philosopher

Austin's Autumn (Nonfiction) List: Pete Rollins, 'Insurrection' and desire

Austin Carty 9-21-2011

Last week, Rollins posted the introduction and first chapter of Insurrection on his website, and I devoured it. He really is one of the most challenging thinkers in the Christian world today.

The Harry Potter Prayer

Betsy Shirley 7-19-2011

Ingus Kruklitis / Shutterstock.com

oh yes I am photo © 2007 Laura Askelin | more info (via: Wylio)Though I like a rousing round of ave maria's as much as the next person, the past few centuries of church prayer trends have eschewed Latin in favor of the vernacular -- that is, the language of the people. And to the tune of 450 million copies in more than 70 translations (and counting), it's clear that people the world around speak the language of Harry Potter. Or rather, the story of Harry Potter speaks to them.

So as I watched the final Hogwarts Express depart from Platform 9¾ in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II this past weekend (slightly teary-eyed, I confess), I started to wonder: What might it sound like to pray in the language of Harry Potter -- language that clearly resonates with folks around the world? Would it be cheesy? Probably. Profane? Perhaps. But I figured the God who relied on earthly parables about wineskins and fig trees to explain the Kingdom would understand.

Why I'm Not Tired of Reading About the Tea Party

Claire Lorentzen 10-27-2010

Are you tired of reading about the Tea Party? The group represents 11 percent of our population, yet it has been on the front cover of every national newspaper for months now.

Thinking About the Kingdom

Aaron Taylor 10-21-2010

Not getting much sleep these days. Wondering if I'll ever get to sleep through the night again. I've heard that having small children changes your life. Consider that confirmed.

Social Justice is Not Totalitarianism

Valerie Elverton Dixon 10-04-2010

Glenn Beck

Obama's Nobel Speech: What If?

Jarrod McKenna 12-17-2009

What if? What if Obama's speech had not simply referenced Gandhi and King but followed them in following the way of Jesus?

Freedom from Fear in the Health-Care Debate

Valerie Elverton Dixon 11-10-2009

There comes a moment when we can say a word or speak a concept so often that it loses meaning and simply becomes sound. The concept becomes exhausted, thin, one-dimensional.

The Conservative Bible Project, Jesus, and Hell

Valerie Elverton Dixon 10-09-2009

There is a conservative project to translate the Bible to reflect a conservative ideology.

Dog is My Co-Pilot?

LaVonne Neff 9-04-2009

Last week a friend who knows my dogs sent me a link to Wendy Francisco's wildly popular new song, "God and Dog" (more than half a million views at time of writing). G-o-d and d-o-G--two words, one kind of love. "They would stay with me all day; / I'm the one who walks away.

An Ever-new Narrative of Good News

Brian McLaren 7-20-2009

My friend Bob Carlton sent me this link to a Guardian piece by Madeleine Bunting, "http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/28/

The Legacy of an Eco-Prophet: Remembering Thomas Berry

Cesar Baldelomar 6-03-2009

Today's most pressing task for humanity, I believe, is to halt the current environmental crisis.