Richard A. Kauffman
Some observations from the Faraday Institute conference on science and religion
My educational background is in the humanities; my exposure to the sciences has been almost nil....
Beware of the book buzz
The book publishing world depends on buzz. The best kind of book buzz is created by readers who tell their friends about the books they love. Anyone who is part of a circle of reading friends knows that, despite dire predictions about the demise of book publishing, the appetite for reading books is alive and well. But readers have to find out about a book somehow, and that is where promotion comes in—either by publishers or by the authors themselves.
I understand the growing need for writers to promote their own work.
Forbidden poems
Rahila Muska, a teenage girl, lived in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, a Taliban stronghold....
Old growth
When our family lived in western Pennsylvania we had a rather large yard. It was like a magnet for kids in the neighborhood, which was okay with us....
Never again?
In 1920, not long after the Great War, a little-known agitator gave a speech in Munich on the topic, "Why Are We Anti-Semites?" The speaker concluded that it was important to prevent Germany “from suffering a death by crucifixion."
Of course this agitator became quite well known—it was Adolf Hitler—and we know what his antisemitism led to.
Contested space in church kitchens
If you want to understand the politics of a given church, start with the kitchen: who is in control, and what conflicts arise there?
Regretting things done and left undone
When writer Philip Caputo was almost 69, he took a road trip across the country—diagonally, from Florida to Alaska....
Progressive faith on the FM dial?
Driving in northern Indiana one recent evening, I came to the conclusion that religious broadcasters pretty much own the FM band in this part of the country. One station was playing contemporary Christian music, another gospel music. And three different stations were airing James Dobson’s radio program. Dobson, formerly of Focus on the Family, was touting a new novel he has coauthored, which fictionalizes all the bad things supposedly resulting from a decline in the American birthrate.
Preparing to read
Over time I have come to believe that the reading of scripture in public worship is as important as expounding on scripture (i.e., preaching)....
Jesus the Homeless, by Timothy Schmalz
In an era when homeless people can be seen sleeping on city sidewalks and park benches, Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz wanted to convey the idea that Jesus too was homeless....
He Was Received Up Into Heaven, by Hanna Varghese
Hanna Varghese is a Malaysian artist who often works in batik, as she does with this image of the ascension....
Holy digital: The Bible on iPad
I switched to a digital Bible for ease and versatility. But I gave something up: a sense of the sweeping history of God's engagement with God's people.
What about self-publishing?
I don't like un-vetted books, aka self-published books or books printed by so-called vanity presses. I’m aware that this is where much of the publishing world is headed in this digital age. There is a growth industry of firms that will be glad to publish your book, in print or in digital format. Amazon even has such a service.
I laud many aspects of the digital world. But this is one development I see as a big negative.
Syrian refugee crisis hits neighboring countries
After two years of civil war, the Syrian refugee crisis is reaching a boiling point....
The Dancing Francis and St. Francis and the Birds
Many people are still inspired by the figure of St. Francis (d. 1226), who gave up a life of relative ease to become a simple follower of Jesus and a friend of all God’s creatures....
On falling
Twice in the past two years I've taken a hard fall on ice: once at night walking on a dimly-lit sidewalk and another time on black ice in broad daylight....
Baseball stories
I have friends who always count the days till spring training begins. Now that it’s underway, their thoughts are moving on to their teams’ post-season chances....
What I heard at the National Prayer Breakfast
Recently I did something for the first time: I attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. Held annually since 1953, the breakfast is sponsored by the Fellowship (sometimes called “the Family”), a shadowy organization with connections especially to conservative members of Congress.
I went with my crap detectors on high alert.