Film in review: “Shutter Island”
“Shutter Island” is one of those psychological thrillers that will send chills down your spine.
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.
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The White Ribbon” (Das Weisse Band)
“The White Ribbon” is released in the U.S. already having received a Golden Globe nomination for best Foreign Film. It’s a tormented, tormenting kind of movie that will likely struggle to find an audience here, except among the most adventurous of moviegoers.
Only five of top 25 U.S. churches report membership growth, says study
(ENI/RNS)--U.S. membership has increased in the Roman Catholic Church - the nation's largest Christian body - but the No. 2 Southern Baptist Convention, along with most traditional Protestant denominations, reported continuing decline, according to new figures released by the National Council of Churches.
International help may be needed after Cook Island cyclone disaster
MELBOURNE (ENI) — A state of emergency was declared in the Cook Islands after Tropical Cyclone Pat struck on February 10, causing heavy damage to the island of Aitutaki.
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Madagascan church leader happy at release of radio journalists
(ENI) — The president of the Madagascar's largest Protestant church has welcomed the release of two imprisoned church radio journalists, but has warned they are still facing trial for allegedly colluding in an army mutiny after reporting on the action.
Polish church stands by commemoration of German war dead
WARSAW (ENI) — A Polish archbishop has defended a Roman Catholic parish that created a memorial to German civilians who drowned when their ships were torpedoed by Soviet submarines in the final months of the Second World War.
A THEO-logical Manifesto
A few days ago I read a brief denominational paper which, like many others before it, addresses the issues of pastoral leadership..
Where are our Reinhold Niebuhrs today?
“I’m amazed,” wrote David Brooks a few years ago, “that Reinhold Niebuhr hasn’t made a comeback since September 11. After all, he..
Sports and faith
One of the weekly features that I like best in Sports Illustrated is a small vignette called “Sign of the Apocalypse.” These..
“Valentine’s Day”
reviewed by Ronald P. Salfen
Yes, it’s a formula movie: romantic comedy, ensemble cast, interconnecting stories.
Santa Barbara Presbytery approves Non-geographic synods overture
Some Presbyterians are picking up on the idea of creating a new, non-geographic synod as a way of holding the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) together in its disagreements over whether to ordain gays and lesbians.
“The Last Station”
reviewed by Ronald P. Salfen
What happens when you have a furious argument with your spouse of long standing, leave in a huff to a destination intentionally unknown, and then you die there? Ah, love.
Web review1 “The Wolfman”
reviewed by Ronald P. Salfen
There are worse things than getting mauled to death by a werewolf.
Sex abuse charges ‘shocking and disastrous’, says German bishop
(ENI) — A German bishop has described as "shocking and disastrous" recent new allegations of sexual abuse by clergy at an elite Roman Catholic school run by the church's Jesuit order.
Dutch church probe decides “atheist” pastor won’t face discipline
(ENI) — A self-proclaimed atheist can continue to serve as a local pastor of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, and no longer faces disciplinary action because of his controversial position on how to describe God.
APCE’s closing worship touches on praising God through word and deed
NASHVILLE — The most important parts of Christian faith can be summarized by the cross and the resurrection, said Michael Lindvall at the closing worship of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators’ annual event. Lindvall is pastor of Brick Church in New York City.
Make way for connections: Young adults value relationships, dialogue in their church lives, APCE workshop teaches
NASHVILLE — The wave of the future is here. They are a generation called the Millennials, and the church better make room because business as usual isn’t going to work.
Haiti still in immediate response mode; PDA gives ways to help, not complicate
It’s still early in the recovery efforts in Haiti – just one month after the Jan. 12 earthquake, “we’re still pretty much in the immediate response stage,” said Randy Ackley, coordinator of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Uganda’s Anglican church wants changes to anti-homosexuality law
(ENI) — The Anglican Church of Uganda says it wants to see changes to a proposed law that would jail homosexuals and even execute them in some cases, which many international church and secular leaders have condemned.
String of Texas church fires reaches 10
(ABP) — Two Baptist churches within three miles of each other burned Feb. 8, the ninth and 10th in a rash of suspicious church fires in East Texas since Jan. 1.
Archbishop says sorry to gays but defends Church’s discrimination
LONDON (Ekklesia) -- In a speech aimed at calming the warring factions within the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury apologized to gay people for the way they had been vilified and overlooked - but then said that unelected bishops in parliament were right to oppose equality legislation requiring the church not to discriminate against them.
Indian Christians hope European visit will highlight their plight
Bangalore, India (ENI)--Church officials have expressed hopes that a visit to India by a European Union delegation, which led to protests by some Hindu groups, will draw attention to the plight of harassed Christians in the Kandhamal region of the country's eastern Orissa state.
Losing, and gaining, Sundays
It has taken little more than one generation for American Protestantism to lose control of Sunday morning.
Haiti’s horror, and hope
This edition of the Outlook was heading to the printer when news broke of a devastating 7.0 earthquake hitting Haiti, already the poorest country in the western hemisphere.