CHRISTIANITY IS LIVED "INSIDE" CULTURES

Why was Paul such a chameleon? Because he understood that Christianity is lived “inside” cultures. Christianity is not a culture of its own. That’s why Paul didn’t fret over customs and traditions. That’s why Paul didn’t give a second thought to....

SALVATION ON THE SMALL SCREEN? 24 Hours of Christian Television

On a weekend in last November Nadia Bolz-Weber watched 24 consecutive hours of Trinity Broadcasting network, the cable network which broadcasts the likes of Benny Hinn, Crefllo Dollar, Joyce Meyer and other prosperity preachers. The following is an excerpt from her upcoming book on the experience: <b>Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television</b>. We join her at hour 14 which watching Joel Osteen.</i>

GAS MASK GUY

Last spring, my friend and I talked to a guy who owned a Christian clothing company. It was an experience that, for me, held great significance. Not because the guy was really anyone important, or because his opinions were unique. The fact is that it was significant because this guy was very ordinary, and, in a way that was very frightening to me, so is his opinion of who Jesus is, and what Jesus is doing for each of us.

SOULARIZE FAMILY REUNION 2008: Declare yourself an unsafe building, suffer the indignation... of your world

When you think of where you are in your life in comparison to where you have been in the past do you feel like an unsafe building? One that people are afraid to enter into. One that seems to not have a solid foundation at first glance. One that may be headed to a hot place in the final day.

THE SHACK

Review of the controversial novel "The Shack"

SWIMMING IN THE BLUE OCEANS

A review of <i>Blue Ocean Strategy</i> from the Harvard Business Review, as it relates to the business of church.

CHOOSING GOD'S WILL

Citing God’s will is a convenience that allows us to absolve ourselves of responsibility for making difficult moral choices. More than an intentional act of self-deception, this is a reflection of the Christian church’s failure to address the fact that humans are called to act as moral agents in a morally complex world.

STANDING IN THE SCHOOL OF THE DEAD

From the front, the building looks new and modern. A new school built in 1994, waiting for its first students. Standing outside is an old man. You can see the indentation on his skull from a bullet wound. His eyes are hollow and he doesn’t smile. He has come here every day for 14 years. This is where his family rests. This is home.

JESUS FOR PRESIDENT

Book review of Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw's new "Jesus For President."

CRISTO REDENTOR

A poem written after my recent mission trip to Brazil. I noticed that in Rio the Christ the Redeemer statue is nearly always visible no matter where you stand. And I was struck by this idea--we were told many times that we were being Jesus to the people while we were there. But....I had to come back home.