How does a non-religious person who desires to be religious fully embrace a faith community? And how do religious people make their communities ones in which this is possible? Rabbi Noa Kushner’s new book, “Pretend You Believe,” might just have the answers you’re searching for.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Americans increasingly turn to religion for guidance on what to eat amid rising food costs, nutrition concerns and conflicting advice. Drawing on research into four religious alternative food movements, one researcher explores how faith shapes eating habits and inspires efforts to transform the American food system.
Read MoreThe type of dwarfism Triplett has occurs in only 250,000 people worldwide, but more widespread are the struggles she experienced getting to her current appreciation for being herself. She sees these struggles in much of society, exacerbated by the comparison culture of social media.
Read More(REVIEW) Peter Stanford’s biography explores Antoni Gaudi’s extraordinary architectural vision, deep Catholic faith, and Catalan pride. From colorful private residences to Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia, Gaudi fused organic forms with religious devotion. The book portrays a humble, ascetic genius whose monumental masterpiece transcended his lifetime.
Read More(REVIEW) Gabe Bullard’s new book “Against Convenience” addresses some of these problems and argues “not against an easier path, but against the idea that the paths in front of us are truly any easier.”
Read MoreOn this week’s show, Religion Unplugged spoke with “American Rambler” author Isaac Fitzgerald in order to separate fact from fiction in the tale of Johnny Appleseed and to understand how the writer’s own path, like the legendary figure, led to a connection with nature, an openness towards faith and a few legends of his own.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There is also a contemporary way of eating lotus. It consists in settling in. At first, we live off our reserves: convictions, habits and certainties we acquired when we still remembered where we were going. Then we compromise.
Read MoreDefying all odds, the man who has done arguably the most convincing work in proving the scientific viability of reincarnation was an American psychiatrist who died in 2007. On this week’s podcast: A look back at the life and work of Dr. Ian Stevenson.
Read MoreThe actor’s new memoir, “The Steps,” revisits his journey from struggling actor to Oscar-winning star, framing his life alongside the enduring themes of “Rocky.” As the film nears its 50th anniversary, Stallone reflects on his Christian faith, insecurity, perseverance and the story’s deeper symbolism.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Timothy Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, may represent a strategic successor to Billy Graham’s evangelical influence. His posthumous book, co-written with his son Michael, examines seven cultural myths involving identity, power, freedom, morality, science, happiness and progress, arguing that Christianity offers more satisfying answers.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The Bible was such an integral part of my upbringing that it’s hard to describe. We did Bible quizzing drills and scripture verse memorization. By the time I got my driver’s license, I had a pretty good grasp on the meta-narrative laid out in the 66 books that make up the Old and New Testaments. I had Bibles from all kinds of translations, too.
Read MoreFindings are based on several data sets, including surveys distributed in seven languages to experts in 100 countries, in-depth interviews with country-specific experts, and onsite visits to select countries to verify data and collect additional information, as well as established resources including the World Christian Database, the World Watch List and World Development Bank indicators.
Read MoreAI has made us question our very humanity — giving us concerns about our intelligence, our work, our relationships, and even our religion. That’s why on today’s episode Matthew Peterson has a conversation with Loyola Professor Joseph Vukov about his book, “Staying Human In an Era of Artificial Intelligence.”
Read MoreActivist Malala Yousafzai returned to New York this week to discuss the paperback release of her memoir “Finding My Way” — but the conversation moved beyond her story of attending college and growing up. At the center was the issue that has defined much of Yousafzai’s public life: The Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women and girls and its use of religion to justify restrictions on their rights.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Throughout his life, Berry, who died on Aug. 31, was a leading advocate of environmental stewardship. You might recognize his belief system in what’s known as creation care today. It embraces a responsibility to care for the Earth and all its creatures. Berry increasingly saw that ethic violated by the industrialization of agriculture and ignored by a dominionist theology, preached by some prominent American Christians, which holds that humans have a God-given right to exploit the Earth’s resources.
Read MoreLittle over a decade ago, J.D. Vance was an atheist Yale Law School graduate obsessed with pursuing achievement in private life. Today he is a United States vice president who professes faith in Christ and rejects upward mobility as a means of fulfillment. Things have changed. Vance explains the change in his book “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” released this summer.
Read More(REVIEW) N.T. Wright, a leading Bible scholar and senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, has written “The Vision of Ephesians: The Task of the Church and the Glory of God.” If this volume inspires you to read more of his work, be warned: You will have 79 or so additional books to go.
Read MoreProtestant pastors register the greatest distrust in artificial intelligence interpreting “contested” Scriptures, Barna said in its latest State of the Church release in partnership with Gloo, but few pastors would abandon the technology altogether. Only 5 percent of pastors reject AI as a tool to interpret difficult passages, researchers said, and only 10 percent want AI to proclaim which interpretation is correct.
Read More(REVIEW) His crowning individual honors — the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 1993 — cemented the striker’s place among the game’s all-time best. But Baggio, who was born and raised a Catholic, found inner peace after his conversion to Buddhism.
Read MoreThe legendary country singer, songwriter and entertainer died on Tuesday at 80. Raised in a deeply Christian family in Tennessee, she credited her faith in God for guiding her life, music and philanthropy. Her enduring legacy includes countless hit songs, films, charitable work and a message of hope.
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