In a congregation with a group of clergy recently, I said something I say often: “We (pastors) lead with our lives.” Our culture places much emphasis on competence and skill. Please, God, let us clergy show competence! But, let us
Epistemic Humility and the Force of Ideas
Off and on (mostly on, I suppose), I think about the clash of ideas that takes place between people when talking about religion. In “educated” (I use this word advisedly) middle class America, there is an informal moral principle at
From One Heart to Another
In 2 Corinthians, Paul is put in the position of defending his ministry. “Are we beginning to commend ourselves?” he asks the Corinthians. “You are our letters [of commendation],” he reminds them. Paul’s “defense” of the authenticity of his work
“Have to” Questions, “How Do You Know” Questions
I’m helping to teach a class that affords me opportunity to interact with college students about spirituality. In such venues two sets of questions alway arise. I’m thinking about the unhelpful ways we in the ministry often answer them I