Century Blog

Liberating Pentecost

David Henson — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

God speaks.

And the people understood.

This confused them.

In a nutshell, this is Pentecost, or at least, the most intriguing detail of the famous Acts story. But too often this significant detail gets lost in the celebration of rushing wind, fiery tongues and the so-called birth of the church.

Fighting for the world

Bromleigh McCleneghan — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I once went on a blind date. He was a law student, a friend of a friend, and I was a seminarian. We met for drinks.

He was nice, funny. He was a self-identifying Christian--the first one, actually, I had ever gone out with. We were talking about our chosen professions; he was, as many are, fascinated by the idea of a call to ministry. My call story is not exactly dramatic, but it has a social justice edge, forged on youth group mission trips and in researching poverty. “I want to make the world a better place,” I told the date.

The future lawyer looked at me and asked, “But isn’t the world a fallen place?”

Thursday digest

Steve Thorngate — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

New today from the Century: Holy small talk, fighting for the world, more.

Resenting reform

David Heim — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

One of the few things Western observers of the Middle East tend to agree on, regardless of whether they lean toward the Israelis or the Palestinians, is that Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad has done an excellent job as administrator of the Palestinian Authority.

Less brutal than that one time

Steve Thorngate — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel says that the Chicago Police Department "did a tremendous job” keeping the peace during the NATO summit this week. President Obama agrees.

Chicago Indymedia offers another perspective, posting videos of protestors surrounded by police and brutally beaten.

Wednesday digest

Steve Thorngate — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

New today from the Century: CO² and the extinction of species, Brian Doyle on Terry Tempest Williams, more.

Preach it, Chef Kimball

Debra Bendis — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

When the latest issue of Cook’s Illustrated comes through the door at my house, I know better than to grab it. First dibs go to my husband. Unlike me, he won’t just “feast” on the photos of cakes, BBQ ribs and soufflés. He’ll actually read the recipes, select one, shop for ingredients and prepare a meal--and that’s where I come in.

Agreeing to sling different mud

Steve Thorngate — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

So a pro-Romney Super PAC planned to focus on Jeremiah Wright--you know, because those decontextualized clips of a black pastor sounding angry didn't get played on the news enough last time around--but quickly changed its tune based on Romney's unenthusiastic response. Then a pro-Obama Super PAC clarified that it won't be going after Mormonism, and David Axelrod agreed.

I'm certainly glad to be spared a barrage of prime-time crap about how black liberationists hate America (and even say "damn" about it!) on the one hand and about polygamy and special underwear on the other. But note this news story's assumptions.

Tuesday digest

Steve Thorngate — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

New today from the Century: The lure of Jonestown, the Super PACs agree to sling strictly nonreligious mud, more.

Breath of life

Katherine Willis Pershey — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

With every cycle of our respiratory systems, we are sustained by the same intimate inspiration God exhaled into Adam’s muddy lungs. That breath permeates every cell of our being, nose to toes, invigorating our bodies and minds and souls until it is ready to be released, silently, from the same nostrils through which it came.

This is as ordinary as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and as extraordinary as spirit and miracle.