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** The living Word and the written word
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If you’ve been following along this month, we’ve been taking a close look at the ways people engage with the Bible. We’ve covered theories of what scripture is, doctrines of biblical inerrancy, encouragements to read the texts, political (mis)appropriations of the Bible, and much more.

A centerpiece of this exploration has been our ‘What is the Bible for?’ series. We asked dozens of scholars, faith leaders, and writers to tell us what they think the Bible is for, in seven words or less. We’ve been publishing their responses throughout the month, and this week we have a fun new entry from ministry pioneer and writer Brian McLaren ([link removed]) . I’m thrilled to pair it with a new column from the Century’s own editor/publisher Peter Marty, who reflects on the fallibility of Jesus—and the alleged infallibility of the Bible ([link removed]) .

If you’re all Bibled out at the moment, fear not: we have plenty of other great new content too! Scroll down for our editors’ response to a recent unconstitutional arrest ([link removed]) , Gary Yerkey’s recollection of a life-changing road trip to Selma ([link removed]) , and Mac Loftin’s observation that current US leaders mirror Homer’s caricatures of Greek gods ([link removed]) .
Jon Mathieu
Email me (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Choosing%20a%20Bible%20passage&body=Jon%2C%20) : Which passage in the Bible has most influenced you?
Click to schedule ([link removed]) a Friday lunch chat with Jon
Click to find Jon ([link removed]) on (X/Twitter alternative) Bluesky
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** Jesus the fallible ([link removed])
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“Why would we want a higher doctrine of scripture than we have of Jesus?”

by Peter W. Marty
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** What is the Bible for? Brian McLaren responds. ([link removed])
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“A rip-roaring library to inspire ongoing conversation.” Click for McLaren’s more thorough explanation.

Here are all responses to date. ([link removed])
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** The Trump administration’s disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil is chilling ([link removed])
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“Khalil’s arrest represents this administration’s escalating attack on civil liberties. That’s what’s at stake here—not support for Israel or for Palestine, not efforts to fight antisemitism or Islamophobia, but the basic rights of people in the United States.”

from the editors


** In the Lectionary for March 30 (Lent 4C) ([link removed])
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There is no resolution to the prodigal son story, only the resonance of the father’s words.
by Peter S. Hawkins


Lent 4C archives ([link removed])
Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more ([link removed]) .


** Remembering a road trip to Selma 60 years ago ([link removed])
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“Participating in the march, one of the pivotal moments in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, was inspiring. It changed my life.”

by Gary G. Yerkey


** False gods of war ([link removed])
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“We’ve just watched a snuff film, but Sebastian Gorka has invited us not to see the terrible things before our eyes, but to pretend we were sitting with him in the Situation Room, proud, clean, and in fine clothes.”

by Mac Loftin
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