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You never know the day your life will change—or the person who will change it. For me, her name was Om Hassan. I was 23, an American soldier…
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Writing in the Dirt: The Choice Between Being Right and Being Like Jesus
By Morf MorfordHow many times have we seen a crowd of men, young and old, eager to judge – and condemn – a single woman for their own sins? It’s just another…
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Community As Sacrament…Why Does It Matter?
By Jon HuckinsA couple months ago I was sitting in the living room of one of the families a part of NieuCommunities here in Golden Hill (San Diego) listening to Rob Yackley describe the three…
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Donor, Know Thy Charity: Where do your donations go?
Nearly everyone has felt the pinch of the economic slump in the past five years. But despite tough times, Americans tend to be a remarkably generous nation of people. According…
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Jesus Wants to Invite You Into His Heart: Lent Week 3 PRAYER
It’s a beautiful thing when people “invite Jesus into their hearts”. Yet if this doesn’t lead to saying yes to Jesus’ invitation into God’s heart for the world, tragically it…
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Sexual Brokenness in the Church: Confessions of a Pastor and Sex-Addict
By T.C. RyanSundays had always been challenging for me. But they became excruciating. By the time I blew up my life, every Sunday morning after awaking I spent a full hour trying…
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Gangs or the Gospel: Competing for the Lives of our Youth
As I work with churches and communities groups developing strategies to reach “at-risk” youth two things are very clear. First, what was once considered a problem amongst inner city youth…
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The Trials, Challenges, and Triumphs of Pope Benedict
By Tony CampoloPope Benedict has been a strong leader for a Catholic Church that has become destabilized. He’s reaffirmed with strong convictions the traditional morals and values of Catholicism at a time…
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“The missionaries brought the Bread of Life, but we choked on the packaging.”
“When the missionaries came, they brought the Bread of Life. But alas, we choked on the cellophane it was wrapped in.” Those were words I heard over and over as…
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The Cross and the Calling
By Morf MorfordThere are those who would make Christianity a belief system, and those who argue that it is not a religion but a relationship. Outsiders would say, by any historic definition,…
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Jesus’ Name is Alecia. Really?
By Jon HuckinsRuby and I were going for a long stroll as Janny put in one of her last long days of work before going on maternity leave. Because I know that…
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Building a Better World… One Home at a Time
Philadelphia has over 20, 000 abandoned houses, and folks lost count of the vacant lots after about 30, 000. We’ve got 700 abandoned factories, with over 150, 000 lost jobs. …
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This Lent Find Your Calling: NO to the Religious justifications of War & Ecocide
Irenaeus in the second century said: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” Have you ever felt fully alive? Like your life was on fire with the…
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When and How I Changed My Mind About Civil Disobedience
By Tony CampoloIt was in the early ‘60s, and the civil rights movement, along with the Vietnam War were headline news items. Civil disobedience was being practiced by students on campuses of…
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RLC Podcast: Tony Campolo on Benedict's Resignation, Magdalene Laundries and more…
By RLC EditorThis week on the RLC Podcast, “Across the Pond, ” Tony Campolo discusses the impact of Pope Benedict XVI’s impending resignation and what some of the underlying reasons may have…
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Forty Days of Lent: An Almost Amish Journey Toward a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life
By Nancy SleethUse this Lenten season as a time to grow closer to God and simplify your life. Try a new suggestion from this list each day and experience the stronger relationships…
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Should We Give Up God For Lent?
By Micah BalesI’m sorry but the article you are looking for has been removed. You can read it at the author’s personal blog.
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RLC Exclusive Film Premier on Creative Civil Disobedience
By Tony CampoloProtest has evolved since my days as a professor at the University of Penn. Please do not misunderstand, I’m in no way saying there isn’t still a place for sit-ins…
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Hearts That Poop Chocolate Kisses
Last night I forced my three children to sit at the kitchen table to write letters and draw pictures for the children we sponsor through Compassion International. (I know, I…
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Love Your Enemies …Sort Of?
