This week I asked for reader comments for a new series on college, previewed a retreat I’m leading this weekend, and considered the story of an early African Christian. Elsewhere:
• In our sports history class, we just talked about the phenomenon of fans praying for their team to win. But praying for public financing for a new football stadium?
• “It is a mercy to tell someone that they live in a hell of their own making,” reflected ethicist Jonathan Tran, considering the case of a woman convicted in the hit-and-run death of one of his former students. “It is a mercy to tell someone that the hell they live in can be unlocked from the inside by coming to a truth that can set them free.”
• With hundreds of more conservative congregations now out of the denomination, the United Methodist Church overwhelmingly voted to end its ban on gay and lesbian clergy.
• Is it possible for congregations and denominations to live together despite disagreement over sexuality? A gay mainline pastor isn’t so sure — but not necessarily for the reasons you’d think.
• We can’t understand the ministry of Billy Graham without understanding the role of music at his evangelistic crusades.
• Meet some of the Latin American evangelicals who are trying to evangelize others in the Global South — including Muslims in the Middle East.
• Federal judges and justices are using U.S. history in ways that even some conservatives find troubling.
• I don’t know if it’s any more likely that a new version of the late, lamented Books & Culture will ever get off the ground, but I hope it somehow does.
• 2024 is feeling more like 1968 every day, especially on college campuses.
• A majority of both Jewish and Muslim college students in the U.S. reported feeling fearful on campus — as do 16% of other students.
• “This year’s May 1 was not a typical college decision day,” reported Inside Higher Ed, “and not all students had something to celebrate.”
• Finally, as I gear up to lead another tour of Europe this summer, I get to walk in the footsteps of one of my favorite Lutherans: Rick Steves.