ON Scripture: Jaime Clark-Soles on Matthew 22:34-46: On Loving God, Loving Neighbor and #OWS
This week's ON Scripture lectionary resource: New Testament professor Jaime Clark-Soles on Matthew 22:34-46: Loving God, loving neighbor, and the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Bishop Mark Hanson: Cause for Hope and Gratitude
Peter urges us to give an account of the hope that is within us. In this and future columns I want to explain why clarity regarding our identity, vocation and mission gives me hope.
Bishop Will Willimon: Turnaround at Helena
I appointed Mike Edmondson to our Helena congregation in 2008. Since then, the church has experienced a remarkable turnaround. I have been studying Mike’s leadership and the moves that this congregation has made in the past few years and wanted to share some of what I have learned.
Dr. Jamie Jenkins: God's Love Can Be Tremendously Transforming
I enjoy baseball and R&B music. Last Wednesday night they came together wonderfully.
Dr. Greg Carey: The Power and Presence of Women in the Earliest Churches
In previous posts I reflected on early Christians' passion to keep in touch with one another and on the diversity of early Christian communities. In this final entry I shall reflect on women's contributions to the movement.
Dr. David Lose: What Does the Bible Really Say About Homosexuality?
Actually, a whole lot less than you might imagine! That may be hard to believe given the fierce rhetoric Christians often employ when talking about homosexuality,
Bishop Will Willimon: Unnatural Gratitude
"Christians are made, not born," said Tertullian. No Christian virtues are innate. Nothing about following Jesus comes naturally. Therefore, so much that the church does for us is formational, educational, and transformational.
Greg Garrett: God Commands Compassion, Not Evangelism
Christianity is not about praying in a certain way, or believing a certain thing, or making converts, or building a nice cabin at church camp.
The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel: Two Thumbs Up for Roger Ebert
Two thumbs up for Roger Ebert. Two thumbs up for all those who work to make a more loving, less shallow world.
Dr. Thomas Lane Butts: Chasing the Wind (Part 1)
The writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes tells how he tried all the things which in his time were thought to be fun and fulfilling. Then, one by one, he dismisses each experience with a phrase that runs like a thread through the whole book, "and that was like chasing the wind".
ON Scripture: Dr. Matt Skinner on Matt. 22: The Heavy Cost of Paying "The Emperor"
It couldn’t hurt for Jesus to show up and weigh in on America’s current economic and political challenges. It might be helpful if he issued a declaration about who should pay taxes, and how much. Then again, this would likely get him killed all over again.
Leadership as "Space Making"
The church continues to have conversations about the importance of leadership to Christian communities. Although we are tempted as leaders to often give answers I wonder if a more important practice is for the leader to provide space for questions.
Dr. Peter Marty: Climbing Down: What Zacchaeus Can Teach Us
Jesus ordered Zacchaeus down from both the tree and his "high horse." This is what Jesus does best. He goes after people and doesn't wait for their initiative. He bids us with an urgency to come and follow.
Odyssey Networks Interviews Nobel Winner Leymah Gbowee
Liberian Lutheran Peace Activist Leymah Gbowee discusses her feelings on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and the role faith played in her struggle to help end the war in Liberia. Watch Odyssey Networks exclusive interview with 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Leymah Gbowee.
Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Living in an "As-Is" World
As followers of Jesus we are called to live in an “as if” world. We recognize our reality but believe that Jesus came to “reconcile all things unto himself.” The lyrics of one of Chris Tomlin’s songs say that Jesus “takes the pieces and turns them to praises.”
Dr. Brett Younger: Up in the Air
I now know all about flying between Atlanta and Wilmington, North Carolina, thanks to the gracious people at First Baptist Church, where I am serving as the interim preacher. This column is just a small percentage of what I know.
Bishop Will Willimon: Fred Shuttlesworth: The Passing of a Preacher
Fred Shuttlesworth, who passed away this week, was not known as widely as some Civil Rights activists, mainly because he never stopped being a pastor who daily cared for an active congregation.
Dr. Scott Black Johnston: The Kardashians Go To Church
Last week, a producer of the reality television show, “Kourtney & Kim Take New York” called the church. Really! Here's what happened.
Liturgy and the Internet: Remembering Steve Jobs
Social Media went into overdrive upon the death of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. Joshua Case and Michael Sullivan explore how the virtual world is finding its voice and challenging the church for the 21st Century.
The Rev. J. C. Austin: Is the Good Samaritan a Criminal in Alabama?
According to the Alabama State Legislature, both Jesus and the Good Samaritan got it wrong: the Samaritan should have checked the ID of the guy in the road before helping him, because if the guy in the road was an undocumented resident, the Samaritan should have passed by on the other side, too.