Diversity and more Jesus, in the July 9 Reporter

Greetings, e-Readers!

Well, some big news for theology nerds graces our cover this week: Claremont School of Theology will once again receive its allotted funding from the UMC, thanks to a decision by the University Senate. Why the holdup? They made some substantial changes to the way they operate and will now provide theological education for Christians, Jews and Muslims side-by-side. I gathered some reactions, both supportive and questioning, for the feature. 

Also on our cover, Mallory McCall got to have a chat with Len Sweet about Jesus Manifesto, the new book he co-authored with Frank Viola. As usual, he’s pretty blunt about some of the problems the Church has created for itself. 

And, cuteness alert! Mary Jacobs has a write-up of Vacation Bible School’s role in teaching the Christian faith, complete with photos of adorable children. Mary also got the United Methodist Publishing House to tell her next year’s VBS themes, but only after they swore her to secrecy for weeks. Today the news is out.... You heard it here first!

Commentaries this week include two of our regular contributors—Donald Haynes has advice on getting settled in a new ministry, and Andrew Thompson extols the gift of biblical storytelling—and we also have a piece from Ken Carter, who examines the fragility of the United Methodist connectional system and still sees hope there. 

Plus news of a major goal met for the Central Conference Pension Initiative, the struggles of a UM mission station in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a settlement in the CrossRoads UMC homeless ministry case, Bill Fentum’s review of the new movie Please Give, History of Hymns and more.

Enjoy! 

Blessings,

Robin Russell, Managing Editor

Comments

[Kevin]

Religious diversity? YGTBKM! Here is the money quote
"And Christians who feel they need to evangelize persons of other faiths have “an incorrect perception of what it means to follow Jesus,” Dr. Campbell added.

I think that says it all.

[Jim]

One more time: What do we do with the Words of the Savior when He states--unequivicablly--"I am THE WAY; I am THE TRUTH; and I am THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME." Check it out in John 14:6. Is it any wonder the UMC is faltaring?

[John of the Dead]

Except that Christianity is unique in viewing God as the Father. Other faiths view God as Creator or King, but only through Christ does one find a relationship with a Father. I'm not certain that statement is quite as "unequivocal" as you might think.

[Jim]

Perhaps it depends on whether one believes that The Holy Writ is the Father's Inerrant Word or mostly a book of folk tales and fables.

Through the BLOOD Sacrifice the Savior made on the Cross, by His Death, Burial, and Resurrection those who embrace these by faith are reconciled back to the Father--not a father.