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Ethicist Shaun Casey to oversee religious engagement for State Department
c. 2013 Religion News Service...
Robert Bellah, influential religion scholar, dies at 86
Robert N. Bellah, an eminent sociologist of religion most remembered for defining the interplay of U.S....
Remembering Robert Bellah
Sociologists are reputed to be masters of suspicion, and many keep their distance from religious belief and practice. Robert Bellah’s field was the sociology of religion, and the longtime University of California, Berkeley professor—who died last week—certainly knew the value of “distance” in this and all human sciences. But as he studied people of faith and their practice—whether in “Tokugawa Religion” in Japan (his doctoral dissertation subject) or in America—he discerned integrity and value in the faith(s) of many.
A month of hunger
The hunger strike among California prison inmates is a month old today.
The state's corrections department maintains that the strike is a ploy to free up gangs to do business behind bars. But the longer this thing goes, the more ridiculous that sounds.
Thursday digest
New today from the Century: The editors on how liberal Protestantism has changed, Martin Marty remembers Robert Bellah, more.
Neighbors in Christ: Global Christianity in the city
Many cities contain an almost fully representative presence of world Christianity. These are new laboratories for global Christian unity.
The rapid "revitalization" of American cities
Don’t be fooled by the news out of Detroit: cities are cool again. One of the big takeaways from the 2010 census was that, after a century-long love affair with suburban subdivisions, affluent Americans are jumping back on the (worldwide) urbanizing bandwagon. For a new generation of hipsters, yuppies and retirees, city living is not only aesthetically and culturally preferable. It is an essential piece of a progressive lifestyle.
This sensibility springs from a degree of historical consciousness.
Wednesday digest
New today from the Century: The new face of urban ecumenism, remembering the Nairobi embassy bombing, more.
"How could they thank God?"
“Nairobi has been bombed,” said Amina Bakari, my Kenyan host mother. I'd woken up late that morning 15 years ago.
Seating chart
In the fifth row first seat there was a slight boy named Matthew. He could not sit still under any circumstances whatsoever.
What Christianity Is Not, by Douglas John Hall
If we're to take a negative route to reach a positive outcome, we will need an experienced and thoughtful guide. Few are better equipped for this task than Douglas John Hall.
Guides for God Complex
Isabella Blanchard at Virginia Theological Seminary's Center for the Ministry of Teaching, wrote a series of Study Guides for several God Complex Radio episodes. She highlighted many of our favorite episodes and made them available as downloadable PDFs.
Talking points: Disciples vote on pro-gay resolution
I sometimes envy my colleagues whose denominations have already fought this issue out, voted and moved on. We Disciples don't work that way.
Sunday, August 18, 2013: Luke 12:49-56
The most pernicious theological temptation is projection....
Guides to our God Complex
Isabella Blanchard highlighted many of our favorite episodes, creating thoughtful questions and making them available as downloadable PDFs.
Roll Jordan, roll—sort of
The Friends of the Earth Middle East scored a victory this summer when some 9 million cubic meters of fresh water per year started flowing into the Jordan River.
Tuesday digest
New today (and yesterday) from the Century: LGBT Disciples, Protestant book recommendations, praying the Daily Office, more.
Dissatisfaction without escape
In recent years, some very good cautions have emerged concerning talk of “heavenly cities” and dissatisfaction with our “earthly” home. Preaching in such a way that emphasizes a city to come brings with it a host of dangers.