American culture is as distinct as that of any other nation, but it’s the only one that comes from an idea. That idea is the equality of all human beings; their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the form of self- government that secures their rights, including the right to change their government if it becomes tyrannical. … More We (No Longer) Hold These Truths
Some years back, Keri and I were traveling through Slovakia on October 31. We found lodging in a cute B&B that shared our name. After a good meal, we went out for an evening walk around the village. We didn’t find kids in costumes roaming the streets. Instead, we found a church cemetery lit up with all kinds of lights and candles, and decorated as for a garden party. … More Observing All Saints’ Eve
Jemar Tisby helps us understand the origins and meaning of the federal holiday of Juneteenth, established in 2021. On June 19th, 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger, proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas in a statement in Galveston. … More Freedom Day
On this somber anniversary, Rabbi David Wolpe emphasizes the importance of memory in Judaism, particularly in light of historical tragedies. Jewish memory serves as both honor and prophecy. It urges remembrance not only of pain but also of survival and divine presence. A piece published at Dispatch Faith. … More October 7 and the Perils of Memory
Music has been and can continue to be a powerful tool in the transmission of wisdom. Like no other mode of communication, music has the power to transcend the spoken word and relate what is being said to the emotional and spiritual self in addition to the rational self. … More Wise Music
Phil Vischer (Veggie Tales) and his law professor brother Rob taught a class that touched on the Black Lives Matter movement, asking and attempting to answer the question, “Why so angry? Isn’t racism over?” … More Conversation #1: History of Post-Civil War Racism
Today we hear a raw and impassioned message by Pastor Greg Boyd challenging the white church to wake up to our nation’s Original Sin of racism. … More Sunday Service – June 7, 2020 – “Enough Is Enough: Toward Racial Justice”
I’m watching America burn, and watching fingers point in all directions. Of course, I’m not a racist. I’ve never kneeled on anyone’s neck or denied housing to anyone. So I’m clean. Right? … More Racial Injustice has Benefited Me
Today marks the 7th anniversary of MainStreet Covenant Church’s first weekly worship service. I thought this an appropriate occasion to announce the completion of a commemorative book I’ve produced that details the journey. As you probably know, I love history, and therefore I love probing origins. Any appreciator of the past quickly becomes an appreciator … More NEW! MainStreet Beginnings Book
How did the first Christians gather and worship? We don’t need to guess, or piece a picture together from the sparse comments in the New Testament. We have descriptions from historical sources outside the Bible such as Pliny the Younger, Justin Martyr, Tacitus and Seutonius. Before we read their firsthand accounts, John Gooch gives some … More Early Christian Worship & Persecution
Reposted from July 2012. -JB This July the City of Mound celebrates her centennial. It’s a time to look back and remember the people and places that have shaped our shared history. As a pastor called to start a church in Mound where I grew up, I’ve been fascinated by the beginnings of other local … More The Spiritual Legacy of the City of Mound
Time to ask that question that divides Christians almost right down the middle: Should Christians have any participation in Halloween activities? Ben Witherington adds some thoughts on the matter. His post begins as follows: Ghosts and Goblins, tricks and treats, houses of horror and costumed heroes and villains. Should Christians have anything to do with … More Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Jeremy L. Berg 