From Howard Snyder: What say you? I strongly oppose abortion on biblical, moral, and humanitarian grounds. I see justifiable exceptions only in the rarest of cases, such as perhaps when the mother’s life is in danger. Moral principle: If two lives are at risk and only one can be saved, it is morally better to save the mother than the unborn child. It is a terrible choice to have to make, but at times an ethically necessary one. For similar... Read more

Brian Harris tells the famous story that after a lengthy debate about what made Christianity unique, C.S. Lewis chirped up that the answer was easy: grace. This story opens up the chapter on the cross-shaped reality at the heart of a Christian worldview in Brian’s book The Big Picture: Building Blocks of a Christian World View. Grace is the third of six building blocks as he builds a Christian worldview: the universe as designed, humans as a tragedy and triumph, grace,... Read more

Check out this clip and then go through the link to Katie McEachern’s splendid post: In light of this conversation, I was reminded of the “Grand Inquisitor” chapter of the mammoth book The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. In this section the “main” brother, Alexei sits and listens quietly while his brother Ivan (the most intellectual of the four brothers) bares himself completely, telling a story which encapsulates what he believes to be the ultimate argument for unbelief in God — essentially the... Read more

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. BCP Read more

Norman Wirzba is professor of theology and ecology at Duke Divinity School.  His latest book, From Nature to Creation: a Christian Vision for Understanding and Loving Our World  framed this interview. David George Moore conducted the interview.  Dave blogs at www.twocities.org. Moore: You were trained as a philosopher.  How did you get so interested in ecological issues? Wirzba: I grew up a farm kid on the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. I loved being outdoors and working with land and... Read more

What a beautiful story about the “grandma in the window.” Depression relieved by gardening: Antidepressant microbes in soil cause cytokine levels to rise, which results in the production of higher levels of serotonin. The bacterium was tested both by injection and ingestion on rats and the results were increased cognitive ability, lower stress and better concentration to tasks than a control group. Gardeners inhale the bacteria, have topical contact with it and get it into their bloodstreams when there is... Read more

By Allan Bevere: Ten Situations in Which the Silence of the Pastor is Golden Because at certain times, a pastor’s word will stifle necessary conversation: 1. When a healthy discussion breaks out in Bible study. 2. During a meeting when members of the committee are having a vigorous and lively debate on what is best for the church. 3. When someone in great pain is expressing it. 4. In certain situations when someone expresses a view with which the pastor... Read more

By David G. Moore, who blogs here. There are several questions about Roman Catholicism, which I have never, and I mean never, received satisfying answers.  As a kid growing up in the Roman Catholic tradition, I experienced either the frustration of priests to my questions or a quick dismissal with “it’s mysterious, Dave.”  Granted, there are many things beyond our ability to know, but invoking mystery many times seemed to be a nice way of covering up possible inconsistencies in... Read more