Category: Journeys in Alterity

I’m Now at Patheos

A cross-country move, a major career change, and a baby on the way–my life has been busy. And I’m also now blogging at Patheos.

Trouble with Teaching Authority

The church expects the faithful to assent to its teachings, but as Douthat’s speculations show, the faithful are not always clear on where this teaching authority is actually exercised.

Responding to Jimmy Carter’s Criticism of the All-Male Priesthood

If President Carter is correct that the institution of the all-male priesthood contributes to sexism and the abuse of women, then it behooves the church, if not to change its doctrine on the priesthood, at least to acknowledge this unintended effect and work diligently to counter it.

The Irrational Logic of Christ

Should the total, unconditional self-emptying exemplified by Christ be the logic of the Christian life?

In Need of Your Modesty

Modesty is a virtue, but its promotion has an unwholesome side.

The Rule of Doctrine

Atheist writer Adam Lee compares the Roman Catholic hierarchy to an absolute monarchy and dictatorship, but this comparison fails to account for the role of established doctrine in the church’s teaching office.

The Church Militant

What does the sword have to do with the Christian spiritual life? Everything, according to Michael Voris, the producer of an internet television station. The faithful, he believes, are born for combat.

Why Poverty?

There are a lot of good causes out there. Why focus on poverty? For Poverty Awareness Month.

Ugly Duck Things

If you guessed that what’s going on here isn’t exactly about Christianity, I’m in agreement with you.

Deactivated Friendships

Every day I’d scroll through my feed after making sure that the page showed all activity and not only the top stories, but as my eyes passed over each status update, I rarely read every word or paused to think about the people telling me something about their lives.

Toxic Relationships

Masses of people agreeing to vote for officials who want to go to war, continue using the death penalty, and tend to oppose programs that would support the poor all so those officials will do little more than pay lip service to the virtue of female chastity surely isn’t the ideal arrangement for a democracy.

The Stress of Left Regard

We’ve all heard about right wing backlash against Pope Francis. But what about backlash from the left?

In Which I Lead Astray

Kyle Cupp explains why he doesn’t worry about leading others astray when he writes critically or questioningly about religion.