Delivered eight years ago, this month, the observations outlined below are the remarks that I made when installed as the Rueben P. Job Chair in Spiritual Formation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. Over the years I am convinced that the challenge outlined here has become more, not less important to the well-being of both theological education and the church. The longer I live, the more keenly aware I am of our collective dependence upon the wisdom,... Read more
Reduced to dust, in a white-hot moment, under a clear, blue sky. Where do we go In such moments, with unfinished thoughts, unfulfilled dreams, unspoken love? Where do we go with our rage, our sorrow, our loss? Only you can know, only you fully remember, only you can retrieve the dreams, the hopes, the fragments, all that is lost in the dust. For it is there that you are found, among the dead, and the wounded, those who weep and... Read more
I have divided my career between the academy and the church. And more than one occasion, I have had friends or acquaintances claim that I can’t possibly know anything about how ugly the work-world can be. In response, I’ve often pointed out that – in fact – the politics of both the church and the academy can be so ugly because the stakes are so small. That mean-spirited and vicious way of navigating the world can always manifest itself and... Read more
Some years ago a seminarian approached me about a gnawing dis-ease that he was experiencing with the curriculum associated with his degree. I can’t quote him directly, but the sense of what he had to say was more or less along these lines: You know, he observed, when I was an undergraduate I majored in philosophy and we were exposed to a wide variety of philosophical perspectives. But no matter how widely the point of view varied, I still had... Read more
Gracious and loving God, Forgive us the arrogance that supposes we can live at a distance from our neighbors around the world and assume no responsibility for the wellbeing of others. Forgive us the opposing arrogance that supposes we can intervene in the affairs of other countries without the obligation to stand alongside of them. Forgive us the childish need to resolve our national needs at their expense. Forgive us the racism and callous disregard that shrugs off the... Read more
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Collect, Book of Common Prayer Contrary to popular... Read more
The final frontier of the consumer-driven approach to church. No more letting life in community shape you or make demands of you. No more bouncing from church to church to look for the pew that’s “just right.” No more grappling with that niggling fear that Jesus might actually expect something or grappling with the silly notion that the church is Christ’s body, active in the world. No more lingering thoughts that it all might be about an encounter with... Read more
7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this... Read more
In an oft-quoted, but little understood passage, Paul tells the Corinthians: As we work together with Christ, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 His appeal raises three questions, each of which requires an answer, if... Read more
If there is any passage in Paul’s letters that illustrates how hard he can be to follow, 2 Corinthians 5:6ff. may be one of the best illustrations. So, while I try to avoid using a paraphrase, in this case I think it is extremely helpful to use one. This one relies in large part on Eugene Peterson’s Message, but takes some liberties with it, as well: Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for... Read more
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