The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James H. Cone.
Liberation Theology
Randall Balmer 10-03-2011
The puzzle here is not that readers of the Bible would tilt toward the political left. That, for me, as well as for thousands of other American evangelicals, is self-evident. Jesus, after all, summoned his followers to be peacemakers, to turn the other cheek, to welcome the stranger and to care for “the least of these.” He also expressed concern for the tiniest sparrow, a sentiment that should find some resonance in our environmental policies.
No, the real conundrum lies in the subtitle the editors of Christianity Today assigned to Franzen’s article, which was titled, “A Left-Leaning Text.” Adjacent to a picture of a Bible tilted about 45 degrees to the left, the editors added the subtitle: “Survey Surprise: Frequent Bible reading can turn you liberal (in some ways).”
The fact that anyone should register surprise that the Bible points toward the left should be the biggest surprise of all.
Julie Clawson 8-11-2011
Over the past few weeks various news outlets have run stories on the so-called feminism of Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. Typical of the media, in order to make that claim, they, of course, had to assume that any woman doing anything in public equals some sort of feminist revolution. It is, however, a rapidly spreading idea. If the concept of successful women must be blamed on feminist action, then successful conservative women must be the result of feminism as well. Granted this new definition of "feminist" is, as Lisa Miller wrote for the Washington Post, "a fiscally conservative, pro-life butt-kicker in public, a cooperative helpmate at home, and a Christian wife and mother, above all." But apparently it's still feminism.
While many from the left were outraged by the idea of associating these arch-conservatives, who stand against many of the things historical feminists have supported, with feminism, others supported the idea. Naomi Wolf, who seems to have a love/hate relationship with feminism, wrote that the problem some have with calling those women feminists is that we don't understand the history of feminism. She argues (rightly in my opinion) that feminism has only become associated with leftist agendas since the 1960's, but was, in its origins, more balanced and open to conservative values. But then she explains her reasoning why:
Jim Rice 9-09-2010
The night before Glenn Beck's rally in Washington last month, Beck visited the studio where host Joe Madison does his XM radio show.
Rev. James Martin 9-02-2010
After his colossal "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C., Glenn Beck took aim at one of his favorite targets, Barack Obama, but in a novel way.
Julie Clawson 9-01-2010
Emergent Village will be hosting its annual Theological Conversation this year in Atlanta, GA from Nov.
Cesar Baldelomar 8-17-2010
The earliest representations of Jesus show him eating and healing. In both instances, those who shared the scenes with Jesus included misfits, outcasts, the infirm, and the impoverished.
Valerie Elverton Dixon 7-20-2010
Once again, Glenn Beck has waded into theological waters beyond his depth.
Cesar Baldelomar 7-12-2010
Tupac Shakur in 'Gridlock'd' / Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy
Many music critics have said that a truly special artist comes around only once every generation.
Debra Dean Murphy 5-26-2010
We live in an increasingly partisan world. This is not news. But it's the news "business," in many ways, that has made it so.
Julie Clawson 5-04-2010
[Read more of this blog conversation in response to the Sojourners article "http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issu
Cesar Baldelomar 4-08-2010
The Catholic church is reeling from the several sexual abuse allegations that have come to light over the past three months. Downplaying the severity of this scandal will only further damage the already beleaguered church's image and credibility. Many in the media blame Pope Benedict XVI for the mismanagement of the sexual abuse crisis.
Valerie Elverton Dixon 4-07-2010
I do not usually watch Glenn Beck's program. So many books, so little time. However, on April 6, while working on another project, my intuitive mind told me to watch Glenn Beck. So, I did.
Valerie Elverton Dixon 2-05-2010
When President Obama took questions from Congressional Republicans recently, he spoke about Republican characterizations of his health-care reform plan as something akin to a "Bolshevik plot." Ther
Jarrod McKenna 1-14-2010
Sam Harris, Richard Dawkin, and Christopher Hitchens have nothing on the greatest evangelist of atheism today, Pat Robertson.
