Features
Holy imitation: A manual for disciples
In The Lausiac History, fifth-century saint Palladius argues that readers should imitate an ascetic vision, not specific ascetic practices.
Detour to mission: An unplanned ministry
When the church I serve undertook a strategic planning process, there was more golden calf than fiery pillar. But while we planned, God summoned.
Toward zero: The path to nuclear disarmament
Although nuclear arsenals have declined, the risk that nuclear weapons might be used is arguably greater now than it was during the cold war.
A good START
The New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia lowers the number of permitted nuclear warheads by approximately 30 percent. That is still too many, but it is an important step.
Deeper history: Ministry in the 21st century
"We have rejected much of our immediate [evangelical] past," says Josh Carney of his church, University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Looking to older traditions, "we found that some of our objections had already been addressed."
Cave of Forgotten Dreams: Directed by Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog's hypnotic documentary—which
takes us into the Chauvet Cave, where the oldest paintings known to
humankind were discovered in 1994—is the first movie to suggest a
convincing reason for the invention of 3D cinema.
After bin Laden: Ending the war on terrorism
The war in Afghanistan is not the only conflict that should end. The whole notion of war as a response to jihadism ought to be junked—and the sooner the better.
Books
Remaking the Heartland, by Robert Wuthnow
Robert Wuthnow's social history of the
Midwest demonstrates how the values that emerged in the six decades
before 1950 were reshaped in the following six decades. In most ways Wuthnow gets it right.
Canon and Creed, by Robert W. Jenson
When Westminster John Knox Press launched the Interpretation commentary series in 1982 with Walter Brueggemann's provocative volume on the book of Genesis, readers encountered the strange new ...
Right-wing roots
The scholarly quest for the roots of the religious right has already passed through several iterations. Darren Dochuk's impressive book builds on this work and pushes the narrative back another generation or two.
Nature and Altering It, by Allen Verhey
The great naturalist John Muir once said that anything we can touch is "hitched to everything else in the Universe." He had many opportunities to reflect on this dictum as he hiked through the pris...
Departments
Grief without stages
The notion that grief moves through some kind of process toward resolution owes more of a debt to American optimism than to Christian hope.
The biggest fish story
The symbol of the fish resounds throughout scripture, and it splashes well beyond the pages.
Double duty
Christians need to support the cause of a Palestinian state that
will live peacefully beside Israel—and at the same
time reach out to our Jewish neighbors in
friendship and love and shared commitment to the common good.
Light of the World
Light of the World is a digital photograph taken looking up at the dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The image is striking for its simplified palette and stark contrast of light and shadow....
Getting to the root
There are two ways to reduce the federal budget deficit: cut spending
and increase revenue. Serious progress will require both. But neither can
solve the larger problem behind the nation's budget woes.
News
70 Minnesota UMC clergy would bless gay unions
Some 70 United Methodist clergy have signed a statement saying they would offer the church's blessing to any prepared couples desiring a same-sex marriage....
For GOP evangelicals, Bachmann talks the talk
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour warned several hundred Christian
conservatives gathered in Washington recently not to expect a "perfect
candidate" to emerge from the field of Republican presidential...
MacArthur encouraged religion in postwar Japan
A new book on postwar Japan says Gen. Douglas MacArthur sought to
fill the country's "spiritual vacuum" with religious and quasi-religious
beliefs, from Christianity to Freemasonry, as an antidote to
communism....
The anti-gospel of Ayn Rand
The atheist philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand published more than a
dozen books before she died in 1982. Now some liberal Christians say
another work belongs to Rand's controversial canon: the 2012 Republican
budget....
German ex-bishop says praying with Taliban beats bombing
A former leader of Germany's Protestant community, Margot Kässmann,
says she believes that a suggestion to pray with the Taliban by
candlelight is "a much better idea than bombing water tank lorries in
Kunduz."...
Churches find way to witness in Cuba, says WCC leader
As Cuba moves toward a post-Fidel Castro society, its churches are
finding ways to "give a Christian witness with integrity" in a country
that places restrictions on areas of life such as free expression, said...
Bishop Long settles sex suits out of court
Bishop Eddie Long, an Atlanta-area megachurch pastor, has settled
suits out of court with four young men who accused him of sexual
misconduct, his church has announced....
Same-sex relations get record-high approval
Nearly two-thirds of Americans say same-sex relations between
consenting adults should be legal—the highest percentage ever recorded
by Gallup....
Jesuit priest becomes chaplain of the House
Jesuit Patrick Conroy was sworn in May 25 as House chaplain, making
him the first Society of Jesus priest to hold the position—and the first
chaplain forced to navigate around the Catholic Church's sexual abuse...
Messiah alumni group supports gay students
Alumni at evangelical Messiah College have launched an online
petition urging the conservative Christian school to change its policies
toward gay and lesbian students....
Lectionary
Sunday, July 10, 2011: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Of all the Gospel writers, Matthew has his eye most fixed upon the leadership of the church.
Sunday, July 3, 2011: Zechariah 9:9-12; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!" says the bold, insensitive prophet.