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.

Obama Names George Mitchell Top Middle East Envoy

Friday update follows below: by James M. Wall Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  Or, if  you prefer, there is a God in Heaven who has finally figured enough is enough. You know the God I mean, the One … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics | 4 Comments

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”

Lift Every Voice and Sing http://youtu.be/MyS3HPInHtI http://youtu.be/QjZFi8VBdOA Continue reading

Posted in Religion and politics | 4 Comments

Pastor to Obama:”Perhaps you are where you are for such a time.”

 by James M. Wall                             On Sunday morning, President-elect Barack Obama and his family worshipped together at the 19th Street Baptist Church.  The Obamas’ new hometown newspaper, … Continue reading

Posted in Religion and politics | Leave a comment

Israel Calls a Timeout While Gaza Continues to Suffer

  by James M. Wall Late Saturday night, Israel and its allies, the US and Egypt, made a grand show of calling a “time out” (also known as a “ceasefire”) in Israel’s relentless attacks against Gaza’s civilian population.  The US … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

War crimes? Or “part of a new strategic ballgame in the Arab-Israel arena”?

  by James M. Wall With the invasion of Gaza ending its third week, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported Friday, January 16, that the Palestinian death toll is now 1115, of whom 370 are children and 85 are women. The … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Middle East | 1 Comment

Memo to Team Obama: Read Rabbi Rosen and Roger Cohen Before You Announce Your Middle East Team

by James M. Wall                   On Sunday morning, our pastor led us in a “Congregational Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant”. We were asked to respond to a series of questions, including this one: … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Religion and politics | 3 Comments

Obama Breaks his Silence; Promises Effective, Consistent and Immediate Action on Gaza After January 20

 Update Number One: Read Roger Cohen’s column in today’s New York Times. It is not to be missed. He throws some cold water on the hopes recorded in this posting and my “How come there ain’t no brothers on the wall? posting.  I trust … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 1 Comment

Question for Barack Obama on Middle East Envoys: How come there ain’t no brothers on the wall?

                                                                                  … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics | 2 Comments

Week Two in Gaza (Monday Update): “Publish it not in the streets of As’kelon”

  Monday Noon Update by James M. Wall Bill Kristol was in the New York Times Monday, channeling George C. Scott as General Patton,  gleefully rubbing his hands together as he predicts that Gaza will not repeat the failure of the Lebanese … Continue reading

Posted in Politics in Religion | 1 Comment

The Gaza Attacks: “Israel carefully planned the attack to extract the highest possible price.”

UPDATE: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 Israel’s attacks on Gaza have entered their fifth day. The Israeli cabinet has rejected a call for a cease fire.  Amira Hass writes in Ha’aretz on the careful planning of these attacks. Hass covered Gaza and the West Bank for Ha’aretz for … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics | 8 Comments