Sometimes I forget that there are large portions of the Christian population who don’t believe evolution happened, who think the earth is 4,000 years old, and who assume the universe and all that is in it was created in seven 24-hour days. arl Giberson and Francis Collins are two Christian scientists who believe in evolution, an old earth, and a long process of creation. And they treat Christians who understand the Biblical texts differently with great respect. Read more

As a future rabbi whose brother is a chemical biologist, I must write any review of a book on Christianity and Darwinism with care and respect for the authors, even as they approach these issues from a different vantage point than my own. Thankfully, this book does not force a stretch. Read more

In the last chapter of their book, “The Grand Narrative of Creation,” the authors of "The Language of Science adn Faith" provide us with a fresh telling of the Christian Creation story in light of the advances of modern sciences. More so than the most astute theological arguments for theistic evolution, this narrative gives us something that we can plug into and, just as importantly, invite others to join us in. Read more

What is there to say in the face of the thousands of dead, the images of a wall of water engulfing homes, cars, and whole towns, and the looming threat of nuclear meltdown? As millions lack enough food and water, and hundreds of thousands huddle in makeshift shelters, we look on in shared grief, sympathy, and horror. A prayer that Something or Someone will ease their pain, a hastily written check to a relief organization, and we can go back to our daily lives. Or, perhaps, there could be a little more. If we begin with a spiritual commitment to moral self-awareness that is as common for Catholics (“confession”) as for Jews (“tshuvah), for 12–steppers (“fearless self-inventory”) as Buddhists (“mindfulness”), let’s see what that could be. Read more

Roger Gottlieb's book Engaging Voices reminded me of an experience we used to have at a 5-day Christian prayer retreat program for youth ministers. The potential divisive bickering between those of different theological stripes was not only avoided, it was transcended by the invitation to silence and prayer vs. debate. Read more

As a former jail chaplain, I was drawn into both the tensions and the lighter moments of the exchanges in the prison scene from Roger Gottlieb's "Engaging Voices." The author's use of stories within stories, and voices of marginalized people, took hold and the rest of the book kept hooking me with bits and pieces of questions and clarity and back into more conundrums--religious, political, cultural "drums" as these can be. Read more

As we’re drawn into the lively discussions with the spirited 'real-life' characters in Gottlieb's new book, "Engaging Voices," we're invited to consider our own opinions and judgements on issues we care about. Each chapter opens up a new scenario for dialogue on differing points of view, and for examining how we might live and talk together with those who are so completely different from us. Read more

Michael Card, in his book Luke: The Gospel of Amazement, describes the imagination as the bridge between mind and heart and a means of integration. His reflections on Luke's gospel remind me of a delicious cocktail of lectio divina, Ignatian contemplation, and Midrash. Read more

The bible is, first and foremost, a story - my story, presented in pieces of poetry, prose, historical records, letters, prophetic declarations, and journals - inspired by God, written by humans - all revealing one story of God's interaction with mankind. Read more

The briefest overview of key biblical texts reveals the engagement and creative use of the imagination as the locus of God’s power and presence. The imagination, with its currency of images and metaphors, is vital to a vibrant faith. Read more