
For a few years my wife, children, and I would hear about the jokes, laughter, and family news on the following day when we went to get our share of the leftover oxtails and pie. Happily, we haven't l... Read More
Is Pluralist Scripture Possible?
Spending a year reading the Bible to seven year-olds in a Unitarian Universalist church, I learned to walk a very fine line - between narrating stories and sharing Scripture. Even as a non-Christian,... Read More
Thoughts on Forgiveness
“As ministers to their countrymen at arms, German chaplains had an immensely difficult job. Hostile military, state, and party authorities made their work even harder. Some chaplains showed fortitud... Read More
Integration, In-Formation, Incarnation
Despite the resistance to seminary I described in my previous post, I have moaned on many occasions, “I wish I could just go to school full-time.” I am meandering my way through seminary, ... Read More
Learning to Give Thanks – Ritual for Humanists
I know how to celebrate Christmas. The tree, the carols, the mulled wine, the mistletoe: all this makes sense to me. Although I am not a Christian, I know the Christmas story and its significance in t... Read More