CHR Comment: The article is specifically about urban religion but comments more broadly about mapping projects in religious studies. Focus thus far has been on Catholics, Jews, and African Americans (likely Protestants).
Source: Religion in American History: What the Map of Urban Religious Histories Shows Us
Less than a quarter of Americans — and Christians — avoid Halloween due to its pagan roots.
CHR Comment: The survey information comes from LifeWay, the publisher for the Southern Baptist Convention. Its hard to object to kids in cute costumes but the darker aspects of Halloween observance, dabbling in horror and spiritism, still raises concerns. The article mentions All Saints Day (Nov. 1) but does not mention Reformation Day (Oct. 31) as a Christian observance.
Source: Even most Christians agree that Halloween is fun, not pagan – On Faith & Culture
The topic of Ross Douthat’s Erasmus Lecture for First Things magazine this week was “The Crisis of Conservative Catholicism,” a timely one given the recent public tussles over the Synod of the Family in Rome. On the same evening, a group of prominent Catholic theologians released an . . .
CHR Comment: Kaya Oakes looks at the divide in Roman Catholicism, which the writer characterizes as liberal Catholics v. conservative Catholics. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat is the conservative, whose recent article drew criticism. Toward the end of the article Oakes characterizes conservative Roman Catholics by certain liturgical practices rather than by specific doctrinal views or moral views.
He’s a plainspoken outsider and a former neurosurgeon. Ben Carson has lurched to the front of the pack in the race to be the GOP’s presidential nominee. But his foreign policy ideas are raising questions.
CHR Comment: Although the article is supposed to be about Carson’s worldview, it turns to focus on Maj. Gen. Dees whom Carson met at church. The writer describes Dees’s views on Christian outreach and comments about Islam.
Source: The world according to Dr. Carson | Public Radio International
A National Geographic film takes an even-handed approach to the story of Thanksgiving.
CHR Comment: The film should be interesting. The article fails to mentions some important features of the history, such as the way some Indians looked to the Europeans as potential allies against other Indians as well as the role of disease, which was the primary cause of the decimation of the Indian population. Jered Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel” helps explain the role of disease especially well. I hope the film likewise describes the Puritanism of the Pilgrims, understanding them as Christians. The second article linked below refers to a documentary in PBS’s American Experience series, which is also about the Pilgrims.
All sports competitions in the Paris region have been suspended in the wake of Friday’s deadly attacks in the French capital.
CHR Comment: A student at a sports event between Roman Catholic schools Notre Dame University and St. Francis University held up a prayer request regarding the recent terror attacks in Paris.
Source: Sports Competitions In Paris Region Suspended In Wake Of Attacks
U.S. presidential candidate Ben Carson recommended praying for rival Donald Trump after the real-estate mogul and television personality, in a 95-minute rant in Iowa, likened him to a child molester, Carson’s business manager said on Friday.
CHR Comment: Carson’s demeanor is helpful and positive in this stormy political season. The question is whether this approach is what voters are looking for.
Source: Carson’s comeback to Trump’s insults: ‘Pray for him’ | Reuters#ZBQpkGF8FbQ6xkuc.97
“It’s going to be the biggest timber-frame building in the world. And I think people will come to see it just from the perspective of even the architecture and the engineering.”
CHR Comment: The Creation Museum folks are building a second site to be located in Williamstown, KY. Spokesman Ken Ham describes the character of the park. The ark will be the largest timber framed building in the world.
Source: Controversial Noah’s Ark Theme Park Slated To Open July 2016
The Episcopal Church USA’s first African-American leader hopes to call his divided church to “a deeper unity.”
CHR Comment: Curry explains his personal background and his goals for the liberal denomination which has recently lost 20% of its membership over the issue of ordaining homosexuals as priests and bishops. He is a supporter of activist religious politics and a Buffalo Bills fan.
Source: New Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry | October 30, 2015 | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly | PBS
Don Carson, John Piper, and Tim Keller discuss the ongoing relevance of the Reformation for ministry today.
CHR Comment: A brief panel discussion by American Evangelicals considering the ongoing importance of Protestantism after 500 years. Most of the comments are about Luther and Calvin, especially Calvin. The panelists helpfully point out that the Reformers restored the role of primary source study and preaching to Christianity in general, guaranteeing their importance from the Reformation forward. They also mention excesses of the Reformers that should be avoided.
Source: Keller, Piper, and Carson on Why the Reformation Matters Today
church history review 