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Fall of a warrior
It’s tempting to view the sex scandal surrounding army general David Petraeus through a religious lens....
Wednesday digest
New today from the Century: India's original Christians, Petraeus's disappointing story, more.
Another disappointing story
David Petraeus's failings aren't the same as his biblical namesake's. No one went to die so he could bed Paula Broadwell. Still, we expected more.
Race, religion and especially age
This election graphic from the Public Religion Research Ins...
Lost In Transition, by Sixpence None the Richer
It’s been 14 years since Sixpence None the Richer released the hit single “Kiss Me.” Little did many listeners know that the song came from a group named for a C. S. Lewis analogy concerning God-bestowed gifts. Now Sixpence has a new album—its first in ten years.
Sunday, November 25, 2012: John 18:33-37
It is the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the church’s liturgical year. All of today’s passages reflect on kingships—those of David, God and Jesus....
'Scandalous' evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson gets star turn on Broadway
NEW YORK (RNS) Broadway openings often feature a first – the debut of a new star, the premiere of a new playwright's work. On Thursday (Nov....
Vatican convicts second man in 'Vatileaks' scandal
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A Vatican computer expert on Saturday (Nov. 10) was convicted of aiding and abetting the pope's former butler in stealing the pontiff's papers and leaking them to the press....
Pastor wanders streets in personal bid to understand homelessness
NORMAN, Okla. (RNS) Pastor Dustin Buff traded in his job, his house and his sense of security for a backpack, a Bible, a sleeping bag, one change of clothes, identification, and a cell phone....
Chastened Catholic bishops told they have to reform themselves
BALTIMORE (RNS) After sweeping setbacks to the hierarchy's agenda on Election Day, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Monday (Nov. 12) told U.S....
Catholic bishops fail to agree on statement on the economy
BALTIMORE (RNS) A divided Catholic hierarchy on Tuesday (Nov....
Jesus’ barrio: Inmates as apostles
Gangs excel at finding the lost, adopting them and sending them out. Therefore, gang youth can be recruited for apostolic ministry.
Shame and everlasting contempt
On August 1, 2009, The Mobile Press-Register published an article written by Greg Garrison of the Religion News Service entitled, “Heaven? Sure. Hell? Not so much.” Shortly thereafter, a parishioner of ours brought in a copy for me and wondered aloud, “Why don’t we talk about hell any more?” It just so happened that the answer to his question appeared in the teaser quote right at the top of the article.
Grumpy writers
My daughter-in-law alerted me to flavorwire.com’s list of “10 Grumpiest Living Writers,” which includes fav...
Tuesday digest
New today from the Century: Chris Hoke on the apostolic ministry of gang members, Stephen Fowl's lectionary column, more.
A reason to bargain
While past attempts at big deals have failed, this time Obama has serious leverage: House Republicans loathe the fiscal cliff's policies.
Waiting in love, not anxiety
This Sunday’s texts from Daniel and Mark (and, perhaps, Hebrews) are quite apocalyptic in their outlook. This may lead most preachers to focus their attentions elsewhere—though post-election, many U.S. partisans may be feeling fairly apocalyptic themselves.
Are you avoiding someone at church?
In ministry, we all have people we love to spend time with. They are the people who constantly support us, who are positive and easy to be around, or who we simply have good chemistry with....
Monday digest
New today from the Century: The editors on the fiscal cliff, Randall Balmer reviews Stephen Prothero, more.
American Talmud
The American Bible, Stephen Prothero’s latest assault on the best-seller lists, is a compendium of writings that, Prothero insists, together define Americans as a nation....