By Mark McEntire While Wrecking Ball is Bruce Springsteen’s 17th and latest studio album, it marks some important firsts. Above all, it is Springsteen’s first studio album since the deathof band mate Clarence Clemons. The “Big Man” was such a…
The fence through Friendship Park
By LeDayne McLeese Polaski A fence runs through Friendship Park at the western end of the U.S. border with Mexico. A 20-foot tall steel structure begun in late 2011 and completed in early 2012, it begins at the very spot…
Drive-thru discipleship
By Amy Butler The Associated Press recently reported on churches offering drive-thru blessings on Ash Wednesday. Pastors in my city offeredashes and blessings at the Metro stations so hurried commuters could get their Lenten fix on the way to work….
Is Al Mohler right about CBF?
By Chuck Bugg Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently predicted that the CBF may divide over the issue of “homosexuality.” Perhaps he is right. However, at its best CBF has been able to affirm diversity without degenerating…
Cooperate or fold
By Andrew Gardner Predictions that differing opinions about homosexuality will cause division in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship pose a quintessential challenge: Are we a people who can cooperate despite our differences? I agree with CBF moderator Colleen Burroughs’ call for…
Should America attack Iran?
By Jim Denison Should America attack Iranian nuclear sites? A recent exchange sponsored by Foreign Affairs highlights three options. Matthew Kroenig argues that we should attack Iran now. He recently served as special adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Defense…
Prime time
By Bill Wilson One thing that is predictable about pastor search committees is that they all want something similar: a great preacher, an amazing administrator who loves visiting, someone who is effective with young families and senior adults, a 38…
The gospel according to Napoleon Dynamite
By Gary Furr Napoleon Dynamite. It’s been seven years and I still laugh at this movie. I have it on DVR so I can speed through to favorite moments. Not long ago a friend and I were laughing as we…
Sound-bite salvation
By Bill Leonard Who is a Christian, who is not and how do you know? That question, as old as the church, lurks inside St. Paul’s confrontation with the “superlative apostles” in Corinth who challenged his Christian credentials. In defending…