I was looking online for some graphics about love I could use for a project on which I’d been working. I came across pictures of bumper stickers and posters that…
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Lent Like God’s New World Is Underway: An Introduction
How might our contemplation during Lent be transformed if we kept these two often forgotten realities at the forefront: Resurrection = God’s new world is underway The Cross is how…
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The Only Way Out is Through (A Lenten Reflection)
(I decided to share some meditations I wrote for Chalice Press a few years ago for their Lenten Meditation book. Here’s hoping these help guide you through this time of…
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Progressive Christianity Is As Broken As Evangelicalism: Here’s How to Fix It
I don’t think there will be some new age of religion dawning in America anytime soon unless a lot of people change their minds about worship. The dream of progressive…
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When Christ Returns…Will He Find Faith?
By Morf MorfordThere are the ‘difficult sayings’ of Jesus and then there are the verses like Luke 18:8 where Jesus seems wistful to the point of despair as he seems to wonder…
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Tony Campolo on the Impending Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
By RLC EditorThis morning, Pope Benedict XVI announced his plans to become the first Pope in over 600 years to resign the post. Benedict, 85, cited his advanced age and diminished strength…
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Papa Ratzi’s Rare Resignation–Pope bows out, first time since Middle Ages
By Chris HawWell, news has broken that the heir of St. Peter’s key-wielding authority in Rome is resigning. I offer a few words of contemplation to the RLC readership–many of whom I…
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Why Do It, Nelson Mandela?
Editor’s Note: This piece by Jamie Arpin-Ricci is part of the conversation on February’s Theme – Civil Disobedience As with many other teenagers, when I first learned of the idea…
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We Miss You Richard
By RLC EditorYesterday, the world lost a great voice and a beautiful man. Richard’s impact on Christianity and those around him cannot be overstated. Regarding Red Letter Christians, Richard was one of…
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The Passing of Richard Leo Twiss
By RLC EditorPhoto Above: Richard closes out the 2012 RLC Gathering on December 14, 2012. Please pray for the family of Richard Twiss. Richard suffered a massive heart attack on Wednesday and…
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"Don't Tell Anyone" – Jesus' warning against always expressing right belief
Jesus and the twelve had made the 25 mile trek off the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and stopped to rest outside the district of Caesarea. They sat along…
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"Don't Tell Anyone" – Jesus' warning against always expressing right belief
Jesus and the twelve had made the 25 mile trek off the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and stopped to rest outside the district of Caesarea. They sat along…
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Why I Think Jesus Would Bake a Cake for a Same-Sex Marriage
“Jesus appeared to ‘condone’ what his community considered sinful all the time.” Aaron Klein, a Baker in Oregon, may face up to $50, 000 in fines, for refusing to bake…
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When God No Longer Hates Fags
The very mention of the name, ‘Westboro Baptist Church’ induces a fierce anger in the best of us. An acrid taste at the back of the throat. These are the…
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The Wall, Children, and Hamas: My Trip to Gaza
By Tim CostelloWorld Vision has been working in Gaza the land of Samson, Goliath and the Philistines since 2009. I visited Gaza last week. Our agricultural partners are brilliant and making a…
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John Piper, Women in Combat, and How Gender Roles Fall Short of the Glory of Humankind
Co-Ed Combat and Cultural Cowardice, an article written by John Piper in 2007, has resurfaced in light of the U.S. military’s decision to let women serve in combat. I’m posting…
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A Year of Eating Locally … for the Peace of the City
By RLC EditorAt the end of this past December, my wife, Liz and I made a commitment to spend at least 50% of our grocery money at vendors in our immediate neighborhood. …
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Stop celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.
By Matt RindgeLast month America engaged in its annual ritual of misremembering Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Rev. Dr. King often indicted what he called the “triple evils of racism, economic exploitation…
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God Isn't on Ray Lewis' side…or anyone's for that matter
Earlier this week, it was reported that one in four Americans believes that God ‘plays a role in determining which team wins’ at sporting events. Additionally, more than half of Americans…
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Civil Disobedience as Prayer
By RLC EditorEditor’s Note: This piece is part of RLC’s February Theme: Civil Disobedience One way of seeing jail today is to regard it as the monastery. In a society preparing for…
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RLC Podcast: Tony Campolo on Steve Chalke, Women Leadership and more…
By RLC EditorThis week on the RLC Podcast, “Across the Pond, ” Tony Campolo discusses his good friend Steve Chalke’s decision to publicly come out in favor of same-sex relationships. Steve is…
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Changing the Question about Suffering
The chapter on sin from Timothy Keller’s The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism includes a short discussion of sin’s cosmic consequences. Because of sin, there is…
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Following Jesus: The Best Gun Control Ever!
