We have a relational problem with those who are suffering or who are different from us. All of us are most comfortable around people who are like us culturally and economically.

I'm just not convinced that Jesus is going to say, "When I was hungry, you gave a check to the United Way and they fed me.

[Jesus] said that they will know we are Christians - not by our bumper stickers and T-shirts - but by our love.

Over and over, when I ask God why all of these injustices are allowed to exist in the world, I can feel the Spirit whisper to me, You tell me why we allow this to happen. You are my body, my hands, my feet.

I engage with local politics because it affects people I love. And I engage in national politics because it affects people I love.

The early Christians felt a deep collision with the empire in which they lived, and with politics as usual. They carelessly crossed party lines and built subversive friendships. And we should do that too.

A lot of times people say whatever the government touches, they don't do that well, so why would we trust them with the power over life and death? Do we really believe the system is that perfect that it won't make any mistakes? You can't reverse these mistakes.