Seeing Jesus in the Dark

When I was a student at Harvard Divinity School, I learned preaching from Dr. Gardner Taylor, a pastor in New York City. I'll never forget those lectures. ...

Woody Allen on Immortality

I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it by not dying.

—Woody Allen, comedian and filmmaker

Master Violinist Goes Unrecognized

Joshua Bell emerged from the Metro and positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket. By most measures, he was nondescript—a youngish ...

Bible Translation Changes a Life

In March of 1956 (when I was about 6), a tall, pale, white man stumbled into my home village of Dibagat in the northern jungles of the Philippine island ...

Madonna Defends Mock-Crucifixion in Concert

Pop singer Madonna has never shied away from controversy, and her 2006 Confessions world tour continued that trend. As part of the show, the 48-year-old ...

The Answer to Suffering Is Personal

The answer to suffering cannot just be an abstract idea, because this isn't an abstract issue; it's a personal issue. It requires a personal response. ...

Actors Turn Down Famous Roles

Throughout the last century, several actors have turned down roles in movies that eventually became Hollywood legends. For example, Burt Lancaster turned ...

Toys for Tots Rejects Jesus Doll

As stated on the Toys for Tots website: "The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during ...

Jesus Christ as Paradox

Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb. Jesus ...

Augustine on Christmas

Our Lord came down from life to suffer death; the Bread came down, to hunger; the Way came down, on the way to weariness; the Fount came down, to thirst. —Augustine, ...