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Magazine /

March 29, 2017

Volume 134, Issue #7
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Features

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First Person

A story about finding a new story

I had the classic Texas Baptist starter package. I went to Carl’s shop to trade it in.

by Gordon Atkinson

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Ministry after communal trauma

In the wake of violence, pastors have to lead people out of hell. Jesus has been there.

by Laurie Kraus, David Holyan, and Bruce Wismer

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Critical Essay

Who decides what my body means?

The next Reformation is about interpretation, but not of a book.

by Brian Bantum

Marina Cantacuzino
Interviews

What is forgiveness, and is it good?

“In the wrong hands, forgiveness can become a kind of tyranny.”

Amy Frykholm interviews Marina Cantacuzino

Books

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Love and horses

In C.E. Morgan’s world, anything goes as long as it’s couched in the language of the equine.

by Win Bassett
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Women who do​ things

The story of Esther Wheelwright and the communities of women and girls who surrounded her

by Margaret Bendroth
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What makes a family?

We tend to think biology matters, and matters very much—except when we don’t.

by Thomas D. Kennedy
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When theology fails

After Ruth Everhart was raped, she had to rebuild her beliefs about God’s will.

by Bromleigh McCleneghan

Departments

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First Words

When Ruby Bridges prayed for her enemies

In the face of mob violence, a six-year-old responded with love.

by Peter W. Marty

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Faith Matters

How evil wins, and how to beat it

We need to study peace a lot harder than those who are studying war.

by Samuel Wells

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On Art

The Supper at Emmaus, by Jacopo Pontormo

In his 1525 depiction of the Supper at Emmaus, the Late Italian Renaissance painter Jacopo Pontormo (1494–1557) portrays the moment that Christ blesses the bread....
Art selection and commentary by Heidi J. Hornik and Mikeal C. Parsons
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On Media

Hamilton is so much bigger than Hamilton

Being in the audience felt like a communal experience, almost a liturgical one.

by Beth Felker Jones

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On Media

Why we miss Niebuhr now

Martin Doblmeier’s new documentary shows how theology drives our use of power.

by Jason Byassee

From the Editors

Speaking—and acting—against hate

The president has been slow to condemn acts of hatred against religious minorities. Moral leaders are stepping into the vacuum.

News

In India, a legal group defends Muslims accused of terrorism

Eleven years ago, Shahid Nadeem witnessed the blasts that left 37 people dead and more than 100 injured in the small town of Malegaon, 167 miles from Mumbai....

by Bhavya Dore

Episcopal Divinity pursues affiliating with Union in New York

Episcopal Divinity School is planning to move to New York City....

by Celeste Kennel-Shank

Chief rabbi of Venice works for return of Jewish community

Five centuries ago the Jewish people of Venice were forced to live in a segregated community that became known as the first-ever ghetto, a cramped but bustling community that at its height boasted nine synagogues....

by Josephine McKenna

People

National Prayer Breakfast organizer and 'pastor to people in power' dies at age 88

Doug Coe, organizer of the annual National Prayer Breakfast and a spiritual guide to many politicians, died February 21 at age 88....

by Adelle M. Banks

People

Richard Niebuhr, theologian and teacher, dies at age 90

Richard Reinhold Niebuhr, a theologian and influential teacher, died Febru­ary 26 at age 90. He began teaching at Harvard Divini­ty School in 1956, the school noted in an­nouncing his death, and retired as professor emeritus....
by Christian Century staff
People

Catholic theologian who 'moved from left to right' dies at age 83

Michael Novak, a Catholic theologian who argued that capitalism fostered social well-being, died February 17 at the age of 83 in Washington, D.C....
by Christian Century staff

State museum or church?

Russia is debating the future of an iconic cathedral.

by Fred Weir

Interfaith support rises along with attacks

When Adam Zeff, rabbi of the Germantown Jewish Centre in Philadelphia, a short distance from Mount Carmel Cemetery, heard that vandals had desecrated the place where several families in his congregation had loved ones buried, he felt compelled to ...

by the Christian Century staff, Kimberly Winston, Lauren Markoe, and Jason Thomson

Lectionary

April 23, Second Sunday of Easter

1 Peter 1:3–9, John 20:19–31

by Ayanna Johnson Watkins

April 16, Resurrection of the Lord

At grief’s mercy, Mary stays at the site of her loss.

by Ayanna Johnson Watkins

April 14, Good Friday

John 18:1–19:42

by Eileen D. Crowley

April 13, Maundy Thursday

John 13:1–17, 31b–35

by Eileen D. Crowley

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