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By Edward Gilbreath
July 1, 2009

Culture Clasher

If spiritual renewal breaks out in a forest and no American Christians are around to witness it, does that mean it never happened?

Pardon the paraphrase of the old philosophical riddle, but this probably sums up the thinking of many in the evangelical community in years past. But the times are a-changin'. According to Soong-Chan Rah, author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity (IVP), if the American church is going to be a relevant participant in the future of global Christianity, it had better recognize the church's new multicultural reality. And the future is now.

FEATURED STORIES

BET Dishonored Jackson's Legacy

BET has never been one of my favorite networks, but when it announced that it would change its awards show at the eleventh hour, working overtime as a labor of love, to pay tribute to the King of Pop, I had to tune in. And though there were a number of times I wanted to tune out, I did not, hoping that it would get better. I am sad to report that it never did.

Michael Jackson: Solomon Sans Wisdom

Michael Jackson is dead at 50. And that's the end of it. On a day already made gloomy by the death of actress Farrah Fawcett, the King of Pop's earthly reign came to an end.

And while I'm devastated for his family, mourning alongside countless fans around the world, my heart is mostly numbed by the news. After hours of watching media coverage of Michael's death -- the replaying of his music videos, the reaction interviews with celebrities, and the speculation over what will happen with his children and multi million-dollar estate -- I am empty.

Miracles in Rwanda

Usually it's the book that inspires the movie, but in the case of author Catherine Claire Larson's As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda, it was the other way around. The book, a gripping exploration of the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the miracle of forgiveness, is a literary extension of Laura Waters Hinson's award-winning 2008 documentary of the same name.

Obama at 100

Today marks President Barack Obama's first 100 days in office. Over the past few months, we've witnessed bailouts, stimulus bills, budget battles, Korean rockets, gangbanging pirates, Michelle's arms, a dog named Bo, and most recently an international outbreak of swine flu. Given the magnitude of issues facing our nation right now, 100 days seems hardly enough time to measure a presidency.

Still, right or wrong, we view those initial 100 days as the first significant benchmark of a U.S. president's effectiveness. And there clearly are important things that we can glean about the man from watching his progress out of the gate. That's why we asked a variety of urban pastors and ministry leaders to share their impressions of our new president on the occasion of his 100th day. Read their critiques, and then let us know what you think.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Doing a 'New' Thing

Twenty years later, Spike Lee's groundbreaking film, Do the Right Thing, still challenges our views on race in America.
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BET's Tribute Was Messy, But Sincere

The network had an impossible task in honoring Michael Jackson on the fly. Give it credit for trying.
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The Pop Reconciler

Despite Michael Jackson's many flaws, his great talent brought us all together.
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Diva Day

Join best-selling author, relationship expert and life empowerment coach Michelle McKinney Hammond for Diva Day, an intensive, introspective and interactive church conference. For more information and to register log on to michellehammond.com.

CHURCH & MINISTRY

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The Pulpit King

The passion, eloquence, and faith of Gardner C. Taylor, a legend among preachers.

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You Can Pray That Again

Crying “Abba” and other practices for a life of continuous prayer.

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McDonald's Gospel Tour

URBAN VOICES

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If I Were Jon & Kate's Pastor

A pastoral dose of reality for the estranged reality-TV couple. MORE

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Recession Depression

The nation’s economic woes are taking a toll on our mental health. A Christian counselor shares her insights on coping with financial frustration. MORE

LIFE & CULTURE

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Social but Separate

Websites like Facebook and Twitter are connecting people like never before. But do they widen or erase our cultural divisions?MORE

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Multiracial in the Age of Obama

It's never been easy being a multiracial person in America, but will things change with a mixed-race president? Biracial author Sundee Frazier is cautiously optimistic.MORE