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This Month's Cover
Magazine

Sojourners Magazine: May 2016

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Conservative pastor Rev. Rob Schenck has spent most of his life as an anti-abortion activist, but after witnessing countless mass shootings here in the United States, Schenck switched his focus to understanding--and challenging--the pro-gun enthusiasm that permeates his evangelical community. In our cover story, read Schenck’s declaration of “a theological emergency” about the idolatry of gun culture. 

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Cover Story

Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock

Should Christians Own Guns?

Why one conservative evangelical is skeptical about pro-gun enthusiasm
Rob Schenck
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Feature

Kubko / Shutterstock

Gun Talk

Fostering dialogue with those who disagree with you on firearms. 
Charles Gutenson
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Juergen Faelchle / Shutterstock

Thirsting for Democracy

In the Michigan water crisis, the roots of the problem go a lot deeper than contaminated pipes. 
Tommy Airey, Monica Lewis-Patrick, Cecily McClellan
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Jon Krause

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

Jesus shook up his followers with his radical inclusion of children. Perhaps our Sunday worship should do the same. 
David M. Csinos
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Waffle Church at St. Lydia's

It's Not Really About the Waffles

A child-centered worship service encourages a sticky faith. 
Olivia Whitener
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CristinaMuraca / Shutterstock

5 Ways to Teach Kids About Justice

How do we help the youngest members of the church understand the gospel's call to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves?
Kate Ott, Leah Gunning Francis, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Bruce Reyes-Chow, Lydia Wylie-Kellermann
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Commentary

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Risky Business

Why U.S. airstrikes on another Arab country is a very bad idea.
David Cortright
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albund / Shutterstock

Solitary Torture

For 23 hours a day, I was kept in a windowless room smaller than a horse stable. How does this make us safer?
Daniel Mendoza
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Everett Historical / Shutterstock

The Green Confessions of Nat Turner

The rich and varied roots of black environmental liberation theology.
Dianne Glave
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Culture Watch

Morgan Freeman

Godly Stories

Morgan Freeman shepherds a cable TV journey through the world's faiths. 
Julie Polter
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Pillars of Cloud and Fire: The Politics of Exodus in African American Biblical Interpretation

Leaving Pharoah

Pillars of Cloud and Fire: The Politics of Exodus in African American Biblical Interpretation, by Herbert Robinson Marbury. NYU Press. 
Andrew Wilkes
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Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism

Unsettling Our Cultural Christianity

Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, by Drew G.I. Hart. Herald Press.
C. Christopher Smith
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szefei / Shutterstock

Does Religion Belong in Public Health?

Beholden: Religion, Global Health, and Human Rights, by Susan R. Holman. Oxford University Press. 
Olivia Whitener
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The Soulmaking Room

What Comes After Dreams?

From The Soulmaking Room, copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Risher. Published by Upper Rooms Books.
Dee Dee Risher
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A billboard in Mumbai, India, promotes Facebook's Free Basics initiative.

The Silicon Raj

The well-meaning 21st century colonialist may come in a T-shirt and a hoodie instead of khakis and a pith helmet. 
Danny Duncan Collum
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Hélène Grimaud

New and Noteworthy

Four May culture recommendations from our editors. 
The Editors
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Charlie Chaplin asThe Great Dictator

Mocking Pretentious Power

If comic portrayals of bad leadership are comforting, serious cinematic explorations of bad leadership might help us learn how to avoid it. 
Gareth Higgins
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Departments

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From the Archives: May 2004

Preferential Option for the Poor
Rose Marie Berger
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Everett Historical / Shutterstock

Letters

Letters to the Editor from Sojourners readers
The Editors
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-strizh- / Shutterstock

Living the Word: The Language of the Market?

Reflections from the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle C
Jason Byassee
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My Images - Micha / Shutterstock

Poetry: & (ampersand)

       
D.S. Martin
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Rev. J. Barrett Lee

5 Questions for a Pastor Taking Mental Health Seriously

"We recognize life is messy, so our worship is messy too."
Caroline Barnett
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Columns

 Pla2na / Shutterstock

Faith, Fear, and Courage

We need faith-inspired courage to stand up to our enemies when they are strong and our friends when they are wrong. 
Eboo Patel
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Alena Kozlova / Shutterstock

And a Little Child Shall Annoy Them

Funny Business by Ed Spivey Jr. 
Ed Spivey Jr.
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Lauren Simmons / Shutterstock

Parenting for Racial Justice

At many colleges we visited, it was apparent that "success" was defined in mostly monetary terms.
Jim Wallis
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