Formative moments: Faith at an early age

Cover Story in the February 22, 2011 issue

The term theological education brings to mind formal study in seminary classrooms or other institutions. But people's deepest convictions about God and their deepest stirrings of faith are often formed at an early age. They may spend their later years in the classroom, in ministry or in other careers exploring and deepening—or struggling with—convictions that were inspired early in life. Here are seven reflections on formative experiences:

Amos Yong, who teaches theology at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach

Michael Jinkins, president of Louisville Theological Seminary

Don C. Richter, a Presbyterian minister and associate director of the Louisville Institute.

Kathleen Norris, who recently wrote Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life

Richard H. Bliese, president of Luther Seminary

James P. Wind, president of the Alban Institute

Thomas Lynch, who recently wrote Apparition & Late Fictions and Walking Papers

This article appears in the February 22, 2011 issue.

Black church leader says Target boycott won't ease until DEI programs return

A collective Lenten fast from making purchases at Target has been lengthened into a “full-out boycott,” Jamal Bryant, pastor of an Atlanta-area megachurch and one of the leaders of the campaign, an...

by Adelle M. Banks