Editorial

Tough Love on the Mount Timothy J. Keiderling Who were those enemies Jesus expected his oppressed listeners to love?

Dispatch

Walls behind Bars Antoine E. Davis and Aaron Olson Two friends risk defying a racist prison culture. A Russian Christian Speaks Out Rachel Cañon Naffziger A Baptist lawyer says no to war, and pays the price.

Essays

Foolhardy Wisdom Benjamin Crosby Can we afford to love our enemies in an unforgiving society? Hating Sinners Mary Townsend Love the sinner, hate the sin? The trouble is, that’s not how hatred works. Students Brave the Heat Leah Libresco Sargeant Conflict can be fruitful when students don’t just debate, but listen to one another. The Witching Hour Kathleen A. Mulhern We start the day intentionally and prayerfully, but all bets are off after five o’clock p.m. What Is Time For? Zena Hitz Everyone is too busy. How would we spend our time if we weren’t?

Personal History

My Mind, My Enemy Sarah Clarkson When mental illness struck, my mind became my enemy. Would I battle it, or learn to love it?

Reading

Enemy Lovers Saint John Chrysostom, Etty Hillesum, Martin Luther King Jr., Thich Nhat Hanh and Christian de Chergé Five historical figures respond to real enemies. How God Sees Us Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt We must learn to see the divine worth in everyone regardless of how they treat us.

Poetry

Poem: “South Head, a Wild Surmise” Stephen Edgar The cliff face dropping sheer into the sea, / With its plosive dowse / Of surge and foam Poem: “Lammergeier” Stephen Edgar Riding a thermal ever higher / With its clutched prize. Poem: “World Within” Stephen Edgar A lake of waterlilies, spread / At the day’s heart, to keep the day.

Family and Friends

When Love Seems Impossible Oddny Gumaer Working in war zones tests my commitment to nonviolence daily. It’s the survivors who show me the way. Places to Think with Neighbors Nathan Beacom Lyceums bring the positive energy of learning to local communities.

Lives

Macedonia Morning Dana Wiser A decade before the protest movements of the sixties, Staughton Lynd and other visionaries were laying a foundation in the hills of Georgia. Tim Keller: New York’s Pastor Susannah Black Roberts The quintessential Manhattan pastor held the door open to everyone.

Community Snapshot

Thanksgiving Starts in September Maureen Swinger Here’s a brief tour of autumn celebrations at a Bruderhof community.

Forum

Letters from Readers Readers respond to Plough’s Summer 2023 issue, Money.

Interview

Just Doing What Christians Do Archbishop Angaelos Forgiving beheaders, praying for enemies – it’s a daily reality for Coptic Christians.

Portfolio

Demining the Sahara Maria Novella De Luca, Alice Pistolesi and Monica Pelliccia Meet the Saharawi women replacing landmines with trees.

Forerunners

The Monsignor versus the Fascists Maureen Swinger In and around the Vatican, Hugh O’Flaherty organized a daring network to hide Jews and escaping prisoners of war.

Covering the Cover

Covering the Cover: The Enemy Rosalind Stevenson Since the Garden of Eden, the serpent has represented the enemy.