By George Bullard Has a more general, difficult to measure, New Testament-oriented concept called generosity snuffed out the clear, easy to measure, Old Testament concept of tithing? Let me try that again. Has a left-brained legalism about tithing interpreted as…
What I have learned: The LGBT Issue, conclusion
Ten lessons learned in writing this series on LGBT issues. My series on LGBT issues and the Church is now over. A version of these essays, together with prefatory material and introductory comments by Brian McLaren, Phyllis Tickle and Matthew…
Social media and the communion of saints
The first weekend of November, many churches will be observing Memorial Sunday, a day to remember and celebrate those who have gone before us. This fact prompted me to reflect on the role of social media in this remembrance and…
Pruning season: A time to make room for what matters
By John Carroll Some call them beautiful; others call them a reminder of our mortality — the changing leaves of autumn. Some find the brisk air refreshing; others find it a remembrance of winter’s coming. Some appreciate the shortened days…
Here’s to a better tomorrow
By Barrett Owen “Be strong and bold … for it is God who goes ahead of you.” — Moses to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6 I love Moses’ phrase, “God is gone ahead of you.” Rob Bell talks about it in…
Does anybody really know what tithing is? Does anybody really care?
Has a more general, difficult to measure, New Testament-oriented concept called generosity snuffed out the clear, easy to measure, Old Testament concept of tithing? Let me try that again. Has a left-brained legalism about tithing interpreted as 10 percent of…
If you really want to make your pastor’s day
By Barry Howard Recently, as more and more cards and notes appeared in my inbox, in my mailbox and on my desk, all thanking me for serving as their minister, I began to wonder if someone had announced my retirement…
Is the traditional church sinking in a communication storm?
By Natalie Aho Ah, the days of typewriters, carbon copies, handwritten notes and little stress about whether everyone knew when the church picnic would be. Life for the church secretary wasn’t very complicated in the 1970s, I suspect, and neither…
Dying well
By Jonathan Waits Do you want to die well? Do you want to die with dignity? I suspect that desire resides in the hearts of just about everyone. But what does it really mean to die well? I’ll admit, at…
The ‘Dogma of Revelation’ revisited (again)
By Bill Leonard In The Galileo Affair, George Johnston quotes Cardinal John Henry Newman’s 19th-century assessment of Galileo’s 16th-century “crusade” to establish the veracity of the heliocentric Copernican idea that the earth revolves around the sun. Writing long after Galileo…
CBF missionaries check in from Cambodia
Editor’s note: Bill and Noy Peeler are field personnel serving in Cambodia with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. This is their latest communication from the field. To Our Parners in the Faith, Well partners, we’re here. Left Atlanta 12:20 PM Oct….
Houston subpoenas doubly disturbing
By Marv Knox Houston Mayor Annise Parker might be in the running for the next Nobel Peace Prize for accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Her honor’s administration inadvertently gathered fundamentalist and liberal Christians, Muslims and Jews, and even Baha’is and Baptists…