I’ve mentioned that I lead an online church that is “post-evangelical.” Our little community is part of a large trend in the US that is often called faith deconstruction (and in some cases, like my church, also faith reconstruction). One of the people who was instrumental in my own journey away from fundamentalism was Peter Choi, director of the Center for Faith and Justice—and I’m thrilled that our June issue features a cover story by Peter about the ways many Americans are reimagining their faith.
We have some other great new content too. Speaking of the US church’s need to change, the Century editors make the case for clergy-penitent privilege to be set aside in cases of child abuse. Kathryn Reklis provides lovely insights about the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
No new video this week as I’m visiting family in Kansas City. But fun fact: I’m also visiting Century news editor Dawn Araujo-Hawkins! In honor of our first in-person meeting, here are the archives of Dawn’s writing in the magazine for your perusal.
Email me: Who has played a significant role in your faith’s evolution?
“Faith deconstruction presents many pitfalls. It’s also a profoundly hopeful, life-giving activity—precisely because of its very downward movement and its willingness to sit in the rubble and sift through the debris.”
“Only six states explicitly waive clergy-penitent privilege in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. In most cases it’s up to clergy to decide how to handle a confession of abuse.”
“Judy Blume’s real insight wasn’t just about the growing pains of puberty or religious exploration. Her real gift to the world was the insistence that young people can be trusted as capable moral agents.”
“Daniel Hummel explains in great detail and with great clarity the forces that have shaped dispensationalism, leading up to the rise of the religious right and beyond.”
Keri Ladner reviews The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism
