August 5, 2026

I enjoy Chris Highland’s Sunday column on religion in the Muncie Star Press. Highland used to be an evangelical Christian, a pastor, and a chaplain who eventually became (his self-described label) a “freethinking humanist.” He offers an interesting perspective on all things Christian (and on other religions as well) from one who is on the outside looking in while also writing as one who used to be on the inside.

Even though I remain firmly planted on the “inside” of the Christian faith, I find myself nodding along with much of what Highland writes. Often, his critiques of the Christian faith are my own critiques as well.

Another favorite columnist of mine is the Rev. Debie Thomas, who writes for several publications. Recently, she wrote, “If I live in a world that’s chock full of contradiction, then I need a religion robust enough and complex enough to bear the weight of that messy world. I need a religion that empowers me, in Richard’s Rohr’s beautiful words, ‘to live in exquisite, terrible humility before reality.’”

I agree. Unlike Highland, I can still find a home in the robustness of the Christian faith. Notice that I did NOT write, “I can find a home in the narrowness of the Christian faith.” God knows, Christians have been getting a bad rap because of the latter.

Rev. Eric