I recently sat down with Ian Morgan Cron’s memoir, Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. For those who aren’t familiar with Ian Morgan Cron, he is an Episcopal priest with a gift for writing, and his story is a…
Liberal like Jesus
By Terry Maples Language naturally evolves over time. I’ve observed the evolution of many words since my childhood. One example is the word “mouse.” When I was young the word referred to an undesirable furry rodent or the more winsome…
C.S. Lewis ‘claimed by everyone’
By Jeff Brumley C.S. Lewis did it during his lifetime and he’s continued to do it in the 50 years since his death on Nov. 22, 1963: inspire Christians from theologically diverse traditions through his theological and fictional work. Box…
Wise decisions about charitable holiday giving
As the holiday season approaches, my inbox and our mailbox seems to fill quickly with Christmas greetings and with requests for money. We love getting Christmas cards and letters. After reading them, my wife displays them around the living room…
Singing faith: Hymns both praise and teach
By Ken Camp Last summer’s controversy over removal of the contemporary hymn “In Christ Alone” from a new Presbyterian hymnal over doctrinal differences on how to understand the atonement illustrates the importance of church music not only to celebrate but…
Where is God when bad stuff happens?
Where is God when bad things happen? Across the ages, this question has perplexed and frustrated those afflicted with suffering, grief, and pain. Theologians and philosophers have wrestled with scriptural texts and rational thought striving to make sense of the…
Finding God in the suffering
By Molly T. Marshall With relentless coverage, the world is caught up in the riveting images coming out of the Philippines. Our ever-warming world careens from one disaster to another, each described as of “epic proportion,” ostensibly meaning that they…
Theological reflections on a bulldog
By Julie Pennington-Russell Our dear English Bulldog, Willie Boy, died last week. Hearts are still at half-mast around here. Back in December of 2005, in a moment of temporary insanity, Tim and I decided to grant our daughter Lucy’s persistent…
Debating doctorates in a missional world
By Jeff Brumley Brian McLaren is recognized as one of the most influential shapers of progressive Christian thought and has revolutionized the way many conceive and practice evangelism, church planting, worship and spiritual formation. Yet McLaren, who is closely associated…