By Kurt WillemsThe Central Valley of California is similar to most of rural America. It’s an area with lots of traditional folks, many who love God and desire to serve Christ in…
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From the Block to the Pulpit: Shot Callers in the Hood
A shot caller is “an individual in a gang or neighborhood who has a high status.” This person “calls the shots” but he doesn’t carry it out – he’s already…
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Civil Disobedience and Discipleship to Jesus
By John DearIn 1993, Philip Berrigan, two friends and I walked on to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base near Goldsboro, N.C., through thousands of soldiers, to one of the 75 F15e…
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The Fairy Tale of Gun Control
At the risk of giving my readers whiplash, I followed up a romantic short story on my blog with a brief commentary on the Newtown tragedy. Let me begin by…
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Did Jesus Ever Sin?
Most Christians’ first reaction to this question is to answer this with a resounding “Of course not!” After all, he was the Son of God; he had to be blameless…
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On Super Bowl Sunday, 3 in 10 Americans believe God will play a role in determing which team wins
By RLC EditorForget the poor and oppressed, is God actually concerned with…sports? A new survey released yesterday by the Public Religion Research Institute found that nearly 3 in 10 Americans (27%) believe…
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From Soldier to Pacifist
By Matt YoungI have been a soldier in the U.S. Army for a little over 2 years. I have been a soldier-at-heart, for the past 7 years. When I was 13, I…
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Cain’s Warning: Sandy Hook, Guns and Being Pro-Life
By Morf MorfordIf you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must…
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Re-discovering Christianity as a Movement — from the streets of Bangkok
By Matt WilsonEditor’s Note: These are Matt Wilson’s reflections from the first , in Bangkok. When it comes to being a Christian I’ve got my doubts about lots of things, but I’m…
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“That’s the Kingdom. I Want In.”
I was sitting in church, my second year of seminary, when I noticed a woman entering at the back of the sanctuary. She was accompanied by a young man in…
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Christian Utopia and the Body Politic
By Greg DillAmerican Christians have for centuries envisioned a Christian utopia in which their society is governed by Christian officials with Christian laws and morality in place. After all, this is what…
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I Hate Loving Mark Driscoll
Rev. Mark Driscoll, founder of Mars Hill church, has a true gift. Just when I think I’m making at least a modicum of progress toward tolerance – if not actual…
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Les Misérables: Valjean or Javert?
If the soul is left in darkness, sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but the one who causes the darkness. ~Monseigneur Bienvenu,…
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BBC Interviews Steve Chalke and I regarding Steve coming out in favor of committed, same-sex relationships
By Tony CampoloLast week Steve Chalke, the “Billy Graham of the UK, ” and my close friend, came out in support of committed, faithful, same-sex relationships. I wrote about my reaction to…
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A Dialogue on What it Means to be Pro-Life
SHANE CLAIBORNE: One of the most important issues of our day is the need for a consistent pro-life ethic. Catholics and evangelicals and all sorts of folks have begun to…
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Has Roe Been Good For Women?
By Kristen DayThis week, Roe v. Wade turns 40. The social and political effects of this decision—which struck down state restrictions on abortion—have been profound, but have they helped women? Four decades…
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Praying for a Holistic Food Movement in the Household of God
By Jeremy JohnTo live, we must daily break the body and shed the blood of creation. The point is, when we do this knowingly, lovingly, skillfully, reverently, is is a sacrament; when…
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And God said, ‘Let there be Guns’
By Morf MorfordThis day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that…
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I’m not that different from Manti Te’o
By RLC EditorI’m only a few years older than Manti Te’o. When the push notification hit my phone a few days ago I was stunned. How could such a hoax transpire? Major…
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How do we Pray for the Troops?
