Walter Brueggemann: The Social Power of Writing
Steinbeck would have us recognize the immense power of writing when the ownership class intrudes upon the scarce resources of the poor and vulnerable. Such writing is a way to seize and transfer property. Pa is surely right to be fearful of such writing!
Susan Sparks: A Place Called Grace
Some days, I just have an inordinate need for “grace.” And by “grace,” I mean the theological concept, but even more so, I mean my grandmother. A tiny, rather squishy woman, “Ganny” gave hugs that felt like being pressed into a fluffy feather pillow.
Greg Cootsona: Hope in a Hopeless Time
For Advent—a time dedicated to waiting for the birth of Jesus—Isaiah 9 is a great read. It’s spoken to a people who were lacking hope, much like we are today. And right in the midst comes this inbreaking of the good news.
Margaret Marcuson: Don’t do these things this Advent
How are you doing this Advent? Here are some "don'ts" to keep in mind through these weeks...
A Note from Day1 Host Peter Wallace
Our trustees have generously given me a sabbatical month during November. So here's what's up...
Drew Rick-Miller: A Case Study on Science in Sermons
Today we launch bonus material connected to our Standard Model videos. I am pleased to offer you The Standard Model in Action, a sermon by Chris Dolson, the pastor emeritus of Blackhawk Church.
Susan Sparks: Breast Cancer and the “F” Bomb
“Brace yourselves. I’m gunna use the ‘F word’ to talk about my battle with breast cancer.” While the audience gasped, the speaker smiled. She knew the impact of her words. Pausing with perfect comedic timing, she then, as promised, dropped her “F” bomb: “Faith.”
Margaret Marcuson: If you feel resentful, you are probably overfunctioning
Do you feel resentful? You are probably taking more responsibility than you need to, and overfunctioning for some person or group--or even for the whole church.
Greg Cootsona: Six Ways the Church Avoids Fantasyland
One of the biggest downfalls in church leadership is the failure to listen. Specifically, as a pastor, I need to hear what people outside the church think of our Christian witness.
Walter Brueggemann: The Possibility of Good Government
In his remarkable, important book, "Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History," Kurt Andersen has traced the planning of a political party to take over the government. Near the end of his book, he lists eight claims in the playbook that he believes generate their action. I intend to take up each of these eight claims and, if accurate, to consider how we may in good faith respond to them.
Erin Weber-Johnson: Grief, Bodies, and Worth
Relentless. This is the word I often hear to describe the cascading and intersecting crises of the past years. The world, each of us, is experiencing a relentlessness that feels like grief upon grief.
Maureen Wise: How Four Churches Flourish by Caring for Creation
Four US churches in different climates and with varying demographics are taking different climate actions with different motivations.
Wil Gafney: Collateral Damage
David slaughtered every woman and man who came across his sword because he wanted what they had. They and their children were collateral damage. The text says he even smote the land. Folk don’t teach or preach these stories often, if ever.
Ed Rosado: The Shadow Side of Self-Driving Trucks
While I managed the Science, Faith, and Hope project at Esperanza, a non-profit serving Hispanic communities in Philadelphia, I had several conversations about AI and the real-life consequences for Hispanic and other BIPOC communities.
Walter Brueggemann: The Results Men
Every empire relies eventually on “results men.” Thus Henry VIII had Thomas Cromwell, and Richard Nixon famously had Bob Haldemann and John Ehrlichmann. Even George Washington had Alexander Hamilton and Franklin Roosevelt had Sydney Hillman.
Michael Chan: Disembarking the Heroic Path
The book of Ecclesiastes has something to say about the purpose of a human life and what we should be about in this world. But in stark contrast to the genre of the hero’s journey, Ecclesiastes is decidedly anti-heroic.
Drew Rick-Miller: Ministry Profile: The Culture [and Programs] of Blackhawk Church
An emphasis on atmosphere and culture is part of what helped senior pastor emeritus Chris Dolson grow Blackhawk Church, an Evangelical Free Church of America congregation in Madison, Wisconsin, into a multi-site congregation that attracts upwards of 5,000 multiethnic attendees on a Sunday.
The Most Rev. Michael Curry's Homily at Queen Elizabeth Memorial Service
Here is a transcript of the homily of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry from the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Washington National Cathedral on Sept. 21.
Mitch Carnell: Listening Is Hard Work
Listening is hard work even under the best of circumstances. One must make a conscious effort to actively listen and not interrupt.
Rebecca Randall: How Carver Became an Emblem in One Seminary’s Science and Faith Programming
This week our editor, Rebecca Randall, highlights the creative ways that Hood Theological Seminary and the churches they serve are leveraging George Washington Carver to advance the Gospel and meet the needs of people who have been marginalized.