The morning glories and the sunflowers turn naturally toward the light, but we have to be taught, it seems.

Pain and suffering that are not transformed are usually projected onto others.

Faith is so rare-and religion so common-because no one wants to live between first base and second base. Faith is the in-between space where you're not sure you'll make it to second base. You've let go of one thing and haven't yet latched into another. Most of us choose the security of first base.

Jesus is the very concrete truth revealing and standing in for the universal truth.

Religion was made to order to "save the world," to use a phrase Christians use so much, but we really haven't been doing a good job of it for centuries. It's heartbreaking really.

Worship of Jesus is rather harmless and risk-free; actually following Jesus changes everything.

Church practice has been more influenced by Plato than by Jesus. We invariably prefer the universal synthesis, the answer that settles all the dust and resolves every question even when it is not entirely true over the mercy and grace of God.