Sometimes, things become valuable and historic because they were mistakes: the Inverted Jenny, for instance, is a postage stamp that’s legendary because the airplane in its center pane is upside down. Similarly, the Vinegar Bible is so named because of numerous typographical errors in its print run that include referring to the “Parable of the Vineyard” as the “Parable of the Vinegar.”
Bishop Gene Robinson has taken plenty of flak during the past five years, but according to what he says in a new video post on the Religion and Ethics Newsweekly blog–probably an extra take from last week’s feature on him–he’s gotten the most grief for endorsing a candidate during the primary season earlier this year.
Earlier this year, author Karen Armstrong addressed TED conference participants with a plea for the world to embrace the Golden Rule as called for by faith traditions. Her speech was part of TED’s annual conference, which features more than 50 keynotes from influential thinkers and leaders that are then distributed online over the course of the year.
Andrea Useem recently attended a service at the Second Life church that’s tied in with an evangelical church 2.0 mission that’s launching later this year. In a recent blog post, she likens the service itself to another real-life evangelical service she’d recently attended. In fact, the similarities—and the surprising differences—make up a compelling critique that gives insight on how churches can and should be taking advantage of the platform, rather than building an “in-world” church and hoping people come
The Washington Post today examines the downsizing and program-trimming trend among Episcopal seminaries, noting a correlation between that trend and the dynamics within the denomination. But the more likely causal factor, the article continues, is, quite simply, money.
The work of the Spirit, [according to John’s gospel,] is to teach, witness, convince, guide into truth, and declare what is to come, and every part of this ministry is derived from, and in turn points to, the historic mission and teaching of Jesus.