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Holidays evoke moments of reflection. Americans just celebrated Memorial Day, a time to honor those who have fought and died in wars for the nation. Traditionally, people hold parades, gather in cemeteries and rally around monuments to fallen soldiers.  Perhaps it was fitting, then, both that President Barack Obama delivered a signal speech on the war on terror last week and that Google bestowed the honor of “Google doodle of 2013” to Sabrina Brady, a Wisconsin teenager who depicted her father’s return from a tour of duty in Iraq.

New today from the Century: Matt Fitzgerald and Christian Wiman talk about God, John Buchanan on commencement ceremonies, more.

Our slogan here at the Century is "Thinking Critically. Living Faithfully." To help us reflect on how best to carry out that mission, we regularly seek feedback from a variety of voices. Now it's your turn.

Rev. Derrick Weston has an inspiring and energizing conversation with Rev. Cameron Trimble about the future of renewal in the church.

The evidence doesn't point to a politicized IRS. The problem is the vagueness of the tax code.

In a generational changing of the guard, Southern Baptists are gaining a new advocate for their values in Washington and around the country as Russell Mo...

We see it every day on the news—the raw grief of a parent whose child has died, perhaps in a drive-by shooting or while serving in Afghanistan....

The centurion’s use of the Jewish elders and his friends to approach Jesus on his behalf makes me think about lobbying and advocacy. When, if at all, are these activities an appropriate part of Christian mission and ministry?

A theology professor of mine liked to remind our class that everyone’s a theologian. I don’t think he meant that everyone’s a particularly good theologian or has something significant or meaningful to say. The point was that we should always be on the lookout for how people theologize, how they conceive of God in real life. You may not find a more popular theologian right now than Macklemore.

New today from the Century: the editors on the IRS, Louise Williams on the lectionary, more.

One of the premier pleasures of reading is finding a new author. I recently discovered George Saunders's comic touch and sympathetic characters.

c. 2013 Religion News Service...

c. 2013 Religion News Service...

After Boy Scout leaders took their long-awaited vote in late May to permit openly gay boys to be members, some church leaders predicted there will be a s...

This podcast is an excellent resource as you think about worship this Memorial Day weekend. I learned so much as Derrick Weston talked with Amy Blumenshine. She has incredible wisdom as she navigates a pastoral response to service and honoring soldiers when we have ethical problems with war. 

Why do I need poetry? Poetry is the language that puts words on the sounds and silences that make up our lives. It is the power to name that which is un-nameable. It is the grace to name something “mystery” and to take comfort in that.

“'What are we on my side of the aisle doing?' demanded McCain."

New today from the Century: Rodney Clapp on George Saunders, Steve Thorngate on Ingrid Loyau-Kennett's nonviolent heroism, more.

If you haven't read about Ingrid Loyau-Kennett's heroism in London the other day, you should. Immediately after the brutal murder of British miltary drummer Lee Rigby, she hopped off a city bus and talked to the killers while they stood there holding their blood-drenched weapons.

Growing up, Rachel Hanel knew about death. Her father was a grave­digger and cemetery caretaker, and she played among the tombstones....