MWR : Articles : April 2, 2012

Articles : April 2, 2012

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Bible

Jesus’ power over death and the temple

In John’s account, Jesus’ crucifixion is not quite as wrenching as in the other three Gospels. His own agony is not emphasized as much, nor is the trauma experienced by his followers. In part, this reflects John’s way of writing the story as a whole, where the outcome (Jesus’ glorification as the resurrected and exalted Lord) is up front from the beginning.

Editorial

From Weekly to World

A year ago we announced Mennonite Weekly Review would become Mennonite World Review on April 2, 2012. Now you are reading the first issue of the new MWR. You’ll find it is both familiar and different.
Fake grass, real faith

My wife bought a couple of bags of green plastic “Easter grass.” Like tree blossoms, they burst forth on store shelves every spring, marking the transition from winter.

Feature

MDS volunteers from four Ohio churches rebuild Ala. meetinghouse

BOLIGEE, Ala. — After a tornado with 150 mph winds flattened the Christian Valley Baptist Church meetinghouse last April 27, people from four Hartville, Ohio, area churches moved in to help rebuild.

Letters

‘Bloody’ hymns

Reading Don Steelberg’s thoughts (Letters, March 12) on the hymn “There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood,” I recalled from my year at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1960-61 that Howard Charles began his New Testament Survey class by describing the Roman cultural context into which Christianity came. One of the popular religions of the time was Mithraism. Devotees would stand in a pit with a grate overhead; a bull was slain above them, and its blood would drip down on the worshipers. With my usual impertinence, I asked if this was the origin for the hymn Steelberg cites. Charles replied, “Oh, my goodness, I hope not!”
Which ditch?

I found Richard Dugan’s selection of terms, “liberal, leftist-leaning,” divisive and threadbare (Letters, March 5). I believe the same about terms that reside in the other ditch: “right-wing, conservative, evangelical.” Such syntax is polarizing and fractious, being of little help in Christian discourse. When we permit political, media-driven, reactive language to creep into church conversations, we do so at our peril: polarization occurs; tensions increase; listening takes a hike; the need to be right encompasses all; relationships are subverted by personal opinions. As Anabaptists with a history of peacemaking — anchored in the teachings and example of Jesus — surely we can use language that enhances understanding and empathy.
Writers appreciated

One of the finest legacies that Mennonite Weekly Review leaves readers is the treasury of insightful columns in each issue. I will truly miss the writings of the columnists who have said goodbye recently. Some writers I have known face-to-face. All I have learned to know heart-to-heart as they have shared their personal stories and perspectives. Thank you to each person who contributed your work.
Susan Miller
Hesston, Kan.

News

History book planned for EMU centennial

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Donald B. Kraybill, the nation’s best-known writer on Amish and Mennonite culture, will be the principal author of a fresh history of Eastern Mennonite University. Its publication will coincide with EMU’s centennial celebrations in the fall of 2017.
Groups respond to machete attacks

NAIROBI, Kenya — For three days in late February, about 2,000 youth armed with machetes attacked villages in inter-ethnic violence east of Kisumu, an area where the Kenya Mennonite Church has a strong presence.
On ‘Titanic’ centennial, missionary’s life remembered

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. — When Annie Clemmer Funk, a Mennonite missionary to India, learned her mother was very ill in Pennsylvania, she quickly packed her bags and caught a train to Bombay. From there she traveled to England, where she learned a coal strike had delayed her ship’s voyage to the U.S.