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** Grappling with our own hatred
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I once heard it said that in interpersonal conflict, we often articulate about 95% (the easiest 95%) of what would need to be said to really bring resolution. Then, preferring this partial solution to the horror of saying the most difficult 5% out loud, we call it a day. I wonder—for myself and the folks in my faith community and many readers of the Century—if we are only willing to look at 95% of ourselves when we take stock of how we’re holding up in these difficult times. And I wonder if the portion we’re refusing to behold is some real hatred that has developed.

Brandon Ambrosino grapples with this usually unseen (or at least unspoken) dynamic in his essay about the idea of Donald Trump going to heaven when he dies ([link removed]) . Ambrosino admits he doesn’t want that to happen—then uses one of Jesus’ parables to consider what that reveals about himself. I am grateful for this reflection as someone with my own 5%.

Plus more great content below. Our video of the week features writer Anna Rollins, and we chat about the complicated connections between conservative Christianity, postmodernism, and truth ([link removed]) . Plus scroll down for the story of a preacher who decided to embrace rawness ([link removed]) , an essay about the difficult but important act of committing ([link removed]) , a new book review about why everyone hates White liberals ([link removed]) , and more.

Jon Mathieu
Email me (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Grappling%20with%20hatred&body=Jon%2C%20) : How have you navigated hatred in your own heart?
(Lunchtime chats temporarily disabled during travel season!)
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** Confession: I don’t want Trump to go to heaven ([link removed])
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“As I gloried in the anticipation of Trump’s eternal demise, I realized that I sounded like a character from one of Jesus’ parables.”

by Brandon Ambrosino
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** I’m learning to let go of ‘preaching pretty’ ([link removed])
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“Sometimes—maybe especially during these trying times—what we need most isn’t a sermon but a conversation, a chance to talk or yell or cry.”

by Julian DeShazier
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** VIDEO: Evangelicalism, postmodernism, and the question of truth ([link removed])
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Writer Anna Rollins chats with Jon about the nature of truth, inside and beyond the conservative Christianity they both used to practice.
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** In the Lectionary for August 31 (Ordinary 22C) ([link removed])
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Jesus is clear: Hosts should invite only those who cannot reciprocate.
by Greg Carey

Ordinary 22C archives ([link removed])
Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more ([link removed]) .


** Ride on ([link removed])
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“The brief encounter reminded me of the story of a New York City bus driver who disappeared with his bus.”

by Peter W. Marty


** A brief history of hating liberalism ([link removed])
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“Liberalism transformed from the David doing battle with each era’s prevailing Goliath into a new Goliath—a giant that gets lampooned and harpooned by just about everyone.”

Wayne N. Miller reviews Kevin M. Schultz
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