Guest Post

New today from the Century: Mary Louise Bringle on why hymnals matter, Steve Thorngate on Phil Madeira's Mercyland project, more.

New today from the Century: Philip Jenkins on the Waco siege 20 years later, Debra Dean Murphy on sentimentalism and terrorism, more.

New today from the Century: The editors on the relative problem of terrorism vs. gun violence, Andrew Packman blogs the lectionary, more.

One of my tasks as the Century’s online-editorial intern is to archive past issues on the website. It can be tedious, but it’s also quite fascinating to see various subjects develop in the magazine’s pages over time. At this point I’ve worked back as far as Christmas 1998, meaning the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal is front and center. I was 11 when that happened; I know the present-day Clinton everyone loves much better than the 1998 Clinton no one knew what to do with. But by far the highlight is reading Martin Marty’s old columns.

New today from the Century: Katherine Willis Pershey reviews Glennon Melton and Rachel Srubas, John Turner reviews Catherine Brekus, more.

New today from the Century: Rodney Clapp on contemplative prayer, Ralph Wood reviews Rowan Williams, more.

New today from the Century: John Buchanan on presidents and power, Shirley Showalter reviews Sonia Sotomayor, more.

New today from the Century: Richard Kauffman on reading the Bible on his iPad, Stanley Hauerwas reviews David Gushee, more.

New today from the Century: Valerie Weaver-Zercher on Amish-themed fiction, Amy Plantinga Pauw on new books in theology, more.

After the Senate refused to take up several gun-control proposals Wednesday, I checked in with faith-based activists on the legislative process. (See my earlier Century article.) Many expressed frustration but also tentative hope for future prospects. "I'm deeply disappointed and very angry at the vise grip the NRA has on this issue," says Katherine Willis Pershey of the #ItIsEnough campaign. Many activists weren't thrilled with the legislation to begin with.

New today from the Century: Faith-based gun control activists, the joy of homemade pizza, more.

New today from the Century: Richard Lischer on the life of a book, what else Heidi Neumark reads for help with preaching, more.

At a conference on theology and politics at Wheaton College earlier this month, a speaker described a world run by economic elites who pursue their own interests. These elites dominate both political parties in the United States, he noted.  In the question-and-answer period, a student at the evangelical college asked what then should be done, given such an oppressive system. The speaker advised the student not to put much hope in electoral politics.

New today from the Century: Kathryn Reklis on Mad Men, Randall Balmer on dueling and gun control, more.

New today from the Century: Craig Barnes on a church that cared for a family, more preachers on what else they read for help with preaching, more.

New today from the Century: The editors on faith-based partnerships, preachers on what else they read, more.

New today from the Century: Gilbert Meilaender on immortality, Carol Howard Merritt on Impact 365, more.

I don't like un-vetted books, aka self-published books or books printed by so-called vanity presses. I’m aware that this is where much of the publishing world is headed in this digital age. There is a growth industry of firms that will be glad to publish your book, in print or in digital format. Amazon even has such a service. I laud many aspects of the digital world. But this is one development I see as a big negative.

New today from the Century: Why we shouldn't blame violent media, Sam Wells on Naboth's vineyard, more.

New today from the Century: Philip Jenkins on William Harris, Suzanne Guthrie reviews Beverly Donofrio, more.