Authors /
Ted A. Smith
Ted A. Smith teaches at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. His most recent book is Weird John Brown: Divine Violence and the Limits of Ethics (Stanford University Press).
How (Not) to Be Secular, by James K. A. Smith
Jamie Smith has written a string of smart books that explain the significance of contemporary theory for Christian life and ministry. His new field guide to Charles Taylor may be his best.
June 10, 2015
Religious violence? The politics of a higher law
Throughout history, people loyal to a higher law have been responsible for much violence. Should we reject appeals to a higher law?
February 25, 2015
Making Lent difficult: The case for rigorous disciplines
Sustainable Lenten disciplines anticipate an Easter in which they will continue. But surely Easter hope is for something more.
February 13, 2013
A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan
Jennifer Egan's novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a clutch of other awards this year....
October 11, 2011
Habits of anti-Judaism: Critiquing a PCUSA report on Israel/Palestine
Old habits die hard. Despite numerous attempts by mainline Protestant denominations to promote historically informed studies of Judaism, repudiate supersessionist theologies and engage in conversations wth Jews, the old habit of bearing false witness against Jewish neighbors lives on. In recent years this practice has thrived especially in mainline Protestant statements on the Middle East.
June 29, 2010
Christian America and the Kindgom of God
In this book, Richard T. Hughes offers a powerful argument against what he calls the myth of a Christian America....
January 12, 2010
The Fourth of July: How does a Christian celebrate?
On July 4, 1976, bicentennial fever swept through the U.S., and I caught an especially acute case. Soldiers from George Washington’s army occupied my bedspread. The seal of the Continental Congress dignified my bedroom rug. On the Fourth I put on a tricorner hat, rolled up my jeans to turn them into knee breeches, donned my mom’s ruffled blouse and grabbed my musket so that I could march with a hundred other suburbanites in a neighborhood parade.
July 1, 2008
Scholars for the church: Preparing seminary teachers
“How would your introductory course in your field help prepare students for ministry?” This question consistently stumped candidates fresh from graduate school who were interviewing for a faculty p...
February 26, 2008
Free Newsletters
From theological reflections to breaking religion news to the latest books, the Christian Century's newsletters have you covered.