By Robert Dilday Hollywood’s century-old repertoire of films offers a rich lode of Christian themes, say some observers who see value in mining for them. While the Oscar-nominated Tree of Life may be opaque, it’s “one of the most powerful…
How to interpret the Scriptures
By Mike Smith A church member will sometimes ask how I go about interpreting the scriptures. I am tempted to answer, “On the run,” since I preach and teach several times each week. Thinking more about the question, here are…
Deal seriously with violent biblical texts, historian says
By Ken Camp Before characterizing Islam as inherently violent based on selected passages in the Quran, Christians should consider violent verses in the Holy Bible, historian Philip Jenkins told a recent gathering at Baylor University. Philip Jenkins of Baylor’s Institute…
Tennessee faith leaders ask presidential candidates to avoid immigration rhetoric
Tennessee faith leaders called on presidential candidates to refrain from negative campaign rhetoric regarding immigration leading up to the state’s March 6 Republican primary. “Please keep the highly charged and negative campaign rhetoric, advertisements and promises on immigration out of…
Online ministry offers diverse prayer resources
By Alice Horner John Roland was studying for the ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas in 1999 when Hurricane Floyd hit his home state of Florida. He got so busy calling to check on his parents, grandmother and…
Contraception and the rosary
By Zachary Bailes The Obama administration recently initiated a directive requiring religious institutions to offer coverage for contraception in their health-care plans. Among those raising concerns is the Catholic Church. Contraception and Catholic theology aren’t compatible it seems, and in…
Negative politics and spiritual schizophrenia
By Jim Denison In the aftermath of the Florida presidential primary, this headline caught my eye: “The Republican Florida Primary Was the Most Negative Ever in Terms of Ads.” One analysis indicates that 92 percent of the ads aired during…
A shelter for conscience
By Bill Leonard Sometimes universities confront historic moments when their identity is put to the test, occasions that challenge a school’s public character, and require it to reexamine its mission in the world. The appointment of Imam Khalid Griggs as…
Our bodies do matter
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan First Corinthians 6:11-20 can be the preacher’s worst nightmare — a passage full of directives about sex, food and all things bodily. Yet, I chose it as part of a six-part series about God’s calling on…