Culture &amp; Public Square

Crimes and Misdemeanors (a Parable)

By John Castelein Some movies arrest our imagination the same way parables do. For instance, when I saw Groundhog Day in the theater, I immediately experienced it as a profound parable of repentance. Other movies that have similar parabolic dimensions for me areÂ Amadeus, Forrest Gump, andÂ The Truman Show. Almost as many parables are presented in cinemas today as in sanctuaries. If Christians can use these movies as parables of our shared humanity, hopes, and fears, powerful bridges of communication with nonbelievers can be built. Are you able to use such teachable moments? The movieÂ Crimes and Misdemeanors can be seen as

April 25, 2010

The Arts–A Perfect Opportunity to Invite

By Shockley Flick Steve and Rhonda, Darlies and Shannon, and Susy and Roger are active in ministry here at East 91st Street Christian Church because of our orchestra. Janet, T.J., Erica, and Stephanie are here because of our dance ministry. Todd and Lisa, Chet, Jennifer, and Lisa attend because of our fine arts school. John and Adrienne have been attending for a year and play in the Restoration Brass ensemble. Our contemporary services use a fine rock band and creative graphics and attract more than 2,000 people each Sunday morning. Some who attend have little or no church background or

April 25, 2010

God in the Cinema

By Joseph C. D’Alessandro Slow fade up from black. We hear the shuffling of feet and hushed whispers interrupted by the voice of a lecturer discussing the frescoes on the wall depicting the life and death of John the Baptist. The camera pulls back to reveal a group of exchange students looking up at the image of John”s head on a platter. The sight is familiar, yet also wonderful, dramatic, inspirational, and mysterious. This was the scene when I began my journey toward God. Much like the illiterate masses of the 15th century, I was ushered into a relationship with

April 21, 2010

Tools to Help You Use the Arts

Seldom will we win a person to Christ without telling him truths of the gospel. But talking alone often is not the best first approach. This week”s writers remind us of a whole world of creativity that can engage doubters as well as disciples with the goodness of God. And I”m proud to add that Standard Publishing is getting ready to release a library of tools to help local churches use the arts in evangelism and Bible teaching. Watch for each of the following, available this June. “¢Â Stage It RightÂ is a handbook for anyone doing drama or setting the stage

December 6, 2009

Has Christianity Declined and Fallen (and Can”t Get Up)?

Â by David A. Fiensy For its Easter edition in 1966, Time magazine”s cover asked, “Is God Dead?”1 We might wonder if similar motivations prompted Newsweek“s attention-grabbing Easter cover this year (April 13). It featured these words forming the shape of a cross: “The Decline and Fall of Christian America.” The occasion for this dire prophecy was the 2009 American Religious Identification Survey that found the number of Americans unaffiliated with any religious group rose from 8 percent to 15 percent since 1990.2 These figures even convinced some Christian leaders the sky was falling. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the

November 22, 2009

Christians, Politics, & Ethical Speech

Â by Thomas Scott Caulley When we were kids, my brothers and I argued a lot. Inevitably this degenerated into name-calling: “You dirt wad!” someone would yell. “Shut up, idiot,” was the likely response.Â Our mother was tireless in her efforts to train such language out of our vocabulary. She quoted Scriptures to us. “Do unto others” and “Each counting others better than himself” were just the beginning of her repertoire, and were among the many Bible verses we boys memorized under Mom”s watchful tutelage. To this day, many Bible passages come to mind in outdated English, even though I

October 18, 2009

Rod Roberts

Culture & Public Square Technology

Reflections of a Public Servant

Rod Roberts reflects on the faith, family, church, and community influences that shaped his life of service and led him to pursue a campaign for governor of Iowa.

August 9, 2009

Jim Musser

A Revolution Is Coming Your Way

Jim Musser explores how the Internet, social networking, texting, blogs, and VoIP tools are reshaping campus ministry and opening new opportunities for churches to communicate and share the gospel.

August 5, 2009

Mark A. Taylor

Culture & Public Square Technology

More Than Technology, and Not Boring at All

Mark A. Taylor explores how church leaders used Facebook and social networking to extend ministry, build relationships, and practice digital discipleship beyond Sunday morning.

July 5, 2009

Rod Roberts

A Test of Our Times

Rod Roberts reflects on Iowa’s same-sex marriage ruling, cultural discernment, and the responsibility of Christian leaders to understand the times and engage moral issues in the public square.

June 28, 2009

David A. Fiensy

Culture & Public Square Reconciliation Restoration Movement History

That Old-Time Religion

David A. Fiensy contrasts nostalgic American “old-time religion” with the compassion, courage, and Jesus-shaped witness of the earliest Christians.

May 20, 2009

Mark A. Taylor

More Than Talk About Unity

Mark A. Taylor reflects on the difficulty and necessity of practicing unity within the Restoration Movement, pointing to conversations that may help divided streams rediscover common ground.

May 17, 2009

Douglas A. Foster

Culture & Public Square Race

The Point of Christianity 2: Racial Reconciliation

Douglas A. Foster calls Christians to confront racial division, examine unconscious attitudes shaped by culture, and pursue reconciliation in the church as part of the gospel.

May 10, 2009

A Christian Civics Lesson

Â By Rod Roberts On January 9, 2007, the newly elected speaker of the Iowa House gaveled the 82nd General Assembly into session. True to the traditions of the Iowa House, the speaker invited a special guest pastor to bring the invocation that morning. To the surprise of many, the guest invited to pray for the General Assembly was a Des Moines-area Muslim imam. The gesture was, in part, recognition of the election of Iowa”s first Muslim state legislator, who was from Des Moines. In fact, the state Capitol in Des Moines is located in this legislator”s district. The imam

April 12, 2009

Ethan Magness

Culture & Public Square Justice

This Is the Church’s Moment

Ethan Magness reflects on David, the ark, and the Obama inauguration to call the church toward humble service and blessing in the public square.

April 5, 2009

Mark E. Moore

Half-Pure Religion and the Unpopularity of the Poor

Mark E. Moore urges churches to hold doctrine, morality, and compassion together, arguing that pure religion requires visible care for the vulnerable alongside personal holiness.

March 22, 2009

Douglas A. Foster

Culture & Public Square Reconciliation

The Point of Christianity

Douglas Foster argues that reconciliation is the point of Christianity, shaping how believers understand Scripture, human divisions, and the ongoing evil of slavery.

March 8, 2009

A Capitol Idea of Serving Others

By Rod Roberts I was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives on November 7, 2000. Since that first election victory I have had the good fortune to run opposed in four subsequent re-election campaigns. At the conclusion of this current term I will have served 10 years in the Iowa House. There are 100 members who comprise the Iowa House of Representatives. A five-term member like myself is a legislator who has seniority among his peers. In addition to seniority, I am a leader within the House Republican caucus. In any state Legislature, seniority and position matter a

February 8, 2009

Karen J. Diefendorf

War . . . What Is It Good For? (Part 2)

Karen J. Diefendorf urges Christians and churches to think morally about war, national interests, consumerism, and the responsibility of informed citizens to speak when soldiers cannot.

February 1, 2009

Karen J. Diefendorf