Category: Theology
God Weeps and God Delights
Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South Church in Boston, recently wrote a reflection for the United Church of Christ’s Still Speaking Daily Devotionals. In it, she addresses the seemingly r... Read More
“You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me”: On Robin Williams, Suicide, Ultimate Concern, and Actual Hope for the Rest of Us, Part I
*TRIGGER WARNINGS* suicide, self-harm, depression Over this past month, prompted by Ramadan, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a good person in the world. It’s way harder than... Read More
Born on the 9th of Av: Misery and Messianism
From Monday night until Tuesday night, Jews around the world will observe a day which is, incontrovertibly, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. We will fast for the 25 hours from sunset to sunset,... Read More
God loves you?
I recently had my first opportunity to go through the grueling experience known as “applying for a pastoral ministry position.” Going into it, I had no idea that this process would be intense in... Read More
Noticing the Shadow of the Cross
As a rabbinical student and someone who wears a kippah every day, I think of myself as being pretty comfortable with being Jewish. Since starting to wear a kippah in public in 2009, I have gradually g... Read More
The Valley of the Shadow of Death – Seeking a Jewish Afterlife
A month ago, my mother-in-law’s brother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Tom (may his memory be for a blessing), was far too young, too healthy, and too committed to his family for anyone ... Read More
Hospitality or Friendship ?
These days there is a lot of talk of hospitality in the field of theologies of religions. Some time ago I presented a paper at the global congress The World’s Religions after September 11 on ... Read More
My Challenge This Ramadan
Each Ramadan, I set myself a challenge. How and what can I improve this year? For Ramadan to me is about setting and overcoming challenges in an attempt to progress spiritually and become a better... Read More![Public Displays of Religiosity [PDR] & Interstate Theology](https://i0.wp.com/stateofformation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo1.jpg?resize=542%2C340&ssl=1)