Diana Butler Bass, well-known progressive American Christian and author, may well want to capture President Obama’s Second Inaugural as a species of progressive theology, but some of us would like to see a little more about African American liberation theology. Still, what do you think of her analysis? It was not only a politically progressive speech, however, it was a masterwork of progressive theology: a public sermon on the meaning of America, a creedal statement and a call to practice... Read more

Jesus the Poster Boy From the get-go, I (John Frye) am an amateur poet. In the last post we read Eugene Peterson’s affirmation of poetry: “Poetry is language used with intensity. … Poets tell us what our eyes, blurred with too much gawking, and our ears, dulled with too much chatter, miss around and within us. Poets use words to drag us into reality itself…” (from Psalms: Prayers of the Heart). Those with their ears to the ground know that... Read more

Parents, when you discovered your child was gay what did you think? What have you heard parents, siblings, friends, pastors, leaders, etc. said? This is a question that naturally arises in Justin Lee’s heartfelt book Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate. Before I get to that question, and to the advice Justin Lee — a gay Christian (let’s not debate that expression just yet) — gives to parents, I want to sketch a bit of Justin’s life experience, and I... Read more

From Elena Ferrarin: That we are driven to this is depressing. What do you think? A “lockdown” drill Wednesday at Cary-Grove High School that included simulated gun shots — an element that had drawn criticism from some parents — went smoothly, district officials said. The drill took place at about 9 a.m. and lasted no more than 20 minutes, said Jeff Puma, director of communications for Community High School District 155. Two school deans each fired one shot from a... Read more

When these driverless cars work in Rome, I’m game. Until then, not. Will autonomous computer-piloted automobiles change the world? Some say yes others say no. I’ve been known to have my doubts that they’ll clear regulatory hurdles, and Megan McArdle observes that the structure of personal injury litigation in the United States could be a major challenge. But she also points to the reason I’m fundamentally optimistic, namely that the United States isn’t an island. She says that “If driverless cars happen, I expect... Read more

One of the marvels of modern science is the prolongation of life. Based on the EncBritannica, Upper Paleolithic life expectancy was 33 but in classical greece it was only at 28. Medieval Britain was only 30. The early 2oth Century was only 31. One hundred years ago the avg was well under half of what life expectancy is now — 67.2 for the whole world. Mix into this the privileged of the West or compare men and women and we’ve... Read more