Real faith inside a real world

One regret (a small one, relatively speaking) I have about some previous chapters of my faith journey is how much time I spent pondering esoteric and speculative theology. I’m not saying there is no value in scholars’ work to understand the nature of God’s being or divine providence. But my pondering didn’t do much to minister to the actual people in front of me in my congregation. They needed, I think, community and companionship and practical theology. Trying times bring this into stark relief: as I quipped in an interview a couple years ago, “During a global pandemic, no one cares about supralapsarianism.”

I so deeply appreciate how real the content in the Century is. Just this past week we have published new articles covering a wide range of important, concrete topics. Emmy Brett used to work at Annunciation House, a Catholic organization in El Paso, and she shows how anti-Christian the lawsuit is that was brought against the group by (Baptist) Texas AG Ken Paxton. Mac Loftin reviews The Zone of Interest and reflects on the entire genre of Holocaust films. On a lighter (but still very real) note, Jonathan Tran stacks up his love for God alongside his passionate love for basketball.

Plus more great new content below, including our video of the week: Brian Bantum on the financial viability of inclusive churches.

Email me: What is your favorite “pointless” theology to ponder?

Jon Mathieu
[email protected]

An anti-Christian lawsuit

“The suit accuses Annunciation House of ‘human smuggling.’ The guests I welcomed were brought to us by CBP and ICE, migrants who self-reported themselves to Border Patrol in hope of seeking asylum in the States.”

Why do you want to see?

“Holocaust movies offer the fantasy that we can finish our mourning, a power not even God has. The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer’s new film about the commandant of Auschwitz and his family, refuses to be that kind of movie.”

VIDEO: Brian Bantum on the cost of inclusivity

Brian Bantum chats with Jon about what happens to a church in terms of attendance and finances when it shifts to full LGBTQ inclusion. What does this mean for the future of affirming churches?

In the Lectionary for March 31 (Resurrection of the Lord B)

Resurrection flies in the face of everything we know to be true.

by Timothy Adkins-Jones

Resurrection of the Lord B archives

God or basketball?

“Am I first and foremost a Christian or a baller? Do I see myself as a professor who plays basketball or a baller whose job gives him free access to college gyms?”

by Jonathan Tran

Our unseen companions

“When I talk about ancestors, I am primarily referring to ancestors of blood and bones, the thousands who have lived before us who brought us to this moment. We also have ancestors of path. We have ancestors of calling, ancestors of vocation.”

David Dault interviews Christine Valters Paintner