May 2010

Trinity Sunday

by Mark Van Steenwyk 30 May 2010

Today is Trinity Sunday. This is the Sunday when we take time to affirm the idea that God is One Being…One Existence…but, somehow, three persons. Most people that believe this (which is, at least officially, most Christians) probably do so simply because they are told to believe it. I assume that most folks believe that belief in [...]

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Memorial Day and the religious syncretism of the state

by Michael Iafrate 30 May 2010

Should not Christians at least consider resisting American holidays as a way of resisting the American mythology, the metanarrative that, as Catholic theologian William Cavanaugh says, serves as an “alternative soteriology” to the Church’s story of salvation history?

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The new Peaceable Kingdom is here

by Nekeisha Alexis-Baker 28 May 2010

About four years ago now, I attended the first Wake Up Weekend vegan event at Calvin College as a skeptical pseudo-vegetarian. (Yes. I admit that at that time I was–for some inexplicable reason–still convinced that fish were not animals.) I could see why killing cows, pigs, chicken and other animals for food was problematic–especially from [...]

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The Iconocast Episode 7: Interview with Mary Jo Leddy

by the Iconocast Collective 27 May 2010

In this episode, co-hosts Joanna and Mark interview Mary Jo Leddy–Canadian writer, speaker, theologian and social activist. Leddy works alongside refugees at Romero House in Toronto.

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On Riches Part: II

by JoshuaDbauIII 17 May 2010

These words are not my own they are the words of Pelagius from the late fourth and early fifth century. I find these questions pointed for Christians, living in the context of the richest and most powerful nation the world has ever known, to consider. What does it mean to follow Christ in the midst of an artificial culture of over-consumption and hoarding? In the following posts I will continue to use the words of Pelagius to help us contemplate what it means to follow Christ as we are ensnared in the gluttonous clutches of empire.

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The Iconocast Episode 6: Interview with Jim Douglass (part 2)

by the Iconocast Collective 13 May 2010

This is part two of a two part interview with Jim Douglass. Recently, Mark spent time in Birmingham Alabama, where he sat down with Jim, an activist, and noted author on nonviolence and Christian theology.

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Publishing Apostles

by Mark Van Steenwyk 11 May 2010

Recently, I stumbled across an article at Christianity Today about authors leaving pastoral ministry in order to pursue writing/speaking. The article refers to author/pastors such as Brian McLaren, Francis Chan, N.T. Wright, and Jim Belcher who have left professional church leadership in order to pursue a writing/speaking career. Just to catch you up to speed, [...]

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International: SPCA Gathering 2010

by Nekeisha Alexis-Baker 6 May 2010

July 15-18, 2010 will be the fifth annual hui (gathering) of the South Pacific Christian Anarchists, which will be hosted at the Stillwaters Community in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
This year’s regional gathering will convene people and communities from across Aotearoa to explore issues of Christian faith, power and powerlessness, non-violence, Anarchism, building community, alternative economics and [...]

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Christianity is Empire, part 4 (evangelism and conquest)

by Mark Van Steenwyk 5 May 2010

For a majority of people throughout the ages, Christianity has been a religion of Empire. It has legitimized the exploitation of creation and the subjugation of peoples. A Gospel that was meant to challenge Empire has become the Gospel OF Empire. So, when we speak of “evangelism” today, we are likely speaking of an imperial evangelism. All too often, evangelism (and it’s well travelled brother “missions”) has been a vehicle for imperialism. And this trend continues.

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