After visiting another church while away on vacation, one of the youth in the congregation I serve spoke to me about the experience. “The differences were interesting, ” he said.…
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My Fascination with the Amish Mafia
Three nights ago, I awoke to four words that portend nothing good in the family’s future. They came from sweet little Zoe, who stood by the side of my bed,…
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Hollywood Films: The March of the Beast
By Morf MorfordA near constant theme of Hollywood films is the monster, system or mechanism that goes out of control. A parallel theme is that of an individual, almost always a marginalized…
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The Real Francis Schaeffer
I wrote about the real Francis Schaeffer in my memoir Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to…
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You Can Be Pro-Choice Politically and Be A Pro-Life Advocate In Your Community
To say that in the religious community abortion rights is a hot button issue would be an understatement. We have seen opponents and proponents of a woman’s right to choose…
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Do You Hear the People Sing? M.L. King & Les Misérables’ case for a Socialism of Grace
If the latest Billboard album chart is anything to go by, the answer to Victor Hugo’s question “Do you hear the people sing”? is a resounding “Yes!” as the soundtrack…
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Steve Chalke Drops the Bomb in Support of Committed, Faithful, Same-Sex Relationships
By Tony CampoloIf you haven’t already picked up the news via the internet, let me tell you that Steve Chalke, one of the most prominent preachers in the United Kingdom, and an…
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The Ugly Beauty of the Kingdom of God
By Kurt WillemsMuch in the world is ugly. Ugliness manifests itself in ways that we hope never to even imagine. Each day it confronts us when we least expect it. Depending on…
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Is Evangelicalism Headed for a Split?
By Tony CampoloWhen the Red Letter Christian movement got underway, there was a sense that the Evangelical community, in general, had become overly focused on the theological issues raised in the Pauline…
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3rd Anniversary of the Haiti Earthquake…Remembering with Hope
By Kent AnnanThree years after the earthquake, our hearts break still, For those whose wounds of loss won’t heal, For those who need far more than just recovery. Together: We stand with…
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An Interview with former Christian punk rocker Ric Alba
Ric Alba is a legend to fans of 1980s alternative/punk/hardcore Christian music. He played bass on Undercover’s eponymous debut album, then went on to play with the Altar Boys. He…
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The Evangelical Reaction to Louie Giglio's 'Change of Plans'
Yesterday the internet exploded with Louie Giglio’s ‘change of plans‘ as he respectfully withdrew his acceptance to lead the benediction at the President’s Inauguration on January 21. ThinkProgress and others demanded…
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Daring to Call it Idolatry: Nationalism in Worship
Several years ago a young bright couple began to attend the church I serve. As I got to know them, I learned that she had been sent to Eastern Europe…
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Valjean and Javert: The Two Christianities of Les Miserables
***Spoiler alert: this post presumes that you know the storyline of ‘Les Mis.’*** After watching “Les Miserables” in the theater, I wanted to stand up at the end and shout,…
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People Cutting for Bieber: How Did We Get Here?
The ever-reliable and scrupulous news outlet TMZ recently publicized a photo featuring Justin Bieber with what could or could not be something resembling a hand-rolled cigarette or miniature cigar in…
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The Nationalistic Corruption of Worship in America
I recall years ago on a Sunday when I was on vacation doing what I normally would do at such times: I went to visit another church in the community.…
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God's Rope-A-Dope
By Tony CampoloI was going over N.T. Wright’s writings on the atonement, and he points out that the penal substitutionary doctrine of the atonement is only one of the many theories that…
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Discovering Rural India
By Graeme EsauI recently wrote about my experience in starting a non-profit organization dedicated to poverty alleviation. That blog post described the why and a bit of the how of thisvillage, but…
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Celibate Gay Bishops Permitted in Civil Partnerships in the Church of England
By Andrew MarinIn what became public Friday, The Church of England is now allowing for gay clergy in civil partnerships to become Bishops. The only caveat is that they have to remain celibate…
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Nonviolence for White People
Sometime in the mid-60′s, when America’s black-led freedom movement was at the center of daily news, a white man asked Malcolm X why he did not accept and teach the…
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Charging into 2013 with the Saints
As we roll into a new year, not only are there fireworks but there is a finale of saints and holy days that are recognized by Christians around the world…
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Women in the Holy Land — Just Like Me
By Lynne HybelsEditor’s Note: This piece by Lynne Hybels is part of the conversation on December’s Theme – Bethlehem: Then & Now During the Balkan war of the early 90s I traveled…
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13 Hopes for 2013
Each year I remix some of my hopes and dreams for the New Year, bringing some from last year and adding a few new ones. Here’s the latest remix: Do…
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Why Worship Without Justice Dishonors God
Isaiah 1:10-20 is a sobering prophetic passage in which God reams out the Israelites for thinking that they can honor Him while mistreating the most vulnerable of His people. We…
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Christianity: Philosophy or Religion?
