Substance Over Symbol
Symbol or substance? Church leaders transact so much business in the language of metaphor and symbol that they can mistake it for reality.
The Presbyterian Outlook
Creating and curating trustworthy resources for the church, the Presbyterian Outlook connects disciples of Jesus Christ through compelling and committed conversation for the proclamation of the Gospel.
More Stories from this Author
An Open Letter to the Presbyterian Church from one of your baptized kids
Grace and peace to all of you. I was baptized as an infant at First Presbyterian Church, Billings, Montana. I was taught faith, Scripture, the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and confirmed at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sulphur, Louisiana.
Who Said That the PCUSA Was Deathly Ill?
Almost immediately after the White Paper of the Presbyterian Fellowship appeared, intense reaction followed. Two phrases seemed to attract the most concern. The mention of bringing together a group of theologically “like-minded” people created a powerful reaction in a denomination that has learned to prize its theological pluralism. In another column we can ponder that idea. The other incendiary phrase was “deathly ill,” which was used to describe the prognosis of the PCUSA. Who said “deathly ill” and upon what basis? That prognosis came from me. Let me tell you why.
Poll: Americans see Christianity, capitalism clash
Are Christianity and capitalism a marriage made in heaven, as some conservatives believe, or more of a strained relationship in need of..
Police say Presbyterian pastor fired a gun at a …
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- According to investigators, Kimani Wright, Pastor of Haymount Presbyterian Church, came home around 9:30 am to find the back..
Churches burned in Nigeria; faith leaders condemn violence
Nairobi, Kenya (ENI) At least ten churches have been burned
in Nigeria, where violence has broken out following the re-election of
President Goodluck Jonathan, according to Barnabas Fund, a Christian
Charity in the United Kingdom.
Parsons joins Obama for prayer breakfast
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (PNS) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons joined a number of U.S. religious leaders April 19 for the second annual Holy Week prayer breakfast at the White House hosted by President Barack Obama.
Richmond minister recalls Virginia Tech tragedy
Richmond Times-Dispatch
His office on North Fifth Street is three stories above the sanctuary (always filled on Sundays), and life in Richmond (where he mostly grew up) is familiarly complex for the leader of Second Presbyterian Church. …
Fidelity-chastity on the ropes, nFOG holds slim lead, Belhar teeters: An update on amendment voting
UPDATED APRIL 19, 2011 – The Presbytery of deChristo voted on Saturday to a 62-62 tie – which counts as a collective “no” vote – becoming the third presbytery to turn away from supporting elimination of the fidelity-chastity ordination requirement (in 2009 it voted 59-48 to overturn the policy).
‘Cross of comfort’ erected at devastated Japan church site
TOKYO (ENI) A "cross of comfort" has been erected at a church
site about one month after its building was washed away by the tsunami that
followed the magnitude-9 earthquake on March 11, a Christian relief
organization reported.
Departing ambassador defends his efforts to promote mutual understanding of faiths
WASHINGTON (ENI) The State Department has a "rigidly
narrow" view of diplomacy that neglects religion's role in foreign affairs,
a prominent Catholic ambassador charged on April 17 as he announced his
resignation.
Film in Review: “Your Highness”
How do you explain why a comedy isn’t funny? It just isn’t. But no self-respecting
critic could just leave it at that, so, here goes the whining.
Film in review: “Rio”
“Rio” is one of those animated musicals that are so cute and endearing you’ll not only
want your children to see them, you’ll also enjoy them yourself.
Film in Review: “Miral”
What we all know about the Middle East situation is that there is more than one point
of view. Anybody’s who been living in the United States understands our country’s
traditional allegiance to Israel.
Film in review: “Cave of Forgotten Dreams”
The good news is that one of the most extraordinary paleontological finds in history
was discovered in 1994. Nestled near the cultivated vineyards of the French
countryside, unsettled limestone formations had formed subterranean caves.
Jinkins inaugurated at Louisville Seminary, says church should stand for a ‘thinking faith’
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (PNS) The Rev. Michael Jinkins was inaugurated and installed
April 15 as the ninth president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
(LPTS).
Need to hear
Of all the Christians who will gather for Easter worship services the world over, we Presbyterians have just a slightly greater need to hear about the resurrection.
Resurrection and Religious Otherness
On Easter morning, Christians in this country and around the world proclaim “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” We declare this joyfully, accompanied by brass choirs and resounding organs. We call up all the extra choir members and bell ringers, dancers and drummers, to celebrate the great mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
A CROSS WITHOUT ATONEMENT?
I’ll never forget the presbytery meeting where we examined an incoming minister. Along with other subjects, he subject of the Atonement was..
Will fidelity-chastity ordination policy disappear?
This may be the year when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) opens the door to the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.
Please don’t go
It now seems very possible that Amendment 10-A to the church’s constitution will be approved.
Making sense of difficult texts
I’ll never forget the day Ann came to my office. She was visibly upset, had tears in her eyes and said, “There’s something I have to tell you … .”
Resurrecting the church
Official membership figures that the Presbyterian Church (USA) keeps show 11,260 congregations in 1998 with 2.59 million members.
“Steward Ship,” a practical approach
In her recent book “Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers, A Handbook” (Louisville: Geneva Press, 2009), Joan Gray, former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), urges leaders to ask if they are a part of a rowboat or a sailboat church:
Eccentric Existence: A Theological Anthropology
by David Kelsey
Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press (2 volumes). 1496 pages.
reviewed by ERIC O. SPRINGSTED
David Kelsey, longtime beloved teacher at Yale and author of numerous widely respected books, such as “The Uses of Scripture in Recent Theology” (1975), has delivered two important volumes that lay out a Christian understanding of human being.