The Search for Significance
Of all the creatures of God’s creation, only humans seek to find meaning in their lives. This search for significance drives men and women to create paintings on the walls of caves, to craft pottery and baskets, to compose music that rivals the sounds of angels,...Where Is Love?
Of all the rousing and evocative songs in the musical “Oliver!” Lionel Bart’s lyrics to one song have haunted me for decades: Where is love? Does it fall from skies above? Is it underneath the willow tree That I’ve been dreaming of? Where is...Morality and Mystery
Sometimes I despair that we Christians will ever resolve our differences over what the Bible says about homosexuality. I had such a moment watching the latest episode of “Darkwood Brew” featuring Sue Fulton and Justin Lee, when a member of the audience...Found Wanting
Every time I encounter a challenge in following Jesus, I think of a woman named Florence Byerley. Florence and her husband Lester were spiritual mentors to my husband John and me. Flo in particular was “Miss Ecumenicity,” as one of our pastors named her...An Evangelical's 'Game-Changing' Decision
By Cynthia B. Astle Sometimes when it seems darkness is closing in, God’s Holy Spirit breaks forth in a beauteous light, as a historic hymn says. So it was for this “god scribe” this week when prominent British evangelical Rev. Steve Chalke announced...Loving Aliens
By Cynthia Astle Doug and Richard were the first openly gay couple I ever met. My husband John had worked with Richard, and remained friends after Richard came out as gay, got divorced, and eventually made a lasting relationship with Doug. Richard was always a bit...A Method Out of Scriptural Madness?
By Cynthia B. Astle, OSL I feel that I must begin my part in this series with a confession: When it comes to yet another conversation on the Church’s relationship with LGBTQ people, I’m about as jaded as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. On this issue, for me...Partners and Promotions
