Word&Way Voices

In day 5 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Kristel Clayville reflects on serving as a hospital chaplain as many people die from COVID and other illnesses. But she notes that death isn’t always unsettling.

In day 4 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Senior Editor Beau Underwood reflects on issues of dying and faith as we go through Advent, again, during a pandemic.

In day 3 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Ryan Fordice reflects on completing a residency in hospital chaplaincy during the COVID-19 pandemic. And he thinks about what this teaches us about the arrival of the Prince of Peace in an unexpected time and place.

In day 2 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Contributing Writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on moments early in the COVID-19 pandemic as her husband worked on the front line as an attending physician at a large, urban hospital.

Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy writes that he is not sure churches in America should be celebrating Christ the King Sunday. Have our habits become too corrupt – Americanized, individualized, freedom-soaked – for us to obey a king?

Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy responds to Ken Ham's criticism of one of his Word&Way articles. He uses this as an opportunity to explore Ham's rhetorical strategies and how much they reveal about both him and the universe of far-right Christians.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on how there will always be times of humanitarian crisis where the needs are immediate and tremendous. However, in any long-term service project, we must look for ways to make personal contributions for the good of the community.

Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy looks at the excessive use of hyperbole in our culture, especially from preachers and politicians. As a teacher of rhetoric and homiletics, he is concerned that hyperbole threatens our commitments and convictions that words matter.

Voices Editor Jeremy Fuzy considers the launch of the University of Austin, especially their announcement of “The Forbidden Courses.” Considering the biblical allusion used by the school, he unpacks the flaw in the philosophy of UA and its founders.

Contributing writer Greg Mamula delves into the Blockbuster vs. Netflix analogy that is often utilized by speakers at conferences and retreats to motivate church leaders into embracing new ministry models. Where this metaphor falls short, he proposes a new one: Redbox.