Rebecca Koerselman

As I hear the partisan language connected to the midterm elections, I cannot help but reflect on how we got here. It may be difficult to think of anything except current red and blue debates over the role of the…

I recently attended the biannual Conference on Faith and History at Calvin College. Robert Orsi, a prominent scholar of American religious history, gave a remarkable plenary address entitled “The Study of Religion on This Side of Disgust.” Bob Orsi has…

As an alumnus of Michigan State University, I am deeply upset by the appalling abuse of Larry Nassar. When people say something to me about being a Spartan, I am compelled to acknowledge that I am not very proud to…

Originating around 1830 and maintaining popularity for decades, the minstrel show used blackface comedy to entertain white Americans. Minstrel shows were enormously popular, particularly among Americans in northeastern urban areas. Mark Twain wrote in his Autobiography, “If I could have…

When it comes to figures in United States history, who typically comes to mind? Out of curiosity, how many women can you name? Turns out that U.S. history is chuckabuck full of significant woman. I wonder why we don’t know…

In my last post here I reflected on Jennifer Senior’s book on parenting, All Joy and No Fun: the Paradox of Modern Parenting. I touched on the differences between happiness and joy and the ways to nurture our children in…

According to researchers at Queen’s University in Ontario, sleep deprivation, can in some respects impair our judgment as much as being legally drunk. As a mother of young children, I have spent my fair share of time with impaired judgment…

I love watching soccer and I have loved every minute of the World Cup tournament this year. It has been an exciting tournament, particularly because all the dominate players and teams didn’t make it as far as expected. I love…

Kate Bowler, historian and professor of American religious history at Duke Divinity School, published a piece in the New York Times called “What to Say When You Meet the Angel of Death at a Party.” It went viral and gave…

Politics and religion intertwine in interesting and troubling ways. As a historical figure, I’ve always found Abraham Lincoln a fascinating study in politics and religion. Lincoln makes use of religious language in his public addresses and many believe him to…