By Robert Gelinas
March 9, 2010
In his latest book, Brian McLaren calls the church to a deeper and broader vision of the gospel that makes room for contemporary issues of justice and reconciliation. But has the controversial author gone too far this time? PLUS: Keep reading to find out how you can receive a FREE copy of McLaren's book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith.
Tiger Woods was raised a Buddhist, and now he's returning to his childhood religion. Hopefully, he'll avoid one of the great pitfalls many of us Christians fall into when it comes to living out our faith.
When my usual pew was filled, I was almost panic-stricken as the usher led me to a different section of the church. Little did I know, I needed a change in perspective.
After my 13-year-old's jarring confession, I talked to other youth about their impressions of God, the church, and "Christ vs. Christianity." I quickly discovered that my son was not alone in his doubts about the integrity of adult Christians.
My 13-year-old son's shocking confession forced me to confront my tendency to obscure Jesus behind the "religious" parts of my faith.
As we move forward into a new decade, we are thankful for God's provision in 2009 and the hope that He gives us for 2010. In addition to the usual resolutions (South Beach Diet, anyone?), it's time to refocus and recommit ourselves to lives of prayer and devotion -- and UrbanFaith is here to help! Check out these top UF articles on prayer, faith, and spiritual renewal from '09, and join us in getting prayed up for the New Year!
Fifty Christian leaders from this Nebraska city traveled to the Deep South on a mission of racial healing and reconciliation. Now, they're working together to pass on the lessons learned from their life-changing Justice Journey.
What The Best Christmas Pageant Ever teaches us about being true Christians -- even when the Herdmans come to our church.
When black and white church leaders from this deceptively pleasant Nebraska city recognized the need for racial healing in their community, they got on a bus together and traveled south to visit landmarks of the civil rights movement. On their "Justice Journey," they explored the complex emotions that still divide us as a nation -- and the divine grace needed for true reconciliation.
If race, as many agree, is a social construct, why are Christians so good at holding on to it as a way to define, describe, and divide ourselves?
"Integration" and "diversity" do not express God's purpose for reconciliation deeply enough. What we need is a fresh paradigm that declares our new culture in Christ.
