MWR : Articles : Jan. 9, 2012

Articles : Jan. 9, 2012

Can we learn from an atheist?

Christopher Hitchens believed religion is the world’s main source of hatred and tyranny. The British-born writer, who died Dec. 15 at age 62, was famous for his controversial conclusions. “Of all the supposed virtues, faith must be the most overrated,” he once said.

CMU professor pressed for details

WINNIPEG, Man. — As 2011 concluded, so too did the 400th anniversary of the 1611 King James Bible’s publication.
Mission leader ‘evangelized’ back to church

John Powell, who has a long history with Mennonite Mission Network and its predecessor agencies, was named to a new position, mission advocate, last summer. Powell brings courage, passion and 70-times-seven forgiveness to his ministry. He inherited some of these qualities; the rest, he said, is a gift of God’s grace.

Atonement mystery

Since the Mennonite Brethren achieved consensus that the atonement was substitutionary (“Canadian MBs Find Unity on Atonement,” Nov. 21), then I suggest that at least the adjective “penal” be stricken from their atonement paradigms.

Unexpected mutual aid helps save church building

When Nueva Vida Norristown (Pa.) New Life Church acquired a 9,000-square-foot office building adjacent its meetinghouse in November 2007, a local realtor projected it would only take six months to fill it with tenants. Then the Great Recession hit.
Evangelical Mennonite Conference celebrates 200-year history

A Canadian Mennonite denomination that has withstood changes in name, language and continent — all in the name of staying true to its values — celebrates two centuries of existence in 2012.
Africans lay foundation for MWC caucus

KINSHASA, Congo — Church leaders from across Africa shared a sense of isolation and desire for more fellowship in the latest gathering of a five-year process to create a new structure for fellowship and collaboration among Mennonite World Conference member churches in Africa.
Building in Spain is a first for Protestants

With the help of a North American grant, an Anabaptist congregation in Burgos, Spain, is constructing a new building, a rare move for a Protestant church there.

Happily ever after?

For all we know, Cinderella and her prince are still living happily in some magical kingdom. But Joseph’s narrator is a realist and, after last week’s emotional climax, must connect the lineage of Abraham to Moses more than 500 years later. The brothers return to Canaan to report to Jacob that Joseph is still alive, whereupon the whole extended family packs up and moves to Egypt (Gen. 45:16-47:12). Joseph and Jacob reunite (46:28-30), and the tribe of Israelites are given the best land in Goshen for their flocks and herds (47:1-6).

Life between East and West

On my desk is From the Oder to the Bitterroot: Memories of an Uncommon Life by Werner H. Will, published by the author at 3604 Kingbury Place, Missoula, MT 59808, 2011, 321 pages, $12 plus $2.50 postage.

Land stolen from the poor

Multinational corporations and foreign governments are acquiring large amounts of agricultural land, prompting conflicts and controversies globally.

On the invention of nations

Talking with Palestinians in December, I was surprised they were taking the news so personally that the Republican front-runner at the time, Newt Gingrich, had said Palestinians were an “invented people.”