Miracles: Are Science and Faith Irreconciliably Separated?

by Q Ideas

Eighty-four percent of Americans say they believe in so-called “miracles,” defined as “an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. “ But many scientists reject the possibility of such things because, by their very definition, they require a violation of the known laws of nature. Is the wall of separation between scientists and the religious on this issue too high to climb?

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6

The Mark of a Schaefferite

The Lasting Legacy of Francis Schaeffer

by Barry Hankins

Christian scholars cherish his thinking, culture warriors laud his political engagement, and Newsweek called him "The Guru of Fundamentalism." The late Francis Schaeffer is often quoted and much revered among Christians, but some contest his nature of his contribution. Who was this man and why has he left such an impression on us? Schaeffer scholar Barry Hankins explores his life and legacy.

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2

Which American Cities are Education Reform-Friendly?

by Q Ideas

We all want better educations for our communities and children. But are some cities more “reform-friendly” than others? A new study by The Thomas B. Fordham Institute in conjunction with the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research says so. Who made it to the top of the list, and what does this mean for restorers and educational entrepreneurs?

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15

The Creativity Crisis

by Jonathan Merritt

For the first time, research shows that American creativity is declining. Experts note that creativity has risen in America until 1990 when it began falling, and some blame technology and our educational system. Should we be worried, and how does the Christian faith inform the way we respond?

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28

The Muslim-Christian Debate: What We're Missing

by Gabe Lyons

Recent events have once again pitted the Muslim and Christian communities against each other. Should we grant freedom to those who hold to Judeo-Christian beliefs and force all others out or should we be looking for common ground with our Muslim neighbors? Q founder Gabe Lyons thinks we're missing something.

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80

A Christian Response to the Ground Zero Mosque

by Sarah Cunningham

According to a recent CNN poll, two-thirds of Americans oppose the proposed 13-story Muslim cultural complex two blocks from the site of the fallen World Trade Center (WTC). But how should followers of Jesus respond? A former 9/11 relief worker and author responds.

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19

Brian McLaren: "Conversations on Being a Heretic"

by Gabe Lyons

Ever since Brian McLaren released his bestselling book, A Generous Orthodoxy, he has become a lightning rod of controversy. While some Christians have warmed up to and even defended McLaren’s theological evolution as paving the way for the future of the Church, the voices shouting "heresy" are undeniably loud. We decided to give Brian a chance to speak for himself and respond to the naysayers.

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10

Should Christians Be in the "Business" of Selling Scripture?

by Glenn Paauw

Today, Bibles have become big business. Publishers operating in market-driven models, targeting spiritual consumers, and specializing in niche product development have transformed the distribution of our sacred scriptures. But should we be buying and selling the things of God? A publisher for a leading Bible press explores.

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14

Church: Marketing a Non-Commercial Message?

by Brett McCraken

The church today has a weakness for numbers. But what happens to our faith when we turn it into a "product" to sell? What does it mean to package Christianity in a methodical manner so as to make it salient to as wide an audience as possible? What does Christianity lose when it becomes just one piece of a consumer transaction? According to Brett McCracken, these are questions that the brand managers of “cool Christianity” would do well to consider.

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40

Anne Rice Quits Christianity, Identifies with Growing Sentiment

by Q Ideas

The vampire novelist declared last week that she "quit being a Christian" because she can't support what being Christian has come to represent. Is Rice alone in her feelings? Or is she expressing an increasingly common sentiment—even among the faithful—that Christianity as we now see it expressed has strayed from its historic roots?

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7

Is True Friendship Dying Away?

by Q Ideas

Aristotle once observed that close friends “share salt together.” More than seasoning their food at a common table, the Greek philosopher believed that true friends share life with each other. Are we experiencing the kind of friendship Aristotle describes today? A USA Today article and recent research indicates that true friendship may be dying away.

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11

A Comprehensive Approach to the Orphan Crisis

by Johnny Carr

Many Christians are capturing a vision for orphan care and adoption. But according to a leading adoption advocate, we don't always get it right. The answer is not building more orphanages or relying only on inter-country adoption. We need a comprehensive strategy for getting the 163 million orphans and vulnerable children into loving homes.

