Unsettling Advent, Day 14
In day 14 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Angela Parker reflects the conflicting ancient treatment of literal shepherds and the use of she shepherd metaphor to describe rulers.
New Podcast ‘Hark!’ Explores the Stories Behind the Most Beloved Christmas Carols
Many people don’t know the stories behind their favorite Christmas carols. That’s where ‘Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols’ comes in, a new podcast that explores the meaning and making of some of the best-known and most-loved Christmas carols.
Unsettling Advent, Day 13
In day 13 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Brad Lyons reflects on the story of the Murder of the Innocents and how its message resonates with our world today.
Some Pastors Fear Talking About Vaccines. Other See Them as a Blessing.
Fewer than half of churchgoers say their clergy (44%) have spoken about vaccines. One exception: historically Black churches, where two-thirds of churchgoers say pastors have encouraged their people to get vaccines. And some have even led their churches to set up on-site vaccine clinics.
Angels and Advent
Lauren Graeber explores how a lullaby about stars that were actually shuttered openings to heaven has influenced how she understands what it means to believe in angels. Complicating things, the Advent season comes with helping children make sense of the most famous angel story in
A Virus of Religious Intolerance
This edition of A Public Witness unpacks troubling examples of when a person’s religious identity became grounds for others to question their fitness for public office.
Unsettling Advent, Day 12
In day 12 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Starlette Thomas reflects on how Jesus didn’t come to fit in with the empire but some Christians still crave proximity to power.
Court Suggests Religious Schools OK to Get Maine Tuition Aid
The Supreme Court appeared ready Wednesday to rule that religious schools can’t be excluded from a Maine program that offers tuition aid for private education.
Unsettling Advent, Day 11
In day 11 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Word&Way Voices Editor Jeremy Fuzy reflects on how Christians should act on difficult issues like racial injustices. He recounts advice he heard growing up about not swerving when watching for deer.
Our 2021 Books of the Year
In this issue of A Public Witness. Here’s the table of contents: 1. Five books featured on Dangerous Dogma, 2. Five books recommended by Brian (that haven’t yet led to podcast episodes), 3. Five books recommended by Beau, and 4. A heartwarming conclusion.