Rachel Held Evans

Pastor Knows Best

I’ve had the good fortune of enjoying healthy, positive relationship with my pastors over the years, relationships that have left me with enormous respect for church leaders and the challenges they face daily. Having befriended a lot of pastors’ kids, I know that pastors and their fami Read more...

Bush and the "decline of Christian America"

The recent Newsweek cover story, “The Decline and Fall of Christian America,” has generated a lot of interest (and some controversy) over the Easter holidays. If you haven’t had a chance to read the story, check it out. It’s well worth it. I’ve always really enjoyed re Read more...

Finish the Sentence Friday: Confession

So Bob Jones University issued an official apology this week for its racist policies. Believe it or not, Bob Jones refused to admit black students until 1971 and banned interracial dating until 2000. A statement on their Web site said that these rules were shaped “by culture instead of the Bib Read more...

Fundamentalism, Evangelicalism, and the Palin/Bryan Factor

A few weeks ago, just when I’d decided I’d had enough of lipstick, pigs, and the feigned outrage of the suddenly feminist Republican Party, I picked up the local newspaper to read: “Dayton invites Sarah Palin to Speak.” “Ahhhh! She’s everywhere!” I scre Read more...

Your Spiritual Journey: Send Me a Postcard!

So recently I’ve been bumping into a lot of old friends on what was once a lonely and frightening path away from religious certainty. While most of us share a common starting point, we are often headed in different directions. I’ve talked with some who have given up on faith altogeth Read more...

A little mindfulness never hurt anyone

Once again Oprah Winfrey has generated a lot of interest (and some controversy) regarding spirituality as she recently launched a worldwide discussion about Eckhart Tolle’s book "A New Earth." Folks who know me know I’m a big Oprah fan. I watch the show nearly every day while running on Read more...

Can I go to mass if I'm not Catholic?

While driving around LaGrange, Georgia in desperate search of the local Wal Mart,  I found myself in the parking lot of St. Peter’s Catholic Church during its Saturday night mass. The place was packed, and from the outside I could hear the muffled harmonies of a choir.  It’s ha Read more...