John Dart
Charismatic and mainline: Domestication of a movement
One Sunday morning in 1960, the Episcopal pastor of a 2,500-member parish in suburban Los Angeles told his congregation that he and 70 other members had been “speaking in tongues."At the end of the service, an assistant priest pulled off his vestments and stalked out, saying, “I can no longer work with this man!” Tumult reigned. One man stood on a chair, shouting, “Throw out the damn tongue-speakers!”
Long-lost Gospel of Judas to be published: Translations of Coptic-language text forthcoming
The heresy-fighting bishop Irenaeus of Lyon, France, mentioned the Gospel of Judas about 180 AD, linking the writing to a Gnostic sect....
IRS warning raises church leaders' ire: All Saints Episcopal's tax-exempt status at risk
A large, progressive Episcopal church in southern California, warned by the Internal Revenue Service that its tax-exempt status may be at risk over a preelection antiwar sermon delivered last year,...
Bush courts evangelicals for nominee support: President cites Miers's church membership
Before John Roberts was approved by the U.S....
After Katrina, pleas for a focus on poverty: No to cuts in antipoverty programs
After Hurricane Katrina produced vivid images of poverty in America, leaders of five mainline denominations renewed their call on Congress to oppose deep cuts to programs serving the working poor, ...
Taizé founder buried in service led by Catholic cardinal: 12,000 attended funeral
An estimated 12,000 Christians from many denominations attended the funeral of Brother Roger, the Protestant founder of the Taizé community in the picturesque Burgundy region of France....
Defeated in votes, American Bapist conservatives organize: The Great Commission Network
Rebuffed at national meetings of American Baptists that declined to adopt tough stances against homosexuality, some conservative leaders will meet this month near Chicago to expand an alternate mis...
ELCA says no to gay pastors, blessings: Delegates decline to authorize existing practices
On the face of it, the nation’s largest Lutheran church didn’t budge on issues of homosexuality....
Taking care of business: Administrators show ecumenical spirit
It was meant as a compliment when preacher-author Leonard Sweet praised his audience as “a kind of homeland security of the church.” Sweet, evangelism professor at Drew University Theological Schoo...
Decision time for mainline Lutherans: ELCA considering same-sex blessings
The nation’s largest Lutheran denomination will finally speak with a collective voice this month on whether to allow gay and lesbian pastors and on whether same-sex couples may receive rites of ble...
On gays, American Baptists keep 'paradox' Maintaining an open stance: Maintaining an open stance
Resisting efforts to eliminate organizational havens for congregations that welcome gays, American Baptist leaders and delegates meeting in Denver maintained an open stance on homosexuality—even if...
American Baptists face breakup threats: Homosexuality debate could shatter fragile unity
In an appeal to American Baptists last November, the denomination’s top official said he suffered “many sleepless nights” worrying whether controversies over homosexuality would shatter the fragile...
Bush, ‘proud Methodist,’ opens a door: First meeting with UMC bishops
It was a modest gesture, but some United Methodists hope that President Bush’s first meeting with bishops in his own denomination will contribute to a new relationship with mainline church leaders....
Judicial posts: For justice or just us?
When some leading Christian conservatives threw their weight behind Republican efforts recently to speed Senate approval of judicial nominees of President Bush, they subtitled their widely viewed “...
Churches Together on target for launch: Church of God in Christ considering membership
The fledgling Christian Churches Together—a painstakingly crafted amalgam of U.S....
John Paul II leaves transformed papacy: The people's pope
In September of 1987 near the historic San Fernando Mission in Los Angeles, Pope John Paul II held his first face-to-face meeting with the entire U.S. hierarchy....
Getting religion: Democrats connect with faith activists
Democratic Party leaders and progressive religious activists are persevering in their separate but complementary efforts to shape a connection between faith and politics....
New Bible woos young adults, skirts critics: Inclusive language
When Zondervan published in 2002 an inclusive-language version of the New Testament by the translators of the older, best-selling New International Version (NIV) Bible, vociferous criticism poured ...
ELCA calls for some leeway on gay clergy: Advocates on both sides unhappy
"They unlocked the closet door, but they haven’t opened it,” wryly commented a retired Lutheran bishop on his church’s much-awaited report on homosexuality.
...Up against Caesar: Jesus and Paul versus the empire
The “kingdom” of God and “gospel” are usually thought of as terms unique to Christianity. And who else but Jesus was called not only “the son of God” but also “Lord” and “Savior”?
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