The words to “Silent Night” were the work of the Rev. Joseph Mohr, a young priest in Oberndorf. He wrote them in 1816 as a reflection on peace after a summer of violence in Salzburg.
Church renovation lifts Christmas spirit in Bethlehem
A historic renovation of the Church of the Nativity is lifting spirits in the biblical town of Bethlehem ahead of Christmas, offering visitors a look at ancient mosaics and columns that have been restored to their original glory for the…
Hundreds of sex abuse allegations found in fundamental Baptist churches across U.S.
For decades, women and children have faced rampant sexual abuse while worshiping at independent fundamental Baptist churches around the country. The network of churches and schools has often covered up the crimes and helped relocate the offenders, an eight-month Star-Telegram…
50 years after Merton’s death, maybe ‘we’re finally getting him’
Monday marks the 50th anniversary of Merton’s tragic accidental death — he was electrocuted by an electric fan near Bangkok, where he was attending an interreligious monastic conference. The anniversary is being marked by events around the world, from Russia…
Writing about faith in the golden age of television
“If you want to make a room full of liberal, compassionate people turn on you, talk about God in an unironic way.”
George H.W. Bush’s ‘quiet faith’ remembered at cathedral funeral
“Jesus Christ, for George Bush, was at the heart of his faith, but his was a deep faith, a generous faith, a simple faith in the best sense of the word. He knew and lived Jesus’ two greatest commandments: to…
Every president recited this prayer except Trump, and people definitely noticed
Trump didn’t recite the Apostles’ Creed during the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush.
Music and fellowship sustained Montgomery bus boycotters, church pianist said
Dorothy Posey Jones described how “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” strengthened and comforted protestors in a 2005 article reprinted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Southern Baptist minister embroiled in election fraud controversy
The Rev. Mark Harris, a Southern Baptist pastor turned aspiring congressman, is facing allegations of election fraud in North Carolina, where authorities are investigating whether an operative for his campaign paid workers to take absentee ballots from voters illegally.