Latest Articles
Rutgers University newspaper under fire for Hitler spoof
c. 2012 Religion News Service NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J....
Sunday, April 22, 2012 (Luke 24:36b–48)
The appearance of a ghost can be explained in all sorts of ways. But when Jesus appears—bearing scars and hungry for a nice piece of tilapia—then we have to do more than merely rearrange some intellectual furniture.
Romney camp looks to rally Christian conservatives
Even before Rick Santorum announced April 10 that he was dropping his presidential bid, Mark DeMoss was fielding calls from religious conservatives who s...
Tuesday digest
New today from the Century: Walter Brueggemann reviews Frederick Gaiser, Rep. Ryan goes all social-teaching-ish, more.
Rep. Ryan goes all social-teaching-ish
Like a lot of people, I've been paying less attention this year to the federal budget debates....
More from Vashti McKenzie
In a recent interview for the Century, African Methodist Episcopal bishop Vashti McKenzie spoke to Joan Harrell about her use of social media in ministry as well as her vision for a church focused on social justice. You can hear Harrell’s complete interview with McKenzie on her podcast, Empowering Voices.
God of wholeness
Fred Gaiser offers a sober, accessible review of the biblical materials pertinent to our thinking about healing.
Praying for God to hurt someone is not illegal, judge rules
Is it OK to ask God to do harm to another person?...
Wisdom and light
Is John 1 a midrash on the creation story and the song of creative Wisdom? If so, its writer has infused it with profoundest joy.
Beloved doubters
I remember a film about Doubting Thomas that I saw in Sunday school as a girl. It was one of a series that our church showed us: the Bible story was read while a sequence of tableaux ran on the screen—it was not a motion picture, really, but more like a slide show. The actors were all attractive people with earnest expressions, and their faces stayed on the screen for a long time while the text was read. Sometimes the camera would zoom in, so that we could get a really good, long look at a particularly earnest expression.
I think I would find it all a bit too much if I were to view it today. But this was a long time ago.
I remember Thomas's face.
A year without a church
It’s been one year since I left my position as pastor of a lovely rural congregation to lead The Project F-M, a ministry that delightfully defies easy categorization but could not be called a church. It’s been one year since I’ve preached regularly, presided over the sacraments, led funeral services, visited shut-ins, taught Sunday school, been to the hospital or responded when someone said “Pastor.” One year.
Pastor friends often ask me, “Do you miss it?” It’s a complicated response.
Monday digest
New today from the Century: Marilynne Robinson on John's prologue, LaVonne Neff reviews books about the devil, more.
Wisdom and light
Is John 1 a midrash on the creation story and the song of creative Wisdom? If so, its writer has infused it with profoundest joy.
Devil's Ink, by Jeffrey C. Pugh, and The Devil Wears Nada, by Tripp York
Jeffrey C. Pugh and Tripp York are Facebook friends. Both teach religion at southern institutions of higher learning. Last year, each wrote a good-natured book about Satan.
Minister sees no choice but to fight for refugees
c. 2012 Religion News Service HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (RNS) He is young and looks even younger than his 36 years....
Philippine church leaders say crucifixion reenactments are unnecessary
Baguio City, Philippines (ENInews)--On Good Friday each year in some areas of the Philippines, Christians reenact the crucifixion as a sign of repentance or thanks....
Anxious in Palestine
Palestinian parents don’t fret about drugs or drunk drivers. They worry that the Israeli soldiers will use their M-16s.