After writing my series on hearing God’s voice, I got some pushback from readers who thought that I was undermining the importance of Scripture. In the series, I describe God’s voice as something that...
[read more]Many in our church are sure we should fully include those in same-sex marriages, blessing their covenants and credentialing their pastoral gifts. I would like to join them. Life is simpler when we move with...
[read more]In letters to the editor, I notice that no matter which side of an issue one takes, there seems to be an agreement that the final arbiter is the Bible. We think that if we would simply read the Bible...
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Renewal 2027 is a 10-year series of events launched by Mennonite World Conference to mark the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement. “Transformed by the Word: Reading Scripture in...
[read more]Discussion of the conflict between Genesis 1 and science centers on evolution (“Museum Enshrines One Creationist View,” Book Review, Jan. 16), but the far greater conflict between a literal reading of...
[read more]Apple Inc.’s sleek new corporate headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., is one of the world’s most ambitious construction projects. When completed, the 2.8 million-square-foot circular structure will house up...
[read more]John Longhurst’s discussion (“Genesis 1 or 3?,” North of the 49th, Feb. 13) regarding the different perspectives of Genesis 1 and 3 raises the interesting question of why the compilers of the Hebrew...
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AUGSBURG, Germany — A Mennonite World Conference event looking forward to the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism looked back on the movement’s foundation in the primacy of Scripture. Regional Anabaptists and...
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Are we on the verge of a spiritual renewal in North America — a renewal that might save our planet? That’s the question that comes to me after reading about the pipeline protest at the Standing Rock Sioux...
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The lectionary texts for Jan. 29 again reminded me of the amazing diversity we find in the authoritative writings that make up the Bible. The Psalm 15 lesson, for a start, shows us that we earn God’s...
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Susan L. Trollinger and William Vance Trollinger Jr. describe the Creation Museum as an arsenal for the Christian Right’s culture wars. It’s an apt analogy, but perhaps a better comparison would be a...
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What does God want? If you go to a conservative Christian church, you know the answer to this question is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and...
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Results of a Mennonite World Conference survey of 24 member conferences show the church is growing and the gospel is spreading, primarily in the Global South. Many observers already knew MWC’s growth is...
[read more]We Anabaptists often say “Jesus is the center of our faith” when describing our distinctive beliefs. In addition to explaining how Jesus is our example for daily living, we use this statement to describe...
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Note: This is a full-out, “chip-on-my-shoulder” rant. I tried to soften the blog post by using personal pronouns and not giving specific controversial examples, but I can’t deny that I’m annoyed and...
[read more]While living in Botswana, I talked with a friend who wore a medallion identifying him as a member of the Zion Christian Church. Attached to it was a fringe of blue cloth. I asked what that meant. “I do it...
[read more]When an outstanding young pastor like Isaac Villegas has his credentials suspended (“MC USA Board Member Resigns After Same-Sex Wedding,” June 6) by Virginia Mennonite Conference and feels pressure to...
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I grew up with total trust in the Bible. I soaked up its stories as a boy. God was at work in the world, and the biblical heroes and heroines got to join in! And I heeded its teachings. My parents modeled...
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“The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.” The Bible says some unsettling things. Multiple bloodbaths clear the way for The Chosen. Smashers of babies against rocks are called blessed. The list of...
[read more]Harold N. Miller (Letters & Comments, Jan. 18) says traditionalists are looking for a Bible study that can show “that Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 do not view all forms of same-sex relations as against...
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