Essay

“My father sat on that chair every morning to put on his socks and shoes.” So said the elderly gentleman, a member of my congregation for decades before I arrived on the scene. He and his wife were emptying their…

When I was in seminary, I was very well aware of the magazine the Reformed Journal but had not yet heard much about its Reformed Church in America doppelganger Perspectives. The RJ, however was a much-respected journal where giants roamed…

What is the correct story of United States history? Historian Lendol Calder, in his article, “The Stories We Tell,” highlights the difficulties of choosing a narrative for the U.S. history survey course: Poor, old, American history survey course—the Charlie Brown…

I might be mistaken, but I believe I am the only member of The Twelve who regularly asks people for money. I’ve learned asking isn’t begging and giving brings joy. Asking and giving aren’t necessary evils but wonderful parts of…

Today is Christ the King Sunday, that day at the end of the liturgical calendar when we celebrate Christ’s lordship over all of creation. I suspect for many readers, this is not new information. What may be less known, however,…

A few years ago, when I was invited to be a regular writer for The Twelve, I was reluctant to say yes. Even though I enjoy writing, I’ve never really thought of myself as a writer. I’m a pastor at…

I took up “running” after age 50, mostly because I don’t like exercising. I wanted a way to work up a health-enhancing sweat in as little time as possible. Get it over with quickly, was the idea. I call it…

Christianity can falsely be made so severe that human nature must revolt against it in order to cast it or thrust it away. But Christianity can also be made so lenient or flavored with sweetness that all attempts to perk…

1981. Maybe 82. Right there somewhere before word processing shoved typewriters out the window and into obsolescence. Back then, I had a Sherman tank that printed beautifully but took up half an office desk and wasn't getting any younger. Got…

N. C. Wyeth, "Thanksgiving Banquet" Today being today, I’m posting a (slightly altered) piece previously published in the November 2005 issue of Perspectives magazine. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, and I’ve given considerable thought as to why that…