Category: Challenges
A Christmas Apology
Something about the good news of Jesus Christ’s birth was intended to allay our fears. So why is it that so many people are so often afraid of Christians, the ones who are supposed to be spreading t... Read More
Mary-Jesus Theology Part 1
One of the most interesting descriptions of the style and order of the Qur'an describes it as avante-garde, even more so than Finnegan's Wake! The first Muslims were probably quite aware that the birt... Read More
Strangers Among Us
This past week the United Methodist Church got some good press… the Tea Party Nation’s Judson Phillips demanded its closure. The Huffington Post reports that Phillips demanded the closure ... Read More
Orphan Stories at Christmastime
My inaugural posts at State of Formation seem to indicate a passion for sharing what I believe are incisive resources with State of Formation contributors and readers. This Christmas Eve Eve, I commen... Read More
A Response to Ricky Gervais’ “Why I’m an Atheist”
This week British comedian Ricky Gervais asked a number of famous friends, including Conan O’Brien, to publicize “A Holiday Message from Ricky Gervais: Why I’m an Atheist.” Written as a post f... Read More
What Mary, Joseph and Reality TV Share in Common (or how “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” teaches something powerful about Christmas theology)
When my husband I got married, we moved into a new apartment and signed a cable agreement, the kind where you get a bundle with far more than you need because getting less actually costs more. As a re... Read More
Religious Ethics After Abu Ghraib
Last December, I had the opportunity to attend the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne, Australia. The Parliament seeks to promote harmony, reconciliation, and understanding in t... Read More
Who Owns Yoga? Cultural Ownership in an Age of Globalization
A recent New York Times article, “Hindu Group Stirs a Debate Over Yoga’s Soul” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/nyregion/28yoga.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1), has ignited controversy not just in... Read More