How Can We Reclaim Compassion in the Age of Trump?

In two decades of interviewing the internationally renowned psychologist Dr. Robert Wicks—whose vocation is always aimed at helping the world’s most vulnerable to recover from trauma—he has not written a more timely book. This is a message that can help families nationwide as we all prepare for the year-end holidays.

Wicks sums up the current crisis we all are facing with an analysis of President Trump’s greatest failing: a narcissism that prevents him from admitting any limitation and drives him to ferociously attack any perceived opponent. Then, Wicks lays out his central theme in a single line: “Once you accept your limits, a key aspect of ordinariness, the opportunity for growth and depth will seem almost limitless.”

Wicks’ goal here is not to take up a partisan crusade. His goal is to call all of us to our better angels, as Abraham Lincoln would put it. Please, read this timely Cover Story with Dr. Robert J. Wicks and share it with friends.

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LINCOLN AND THANKSGIVING

A SEASON OF GRATITUDE—In our Cover Story this week, Dr. Robert J. Wicks points to Lincoln as the polar opposite of Trump’s example. Lincoln responded to the painful, life-and-death challenges in his life by reaching out to his enemies in a compassionate way. He brought political opponents into his cabinet. He repeatedly told Americans that their greatest challenge was not fighting the Civil War—but making peace afterward.

That’s one reason our publishing house launched 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln—so Lincoln’s wisdom would inspire families at this time of year. (Here’s the earlier news story about the launch of this inspiring book and national effort to promote unity).

NEW THIS WEEK ON LINCOLN

• WATCH THE VIDEO—Lincoln scholar, radio commentator and author Duncan Newcomer sat down with the Good Morning Belfast TV show to discuss his new book. Watch the video and please use the social-media links to share this with friends.
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  Click to read the Christian Science Monitor.

  CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR RECOMMENDS—a dose of Lincoln for the holidays—by featuring this extended interview with Duncan in the weekend editions of this venerable newspaper. In this story, Editor Mark Sappenfield writes: “There are many reasons to start with Duncan, from his civil rights past to his present work with Better Angels and the Idea of America Network–groups committed to a renaissance of civility, goodwill, and unity in American discourse. But what most caught my attention was his new book, 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln: Quiet Fire. The book is like chicken soup for the soul, drawing on Abraham Lincoln’s character and courage for its wisdom. But ultimately, what emerges is a portrait of what made Lincoln extraordinary. In a word: reconciliation.”

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CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

GREAT GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST … Americans love books, which is why book sales are rising each year. Our publishing house has a wide array of books—something for everyone on your shopping list. Please, check out this Front Edge Publishing column, which begins with a recommendation of The Flavors of Faith—and offers lots of other ideas, as well.

ST. NICHOLAS DAY—Stephanie writes: “Santa Claus may be seen in malls across America, but the real St. Nick—the historical bishop of Myra, that is—makes his grand appearance around the world on December 6—St. Nicholas Day. From the Netherlands to France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Bulgaria, St. Nicholas Day is greeted with beloved customs, special baked goods, processions and reenactments. In many countries, St. Nicholas Day is an opportunity to move away from the commercialization of the holiday season and toward the ‘true meaning’ of Christmas—as a time of giving, reflection and gratitude.” Read her column and you will find lots of resources and helpful links.
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Care to see all the holidays? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances—just remember the address InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:

• A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD—The new film is touching and terrific—even better than Ed had expected, he writes. (5 stars)
• JO JO RABBIT—Our readers have been waiting for Ed McNulty’s review of this controversial and eagerly anticipated movie. Here’s what he has to say …
• MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN—Ed writes, “Edward Norton is a triple threat in his new movie. He is director, writer, and star in this adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s acclaimed 1999 novel. However, he made a lot of changes, beginning by moving the action back 40 years—from the 1990s to 1957, and thus into film noir territory.” Then, Ed gives the film 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommends it.
• PAIN AND GLORY—Of this new film by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, Ed writes that the director “draws on aspects of his own life in this story of a faded film director almost despairing of renewing his career. It will come as no surprise that there is a strong woman central to his story, his mother Jacinta, played by Penelope Cruz when he was a boy. Both she and Antonio Banderas, who plays film director Salvador Mallo, are long-time associates of Almodóvar.” (4 stars)
• WESTERN STARS—Ed writes: “This stirring semi-public concert documentary, directed by Bruce Springsteen and his frequent collaborator Thom Zimny, includes 13 songs and commentary by the singer on life and the American Dream, love and loss, and the values he cherishes of the Old West, or as he himself states, ‘a meditation on the struggle between individual freedom and communal life’.” (5 stars)
• MIDWAY—Ed disagrees with other critics who have called this World War II epic dull. He gives the film 4.5 stars.

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