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Evangelicals, Ex-vangelicals, Christians: A Lenten Reflection on the Politics of the Cross
Read more: Evangelicals, Ex-vangelicals, Christians: A Lenten Reflection on the Politics of the CrossI follow Paul, I follow Peter, I follow Apollos, I follow Christ. So Paul famously describes the leader-based factions developing in the Corinthian church. Like many of you, I like to think that if I were there, I would be in that Group 4 that says, “I follow Christ.” Maybe Group 4 was earnest, maybe…
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Dickens, Death, and the Christian Christmas
Read more: Dickens, Death, and the Christian ChristmasThis week, a woman at my church faces the harrowing decision between two Christmases. On the one hand, she could join a few friends and the son from which she has been estranged, risking the possibility of running into the guy who things “didn’t work out with.” It would be too uncomfortable for her to ask…
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The American Myth
Read more: The American MythThere is a peculiar myth that is cherished by Americans. Dating back prior to the founding of the country, this myth has engrained itself into the very ethos of society. It has been the driving force of the American economy, its judicial system, and as of lately, it can readily be observed in its political…
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Coming Out to Diagloue
Read more: Coming Out to DiagloueWe all hold to a worldview. Depending on our personal convictions, we are free to express it however we want. The Two Cities is a collaboration of my evangelical Christian colleagues who freely write about anything related to theology and culture. This isn’t to bring down those who may disagree, but the hope is to…
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The True Story Behind The Handmaid’s Tale
Read more: The True Story Behind The Handmaid’s TalePhoto Credit: https://www.emmys.com/events/fyc/2017/the-handmaids-tale The Handmaid’s Tale, a popular Hulu drama series, just won eight Emmy Awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The series, which is based on the book by Margaret Atwood, follows the story of Offred, a handmaid, during a time where America falls under an extreme fundamentalist “Christian” totalitarian…
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Leaving your Church in Tears
Read more: Leaving your Church in TearsI left my Church this week, and it was the most painful and beautiful thing I have ever done. For many people, Church can be a great source of pain, for others, it is a building or a place to gather. For some, Church can be a crutch, a community that supports them. As for…
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Towards a figural reading of… To Kill a Mockingbird?
Read more: Towards a figural reading of… To Kill a Mockingbird?This summer, I got to read through Ephraim Radner’s Time and the Word: Figural Reading of the Christian Scriptures. When we flipped the calendar to August, and I traded theology for middle school literature, sharpening the transition from student to teacher, I was surprised to discover how theologically rewarding my experience would be. I want to tell…
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Not Another Post About Refugees: Why Christians Can’t Seem to Get Along
Read more: Not Another Post About Refugees: Why Christians Can’t Seem to Get AlongI got married the day after Trump’s inauguration, and ironically, boarded a cruise ship to Mexico for an awesome honeymoon. I got back and was shocked to hear about everything that had happened in a week. What was even more shocking (sort of) was how much discord there was between Christians. Facebook itself looked like…
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Why being Pro-Life is Important
Read more: Why being Pro-Life is ImportantDemocracy is not looking up here in America. It has been a tough election season, and in an unique turn of events, we have two candidates that are, well, tough to vote for. Even after two insane presidential debates, there are most likely a few people who are unsure who they are going to vote…
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Decoding Kaepernick: American Idolatry and Settling for Symbols
Read more: Decoding Kaepernick: American Idolatry and Settling for SymbolsSymbols and their usage can be a powerful thing. Within literature, music, and film, symbolism is used to communicate a particular abstract truth by using concrete images. These mediums employ natural objects in order to discuss and explain ideas and truths that resonate deeply with us. Sometimes a symbol can be a building or a…