By George Bullard This week it was announced the Alban Institute will substantially cease operations on March 31st. It was also announced that its valuable archive of resources will likely be picked up by Duke Divinity School. In whatever way…
let’s get apocalyptic, baby
These days it feels as if the only 2 things I’m seemingly very good at are: watching + evaluating. I watch TV, the rattling, odorous recycling truck every other Wednesday (YOU DIDN’T EMPTY THE CAN!), and my neighbors, through an…
Bleeding for justice
By Molly T. Marshall When in Myanmar, I have the opportunity to read local newspapers, at least those in English. These papers are not without political bias, but neither are ours. Established in 2013, Myanma Freedom offers a cautionary note…
How can ex-SBCers move forward if they’re not even ‘ex’?
By Mark Wingfield In three recent commentaries, ABPnews/Herald columnist David Gushee has wisely challenged us to consider how we might shape our identity more positively than simply being “ex” members of the Southern Baptist Convention. I’d like to expand the…
Impacting tomorrow is not a goal for many congregations
Congregations seeking to be vital and vibrant ten years from now are congregations seeking to impact tomorrow. Congregations hoping tomorrow will bring a return of the past are seeking to praise yesterday. Too few congregations are in the former category….
Bracketology theology: Who would Jesus pick?
By Brett Younger NCAA college basketball tournament brackets are being emailed, faxed and taped on refrigerators. Many fans will make their picks without reflecting on the theological implications. Unfortunately, some with no real love for basketball are filling out brackets….
What can we learn from America’s cities?
By Bill Wilson Imagine a community in steady decline. There are fewer and fewer people and revenues are declining. Young families, especially, are missing. There is a constant chorus of longing to return to the good old days. A sense…
Bad assumptions
I recently had the opportunity to read a stirring challenge to those most opposed to the still-controversial and legally-unsettled HHS mandate requiring all businesses to provide contraceptive coverage to their employees including four abortifacient drugs. The two prongs of the…
Saying goodbye to Christian America
By David P. Gushee Follow David on twitter: @dpgushee One day in a doctoral seminar at Union Seminary, my ethics mentor Larry Rasmussen said words I will never forget: “There are advantages and disadvantages in every power position for the…
The nagging question
By Miguel De Le Torre It was the early 1980s. I was a young Latino whose only earthly possession was a fiery red sports car. One spring break, I decided to go on a road trip and drive from Miami…
About the ex-SBCers: It’s complicated
By Trey Lyon Recently a series of articles by Dr. David Gushee have focused on ex-SBCers. On many points I agree with Dr. Gushee — the post-takeover/resurgence diaspora has left ex-SBCers in various camps, and his classifications are at least…
Learning to suffer
I find it extremely ironic that the Church, which claims to be the embodiment the lamb that was slain, has such a difficult time ministering to those who are suffering. When tragedy strikes us, many congregants, deacons, and even some…