Van-guard (văn’gärd), noun: “The foremost or leading position in a trend or movement.”
the journey forward... exploring the emerging church... navigating spiritual formation... seeking to transform the world... ...through Christ
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Van-guard (văn’gärd), noun: “The foremost or leading position in a trend or movement.” the journey forward... exploring the emerging church... navigating spiritual formation... seeking to transform the world... ...through Christ |
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Important News . Bioethics, Abortion and the Sanctity of Life . Creation and the Environment . Globalization . HIV/AIDS . Hunger and Health . Israel/Palestine . Marriage and Homosexuality . Politics and the Christian Faith . Poverty, Wealth, Debt and Economics . Racial Equality . Religious Freedom . War, Peace, and Terrorism . blog archive: Social Action
Important News and Comment for Christians Interested in Putting Their Faith Into Action
see the latest at the
Bioethics, Abortion, and the Sanctity of Life
The Terri Schiavo Case—Some Balance Please by Bob Robinson
The Politics of Stem Cells
When Does Personhood Begin?
And what
difference does it make? "...The medical community's concept of personhood varies sharply from the most prevalent Christian views. Bob Scheidt, chair of the Christian Medical Association ethics commission, says the medical profession uses four characteristics to define personhood. All four are related to the function of the neocortex of the brain: rationality, self-awareness, communication/relationship with others, and happiness. Scheidt believes that these functions fall short of a true definition of personhood. Like many ethicists, Scheidt is concerned that personhood is used more often than not to exclude, rather than include people. "When we didn't want to treat blacks as equal," he says, "we defined them as not persons or as three-fifths of a person in the early American Constitution. We define a fetus as a non-person, and then we can do whatever we wish with it..."
No Place to Stand When you're Christian, progressive, and "pro-life," voting your conscience is often easier said than done. by Heidi Schlumpf (Sojourners Magazine) "...Having to compromise by voting for a less-than-fully-pro-life candidate may not be ideal for socially conscious Christians, but it is unfortunately the reality in American politics. "In a perfect world, all public officials would be pro-life in the full meaning of that term..."
Adult Stem Cells - 3, Embryonic Stem Cells - 0 by Daniel McConchie
John F. Kilner
The New Climate Coalition Evangelical leaders bolster the fight against global warming.
Heat Stroke
The
climate for addressing global warming is improving. With each passing year, we lose the ability to slow and minimize the effects of global warming. This is our Father's world, and it is filled with our brothers and sisters. Christians should make it clear to governments and businesses that we are willing to adapt our lifestyles and support steps toward changes that protect our environment..."
World Magazine presents a Christian view that doubts the Global Warming advocates Read Michael Kruse's synopsis of World's article "Greener Than Thou."
On the Care of Creation: An Evangelical Declaration From the Evangelical Environmental Network (ENN). EEN is a network of organizations and individuals including World Vision, World Relief, InterVarsity, the International Bible Society, and several leading evangelical leaders.
Many evangelicals find themselves in an emerging theological habitat, where care of creation is central to mission. by Brian McLaren (Sojourners Magazine)
Branded for Life21st Century global marketers are more seductive than ever before.
And they want your kids.
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The Christian Left:
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The Christian Center:
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The Christian Right:
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Christian
Politics According to Abraham Kuyper
By Irving Hexham (CRUX)
"...Kuyper thus provides Christians with a uniquely Christian vision of the state and society. Unlike other Christian thinkers he does not adopt a conservative or radical stance, but creates his own view, based on scripture, which allows for both continuity arid change in society but which maintains, above all, the Biblical emphasis on justice..."
WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 30, 2004 - More than 40 Christian leaders and 40,000 faithful citizens signed a petition declaring that "God is not a Republican...or a Democrat" and that the Religious Right does not speak for them.
Blog Archives on GOD IS NOT A REPUBLICAN...or a Democrat
05/08/2005 Somebody needs to be told that GOD IS NOT A REPUBLICAN...or a Democrat!
04/01/2005 Fear and Loathing
03/28/2005 For the record, here’s where I stand politically
02/12/2005
Jim Wallis: 'I See Genuine Soul-Searching Among Democrats' (This from
Christianity Today...)
02/08/2005
God's
Politics - Jim Wallis has been making a rather big splash lately.
12/08/2004
What if Democrats Were Pro-Life?
11/05/2004
Bush is the Winner! Kerry is the Loser!
08/26/2004
Top Ten Election Issues
08/16/2004
God is not a Republican. Or a Democrat.
Poverty, Wealth, Debt and Economics
Mobilizing Christians against poverty
This is a moment in history of unique potential,
when the stated intentions of world leaders
echo something of the mind of the Biblical prophets
and the teachings of Jesus concerning the poor, and
when we have the means to dramatically reduce poverty.
We commit ourselves, as followers of Jesus,
to work together for the holistic transformation of our communities,
to pursue justice, be passionate about kindness and
to walk humbly with God.
We call on international and national decision-makers
of both rich and poor nations, to fulfil their public promise
to achieve the Millennium Development Goals
and so halve absolute global poverty by 2015.
We call on Christians everywhere to be agents of hope
for and with the poor, and to work with others
to hold our national and global leaders accountable
in securing a more just and merciful world.
Handout: Micah Challenge and the Millennium Development Goals
Secrets,
Lies, And Sweatshops (Business
Week cover story, November 27, 2006)
American importers
have long answered criticism of conditions at their Chinese suppliers with labor
rules and inspections.
