reinhold niebuhr

20th century Jewish aspirations for a revived national home were supported by three centuries of Christian enthusiasm—bolstered by biblical literalism—for the return of the Jews to “their land.” In this excerpt from the newly-released Zeal for Zion, Shalom Goldman traces the Christian roots of Zionism.

Having publicly assured Tiller’s executioner that he acted in “righteousness and mercy,” affable Lutheran pastor Michael Bray, “chaplain” of Christian extremists, spoke with the author a few years back on why America is like Nazi Germany, why it’s okay to kill active abortion providers, and what he means when he says he’s “pro-choice.”

The president’s speeches at West Point and in Oslo show that there’s more than one way to be a wartime president.

Beltway pundits like to think of themselves as impartial umpires representing all points of view in the spirit of “Niebuhrian humility” without realizing that their uncritical acceptance of all points of view is, at best, not very Niebuhrian.

Is President Obama destined to disappoint progressives? Our columnist channels theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, reminding us of the human potential for both good and evil, and offering a pragmatic approach…

A flock, maybe, but certainly not sheep; nuances of the pulpit-pew relationship.