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The Dance of Ordinary Time

From First Thoughts

We are currently in the midst of Ordinary Time on the church calendar—the time between the times, or even “off season,” to borrow a sports metaphor. Although not in this year’s cycle, Christians usually encounter a gospel reading from John and the first miracle at the wedding . . . . Continue Reading »

Culture and Disenchantment

From First Thoughts

The quest to find a unifying principle for the new forms of republicanism that sprouted in the wake of the French and American revolutions preoccupied the nineteenth century. One proposal was for democracies to look to culture as an organizing center for a common life, because culture concerned . . . . Continue Reading »

An Ethiopian “Catholic” Moment

From First Thoughts

The installation of Hailemariam Desalegn as the prime minister in the fall of 2012 was a “Catholic” moment in the history of Ethiopia, which up to this point had been led by members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This development may be insightful, not simply as an example of the rise of Protestantism in Ethiopia, but also as a mirror for a kind of political discourse that is both religious and committed to religious freedom. Continue Reading »

A Mercersburg Moment?

From First Thoughts

The Mercersburg theology of John W. Nevin and Philip Schaff offers a sacramental understanding of Reformed theology centered on union with Christ. Their efforts to return to the Church catholic is finding new followers in ways that suggest there might be a Mercersburg moment in Reformed circles, a welcome development. Continue Reading »

The Demons of African Pentecostalism

From First Thoughts

At the end of December the New York Times and Foreign Policy published pieces on African Pentecostalism, deliverance, and the demonic. Co-authoring the Foreign Policy article, Jill Filipovic and Ty McCormick focused on the relationship between Pentecostalism, witchcraft, and traditional African . . . . Continue Reading »

A Charismatic Invasion of Anglicanism?

From First Thoughts

In December Peter Berger wrote a brief reflection on Archbishop Justin Welby’s inviting four members of the Catholic Charismatic community Chemin Neuf to live and pray at Lambeth Palace. His reflection was based on a story in The Tablet. For Berger, this development was a pleasant surprise and . . . . Continue Reading »