By David Gushee It’s 2011, and the real problems of our real world will impinge soon enough. But for this one column I want to linger over four great movies that I experienced in the waning days of 2010 —…
Here come the ‘nones’
(Editor’s note: This is a special edition of Bill Leonard’s biweekly column. It will return to its regular publication schedule with another edition next Thursday, Jan. 6.) By Bill Leonard In a new book called American Grace: How Religion Divides…
DREAM dream dream
By Amy Butler This excellent book tells the story of Little Bee, a 16-year-old Nigerian girl who, fleeing the violence in her home village, has stowed away on a British freighter to make her way to the United Kingdom. The…
Looking forward from Christmastide
By R. Kevin Johnson At last, it is here! A month of waiting has passed. We have heard prophetic voices tell of the coming of the Messiah. We have pondered his second coming. We have examined ourselves and considered our…
The cave of Christmas
By Jim Denison I am traveling in the Holy Land as you read this column. Taking study tours to Israel is one of the highlights of my work. Our group will visit Bethlehem, where we will see the site of…
The goal of Baptist-Catholic dialogue
By Steve Harmon Updating my Facebook status about being in England last week to participate in the final of current international theological conversations between the Baptist World Alliance and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity prompted a friend to respond:…
My Christmas surprise
By Roger Lovette Days ago we had our Christmas cards printed. On the card is a picture of my wife and me standing high on a hill overlooking Budapest, Hungary. Next is a picture of my wife and our daughter…
Review: ‘The Calling’ a hopeful portrait of religious leadership
By Eileen Campbell-Reed Becoming a pastor, priest, rabbi or imam is no simple matter. The Calling, a new four-hour documentary premiering on PBS, follows seven men and women on their paths to becoming religious leaders. Over the course of 18…
Were you there?
By Lacy Thompson “Does it look right?” “What?” he asks, without moving his eyes from the television screen. It is the football rivalry game of the year. “Do I have it right?” “Do you have what right?” “The nativity scene….