Can art make you empathetic? How can single women be encouraged in their work? Why was Elizabeth Keckley important? If you care about orphans, should you stop having children? And what are some books political junkies should put on their reading lists?
Get thoughtful responses to these questions from Bruce Ashford, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, Kristin Brown and Nana Dolce in today’s #FaithandCulture Roundup.
Learning to Listen: Art, Race and Empathy
In honor of Black History Month, Mike Cosper reflects on art — and what we can learn from listening to it. He writes,
It’s tempting to separate art from the world that gave birth to it, to let jazz and blues be nostalgic “Americana” and to ignore its power as prophet and protest. It’s tempting to sanitize our musical history and ignore the way many great musicians were discriminated against, or to ignore the deep bitterness that formed as a result…. Please, let’s never pretend that this music is light listening ever again. Read More>>
Four Tips to Encourage Single Christian Women in Their Work
Over at the Instititute for Faith, Work and Economics, Kristin Brown delivers four tips to encourage single women in their work. She writes,
The topic of Christian singleness and vocation, like life’s most pressing and difficult questions, deserves a rich theology. Whether we’re packing lunches or sitting at an office computer, we owe it to ourselves to wrestle with the Lord and dig into scripture to reflect deeply and soundly about our vocations. Read More>>
Christians in Church History: Elizabeth Keckley
Nana Dolce tells the story of Elizabeth Keckley, “a slave, a mother, a dressmaker, a free business owner, a White House regular, a companion of Mary Lincoln, and a Christian.” She writes,
Elizabeth Keckley’s faith, and those of chattel slavery, testifies of the love that preserves all those predestined for adoption before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-6). Toil, rape, whippings, and forced familial rifts could not overcome their view of a present God. Read More>>
Does the Priority of Orphan Care Mean We Should Stop Having Children?
If there are so many orphans in the world, should Christian couples refrain from having children and exclusively adopt? Russell Moore addresses this difficult question in a recent blog post. He explains,
I am glad that this reader sees the Christian imperative to care for orphans and widows. I’m glad he sees it through the grid of the gospel of Christ. I’ve spent years of my life calling for such a vision. But prohibiting our bodies from conceiving children doesn’t actually accomplish what we may assume it does. Read More>>
3 New Books for Political Junkies (and an Old One, to Boot)
Are you a political junkie? So is Bruce Ashford. He lists three new books on his reading list — along with an old one that’s worth a re-reading. He writes,
Here are three new books (and an old one) that I am currently reading and evaluating. I recommend them to pastors, professors, students, and others who are interested in exploring the intersection between Christianity, politics, and public life. Read More>>
What are you reading this weekend?
No comments have been added.