The Gospel story for Lent 1 (Feb. 13, 2005) tells
of Jesus' time in the wilderness, when he faced “the tempter.” Tracey
Lind finds provocative connections to the current political debate,
and like Karl Barth, says we must preach with both the Bible and the
newspaper. [posted 2/7/05]
In thanksgiving and celebration of the life and
witness of church lay leader and anti-racism activist Pat Simpson-Turner,
The Witness shares the homily from her January 29, 2005 memorial
service and personal tributes to her tireless ministry. [posted 2/4/05]
To many in the West, Muslims are seen as violent
fundamentalists, and are conflated with political extremism. Neil Elliott
details that the term “the problem with Islam” is misplaced, especially
when compared with Christian fundamentalism and U.S. foreign policy.
[posted 2/4/05]
It has been years since the promise of peace between
Israelis and Palestinians has seemed so close, but Samia Khoury is worried.
While Mahmoud Abbas has made efforts to show his seriousness for peace,
she accuses Israel of continuing an oppressive occupation. [posted 2/4/05]
Latin American theologian Leonardo Boff is concerned
about the rapid rate of global warming and the loss of biodiversity.
If trends continue, he warns, the human species will soon be the latest
casualty of “natural selection.” [posted 2/4/05]
There are varying degrees of oppression related
to patriarchy around the world, and the church is as responsible as
other institutions, argues Robert Hewitt. To focus the debate, he offers
four theses, and reminds us that God is neither male nor female. [posted
2/4/05]
Sri Lanka has suffered for years with devastating
internal warfare. In the wake of the December tsunami, warring religious
and political groups have come together. Sri Lankan bishop Duleep de
Chickera says this offers the hope of a lasting peace. [posted 2/4/05]
The election of Gene Robinson continues to dominate
news in the international church. In an interview with the new bishop,
Herb Gunn seeks to get behind the myths, to learn why Robinson stays
in the church, and what he thinks of the Anglican Communion today. [posted
2/4/05]
In the gospel story for Lent 1 (Feb. 13, 2005),
Jesus is tempted in the wilderness. This lesson is relevant today, notes
Angela Ifill, since our temptations are manifold. Yet with the power
of the Spirit, and our baptismal covenant, we know we are not alone.
[posted 2/4/05]
Many of us are reluctant to lament in public, especially
in connection to our religious tradition. In reflecting on the readings
for Ash Wednesday (Feb. 9, 2005), Jane Carol Redmont asks: at this moment
in history, how can we possibly not weep? [posted 2/4/05]
The story of the Virgin of Guadalupe is more than
just a lens into indigenous Mexican Christianity, says Michael Phillips.
It is a story of building cross-cultural alliances and subverting dominant
understandings of power and relationship. [posted 1/27/05]
The phrase “restorative justice” is popular among
advocates for criminal justice reform, but Rima Vesely-Flad finds it
lacking. She argues that formerly incarcerated persons are being discriminated
against, denying both their humanity and access to work. [posted 1/27/05]
In his second inaugural address, George W. Bush
used the language of scripture to inspire peoples to good character
and government. Daniel Webster takes umbrage at these “holy” words,
finding fault in the way this administration carries them out. [posted
1/26/05]
A new book by Graham Allison, Nuclear Terrorism:
The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe, shows why nuclear weapons
threaten us right now, yet are eminently containable. Sybille Ngo Nyeck
reviews this timely resource. [posted 1/26/05]
George W. Bush stands in a long line of presidents,
including Democrats, who have believed the U.S. has a divine mission
in the world. Joseph Wakelee-Lynch believes that Bush's commitment to
liberty may be genuine, but worries about America's prophetic interventionism.
[posted 1/26/05]
Poets are rarely the first choice for insights
on church disputes, but Mark Harris finds that William Blake offers
an excellent lens for the Anglican conundrum. Blake is, after all, theologically
unmanageable and has a seemingly wild agenda. [posted 1/20/05]
Sudan continues to capture international news headlines
for its civil war. Joseph Marona, the Episcopal archbishop of the Sudan,
writes about the war's devastating outcomes and the halting, but hopeful,
steps toward a lasting peace. [posted 12/29/04]
A bitter fight has engulfed the Episcopal Diocese
of Pittsburgh, where a conservative bishop is trying to “dissolve” the
diocese's relationship with two congregations. Harold T. Lewis, rector
of one of the pair, states his case against civil war in the church.
[posted 12/15//04]
As he departs office, Colin Powell can expect a
wealth of positive commentary on his term as U.S. Secretary of State.
Joseph Mulligan is less sanguine, detailing Powell's work as an agent
of a coercive form of free market economics. [posted 12/15/04]
With millions suffering from HIV/AIDS, in many
areas the battle is not the disease itself but the community's response.
Rachel Mash and Bungee Bynum describe the devastating role of stigmatization
in South Africa, and what we can do to help. [posted 12/1/04]
Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw his government driven by
a violent ideology that was aided by the Christian community. Willis
Jenkins says this lesson can help us address current divisions between
religious progressives and evangelicals, as well as environmental concerns.
[posted 11/19/04]
Rami Elhanan, an Israeli Jew, knows intimately
about Palestinian violence: his teenage daughter was killed by a suicide
bomber. Yet he finds the evil characterizations of Yasser Arafat, following
his death, another obstacle to peace. [posted 11/18/04]
Yasser Arafat died today, and Israelis and Palestinians
are already fighting -- over where he will be buried. Marc Ellis, a
Jewish academic, has a novel idea: no matter where it is, leave space
for a grave for Ariel Sharon, Arafat's nemesis. Ellis explains why.
[posted 11/11/04]
The Gambia is a tiny African nation, a mere strip
of land on the Atlantic Ocean, yet refugees from throughout war-torn
West Africa have come to it seeking aid. Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson
describes the church's compassionate and powerful response to their
plight. [posted 10/29/04]
In a submission to the Lambeth Commission facilitated
by the Episcopal Church Publishing Company on behalf of several organizations,
U.S. Episcopalians propose the legal and theological issues necessary
to ground the church's ecclesial life. [posted 10/15/04]
