(OPINION) Tax returns sadly say most American Christians are ungenerous, typically giving only 1.5% to 2% of their income according to an Oxford University Press book. It’s not that Christians don’t have the money but that they spend it on luxuries — with little leftover to give — while failing to perceive needs outside their own circles.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Marking April as Arab American Heritage Month – a time to learn about the history, culture and contributions of our nearly 4 million strong community – is gaining traction across the country. In 2022, Joe Biden made history as the first U.S. president to recognize the month, which he did again in 2023.
Read More(BOOK EXCERPT) While there were elements of hippie culture in the Jesus Movement, there was also a rejection of the purely hedonistic, live-and-let-live ethos of the 1960s. The 1960s had ended with assassinations, domestic terrorism, massive social unrest, incredible racial tension, and the peak of the Vietnam War. By the time the 1970s rolled around, America was in a dark, foul mood.
Read More(OPINION) The Easter story as John tells it basically sets the world on its head. It defies expectations. Jesus is a sovereign who — unlike Caesar or any other ruler — doesn’t lord it over his subjects, but instead suffers every vile indignity they suffer: pain, disappointment, humiliation, death.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the latest research concerning the decline of Latino Catholics in the U.S. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) Quantum theory can widen how we imagine the cross of Christ. Jesus did redeem us on the cross. But wondrously beautiful things happened simultaneously to his blood being shed. For instance, Jesus married (betrothed) us. In Jewish tradition, a redeemer was a male relative responsible for caring for a deceased relative’s possessions, including the widow.
Read MoreThe Christian movie “Jesus Revolution,” which has surpassed the $50 million mark in theaters, premieres today on digital platforms and soon on Blu-ray. Released by Lionsgate, the movie telling the story of the 1970s Jesus People movement earned more than $51 million in box office receipts. That makes it the ninth highest-grossing faith-based film of all time.
Read More(PERSONAL ESSAY) Buddha’s birthday is celebrated as a more quiet holiday in Japan as opposed to other countries, where it tends to be a grander national celebration. Known as Hana Matsuri (flower festival) or Kanbutsu-e (literally “Buddha bathing party”) in Japan, this birthday commemoration for Shakyamuni Buddha became intertwined with traditions from ancient Japanese farmers.
Read More(ANALYSIS) In an age of polarization, it is worth remembering that one of the pillars of King’s philosophy was pluralism: the idea of multiple communities engaging one another, acknowledging their differences and shared bonds, and striving to create what King called a “Beloved Community.”
Read More(OPINION) Surveys since 2020 show that a "steady share of Americans — about 40% — say they have participated in religious services in the prior month one way or the other," according to a Pew Research Center report. But other details are blurry, since the "share of U.S. adults who ... attend religious services once a month or more has dropped slightly, from 33% in 2019 to 30% in 2022."
Read MoreStudents at a Nashville, Tennessee, Christian school will not complete the academic year in their facility, where seven people died in a March 27 mass shooting. Instead, the 200 students of The Covenant School, plus about 40 staff, will resume classes in the meeting place of the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ.
Read MoreThe chairman of the Bob Jones University board of trustees has resigned following pressure from the school’s students, alumni and donors. The decision is a surprise to many BJU watchers, since Lewis appeared to have had the upper hand in a conflict with BJU President Steve Pettit.
Read MoreAmritpal Singh was born in Jullupur Khera in the Amritsar district of Punjab. He reportedly enrolled himself in a polytechnic college before moving to Dubai to join a transport business in 2012. In 2022 he returned to India to take over the leadership of “Waris Punjab De” after founder Deep Sidhu died on Feb. 15, 2022 in a vehicle accident.
Read More(REVIEW) It just so happens that one of the most anticipated events of the HBO show — the death of patriarch and media tycoon Logan Roy — aired on Easter Sunday. If Easter is meant to celebrate resurrection and forgiveness, this episode mourns the opposite.
Read More(REVIEW) Few if any 20th century Roman Catholics had a greater impact on Christian spirituality than Thomas Merton, the iconic Trappist monk, mystic and ecumenist. What’s lesser known is the remarkable life of his brother, John Paul, who was almost four years his junior — the subject of “Remembering the Forgotten Merton” William J. Meegan.
Read MoreFor the first time in more than 50 years, four humans are set to visit the moon, NASA announced Monday. Piloting the 2024 Artemis II mission will be Victor Glover, a Christian who has worshipped with Churches of Christ in the Houston area as well as his home state of California.
Read MoreAs another year of drought looms in Somalia and famine stalks many rural communities, the prayers for rain have already begun. Horn of Africa faith-based organizations are increasingly playing a prominent role in responding to potentially massive famine that has received little attention.
Read More(OPINION) “Creating the Quran” will certainly offend believers in the orthodox view that between 610 and his death in 632, Muhammad, guided by the angel Gabriel, received God’s verbatim words, memorized them, dictated them to scribes and confirmed the entirety of the Quran’s revelations as they exist today.
Read More(OPINION) For the last 40 years, I have engaged in scores of public debates on religious subjects, sometimes drawing passionate, standing-room-only crowds. But are the debates actually fruitful? Do they bring more heat than light? Do they really change anyone’s mind?
Read More(REVIEW) The eight-episode series “In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” covered Jesus Morning Star, Five Oceans, The Baby Garden, and the God of Manmim cults. Comedian Esther Ku spoke with ReligionUnplugged.com about how the series unearthed an ecosystem of cults in Korea.
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