The Elusive Presence Begins |
As I announced last week, I’m beginning a weekly column on what I believe is the fundamental crisis in American Christianity,
and in evangelical Christianity in particular. As I note at the
beginning of my piece, this larger problem is not just “out there” but
“in me” as well. So it’s not so much a jeremiad so much as a series of
reflections on the crisis we all share. Over the next few weeks I also
explore the way forward.
There’s ‘Persecution,’ and Then There’s Persecution
Vice-President
Pence, in his commencement address at Liberty University, warned
students that as they go out to live and work in contemporary America,
they will be persecuted for their faith. John Fea, professor of history
at Messiah College, essentially says, “Maybe, but consider Christians in other parts of the world.” He’s right of course. (The BBC recently noted “Christian Persecution 'at Near Genocide Levels.'”) So-called “persecution” in America pales in significance.
Then again, sociologist George Yancey argues that there is “Christophobia” in many sectors of American life today. He frames the argument in an interesting way to his students. He doesn’t think persecution is the right word; more on the order of anti-Christian bias.
Belated Mother’s Day Tribute—From Prison
Wish I’d seen this last week, but better late than never: “Why
Mothers Are the Unsung Heroes of Prison: I’ve Seen Disasters Averted
Because an Inmate Said These Simple Words: ‘What Would Your Mother
Think?’”
A Once and Future Saint
I mentioned the passing of Jean Vanier last week, but this week on our Quick to Listen podcast
we interviewed Michael Higgins, a Vanier biographer, to delve more
deeply into Vanier’s life. Extraordinary. Warning to the listener: It
might prompt you to change your life….
Basketball Misbehavior
As we head into the NBA finals, a couple more basketball stories. Alan Jacobs of Baylor University notes in “Working the Refs”
how some players have become notorious thespians trying to convince
refs that they’ve been fouled. Jacobs, with usual insight, sees
something larger going on: “I have come to believe that this is what
almost all of our culture is about now: working the refs.”
Then there is the miracle of Stephen Curry to behold.
Grace and peace,
|
Mark Galli
Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today |
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