Oh no, not Theo. That was the first thought of millions of Generation Xers when the news broke this week of Malcolm-Jamal Warnerās accidental drowning death in Costa Rica at age 54. Hereās why āThe Cosby Showā actor was so influential and beloved.
Read More(OPINION) St. Francis of Assisi, like so many young people today, had experienced the ravages of war, spent time as a prisoner and came out of that trauma seeking something deeper in his life. He hungered for God and had the courage to step out boldly in his search. Heaping extraneous mumbo-jumbo on him really does a disservice.
Read More(OPINION) I admit I never actually saw Jesus in Garyās coffee shop. But Gary saw him ā or felt his presence or heard his quiet voice ā pretty much constantly. And I saw an image of Jesus refracted through Gary.
Read MoreWhen a high-profile religious leader dies, itās always fascinating to see what words various news organizations choose to encapsulate that person. Such is the case with this weekās passing of the Rev. John MacArthur ā after his hospitalization for pneumonia ā at age 86.
Read More(OPINION) As someone who works with Catholic religious communities, I hear things. Up until recently, what Iāve heard has been a hopeful message that includes how much God loves each and every one of us. In recent months, though, even what I hear from the various vowed religious women with whom I interact has become somewhat ominous.
Read MoreThe grief. The guilt. The giant fog. Matt Collins canāt help but experience the catastrophic Texas flooding ā especially the deaths of children in a sudden natural disaster ā through a deeply personal lens.
Read More(OPINION) Thereās been much academic and journalistic attention paid in recent years to the documentable benefits of treating a host of mental disorders with psychedelics. āThis Is Your Priest on Drugsā looks at a published study in which researchers administered psilocybin to clergy from various religious traditions.
Read More(OPINION) When was the last time you laughed in order to cope with some personal or social situation? 10 minutes ago? Today? Yesterday? Laughter can be a most effective coping medicine. In that way, laughter is an important spirituality tool. In many cultures, it always has been.
Read More(OPINION) We know that the Holy Spirit convicts the world (unbelievers) of sin (John 16:8). But he also convicts believers of our sins. I have never again felt the weight of conviction as I did that time in 1979. But I am thankful how God cleared my conscience through the work of his Holy Spirit.
Read MoreWhy did the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA title mean so much to our Weekend Plug-in columnist ā just a casual fan? Itās simple: This is about much more than basketball, yāall.
Read MoreThe Oklahoma City Thunder are still praying. Presumably, so are the Indiana Pacers. Plus, a big rally for Pope XIV at the Chicago White Sox ballpark, and an NFL head coach says God guides him.
Read More(OPINION) Itās all untelling, this God thing. The whole weekend I had an inexpressible sense of Godās realness, Godās omnipresence, Godās utter majesty. God is a mystery. If you think youāve got the answers ⦠well, no, you donāt.
Read More(OPINION) As a historian of Christianity, I have studied how religion has been manipulated to bless empires. In the year 325, Constantine declared himself Christian and forged the Christian Empire. In 800, the Pope crowned Charlemagne, merging the power of church and state. During colonial expansion, Christianity was exported alongside conquest and commerce.
Read MoreAt its annual meeting in the Dallas, the nationās largest Protestant nomination tackled social issues such as same-sex marriage, online porn and sports betting.
Read More(OPINION) Iām sure I am not the first person to think along these lines, but did you ever consider that you might not exist if certain things had happened or not happened?
Read More(OPINION) We are all curious to see how Pope Leo XIV will engage with the Trump administration. The Chicago Archdioceseās upcoming celebration of the pope, an American-Peruvian dual citizen, stands in contrast to the military parade being hosted in Washington, D.C. on the same day. At the same time, the Catholic Church has seen empires rise and fall.
Read MoreJust one of the NBAās 30 franchises tips off each game with an invocation: the Oklahoma City Thunder. Itās a tradition that dates back to the Seattle SuperSonicsā move to OKC in 2008 ā and even before that when the Bible Belt city served as the temporary home of the New Orleans Hornets after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Read More(OPINION) Reading all about the decline of religion, I always find myself pondering the mystery of faith itself. Where does faith come from? Why do some people have it and others donāt? Why do some abandon it and others hold fast despite ill winds?
Read MoreTexas Rangers slugger Jake Burgerās return to form coincided with the election of a fellow Midwesterner as the first U.S.-born pope. Faith is ingrained in the devout Catholic athlete and his family.
Read More(OPINION) If you are a conservative, Bible-believing Christian, thereās a lot to like about the Rev. Calvin Robinson. His behavior of the past few years has demonstrated both a sharp mind and an enormous gift for communication, but also an unseemly appetite for controversy and the limelight.
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