By David Gushee For those who projected onto Barack Obama the hope that he would be a transformative figure, a peacemaker/great soul like Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi, the targeted killing of Osama bin Laden ought to put such…
Osama bin Laden’s death — to celebrate or not?
By Bob Ballance Since the news first broke about Osama bin Laden’s death, Americans have been weighing in with their thoughts. Nearly without exception all we are hearing, at least by way of American mainstream media, is celebration and praise….
Must you honor a parent who has hurt you?
By J. Barrett Owen Churches this Sunday will give out a rose and clap for the oldest mother in the sanctuary. They will sing songs about family and pay no attention to the females who haven’t birthed a baby. They…
Mama story — the night Arthur Rubinstein came to town
By Roger Lovette Most everyone has a Mama story. One of my favorites must have happened when I was in the seventh or eighth grade. My mother never had many advantages in life. Married at 16, she worked in a…
The real royals
By Derik Hamby Many folks were glued to their TV sets watching the events of the Royal Wedding. My 6-year-old daughter was amazed. She thought princes and princesses were only in her Disney movies. She said, “Daddy, I am going…
Embodied hallelujahs — an invitation to dance
By Angela Yarber Liker many ordained Baptist pastors, I recently guided my congregation during the seasons of Lent and Easter with spiritual disciplines, preaching, worship and baptism. This week I shout hallelujah with my body. I dance. Angela Yarber April…
An Easter PSA
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan There’s nothing like Easter Sunday to make folks happy. Songs and shouts of “Alleluias” fill our sanctuaries. People arrive dressed in their Easter best. Old and new friends alike are in the same room for a…
Lessons from storms past
By Barry Howard On Palm Sunday in 1994 a tornado touched down near Ragland, Ala., and cut a trail to Rome, Ga., demolishing hundreds of homes, destroying five church campuses and taking 29 lives before leaving that area. Entire communities…
The ‘Arab Spring’ and the future of American Christianity
By Jim Denison Since January, we have watched the wildfires of change sweep across the Arab world. What will be the result of this pro-democracy movement in coming months and years? What lessons for our churches can we learn from…