It seems like many struggles in today's culture wars—whether in good faith or bad—claim that "freedom of speech" is at stake. This has been true in debates about Twitter, both when influential insurrection-starters were kicked off the app and now that Elon Musk is trying to buy the company. I'm active on the bird app, by the way, so feel free to follow me and I'll follow back! (Also we have a brand new article today about Musk and Twitter.)
I was reminded of free speech yesterday because I was invited to share in a thoughtful conversation with some Chicago-area clergy in the Chicago Commons Project. The topic was public theology, and I was fascinated to hear about the ways these leaders engage public issues within their ministry contexts. Their work requires the freedom to speak, often in ways that challenge the status quo and lead to tension or conflict.
This week's new Century articles also include some provocative ideas about faith and culture. Debie Thomas explores just how radical it is to think of God as a parent. Kathryn Lopez contends that for the book of Job to speak to our actual lives, it must be read as a parody. Mordechai Beck reviews a Marcia Falk book that provides a feminist version of the Passover Haggadah. Plus more below!
Email me: Do you use social media? Why or why not?
“In this tender season of my life, I’m grateful to be in good company as a mother. Whatever else God might be, God is a parent who knows what it costs to hold and what it costs to let go.”
“. . .You reached for Adam, holding him for grief
Wiping away your salt tears with his hand.
Hating and loving Cain, the murderer and thief
Of your loves . . .”
