Evangelism as Hospitality

Last updated on: June 24, 2012 at 10:18 pm By Fred Clark

"Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13 Fuller seminary's J. Dudley Woodberry makes a distinction between "proselytizing" and what he calls "gracious evangelism." This distinction seems etymologically valid. To "proselytize" is to create converts. To evangelize is to share the evangel — the "good news." Proselytizing has acquired new legal baggage in recent years, which is one reason for Woodberry to distance himself from the term. Now that the folks at Fuller are receiving federal funding for their interfaith conflict resolution efforts, they... Read more

And now, some Good News

Last updated on: June 24, 2012 at 10:16 pm By Fred Clark

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From Teresa Watanabe of The Los Angeles Times, we learn that the evangelical Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.: … has launched a federally funded project for making peace with Muslims, featuring a proposed code of ethics that rejects offensive statements about each other's faiths, affirms a mutual belief in one God and pledges not to proselytize. … The Fuller project, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, is intended to develop practical peacemaking practices for Christians... Read more

L.B.: The Lex Luthor factor

Last updated on: October 17, 2014 at 6:07 pm By Fred Clark

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Left Behind, pp. 23-24 Here are some of the things that Buck Williams, the greatest investigative reporter of all time, is thinking when he first realizes that dozens of people on his airplane have suddenly disappeared midflight: … His mind searched its memory banks for anything he had ever read, seen, or heard of any technology that could remove people from their clothes and make them disappear from a decidedly secure environment. Whoever did this, were they on the plane?... Read more

L.B.: Welcome to the Hellmouth

Last updated on: October 17, 2014 at 6:04 pm By Fred Clark

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I must apologize for the extended pause in our journey through the world of Left Behind. Dwelling in this abysmal novel is like working with lead paint — one needs the occasional break to avoid the dangers of prolonged exposure. I have, as a kind of antidote, been re-reading Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities. This is a whipsmart book that I hope will serve as a prophylactic against the potential intellect-eroding effects of LaHaye and... Read more

The private public square

Last updated on: December 5, 2003 at 2:09 pm By Fred Clark

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The shopping malls have become the "new Main Street." Except that nobody owned Main Street. Stories like this one — about the ways malls are restricting Salvation Army bell-ringers this Christmas — are a reminder of the freedoms we give up when we exchange a truly public square for one that is the private property of some distant corporation. That's not a particularly new insight, of course, but I do have one additional suggestion: Before you head to your local... Read more

News cycles

Last updated on: June 24, 2012 at 10:12 pm By Fred Clark

Saturday, November 29: "Shoppers jump-start holidays: Retailers, analysts predict increased sales over last year" Friday, December 5: "Retailers report disappointing sales: Holiday shopping season gets off to a slow start " = = = = = = = = = = = = Thursday, December 4: "Ringing in the holidays: People 'want to help,' [Salvation Army] volunteer says" Friday, December 5: "Mall restricts Christmas kettles" Read more

Employing Iraqis

Last updated on: June 24, 2012 at 10:11 pm By Fred Clark

Fred Kaplan continues his insightful reporting on the occupation of Iraq with "More Dinars Please" — a look at the invaluable Commanders' Emergency Response Program: The program started in May, shortly after President Bush declared the war over, when American soldiers in Baghdad unearthed mounds of cash that Saddam Hussein and his two sons had hidden away. Occupation authorities decided to put Saddam's stash to good purpose. They distributed it to U.S. military commanders, who used it to clean sewers,... Read more

Concerned Women for America

Last updated on: June 24, 2012 at 10:11 pm By Fred Clark

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Concerned Women for America is impressive for its size. They claim as many as 500,000 members, and their media reach includes a daily radio show and a widely circulated newsletter. Yet, for all its size, CWA has remarkably little influence. It's like one of those 7-footers who plays basketball for a Division III school. The other team is intimidated when this NBA-sized player first takes the court, but the fear goes away when they see him during lay-up drills. The... Read more

If this is Wednesday …

Last updated on: December 3, 2003 at 1:38 pm By Fred Clark

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Just got back from the logistical nightmare of the annual class trip to Washington, D.C., with students from the introductory course in Theology and Public Policy at Eastern Baptist Seminary. The purpose of the trip is to give students an appreciation of the scope and diversity of Christian political thought by visiting as many Christian political groups as time and the Metro will allow in a two-day period. This year's agenda included: * Concerned Women for America * Bread for... Read more

A trip to the airport

Last updated on: June 24, 2012 at 2:02 pm By Fred Clark

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The Washington Post's Dana Milbank has the best article I've seen on the meaning and the ramifications of President Bush's surprise Thanksgiving visit to an airport outside of Baghdad. … it is too soon to know whether the image of Bush in his Army jacket yesterday will become a symbol of strong leadership or a symbol of unwarranted bravado. Iraqis may be reassured that the United States will put down the insurgency and restore order in their country. Or they... Read more

Who said, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"?