By David Gushee The United States is in trouble. Even our presidential candidates, trained to project confidence and strength, now admit that we face profound challenges. Everyone agrees that we are in the worst financial crisis since the Depression. Our…
God-talk and conservative politics
By David Gushee Every so often, conservative evangelical politicians, military officials, or ministers are quoted describing the outcome of an election, the actions of the United States, or the deeds of its president or its troops as if they are…
Being a people of the Word
By Beth Newman Who was the sage who observed that “no matter how cynical you become, it’s impossible to keep up?” The latest example of this particular eternal verity is the procession of the secretary of the Treasury Department, the…
The gender debate is ultimately about Jesus
By David Gushee Last Monday (Sept. 15), I published an article in USA Today that has bounced around the blogosphere evoking intense reaction ever since. The argument of the article was that Sarah Palin’s nomination for vice president, and the…
Torture: Our first major 21st-century scandal
By David Gushee The week of Sept. 11, 2008, I had the privilege of hosting a national summit on torture at Mercer University in Atlanta. (To learn more about the program called “Religious Faith, Torture, and Our National Soul,” and…
On morality and our faltering economy
By Benjamin Cole America faced an unprecedented challenge requiring military intervention halfway around the globe. Russia was recalcitrant in the face of international diplomatic pressure, and rogue South American dictators scoffed at democratic reforms. Africa suffered the stresses of modernization….
The Trinity and other concrete things
By Beth Newman Being a teacher of theology has given me a rather distorted sense of priorities. I suppose that whatever one’s line of work is, though, it will cause some such skewing. My husband once worked in a shop…
Of teenage pregnancies and New Orleans levees
By Benjamin Cole Before a convention of thousands and a television audience of millions Sept. 3, GOP vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin was given a historic election debut that had most pundits awarding high marks for her performance. Joining the Alaska…
A true ‘Bold Mission Thrust’
By Beth Newman Years ago (more than I like to remember), I did Southern Baptist home-missions work in Paducah, Ky. At the beginning of my sojourn there, I received a small hand mirror, which came in a glossy case embossed…