But many factories have just gotten better at concealing abuses
Growing Gulf Between Rich and Rest of USA
by Holly Sklar, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services
"Guess which country the CIA World Factbook describes when it says, 'Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20 percent of households.' If you guessed the United States, you're right. The United States has rising levels of poverty and inequality not found in other rich democracies. It also has less mobility out of poverty. Since 2000, America's billionaire club has gained 76 more members while the typical household has lost income and the poverty count has grown by more than 5 million people. Poverty and inequality take a daily toll seldom seen on television..."
by David Batstone, Sojourners
"...By 1995, the ratio of inequality between the shop floor and the executive suite had increased to a multiple of 160. Then, over the next five years, CEO compensation went through the roof; in 2000, they were paid 458 times as much as ordinary workers..."
Giving 'Burger King Moms' a voice
by Jim Wallis
"...The Republicans look after their wealthy constituents, and the Democrats want to be the champions of the middle class. Neither makes a priority of the needs of the poor..."
Kevin Phillips Discusses Corporate Greed on NOW with Bill Moyers
60 percent of American corporations didn't pay a dime in taxes during the boom times of the late 90's. Meanwhile, over the last couple of years, corporate profits, as a percentage of the overall economy, have soared to historic levels. But, what does this mean for ordinary Americans? Kevin Phillips has been tracking the political and economic history of American wealth for more than three decades. He was the chief political strategist for Richard Nixon's victory in 1968 and wrote the 1969 bombshell book on the emerging Republican majority. Here is the transcript of their conversation, which aired on NOW with Bill Moyers on 4/9/04.
Color-Blinded
Why 11 o'clock Sunday morning is still a mostly segregated hour.
An excerpt from
Divided by Faith.
By Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith
White Evangelicalism and Racial Issues in America a review of Divided by Faith by Bob Robinson
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism A seven-part blog series by Scot McKnight
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 1
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 2
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 3
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 4
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 5
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 6
The Church, Embracing Grace, and Racism 7
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"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." --Article 18, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The General Assembly of the United Nations |
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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." |
Religious Liberty in Public Life by Charles C. Haynes
An excellent overview of what this amendment means and how it has been interpreted
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The End Does Not Justify the Means:
The True History of Why the Bush White House Pursued War in Iraq
By Bob Robinson
"...Only days after 9/11, the PNAC released a letter arguing that "even if evidence does not link Iraq directly to the attack, any strategy aiming at the eradication of terrorism and its sponsors must include a determined effort to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq." The Bush Whitehouse believed it was in the nation’s best interest to invade Iraq and take Saddam Hussein out of power. When 9/11 occurred, they used the new fear of terrorism by blatantly connecting 9/11 with Iraq, giving the American people a reason to fulfill PNAC’s policy in the Middle East..."
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Just Peacemaking: Alternatives to Military Intervention ( pdf document)Developed for Peace Action by the Working Group on Just Peacemaking: Glen Stassen, Peter Davies and Steven Brion-Meisels (Peace Action National Board) and Tracy Moavero with contributions by Victoria Cheng and Wally Suphap (Peace Action International Office)
Contents
Alternatives to Military Intervention: Three Case Studies
Framework for Activist
Discussions – Guidelines and Starter Questions |
Nonviolence and the strategy against terrorism
by David Cortright (Sojourners, 8-28-2006 )
"...A nonviolent approach should not be confused with appeasement or a defeatist justification of terrorist crimes. The point is not to excuse criminal acts but to learn why they occur and use this knowledge to prevent future attacks. A nonviolent strategy seeks to reduce the appeal of militants’ extremist methods by addressing legitimate grievances and providing channels of political engagement for those who sympathize with the declared political aims..."
Christian Reflections in a Time of War
- Part I -Written after the Abu Ghraib Prison Photos Were Released
by Brian McLaren
"...When our leaders speak of liberating others through conquest and occupation, they sound a lot like many powerful leaders of the past who dominated people but called themselves benefactors and liberators..."
Jesus and Retaliatory Violence
How do Christians tread a path that honors Jesus' message?
By David P. Gushee
'War on Terror' or Real Security?
A just and viable
alternative to the Bush doctrine
by David Cortright and George A. Lopez
At this website, you will find a running total of the amount of money spent by the US Government to finance the war in Iraq. This total is based on estimates from Congressional appropriations. You will also find a number of different ways that we could have chosen to use the money.
George W. Bush's
theology of empire
by Jim Wallis
"...To confuse the role of God with that of the American nation, as George Bush seems to do, is a serious theological error that some might say borders on idolatry or blasphemy..."
IMPORTANT LINKS for Social Action and Justice:
Evangelicals for Social Action
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N.A.E.
EVANGELICAL
LEADERS ADOPT LANDMARK DOCUMENT URGING GREATER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals unanimously voted at its annual Fall Board Meeting to adopt an historic document on public engagement called For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility. The vote, 42-0, is viewed as a milestone in the movement of evangelicals from the insularity of a revival tent mind-set in the early 20th century to the political activism of the 21st century.
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Ministry Transformation- The Emerging Church Personal Transformation- Spiritual Formation World Transformation- Social Action Interact with Bob Robinson about the emerging church, spiritual formation, or social action by e-mailing vanguard church with your comments. |
For
the Common Good: A biblical perspective on the role of government
