By Kelly Edmiston The moment that I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew that my entire life was going to change. I remember sitting by myself, on a bench, outside the sonogram room, clutching her picture to my growing belly. I was 20 weeks along as I sat there, paralyzed. I couldn’t even pick up the phone to call my husband. Because in that moment, it was just us. My heart was racing as I noticed... Read more

In Stephen Jay Gould’s short book Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life he outlines the concept of non-overlapping magisteria (NOMA), an important concept in the discussion of science and Christian faith. On one level, the principle of NOMA is embraced by many religious scientists, including those with strong theological commitments (and that would include me). Gould calls it “bench-top materialism.” These scientists tend to … hold that the “deep” questions about ultimate meanings lie outside... Read more

What about those women at Corinth? What about the veils, or was it hair? What about subordination? Andrew Bartlett, in his new book Men and Women in Christ (MWiC), these questions and more with the following major conclusions. (Before I say anything more, it’s a pity Bartlett does not interact with the fine work of Lucy Peppiatt, who herself shows that the rhetoric doesn’t work until we see quotations by Paul of his opponents in 1 Cor 11. Thus, it’s not all... Read more

By Ruth Tucker In all my years of writing, I had never heard the term kill fee. Not until the news broke that porn star Stormy Daniels had been paid a large sum to prevent the story of her relationship with Donald Trump from appearing in the National Inquirer. Michael Cohen, the fixer, had worked it out. He killed the article. Only months later I submitted a solicited online article on Amy Carmichael to Christianity Today and I ended up... Read more

CBE By Lindsey Boulais-Duong On October 09, 2019 Personal Stories Editor’s Note: This is one of the Top 15 CBE Writing Contest winners. Enjoy! Standing in an old church with a red prayer book in my hands, the voices of the small number of worshippers seemed to magically fill the high, vaulted ceilings. I had recently moved and was visiting Episcopal churches searching for a good fit. Each week, I crossed my forehead, lips, and heart as the priest read the... Read more

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP Read more

Making Sense Biblically of the Civil War George Rable is Professor Emeritus at the University of Alabama. He is the author of several highly regarded books on the American Civil War. This interview revolves around his book, God’s Almost Chosen Peoples: A Religious History of the American Civil War. This interview was conducted by David George Moore. Some of Dave’s teaching videos and interviews can be accessed at www.mooreengaging.com. Note to the Jesus Community: During the summer of 2016, my... Read more

Good morning! Judean Date Palm trees from the time of Jesus re-growing: The Judean date palm flourished throughout the Middle East for thousands of years before the Romans conquered Jerusalem around 70 AD. The fruit of the trees — dates — served as a staple food in the region, while its leaves provided shelter and shade. A symbol of fertility, the tree was used as an aphrodisiac and cherished for its medicinal properties. According to the Old Testament of the Bible, King... Read more

Just Sit There, by Mike Glenn I’ve known Danny (not his real name) for years. His daughter and my sons were in the same grade at the same schools through high school. We’ve seen each other at church, schools and all over town for the last 25 years. Danny is as solid as they come. He’s a good guy and we count on him in a variety of ways as a leader in our church. I’m telling you all of... Read more

The king of Tyre is described by the sovereign Lord, in Ezekiel, as blameless in the garden of Eden until he fell. What are we to make of this? Application of this passage to the fall of Satan can only be made if it is ripped out of context and taken in isolation. There are multiple allusions back to Genesis 3. Read more