Musings Archive

Telling Both Sides of the Story

Possible Limits on Free Speech

These “Truths” I Now Embrace About What It Means to Follow Jesus

Grad and Faculty Roundtables that Explore the Intersection of Faith, Science, and Philosophy

Other Models of Respectful Conversation

A Dynamic View of Following Jesus

Some Concrete, Practical Suggestions for Churches Wishing to Discuss Contentious Issues

Weak and Strong Views of Acceptance and Peace

Exposing Myself to “Theological Otherness”

Dig Down Deep to Christian Values

Political Conversation as an Alternative to Domination or Withdrawal

Changing Your Views About Those Who Disagree With You

A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

Can We Please Practice a Little Humility

Strong Listening that Goes Beyond Politeness

Talking About our Differing Partial Glimpses of the Truth

Foundational Christian Values

Affirmative Action based on Economic Imbalance

Choosing Both / And rather than Either / Or as an Antidote to Polarization in America

Dividing or Uniting Americans: Trying to Recruit Two Northwest Iowans

Divide or Unite: My Invitation to MAGA Republicans.

Navigating The Abortion Debate: Conversations Based on Values

Hurrah for Bipartisan Gun Legislation

An Open Letter to Elon Musk

Reflections on Gay Marriage

Misplaced Value Commitments in Politics

Constant Ongoing Learning in Dialogical Community

Freedom is Not License: Mandating Masks or Not

From the Power of Control to the Power of Love

Lessons Learned from my Struggle With Cancer

Politeness is Good but not Enough to Uncover Bipartisan Common Ground in Politics: Strong Listening is Required

Truth Matters in Politics: a Viable Republican Future

Division About Truth is Inevitable: Navigate it Respectfully

Respectful Conversations to Build Bridges Between ‘Far Left’ and ‘Far Right’ Political Agendas

My Beliefs (and Yours) May Not be True

Bipartisanship is a Process not an End Result

Democracy Wins: Hope for a Politics of Unity Over Division

America After Donald Trump

Not Voting is Your Worst Possible Choice

Peaceful Protestors are not Vandals

I Will Listen to Your Pain

Jesus Would Approve: Serving Others During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Christians Viewing Reality Through Western World or Global South Lenses: A Two-Way Conversation

Christian Churches and Colleges Moving from Weak to Strong Views of “Acceptance” and “Peace”

Expressing your Christian Beliefs with Deep Conviction, Openness, Gentleness and Respect

Sitting with Others and Listening

A First Step Beyond Postmodernism and Tribalism: A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

Moving From Self-Centered to Other-Centered: Reflections from a “Wandering Jew and a Very Confused Christian”

A Just and Fair Society

How the Christian Value of Truthfulness Could Inform The Aftermath to the Mueller Report

Healing and Bridging Divisions by Getting to Know One Another

Disagreement is Easy; Agreement Takes Time

Will my Books Make Most Readers Mad?

Starting with Foundational Christian Values

Recommendations for Small Groups Who Wish to Engage in Face-to-Face Conversations about Human Sexuality Issues or any other Contentious Issues

A Bipartisian Victory that Calls for a Conversation about Separation of Powers

A Christian Perspective on the Political Divide in America

“No Wall Money in Government Funding Legistation: Eliminating the Possibility of Genuine Negotiation

STARTING WITH A POLITICAL NON-STARTER: AN EXAMPLE OF GENUINE NEGOTIATION

Holding onto Power Lightly

Pivoting from Respectful Electronic Conversations (eCircles) to Face-to-Face Conversations: A Big New Challenge

The Nature of Respectful Conversations

The Future of the LGBT Controversy will Depend on Who is Given a Voice

How Can Those who Advocate for Inclusion of LGBTQ Persons in Faith Communities be “wrong” when so many LGBTQ Individuals are Suffering from their Exclusion

A Christian Response to Tribalism

Friendship Trumps Tribalism

Establishing Diverse Relationships through Story

A Both/And Approach to Immigration Reform

In Support of Sheriff Dan

Untruth Cannot Withstand Respectful Conversation

Learning from Someone Who Disagrees with you: Immigration Reform and Beyond

Seeking the Good of your City: an Expansive View of God’s Redemptive Purposes

Modeling Humility and Love in Public Discourse

Disagreements as a Pathway toward Common Ground in Politics

Root Causes of Political Rancor

MUSLIMS IN DONALD TRUMP’S OLD NEIGHBORHOOD SAY, COME GET TO KNOW US

POLITICS IN THE TRENCHES: LOCAL ADVOCACY FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN IOWA

LEADERS, DISSENTERS AND TRUE COMMUNITY

Political Advocacy for Immigration Reform is a Marathon not a Sprint

The Scandal of Christian Disunity: A Broken Witness

Truth May be the Casualty

Respectful Conversations about Divisive Issues: A Place to Start

Respectful Conversation as a Deep Expression of Love

LOSS OF TRUST IN GOVERNMENT IS DEVASTATING

THE ELUSIVE QUEST FOR BALANCE IN POLITICAL LEGISLATION

The Future of Evangelicalism

Engaging Politicians about Immigration Reform

It’s not My Way or the Highway

The Great Reversal on Immigration Reform

Individuality or Community: A False Choice

Does Civility Work?

Honoring God in Red or Blue

Christians Doing Politics take Another Beating

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Listening Only to an Echo of Yourself

Neither Withdrawal nor Conquest: Planting Seeds for Redemption

Chutzpah and Humility

Class Warfare or Not

I am Pro Life, but…

Being Hard or Soft on Immigration Law

My Santa Claus Flip-Flop

Budget Compromise: Getting a Half-Loaf or Less

Forfeiting Today for a Political Tomorrow

Leadership in the Federal Budget Debate

Seldom All Right or All Wrong

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: is Another Conversation Possible?

My Beliefs are on Pilgrimage

Feeling Larry’s Pain

A Modest Goal For Public Discourse, or Not

Mixtures of Good and Bad Ideas

Wanted: an Even Playing Field for the Budget Debate

Compromise: A Good or Bad Idea in Politics?