Faith & Society

God and Barack Obama

Editor’s Note: This is part one of a two-part series on Barack Obama, his faith, and Christian voters. Click here to read part two. Let me begin with what I hope is a credibility enhancer: For daring to write a … Continue reading

Joe Biden’s Church Troubles

Certain elements in the news media are attacking Sarah Palin’s religious beliefs. This has included several bizarre articles, in mainstream publications, highly critical of her local church. One source blasted her “Neanderthal faith.” As usual, the liberal press is demonstrating … Continue reading

Devouring the Clintons

The Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago is a raucous place. Not long ago, during the Christmas season, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright—stepping back from his repeated proclamation that “God d— America!”—paused to damn the former president of America: As … Continue reading

Revisiting the New Deal

As the New Deal celebrates its 75th  birthday, it is a fitting time to reflect on the context in which it occurred, its moral and spiritual underpinnings, and its aims. By significantly increasing the size, spending, and scope of the … Continue reading

Conceiving Conception at Messiah

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, is the big day: the crucial Pennsylvania Primary. It happens here, in my home state, at polling places in big cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, medium-sized cities like Erie and Harrisburg, and small towns like mine, … Continue reading

Blessing vs. Damning America

“I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life…. [I]n my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed….” —President Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address, January 11, 1989 “’God Bless America?’ No, no, … Continue reading

Faith & Politics

The 12 Virginia Episcopal congregations that voted to leave the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. (ECUSA) and its Virginia Diocese in late 2006 and early 2007 have been successful in the first round of what promises to be a protracted … Continue reading