By Bill Leonard Zeb Mountain, Turner Spur, Peters Knob, Big Fork Ridge, Millard, Cow Knob, Cherry Pond, Payne Knob — those are but a few names of the over 500 mountains from Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia that have disappeared…
‘Inerrantists’ aim to keep women ‘in their place’
By Naomi King Walker Any time the word “inerrancy” is mentioned with regard to the interpretation of Scripture, the subject of a “woman’s place” is never far behind. Whenever women challenge the status quo, it takes only a moment for…
Political salvation a dangerous aim
By David Gushee I am currently finishing a book on the sacredness of life — the idea that each and every human life is of equal and immeasurable worth in the sight of God. Tracing the history associated with this…
Words from a master
By Bill Wilson I recently had the privilege of hearing Fred Craddock preach. For many clergy, Craddock represents the personification of a stream of preaching that emphasizes narrative and intuition over expository and logic. For some it is extremely appealing,…
The Book, by any other name …
By Marv Knox Just before Sunday morning worship a few years ago, an associational director of missions sidled close to me so I alone could hear his important inquiry: “Do you intend to preach from the King James Version of…
Not-so-bad Friday
By Amy Butler The weather is finally beginning to be a little balmy around here, enough for me and most of my neighbors to spend evenings with our windows open. The other night happened to be the first night of…
Keep the chaplains
By Tony Cartledge Prison chaplains could soon be getting the ax in North Carolina, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Like their colleagues in other states, N.C. lawmakers are faced with a severe budget crunch, and some want…
Capital punishment is sin
By Roger Olson A controversy is raging over capital punishment in Texas — a state that executes upwards of 30 to 35 people (almost all men and disproportionately African-American and poor) annually. Most Texas Christians favor capital punishment…
Is America in decline?
By Jim Denison Name this country: the world’s strongest military; its currency the global standard; the highest education rate per capita in the world; the global center of commerce and industry. The answer is Great Britain, in 1900. A growing…
Pontius Pilate holds lesson on clergy sex abuse
By Christa Brown As Holy Week unfolds, I find myself thinking about Pontius Pilate, the powerful Roman leader who thought he could wash his hands of an innocent’s blood by shoving responsibility onto others. “I find no fault in him.”…
Laughter amid tears
By David Wilkinson Talk about mixed feelings. On April Fool’s Day we published, in the tradition of National Public Radio, a “news story” by senior writer Bob Allen with the headline, “‘God Hates Fags’ church apologizes.” Except for a lot…
The reality of abuse in dating
By Carra Hughes Greer I am a regular viewer of several reality shows including “Sixteen and Pregnant,” “Teen Mom” and now “Teen Mom 2.” I have been asked by many youth parents whether they should allow their teenagers to watch…