Latest Articles
McGovern was Methodist advocate of Social Gospel
To most American voters in 1972, Democratic presidential nominee Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota was way too liberal on many issues—and he was beaten badly by incumbent Richard Nixon....
Nones I have known
We hear a lot about the "nones" these days: Americans who claim no connection to any particular faith. We'll hear a lot more too, as recent studies document this ever-expanding slice of the American demographic pie. We hear less, however, about the nones as individuals. But like any pastor, I’ve known more than a few in my time. At 20 percent of society, they are literally everybody's friends and neighbors.
Where I've been
I've participated in a few writing projects that I need to let you know about.
Ryan gives a speech, ostensibly about poverty
First of all, I'm genuinely glad to see Paul Ryan talking at length about poverty, as he did ...
Thursday digest
New today from the Century: John Buchanan's faulty assumptions, nones Daniel Schultz has known, more.
The Book of Mormon Girl, by Joanna Brooks
When people who don’t know a lot about American Christianity hear that I am Mennonite, they sometimes ask if it’s the same as being Mormon. No, I say, and add a stock reply: other than starting with the same letter of the alphabet and being inscrutable to outsiders, the groups are quite different.
After reading Joanna Brooks’s memoir The Book of Mormon Girl, I will no longer answer with such alacrity.
Our ragged church: A homeless mission in the city
I once nailed the doors of my church shut. I needed to keep a burglar out who'd been looking for something to huff. Still, it seemed so antigospel.
A Russian beef with Apple
Some Orthodox Christians in Russia have taken issue with Apple’s logo recently, seeing an anti-Christian symbol for humanity’s original sin in the image of a bitten fruit.
It’s hard to believe that Apple execs conspired with their graphic designers to offend Christians, but these Russian conservatives got me thinking. If we did assign significance to the Apple logo, what might it mean?
God doesn't cause rape
Debates about abortion aren’t typically in my wheelhouse, but reflecting on God’s activity in the world is....
Wednesday digest
New today from the Century: A pastor nails her church's doors shut, exegeting the Apple logo, God doesn't cause rape.
The African mainstream
The vast majority of Africa's christians belong to familiar, mainstream denominations. But scholars give more attention to the minority.
Why is Billy Graham so involved in the 2012 elections?
After years of shunning the partisan political spotlight, is Billy Graham a born-again Republican?...
Jews rally around woman arrested for praying at Western Wall
JERUSALEM (RNS) Jews from Manhattan to Mozambique held prayer vigils on Monday (Oct....
The biggest slice of Obama's religious coalition? The unaffiliated
WASHINGTON (RNS) The largest slice of President Barack Obama's religious coalition – at 23 percent – is not very religious....
Update: Mormon blogger, facing excommunication, resigns from church
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Rather than wait for possible excommunication, Mormon blogger David Twede has resigned his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....
Lectionary column for All Saints Day: John 11:32-44
To understand what I am going to tell you, you need to know that my parents were scientists and that my mother’s mind had a decidedly unpoetic bent....
"Live-blogging" the "foreign policy debate"
I wasn't planning to post a running commentary on the final debate, since I don't follow foreign policy half as closely as the domestic stuff. But judging from the candidates' dodges and pivots last night, neither do they. So here I am.
Closer to the people?
“The government that is closest to the people governs best.” That sentiment was expressed recently by Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, and it’s long been a staple of conservative political philosophy and of candidates who want federal programs to be taken over by state and local governments. But liberals embrace it in their own way when they talk about “participatory democracy” and the need for people to be able to make decisions about the issues that directly affect them.
The question is: what does it mean for government to be “closer” to people?
Tuesday digest
New today from the Century: Philip Jenkins on mainstream African churches, Heidi Neumark on All Saints, more.
Fit for ministry: Addressing the crisis in clergy health
Being a pastor is bad for your health. The Clergy Health Initiative aims to study this problem and begin to correct it.