Cover Story
Cover Story
The Ultimate Language Lesson
Teaching English may well be the 21st century’s most promising way to take the Good News to the world
Features
When Pastors Plagiarize
“The church suffers from the illusion that the sermon is the creative, prophetic effort of the lonely individual”
‘Confessing’ Christians Stick It Out
“Some conservatives, however, give up on reforming their denominations”
Evangelicals Grow as Political Force
New interest in public policy fuels election wins
Swindle Taints Nigerian Church
Church growth and credibility in danger because of scam
The 419 Fraud
New twist on an old scam tempts Christians to accept millions from a Muslim convert
A Wry Debut Novel
Simmering under the story of A Place Called Wiregrass are commentaries on racism and church neglect of the poor
New Christian Allegory
Science-fiction adventure novel Arena thrives with spiritual symbolism
Shockingly Beautiful Prose
“Leif Enger’s debut novel, Peace Like a River, tells of family, faith, and miracles”
Homespun Stories
“Starting as Sunday morning sermons, Leaving North Haven’s essays charm and amuse”
A Wounded Shepherd
A Texas pastor’s congregation moves in for the kill in the engaging debut novel Leaving Ruin
How to Survive Grief
An honest reflection on the death of an infant daughter
The Real Gospel
“In a postmodern world in which people see many ‘truths’ as equally valid, how can you convince someone of the truth of salvation through Christ”
Heightened Hostilities in Egypt
What you can do to help persecuted Christians in Egypt
Muslim Phobic No More
Verbal attacks on Islam sabotage evangelism.
Quotation Marks
Recent comments about the belief in hell and naming yourself God
Good Samaritan tangled in red tape.
Jonathan Miles battles red tape to connect Israeli doctors and Palestinian children
“India: Despised Dalits quit Hinduism, find new dignity in Christ.”
‘Untouchables’ find new dignity in Christian faith
Homosexuality: Reformed church in Toronto welcomes active gay leaders.
Toronto church’s stance sharply at odds with denomination
Fraud: Financial Warfare scam targets black churches.
Feds crack down on Financial Warfare Club
“Human Rights: Activists celebrate as President signs Sudan Peace Act,”
But sanctions are at President’s discretion
New Sect: Weigh Down guru Gwen Shamblin’s Remnant Fellowship grows.
“Remnant Fellowship grows, but critics see ‘graceless legalism.'”
“Ears to Hear, Eyes to See”
Luci Shaw’s poetry helps us pay attention to God’s world
Three Temptations of Spiritual Formation
“When seeking to be shaped by Christ, It is all too easy to veer from a fully Christian approach”
“Violent Night, Holy Night”
The Apocrypha tells us about the brutal and seductive world Jesus was born into
News
Wire Story
Prochoice activists take aim at Christian FDA candidate.
The Christian Medical Association says critics fear David Hager’s well-grounded opposition
Reviews
Review
Celtic Music in a Christian Key
John Doan’s 20-string harp-guitar and stories bring greater depth to the genre
Views
Word Made Flesh
Quotations to stir heart and mind about the Incarnation
Just War in Iraq
Sometimes going to war is the charitable thing to do
Blinded by Pop Praise
“To see God high and lifted up, just open your eyes”