By Jim Denison In the next five minutes while you’re reading this essay, 67 babies will be born in the United States. During that same time, 274 babies will be born in China, and 395 in India. The global landscape…
Loving enemies (political and otherwise)
By Blake Hart Despite what many politicians and pundits may say, the United States is still deeply divided. Since the midterm elections several political analysts have said that “the American people” have spoken. Some claim the country spoke with one…
Note to self: if you’re going to win the lottery, win big!
By David Wilkinson The Rev. Peter de Villiers got an answer to his prayers: he won the lottery. Some of his parishioners and denominational kinsmen, however, aren’t celebrating the pastor’s good fortune. My wife has her doubts, too. According to…
Behind the wizard’s curtain, humans
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan As a child, I would beam with delight when I was able to watch the beloved 1939 film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. There’s truly something magical about a story in which…
Things Jesus never said
By Bill Wilson There are some things you will just never hear. Ever seen those lists? “Next on ‘Jerry Springer’: Two happily married couples with their normal children.” Sorry, that’s just not going to happen. Or maybe you’ve seen the…
Lessons from a recent election
By Laura Rector The aftermath of a recent election brings tears to my eyes. No, it’s not from an elephant kick or donkey shakedown. It’s not a cry over spilt tea, and there’s not a Rand Paul or Barbara Boxer-shaped…
National Adoption Month a reminder even for an adoptive mom
By Pamela Durso Growing up November was always my favorite month, and for two really good reasons: Thanksgiving and my birthday! But I now have another reason to like November. It is National Adoption Month. As an adoptive mother for…
Musings on Election 2010
By David Gushee Augustine’s “Two Cities” theology of politics and history seems apropos today. The churches, motivated by love of God and neighbor, are called to join with their neighbors in pursuit of the contingent but significant common goods…
101-level Christianity
By Amy Butler It has been over a year and a half since I graduated with my (last ever, I swear) academic degree, and I personally feel that I’ve shown great restraint staying out of the classroom for this long….