Short answer: Yes. It’s both. Now, if you’d consider a little more detail… Conservative pundit Bill O’Reilly (AKA “Papa Bear” if you’re Stephen Colbert) really stepped in the rhetorical poop…
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Earn and Fully Live the 'Truth' this New Year
By Morf Morford“Facts are stubborn things.” – John Adams “Or just some human sleep.” – Robert Frost We use words as if we knew what they fully meant. And perhaps we do,…
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The Best of 2012
By RLC EditorAs Red Letter turns the page on 2012 we look back at the best pieces from redletterchristians.org: Most read: Seven Reasons Why Young Adults Quit Church – by: Christian Piatt…
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The Rage of Moloch – An Old Testament god thriving on our children
By Morf MorfordFilth! Ugliness! Ashcans and unobtainable dollars! Children screaming under the stairways! Boys sobbing in armies! Old men weeping in the parks! Moloch the incomprehensible prison! Moloch the crossbone soulless jailhouse…
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Death, Violence and America: Is God the Answer or the Problem?
Whenever there is a tragedy in America you can count on some politically saturated Christian leaders to rush in to make stupid statements. Certainly it has happened again with the…
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The Challenge of the Manger in Bethlehem
From opulent shopping malls in the Unites States to corners of crumbling adobe houses in rural Central America, the nativity scene surrounds us during this time of year. The manger…
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What Would Jesus Say to the NRA?
What does the birth of the baby Jesus 2000 years ago have to offer the violent, troubled world we live in? Or what would Jesus say to the NRA? I…
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Singing Mary's Song
Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55) is an expression of great faith and humble gratitude. It is the outpouring of a soul that has reflected deeply on the significance of the wondrous…
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Republicans "Own" Every Child Killed by a Gun and their Weeping Parents
Add blind support for 30-round ammunition clips, military assault rifles and ownership of semiautomatic weapons, no-background-check gun shows and “right to carry” laws — including the right to carry in…
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Incarnation – Can Anything Good Come from a Crisis Pregnancy?
By Morf MorfordGod in the flesh, Christ incarnate; we use these words as if we had the slightest clue what they might mean. But even when I look in a mirror, I…
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Goodbye Santa! Hello St. Nick! Or, how many slaves work for you?
By Marty TroyerOn December 18, 1865 slavery was officially abolished with the passing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to the United States. Hallelujah and Praise God! A decision – though…
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Sandy Hook and the Tearing Asunder of Evangelical Christianity
Is it just me, or is the tragic Sandy Hook school shooting doing more to point out the great rift within evangelicalism than the publication of any Rob Bell book?…
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VIDEO: Shane's Trip to Afghanistan
By RLC EditorShane Claiborne recounts his recent trip to Afghanistan to meet the Afghan Peace Volunteers. Thanks to Shane’s friend Dan for producing this powerful slideshow with pics from the trip and…
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Rev. Richard Land: Greatest Commandment Justifies Deadly Force
I know this sounds strange, but my feelings about guns is pretty similar to how I feel about cigarettes. On the one hand, I can’t stand either one, and I’m…
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What Happens When One Person Cares
Last month, spurred by a post written by my brother Jim, I posted an article called “Does Government Assistance Discourage Private Charity, ” which elicited quite a bit of discussion.…
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Stay In or Stay Out! Is America Suspicious of Outsiders?
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my…
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![James Dobson: "I think He [God] has allowed judgment to fall upon us"](https://redletterchristians.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/james-dobson2.jpg)
James Dobson: "I think He [God] has allowed judgment to fall upon us"
By RLC EditorOn Tuesday, Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, took to the airwaves on his radio program, Family Talk, to discuss the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary…