The nomads of Central Asia live like Abraham in many ways: pitching tents, herding animals, keeping track of extended family clans and memorizing genealogies. Another similarity between their culture and that of the Bible is their belief that words have power: a blessing or a curse, a congratulatory wish, or the meaning of a child’s name are all expected to change the real world.

By noon, the linoleum tables inside McCaskey High School are
crowded with a gallery of preschool
palms and almost-grown hands.

Nathan grew up in a well-to-do family in the suburbs of Chicago. His dad was active in the synagogue, and his mom was Christian, so he grew up attending church. But to Nathan, it felt entirely forced. It wasn’t what he wanted to do.

Watching Unexpected Peace (2024) with a group of young Tanzanians, a few months after a major outbreak of political violence, was far and away the most intense and engaged audience that I have sat with.