Editorial

Against Re-Enchantment Joy Marie Clarkson Secularism has robbed the world of gods and goblins, we are told. Is that a bad thing?

Essays

The Matter of Angels Alison Milbank How do angels fit into the Christian cosmos – and how do they relate to us? Is Anything Supernatural? Andrew Davison What earthworms, humans, and angels have in common. The Case of Gottliebin Dittus Charles E. Moore In a Black Forest village, a pastor battled demons and witnessed miracles. The Politics of Pagan Christianity James R. Wood Today’s nationalist Christians should heed the message of the anti-Nazi theologian Henri de Lubac. Am I a Christian if I Don’t Have Spiritual Experiences? Benjamin Crosby Christians often desire ecstatic encounters with the divine. But not everyone has them. Your Friends Are Not in Your Phone Mary Townsend Like many educators, I dread another school year with AI. But a greater threat lurks close at hand.

Personal History

André Trocmé in His Own Words André Trocmé In his newly published memoir, the French pastor tells how his village offered sanctuary to thousands of Jews facing deportation to concentration camps. Meeting the Man in White Rachel Pieh Jones In the Horn of Africa, the world is alive with mischievous jinn, shining angels, and unexpected dreams of a good shepherd.

Reading

Readings: On Angels Alfred Delp and Bernard of Clairvaux The medieval saint Bernard of Clairvaux and the Jesuit martyr Alfred Delp remind us that our unseen guardians are always near. Readings: On Divine Nature Herbert McCabe and Augustine of Hippo The church father Augustine of Hippo and Irish priest Herbert McCabe help us recognize the sacred all around us.

Poetry

Poem: “The Left Hand of Saint Teresa” Gail White This poem is the winner of Plough’s 2025 Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award. Poem: “Button Box” Midge Goldberg This poem is a finalist for Plough’s 2025 Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award. Poem: “John Harrison to His Creation H4” Daniel Galef This poem is a finalist for Plough’s 2025 Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award.

Editors’ Picks

Daughters of Palestine Nicole Schrag A review of Leyla K. King’s Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations. Portraits of a Mother Joy Marie Clarkson A review of Shūsaku Endō’s Portraits of a Mother: A Novella and Stories. Angels in the Cellar Ian Barth A review of Peter Hahn’s Angels in the Cellar: Notes from a French Vineyard.

Family and Friends

Symposium in Slovakia Emmy Barth Maendel Scholars of Anabaptism held a symposium in Slovakia at the site of a sixteenth century Hutterian community. Young Writers Weekend Shana Goodwin Plough’s second annual Young Writers Weekend brought together thirty college students and recent graduates for writing workshops, panel discussions, and fellowship.

Comic

Mary Karr’s “The Voice of God” Julian Peters and Mary Karr Comic artist Julian Peters visualizes God on city sidewalks.

Community Snapshot

The Quiet Faith of a Man Maureen Swinger Plough’s oldest staffer passes on a legacy.

Forum

Readers Respond Readers respond to Plough’s Summer 2025 issue, Why Be Healthy.

Interview

Preaching with Power Fleming Rutledge When you set out to proclaim the gospel, spare us your personal anecdotes and opinions. Miracles Are Not Magic Carlos Eire For saints who flew, miracles came as a byproduct of holiness.

Portfolio

Mothers of Srebrenica Hannah Rose Thomas and Rachel Miner Thirty years later, genocide survivors still unearth bones.

Forerunners

We Are All Heirs Grace Hamman Thomas Traherne wants you to enjoy the world.