Bible-Thumping Bills
In this issue of A Public Witness, we study the political effort behind the Bible blitz. We also quiz this movement to consider the pedagogical and religious problems with such legislation.
Who’s That? The Sacred Act of Naming
Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on knowing and using names as a spiritual practice. Calling people by name can bond us to each other, create community, acknowledge the worth of each person, and share part of our story.
As Rabbi was Held Hostage, His Interfaith Clergy Colleagues Gathered to Help End the Standoff
On Saturday, a man took people hostage in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. The congregation’s rabbi is particularly well connected to the larger interfaith community and on good terms with many Muslim and Christian leaders.
Naming Injustice and Finding Hope
Contributing writer Greg Mamula reflects on how the life of Martin Luther King Jr. has intersected with his own. He writes that as important as it is to name injustice, it is equally important to consider how we lean into the hope of God’s ongoing
At Milwaukee Church, Refugees Find Welcome from a Less Suspicious Time
At a diverse multi-ethnic church, refugees, and immigrants find a home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at a time when many White evangelicals view newcomers with suspicion.
The Same Old Evangelical Enemies
Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy makes the argument that 2021 is 1921 in Evangelical Land – the enemies are the same, but with new names. This means that Darwin, Darrow, and Fosdick are now Fauci, the ACLU, and liberal preachers.
The Man Behind Shurtleff v. City of Boston
We introduce you to the man behind Shurtleff v. City of Boston ahead of oral arguments on Jan. 18. Through an unparalleled review of his decades-long advocacy career and an exclusive interview, we look at the man whose case could upend two centuries of U.S. church-state relations.
For Dying Congregations, a ‘Replant’ Can Offer New Life
As congregations become smaller and smaller, some are being ‘replanted’ by applying the lessons from start-up congregations to older, dying churches. Although not widespread, church replanting is growing in popularity.
The Prayers of January 6
In this edition of A Public Witness, we consider the prayers uttered in the U.S. Capitol a year ago by both those seeking to bring the government down and by representatives of the government. We also consider the danger of official government prayers.
Who Are You Following?
Angela N. Parker uses the lens of Womanist theology to reflect on Epiphany in the shadow of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. She asserts that the connections between the two reveal implications about the importance of experts and leadership that actually shepherds without causing obsequious