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…
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.”…
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…
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…
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…
Listening to Rob Bell (and/or Jesus?)
By Bill Leonard These days simply say the words “Rob Bell” where two or three are gathered together and you provoke immediate conversation, if not controversy. Bell, a popular writer and founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand…
Fiscal responsibility, with moral sanity
By David Gushee Progressive activists, including some of my Christian friends, have staged hunger strikes to dramatize their objections to proposed budget cuts in Congress that would affect the poor. I care deeply about such cuts, but I have not…
A new ministerial role
By Bill Wilson For centuries the church has taken Ephesians 4 to heart and suggested that there are five primary roles for a minister to fulfill. Modern ministers are expected to embody these roles as needed and with a significant…
Holy Week hope
By R. Kevin Johnson During the past few weeks, Christian churches around the world have been engaging the scriptures during Lent. This season will lead to the commemoration of Jesus’ death and burial, and to the celebration of his divine…