Planned Parenthood Firebombing and Nazi Equivalencies: When Rhetoric Really is Complicity
Last year, in the aftermath of a shooting that critically injured U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, the news cycle and American politicians entered a protracted debate on the relationship between militant rhetoric and acts of violence. USA Today asked, “Has the nation’s harsh political rhetoric become more than just talk — to the point of being [...]
Eternity Revitalized: A Lenten Sermon on the Victory of Love over Blandness
The following is adapted from a sermon delivered at The United Church of Cookeville in Cookeville, TN on March 18th. You may be aware of today’s New Testament reading if you live in America and have a pulse. Most notably, John 3:16—“ For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so [...]
A Response to Conservative Commentary on the National Prayer Breakfast
The far-right echo-chamber blogosphere has produced some interesting material in the aftermath of President Obama’s speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. Pundit Erick Erickson responded with an article titled “The Perversion of the Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ by the Sinner Barack H. Obama.” It is, as you probably picked up from the title, [...]
Basic Facts: Everyone’s Responsibility
It is almost as if some people are intentionally stretching the bounds of what can pass as reality. At a campaign stop on Monday, Rick Santorum fielded a question from a woman who claimed that Barack Obama is “an avowed Muslim.” She added also that “he has no legal right to be president.” (Yes, birtherism [...]
Tebow-Mania, Theologically Considered
There is much ado about Tim Tebow lately. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, the Denver Bronco’s Quarterback is a lightning rod for social commentary. He is at once the recipient of Evangelical adulation as well as one who bears the brunt of often not-so-veiled annoyance or disgust. Cable outlets like ESPN have cashed in on [...]
A Knife-Point Mugging Proves We Don’t Need Rules
Do you remember seeing this story from NPR? A teenager stuck up Julio Diaz at knife-point, demanding his wallet. Apparently not in the mood for heroics, Diaz acquiesced. He didn’t deem the contents of his wallet important enough to risk a bloody scuffle, so he handed over the billfold. There’s nothing news-worthy here. Knife-point muggings [...]
Fighting Wage Theft: A Capitalist Argument for Public Shaming
I recently took part in a series of public demonstrations organized by the Workers’ Dignity Project, which is a branch of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) concerned with the recovery of stolen wages. In this case, a dishwasher named Bernardino had been shorted over $10,000 dollars in wages by a Nashville restaurant [...]
Sermon #1: Jerry Falwell and the Cure for Sectarianism
The following was adapted from a sermon delivered at the United Church of Christ Alabama-Tennessee Association’s Fall Meeting at Howard Community Church in Nashville, TN. Based (loosely) on 1 Corinthians 1:10-17: I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions [...]
Rethinking the Nationalist God
Thomas Jefferson said, “The wise know their weakness too well to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.” Our Founding Father’s were, of course, infallible in their own time. Now, they are American demi-gods worthy of obedience and ritual veneration in the form of fireworks. As I attempt [...]
Mysticism and Religious Dialogue: A Lesson from Howard Thurman
One of the first things you learn at Seminary is that whoever wrote Ecclesiastes was right; there is truly “nothing new under the sun.” Just about any theological argument you can think of was argued to death in the first few centuries of the Church, and the particularly juicy ones have been resurrected anew in [...]
Jared Hillary Ruark
Hello! This is where I try to join together my person life, in-class learning, and current events into some type of coherence. Watch as I try to lend some theological order to a disordered world.
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Contributing Scholars
Ian BurzynskiIan Burzynski served as the first Assistant Director of Operations for State of Formation. He is a non-profit worker, intercultural communication practioner, and secular advocate for intertraditional engagement. He has worked with Pathways for Mutual Respect and the Cordoba Initiative and now serves as Chief Development Officer at Distressed Children & Infants International.
Brad BannonBrad Bannon holds degrees in Music (BA’97), Finance (BA’97), Divinity (MDiv’06), and Philosophy (LPh’08) from Furman University, Drew Theological, and Dharmaram Vidya Ksetram (Bangalore). He is currently in his third year at Harvard Divinity School pursuing a doctorate in Comparative Theology under the direction of Frank Clooney. His research involves Sankara and Nicholas of Cusa and examines apophatic theology from the perspective of fundamental epistemology. He, his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter, Leela, anxiously await the newest addition to their family, due in March, currently known as “Cashew.”
Rebecca LeviReligious Studies grad student. Amateur cartoonist and cook, even more amateur violinist and science nerd. All-around kvetch.