Wise Reader by David Daniels

Vol. 24, No. 09

Newton letter collection was years in making

Hand-written, multiple-page letters have been sent packing with the arrival of e-mail, instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter and texting. Speed and efficiency is the currency of the day. Few could be bothered to conclude a letter in the following manner: "I commend you cordially to His grace and blessing, and remain your sincerely and obliged brother."

keep reading >

Projections by Bruce Soderholm

Vol. 24, No. 08

New releases go Post-Apocalypse Now

"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine" (Great Big Sea). The end of the world and its aftermath are not likely to make any of us "feel fine," should it occur in our lifetimes, but we can experience it vicariously through the imagination of writers and filmmakers alike.

keep reading >

Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 24, No. 08

Man in Black was honest about his flaws

He's a walkin' contradiction; partly truth and partly fiction/ Takin' every wrong direction on his lonely way back home... In 1970, Kris Kristopherson sang these words in "The Pilgrim...": a song inspired by his friend, Johnny Cash. Right down to the end—even with his strong, stirring proclamations of faith—Cash has been a bit of a conundrum.

keep reading >

Artspace by Jenny Western

Vol. 24, No. 08

How does art serve the church?

I first heard David Taylor speak at an Urbana Missions Conference where he led a seminar called "A Theology of Art: Or Why It's OK to Paint a Nude."

keep reading >

Wise Reader by David Daniels

Vol. 24, No. 07

Essay series addresses "big questions"

Does the universe have a purpose? Will money solve Africa's development problems? Does science make belief in God obsolete? Does the free market corrode moral character? Does evolution explain human nature? Does moral action depend on reasoning?

keep reading >

Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 24, No. 06

Album recalls the gospel heritage of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Like railway passengers facing forward, we may not glance back to where we've been. Preoccupied with what's new, we may miss older worthwhile things.

keep reading >

Projections by Bruce Soderholm

Vol. 24, No. 06

Documentaries find their niche

Documentary films, once relegated to public television and small repertory movie houses, have recently found their niche and have taken their place as viable commercial enterprises.

keep reading >

Wise Reader by David Daniels

Vol. 24, No. 05

Commentary series helps teachers apply Scripture

Bible teachers and preachers continually seek quality resources to assist them in understanding the message of Scripture. The New American Commentary series (Broadman & Holman Publishers) is one popular and respected series representing some of the best of contemporary evangelical scholarship. Aimed primarily at pastors, teachers and students, this series assumes inerrancy and is committed to helping the Church's teachers accurately and practically apply the truth of Scripture to the concerns of 21st century Christianity.

keep reading >

Projections by Bruce Soderholm

Vol. 24, No. 05

Act One prepares Christians for film industry

"The times they are a-changin'" is a song title synonymous with the 1960s, but its sentiment provides an equally true observation of those in the community of faith who wrestle with how they should interact with contemporary culture, particularly modern media.

keep reading >

Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 24, No. 04

A "ramshackle sing-along" that's disarming and honest

What you see is what you get. There's no pretending who The Welcome Wagon might be, or what they're about. "Pastor and wife join voices in sacred folk songs for All Ages," reads the album cover. It might be harder to decide how to take their kitschy 1950s graphics of Sunday school children showing off their Bibles—or of a slick-haired pastor who, according to the caption, preaches from the Bible.

keep reading >