Editor’s note: The recent series of articles by David Gushee on homosexuality generated an unusual amount of response. ABP solicited these two representative responses — from Peggy Campolo , an advocate for gay Christians, and George Guthrie, a professor at…
‘The Dark Knight’ of the free will
By Adam English Among those in the record-breaking crowd that appeared with money in hand to see The Dark Knight opening weekend were me and three of my friends. The second installment of the new Batman series from Warner Bros….
Reflections from BWA: Missing, and forgiving, Southern Baptists
By David Gushee I am just back from Prague, Czech Republic, having had the privilege of attending the Baptist World Alliance annual gathering and then a meeting of Baptist theological educators from around the world. It was good to be…
The path to discernment on homosexuality
By David Gushee I have sought to suggest in a handful of columns in recent months that a rethinking of the church’s stance on homosexuality is needed. Reading in the scholarly literature, one sees that some very fine Christian minds…
What the church can learn from tomatoes
By Beth Newman On a recent Sunday, the gospel lesson in our church was Matthew’s account of the parable of the sower and, more significantly, the different soils into which the seed is cast. A little reflection of the fate…
God, country and the 4th of July
By David Gushee Visiting family last weekend, I experienced a classic “God and country” service at a large SBC church. There was a day when I would have been outraged by such a service on theological grounds. This particular day…
Hearing the full story
By Beth Newman Years ago I saw a foreign film about two brothers and their father. One brother, against his father’s wishes, decides to become an actor and travels far and wide. The other stays close to home, caring for…
America’s moral center says ‘no’ to torture
By David Gushee An unprecedented bipartisan coalition of religious, political, and military leaders recently released a document expressing our shared rejection of torture and prisoner mistreatment by — or in the name of — the United States. The signatories include…
Lawley’s Chapel and the communion of saints
By Beth Newman The oldest, central section of graves are marked by nothing but stones, probably carried up from that creek. Any names that they might have borne are long since gone. The landscape probably remains fairly unchanged, however, since…
The moral influence of a market economy
By David Gushee I have to admit that I don’t remember the make or model of the car. But I do remember that it promised 15 whole miles per gallon in the city, and 23 on the highway. What I…
Obama’s historic breakthrough
By David Gushee The Democratic primaries are finally over, as Barack Obama has barely edged out Hillary Clinton for the nomination. This is an upset of epic proportions. It was unimaginable 18 months ago. The Illinois senator’s victory over his…
Politics and the power of the Cross
By Beth Newman Sen. Barack Obama’s recent resignation of his membership in Trinity United Church of Christ was probably inevitable, but it is a melancholy occasion nonetheless. Since I cannot know the likely Democratic presidential nominee’s heart, I don’t know…