Author Archives: wallwritings

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About wallwritings

From 1972 through 1999, James M. Wall was editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine, based in Chicago, lllinois. He was a Contributing Editor of the Century from 1999 until July, 2017. He has written this blog, wall writings.me, since it was launched April 27, 2008. If you would like to receive Wall Writings alerts when new postings are added to this site, send a note, saying, Please Add Me, to jameswall8@gmail.com Biography: Journalism was Jim's undergraduate college major at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He has earned two MA degrees, one from Emory, and one from the University of Chicago, both in religion. He is an ordained United Methodist clergy person. He served for two years in the US Air Force, and three additional years in the USAF reserve. While serving on active duty with the Alaskan Command, he reached the rank of first lieutenant. He has worked as a sports writer for both the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, was editor of the United Methodist magazine, Christian Advocate for ten years, and editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine for 27 years. James M Wall died March 22, 2021 at age 92. His family appreciates all of his readers, even those who may have disagreed with his well-informed writings.

Jimmy Carter Has Cancer

by James M. Wall The news came from NPR: A loved one has cancer. Former President Jimmy Carter made the announcement from the Carter Center in Atlanta. He did not mince words. He has cancer and it has spread. His … Continue reading

Posted in Cancer, Jimmy Carter | 9 Comments

Iran Political Fulmination Versus Diplomatic Deal

by James M. Wall Blessings upon New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof for pointing out that “fulmination” is the right word to describe opposition to the diplomatic deal President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have just reached with Iran and … Continue reading

Posted in Iran, Israel, John Kerry, Middle East Politics, Netanyahu | 4 Comments

Thirteen Senators Who Could Make History

by James M. Wall Most U.S. media attention is focused this summer on Donald Trump and the latest outbreak of domestic violence in movie theaters. But look carefully at the internet and you will find Roland Nikles reporting for Mondoweiss on a story … Continue reading

Posted in Iran, Israel, Middle East Politics, Netanyahu, Obama, Palestinians | 6 Comments

Isaiah 21:6: “Go Set a Watchman”

by James M. Wall Harper “Nelle” Lee, now 89, has published a second book. Her first, To Kill a Mockingbird, is considered a classic of American literature. Her second, Go Set a Watchman, arrives this week as a timely gift. It reaches readers as our … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Media, Middle East, Middle East Politics, Movies | 3 Comments

Bishops: Divestment Not in our “Best Interests”

by James M. Wall The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops on Thursday condemned the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) strategy.  The bishops spoke the language of the market place. They made no effort to theologically justify their condemnation. Instead, they were … Continue reading

Posted in Episcopal Church, Palestinians, Religious Faith | 29 Comments

UCC Says No to Occupation, Votes 80% to Divest

by James M. Wall The United Church of Christ (UCC) General Synod has voted overwhelmingly in favor of resolutions that require UCC church funds to be divested from companies with business in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. The UCC General Synod vote was … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Episcopal Church, Middle East, Netanyahu, Presbyterian Church USA | 9 Comments

Emanuel Church Confronts Racial Violence

by James M. Wall When Barack Obama began his first term as the 44th president of the United States, he delivered a stirring inaugural address that called on  this nation to join with him in addressing the problems facing the nation. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

“What Happens to a Dream Deferred?”

by James M. Wall What happens to a dream deferred?  The question comes from Langston Hughes’ poem, Harlem, which inspired Lorraine Hansberry to write her drama, A Raisin in the Sun, the first play written by an African American woman to be produced … Continue reading

Posted in Religious Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Adelson’s Anti-BDS Event Links Money To Action

by James M. Wall Stanford University professor David Palumbo-Liu alerted his Salon readers to a “secret” meeting held last weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada:  If you did not know that this weekend some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world … Continue reading

Posted in Hillary Clinton, Israel, Media, Middle East, Palestinians | 8 Comments

Bibi Coalition Echoes Groucho’s “Duck Soup”

by James M. Wall The Times of Israel, Israel’s leading right wing newspaper, can usually be counted on to lead the cheers for any Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli government. Not this time. After his recent narrow election victory Netanyahu turned to a right wing collection … Continue reading

Posted in -Movies and politics, Middle East, Middle East Politics, Movies, Netanyahu, Palestinians | 4 Comments