As bitter winter advances, religious communities from Portland to New York are opening their doors to Occupy protesters. How many“Christmas among the Occupiers” stories do you think we'll see this year? Christmas, by the way, is on a Sunday this year. The vast majority of churches (91 percent) plan to hold some sort …

By Blogger Dr. Karin Heller Karin, I was really struck by one of the things you said in class Friday night and I have been going over it in my mind ever since. I won’t be able to quote you exactly, but you made reference that to put the love …

Just in time for the holidays, God has a new book out called the“The Last Testament,”as “revealed” to a Daily Show writer. The NYT calls it “pseudoquaint.” Speaking of writers, the lateDavid Foster Wallacereportedly flirted with joining the Catholic Church near the end of his life. David Brooks has been …

Welcome toCyber Monday! Hey, it’s got to be safer thanBlack Friday: less chance ofpepper spray, Tasers, fisticuffs. At least in my house. Mostly. Diana Butler Basscautions we preachers and elitists from savoring the low-hanging fruit ofconsumer bashing: “[T]he oddest thing about the folks in lines at those discount stores: They …

How often we underestimate the power of a story to bring about change. One inspiring book has me thinking that I can do things different this time of year — that Jesus and worship and spiritual disciplines and the fruit of the Spirit can make a recognizable difference in how …

How did you spend your Thanksgiving? If you are like most Americans you spent it with family and/or friends, eating a special (turkey) dinner, watching football (or sitting around socializing while a football game played in the background). Maybe you even remembered to express thanks for the blessings of family, …