Reconsidering history, reimagining faith

I’ve shared in past emails that I have a background in conservative evangelicalism. One of the consequences of this fact is that in the last 5-10 years I have had to put everything I used to believe under a microscope. This inspection, or interrogation, has not only applied to doctrines about the Bible or salvation, but to my entire “worldview,” from race to gender to US history to politics to morality to . . . 

This is one aspect of the Century’s content that I love: its invitation to reconsider. Amy Frykholm helps us take another look at the theology of Julian of Norwich. David Gushee reviews a Jedidiah Purdy book that raises massive questions about the US Constitution. John Kohan comments on artist José Ignacio Fletes Cruz’s visual reimagining of Noah’s Ark. It is sometimes difficult but usually refreshing to rework old ideas and beliefs.

Plus a great new video this week: I chat with CC associate editor Jess Mesman about her recent article on the history of tarot’s most famous illustrator. She even gives me my first (frankly ominous) tarot reading!

Email me: What belief or opinion have you reconsidered?

Jon Mathieu
[email protected]

Julian the theologian

“Over the past 650 years, few have been able to piece together the many Julians—theologian, spiritual teacher, practical guide, soother of souls—but this is precisely the Julian we might most need to meet today, at a place where spirit needs body, ideas need practical wisdom, and high theology needs the everyday.”

The Second Chance: The Ark of Noah

“In this oil painting on canvas, the ark is presented not as a refuge where God seals off Noah and his family from a doomed world but as a bustling community center open to all—a second chance for humanity.”

Jessica Mesman on tarot cards and occult Christianity

Jon chats with CC associate editor Jessica Mesman about Pamela Colman Smith—the illustrator of the Rider-Waite tarot deck—and the appeal of tarot to Christians and seekers today.

In the Lectionary for May 14 (Easter 6A)

We need more than a simple “I love you.” So does Jesus.

Jedediah Purdy’s democratic vision

“For Jedediah Purdy, the Constitution itself is one of the greatest obstacles to democracy in America. This is quite a claim.”

The purifying anger of Beef

“In Beef (streaming on Netflix), the main characters don’t extend the benefit of the doubt to each other, no matter how much evidence piles up suggesting they should.”