“I put down my mug and brownie and sob into my hands for no reason I can understand, except that I’m so tired, so far from any kind of resolution, so far from God and the girl who used to know and love him so desperately. “ — Addie Zierman, from her new memoir, Night Driving For some of us, a spontaneous 3,000 mile road trip away from home is just the thing to find our way back home. So it was for... Read more
I went to an evangelical Christian prayer service recently. One after another person spoke to God in earnest, humble tones. They alternated between supplication and praise and a sort of commentary. Their words were directed at least as much to each other as they were to a supernatural supreme being. They were sharing opinions and perspectives with each other in the context of addressing God. There was a certain amount of jockeying for status that was evident in their prayers.... Read more
I love watching Donald Trump bring scores of people “into” the Republican tent as the Republican Party flies into a full-fledged panic and attempts to preclude him from doing so. I also love watching the pile-on of Trump enemies and detractors who heap scorn, hatred, contempt, fear and, of course, countless photos of his hair in disarray (photo-shopped or otherwise) on him. But I hope we do not fail to learn from him as well. Trump is bringing many people,... Read more
Voting is liturgical. It’s a ritual expression of love for others when we vote for candidates and for ballot propositions that help to assure the welfare of our vulnerable fellow citizens. Read more
By Shawn Casselberry Over the next 12 months, the Forum for Theological Education will spotlight 12 leaders, their stories, and how their passion and call to shape a more hopeful future through Christian ministry guides the impact they are making in their communities, institutions and universities. You can find the full series, here. In seminary, I remember telling God, “I’ll go anywhere you want me to go and do anything you want me to do.” It’s a dangerous thing to... Read more
Kevin, our custodian, was expected to be at our Ash Wednesday evening church service. An hour before it was to start, I learned of his death and did not mention it to those in attendance because it had not yet been confirmed and I did not want to spread unfounded, sordid rumors. Kevin’s death lay heavy upon me, especially as we read the words, “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” Three days later, I attended the funeral service at his... Read more
Harper Lee died last week. She would have been surprised, I think, to know what a profound impact her book, To Kill A Mockingbird, in its film form, had on me. It gave me what I had too little of in my childhood — hope. As a child growing up in demonically racist Albany, Georgia in the 1960s, reared by white Civil Rights activist parents who were outspokenly opposed to the South’s racism and segregation, the film To Kill A... Read more
Recently departed Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia believed, “The only good Constitution is a dead Constitution.” For Scalia, the Constitution is static and should only be changed through the Constitutional amendment process. His theory is called “originalism” ~ a belief that the Constitution should be interpreted solely through the lens of what was written when it was written. Scalai’s theory of originalism has implications for you, me and modern society. One example is that since abortion and gay marriage rights... Read more
A few months ago I was invited to see an advance screening of the movie Risen. I said yes, but internally was thinking, “Just what we need – another cheesy, low-budget film pandering to a Christian audience.” I am absolutely thrilled my cynicism was wrong. There are so many things I enjoyed about this movie. First of all, the movie pays attention to cinematography and acting. People clearly cared about the craft of the film. Joseph Fiennes brings a genuine... Read more
Donald Trump. Wheaton College. Islamophobia. Terrorism. Today, American rhetoric is littered with catch-phrases and consequences, fueling the fire against Muslims. While Presidential Candidate Trump called for the “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” last December, Wheaton recently “parted ways” with Dr. Larycia Hawkins for her statement that Muslims and Christians are both “people of the book” who worship the same God. Approximately 58 percent of Americans have “unfavorable” views towards Muslims, a number that continues to swell. According to the Center for the Study... Read more
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