Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Lincoln’s Faith Eludes Definition
No one knows precisely what Lincoln thought or how he coped with so much tragedy, but many of his associates noted that he frequently had a Bible in hand. He also began to integrate the scriptures into his personal and...
Listen for the Call to Silence
Give in to the biting winds of winter, pulling up your collar and pulling down your chin, listening to the call to silence. Perhaps it is all of the above. Slower living gives us time for reflection, and reflection...
Youth Volunteers on the Rise
Today's youth are compassionate, creative and generous when it comes to helping those in need. Teenagers are finding their place in charitable work by starting their own charities, sitting on grant-making boards,...
Carter Declares Bush ‘Has Not Made a Case’ for War
Former President Jimmy Carter said last week that the Bush administration has not made the case for war and was obsessed with Iraq. "Despite ... a virtual declaration of war in the State of the Union message, our...
Rediscover the Gospels
The Gospels are pivotal in helping us understand the fullness of the love of God. If you have not read the Gospels lately, you might be missing what life is all about. Whereas the Old Testament has the Law Books (or...
TV Ad Against War Features Methodist Bishop
An ecumenical Christian body launched a TV ad campaign over the weekend opposing war against Iraq. "The National Council of Churches, during this time of war-mongering, has decided to do some peace-mongering," said Pat...
Baptists, Stephen King Caught in Ethical Web
When we were launching Real Baptists, best-selling author Stephen King was serializing The Plant online—and relying on the honor system. "The Baptist Center for Ethics?" the stranger invariably clarifies. "I didn't...
Foreign Newspapers Criticize Bush’s Speech
Newspaper editorials from Canada to India said President Bush failed to make the case for war against Iraq in his State of the Union address. The Toronto Star said, "Bush's speech last night did not answer the basic...
Mary Daly: Contemporary Feminism’s First Prophet
Even though Mary Daly has moved beyond the traditions and language of Christianity—she calls herself "postChristian"—her work continues to inform Christian theologians. The preacher was Mary Daly, a tenured professor...
“The Pianist”
Cinema has found many ways to approach the Holocaust. The masterpiece "Schindler's List" tells the true story of how one man, in the face of the worst possible horror, made a difference and saved over a thousand lives....
“Adaptation”
Anyone who saw 1999's "Being John Malkovich" knows that when screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze collaborate, the end product is both profound and strange. "Adaptation," their second achievement...
“Chicago”
It has been reported that the visually stunning "Moulin Rouge" revived the movie musical last year. If that is true, then "Chicago" (the film based on the Bob Fosse stage musical) is continuing to stoke the fire...
State of the Union: Bush’s Buzzwords
President Bush used almost 5,500 words in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. While editorial pages examine the speech's broad strokes, take a closer look at its building blocks: words. President Bush used...
Editorial Pages Critique State of Union Address
Most newspaper editorials gave President Bush's State of the Union address thumbs up for its emotional strength and thumbs down for making the case for immediate war with Iraq. Acknowledging that the president showed...
Baptists Respond to State of the Union Address
Baptists are responding to President Bush's second State of the Union address, delivered Tuesday night amid complaints about the economy and unrest over a potential war with Iraq. The president, in a speech lasting...
Keep Baptist Calendar Free From ‘Phil’
Before we make a mistake, we need to evaluate the evidence. And here is the bottom line: Punxsutawney Phil is not a good Baptist. I know that to be considered important, you have to be observed on the denominational...
Should Clergy Surrender Their Control of Education?
The university must be free of all control, not only by the church, but also by the corporation, government or even its wealthy patrons. Only then can the institution discover and embrace its true identity. The same...
Georgia Gov. Likens State Flag to ‘Family Secret’
Georgia voters weren't given the chance to make their voices heard two years ago when their legislators voted to change the state flag. They may get a chance, however, with Gov. Sonny Perdue now in office. Perdue,...
Where Do Southern Baptists Stand on War With Iraq?
Jim Wallis was factually wrong but perceptually right when he wrote that only Southern Baptists favor war against Iraq. Writing in Sojourner's e-newsletter, Wallis said, "Except for the Southern Baptists, virtually...
Governors Push for Tax Increases on Alcohol
Facing growing fiscal crises, four Republican governors began the year calling for higher taxes, a sharp move away from their party's tax-cutting ideology. One common tax increase proposal relates to the excise tax on...
Founders of Religions Were ‘Virtuosos’
At the core of the world's religions stand the founders of each religion. These wise people shine because of their integrity. They are remembered because their actions and words combined in a powerful testimony. They...