All Blog Posts for March, 2013

In the World

Convicted criminals

Mar 29, 2013 by Steve Thorngate

My dad’s been a church musician for years. I cut my musical teeth filling in where needed: whichever instrument, whichever voice part. Also: whichever role in the large-scale musicals the church staged, where I was an odd combination of ringer and gofer. Sometimes I sang the role that was too high or too difficult for others.

In the World

Two songs for three days

Mar 28, 2013 by Steve Thorngate

My Songs for the Church Year project is a season-by-season thing, without additional music for Holy Week. This week I did, however, also post this older song of mine about the New Commandment.

From the CCblogs Network

The HRC red equals sign: Share & tell

Mar 28, 2013 by Adam J. Copeland

Not since Kony 2012 has my Facebook feed been awash in such a prolific meme: red Human Rights Campaign equal signs. I’m not exaggerating when I say more than half my Facebook friends (with recent updates) either have changed their Facebook profile pic or shared and/or liked the image. We discussed the fad in my Faith and Leadership class yesterday. After that conversation, I’m somehow both less cynical about social media and more convicted about the power for meaningful conversations face-to-face.

From the CCblogs Network

New Commandment and footwashing Thursday

Mar 28, 2013 by James F. McGrath

Apparently the term “Maundy Thursday” comes from the Latin phrase “mandatum novum” meaning “new commandment.” The reference is to John 13, which features the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, followed by his statement about a new commandment he has given them, to love one another.

We actually reached this passage in my class on the Gospel of John yesterday, and had an interesting discussion about whether this commandment is “new,” and if so, in what sense.

Century Blogs

Thursday digest

Mar 28, 2013

New today from the Century: Andrew Root on brain science, LaVonne Neff reviews Richard Lischer, more.

Then and Now

Satan in The Bible

Mar 27, 2013 by Scott Poole

Americans have always believed that the devil likes to play politics. Colonial leader Henry Hugh Brackenridge claimed in 1778 that Satan inspired George III’s allegedly ruthless policy toward the colonies. Two decades later, Federalists claimed that the nascent Democratic Party had put forward the antichrist as a presidential candidate in the form of Thomas Jefferson. Later Jedidiah Morse, inventor of Morse code and end-times enthusiast, explained to audiences the Devil’s role in Jeffersonianism. He even claimed to have a list of Democrats who belonged to the Illuminati (though like Joe McCarthy, Morse never showed anyone his proof).

The History Channel miniseries The Bible has been alleged to continue this trend.

In the World

Jim Daly's alleged moderation

Mar 27, 2013 by Steve Thorngate

Dan Schultz raises a good question. Why would NPR give Focus on the Family's Jim Daly a free pass on conflating religious freedom with his desire to impose his own religious beliefs on the broader culture?

I don't know, but it probably doesn't hurt that Daly's a whole lot nicer than James Dobson ever was.

Century Blogs

Wednesday digest

Mar 27, 2013

New today from the Century: The editors on military spending, Scott Poole on The Bible and Satan, more.

Century Blogs

More on faith and gun control

Mar 26, 2013 by Daniel Schultz

A couple of brief follow-ups to both my post on eucharistic witness on gun control and my article in the latest issue of the magazine.

From the CCblogs Network

Love in Steubenville

Mar 26, 2013 by Debra Dean Murphy

Last week in my Christian Ethics course we talked about love.

God’s love. Human love. Love and sexuality. Loving the whole of God’s creation.

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