Monthly Archives: August 2007
COMMENTARY: Navigating Christianity and Culture With C.S. Lewis
By Dick Staub — August 10, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) As you read this I am sailing the Irish Sea with 80 Americans on a C.S. Lewis Study Cruise. That C.S. Lewis is still in vogue is a minor miracle. Sixty years ago during World War II, this Oxford academic calmed and comforted a frazzled British populace with a […]
Elvis: The King of Gospel
By RNS Blog Editor — August 9, 2007
Backup Singer Shares Elvis’ More Tender Gospel Side RNS’ Michelle C. Rindels interviews former Elvis Presley backup singer Joe Moscheo, who has written the forthcoming book “The Gospel Side of Elvis,” in this week’s full text article, linked above. Quote: [Elvis’] gospel side is a rich one. Some of his first recordings were songs like […]
Elvis: The King of Gospel
By RNS Blog Editor — August 9, 2007
Backup Singer Shares Elvis’ More Tender Gospel Side RNS’ Michelle C. Rindels interviews former Elvis Presley backup singer Joe Moscheo, who has written the forthcoming book “The Gospel Side of Elvis,” in this week’s full text article, linked above. Quote: [Elvis’] gospel side is a rich one. Some of his first recordings were songs like […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 9, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Major Faith Leaders Praised for Spreading the `Eco-Gospel’ (RNS) The Dalai Lama, Pope Benedict XVI and the spiritual leader of the world’s Eastern Orthodox Christians were among 15 “Green Religious Leaders” cited by a Seattle-based environmental group. Grist, an environmental news and commentary Web site that also highlighted “green” actors, […]
Mormon Pitcher’s Game Improved After Time Spent in a Different Uniform
By Daniel Burke — August 9, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service BALTIMORE _ It’s a steamy summer night and Baltimore Orioles rookie pitcher Jeremy Guthrie is staring down the New York Yankees, whose potent hitters have hammered 70 runs in their previous seven games. The Yankees challenge the rookie in the first inning. After two quick outs right fielder Bobby Abreu […]
Gay Lutheran Clergy Out Themselves in Hopes of Changes
By Jeff Diamant — August 9, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) The Rev. Robert Kriesat, 68, never hid his relationship with his male partner from his congregants, even though his denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, mandates celibacy for gay ministers. His bishops have never punished him; in fact, he said, they have been supportive. Still, he said he […]
GUEST COMMENTARY: White Immigrants Get a Pass; Brown Ones Do Not
By RNS Blog Editor — August 9, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Let’s talk about immigration. But first, here’s a word from our sponsor, the God of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel and Leah. “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall […]
10 Minutes With … Max Lucado
By RNS Blog Editor — August 9, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Author Max Lucado looked at what he calls the “Hope Diamond” of the Bible, John 3:16, in a new book titled “3:16: The Numbers of Hope,” that will be released in September by Thomas Nelson. Lucado announced earlier this year that he will step down from the senior pastorate […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Humanist Loses Case Over Voting in Churches (RNS) A judge ruled Tuesday (July 31) against a Humanist who said his constitutional rights were violated when he had to vote in a Catholic church adorned with religious icons and anti-abortion posters. Jerry Rabinowitz claimed he felt uncomfortable when he entered a […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Humanist Loses Case Over Voting in Churches (RNS) A judge ruled Tuesday (July 31) against a Humanist who said his constitutional rights were violated when he had to vote in a Catholic church adorned with religious icons and anti-abortion posters. Jerry Rabinowitz claimed he felt uncomfortable when he entered a […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Conservative Christian Groups Protest Hindu Prayers in Senate WASHINGTON (RNS) Conservative Christian groups protested the first appearance of a guest Hindu chaplain on the Senate floor Thursday (July 12). When Rajan Zed, public relations officer of the Indian Association of Northern Nevada, stepped to the Senate rostrum to pray, protesters […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Committee Chooses Haggard’s Successor at Colorado Megachurch (RNS) New Life Church, the Colorado megachurch that lost its senior pastor Ted Haggard to a sex and drug scandal last fall, expects to have a new leader soon. Pastor Brady Boyd, an associate senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has […]
Two Years After Katrina, St. Gabriel is Back at St. Gabriel’s
By RNS Blog Editor — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service NEW ORLEANS _ It’s been nearly two years since the statue of St. Gabriel last stood at the main entrance of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church. Six feet of water poured into the church after Hurricane Katrina, toppling the statue and ruining the walls, pews, altar, piano and organ, […]
Obama’s Church Has a New Pastor for a New Generation
By RNS Blog Editor — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service CHICAGO _ Otis Moss III is striking in a raw way. Broad-faced, boyish and slender, the 36-year-old preacher looks more like a man who is consumed with fashion than the fate of sinners. But when he steps into the large pulpit of Trinity United Church of Christ _ the South […]
COMMENTARY: The Customer Is Always Right (in Front of You)
By Tom Ehrich — August 8, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) I suggest that churches declare August “Customer Service Month.” This is the time to train the many people who carry out the critical customer-care functions that will have more impact on congregational health than excellence in the pulpit or grandeur of structure. Like it or not, modern churches are […]