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What role should the Bible have in society?

by Q Ideas

How should we interpret the Bible as God's word for our culture today?

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5

Infotaining Ourselves To Death

by Brett McCraken

Is technology, and pop culture, and the leveling of information and entertainment creating a world of trivial hyperreality wherein the “important” and “superfluous” are increasingly difficult to tell apart? If so, is it something we need to be worried about?

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4

Can Art Transcend Words?

by Q Ideas

Georgia O'Keefe once famously remarked, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.” Does art have the ability to transcend words? The Haiti Poster Project informs us about this important cultural medium.

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7

Putting a Face on The Bomb

by Tyler Wigg-Stevenson

Problems like nuclear weapons are impersonal, defiantly faceless. Even the imagery is pervasively inhuman: from the sleek, sterile profiles of bombs to the roaring mushroom cloud caused by their detonation. But does the nuclear issue need a “face?” If so, a new documentary about the impending danger might be a providential act of timeliness.

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7

In Praise of Dissent

by Jonathan Merritt

Humans unfortunately have a tendency to accept the status quo and go along with prevailing opinion. But could it be that society needs dissent? What if thoughtful disagreement was actually a springboard to new ideas, fresh thinking, and better solutions?

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5

Incarnational Ministry

by Q Ideas

What made Jesus so amazing was not just that he was an eloquent, adroit speaker who had mastered the law. It was his willingness to take those skills into the darkest, most broken places and put them to work among the helpless, hungry, and hurting.Q spotlights an organization that is following the same pattern.

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14

The Birth of Two Kingdoms: A Fourth of July Reflection

by Greg Boyd

America's sixth President, John Quincy Adams, believed that Independence Day was the most venerated holiday next to the birthday of Jesus. Why? According to Adams, the birth of America was the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission in the world. Author Greg Boyd reflects on this notion and challenges the widespread belief that political ideals are a formula for the Kingdom of God.

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2

Do You Want Better Journalism?

You might be the key to more trustworthy news media.

by Q Ideas

Got a problem with the state of news media today? Do you think it is too biased? Dan Gillmor says maybe it’s our own fault. The Arizona State University professor and author of We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People believes that a standard of trustworthy journalism can be achieved, but only if consumers get involved.

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26

Born to Sin

What can science teach us about bad behavior?

by Jonathan Merritt

In 1984, Van Halen released their sixth album with eye-catching cover art featuring an angelic baby . . . casually smoking a cigarette. It raised a profound, theological question about the nature of human beings: Does even a seemingly innocent child possess an innate predisposition for bad behavior (aka "sin”)? It's a question that theologians and anthropologists struggled with long before the 1980's, and one that was recently revisited in the June 2010 issue of BBC Knowledge.

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3

Are We Facing a Faster Future?

by Q Ideas

More than a decade ago, journalist James Gleick delivered a lecture at Duke University's Sanford Institute of Public Policy mocking Western society’s obsession with saving time. Things have changed since Gleick delivered his address, but few would argue that most our life-pace has continued to rise. But is this future set in stone? Some now question whether this is the best social framework.

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1

Old School Becomes Art

A lesson on restoration

by Q Ideas

What are piles of outdated technology like cassette tapes, 8mm film and VHS good for these days? According to Atlanta artist Erika Iris Simmons, they make stunning portraits of iconic figures. Simmons’ art gives the world more than a new aesthetic. Her work illustrates that there is beauty buried within even seemingly worthless artifacts.

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1

The War, the Wall, and the Well

Three symbols of America's enduring struggles

by Chris Heuertz

Martin Luther King, Jr. named three sins of our nation that were intrinsically complicit in fueling a pre-civil rights America: militarism, racism and materialism. Chris Heuertz argues that in post-civil rights America, we are wading through the murky waters of the same sins MLK named, and they are being realized in three symbols: the war, the wall and the well.

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4

The New Face of American Evangelicalism

by Q Ideas

One would be hard pressed to find a sociologist or Western historian who would deny that Christians in America—specifically, so-called “evangelicals”—have not been a force with which to be reckoned in the last 30 years. It seems, however, that as the faces of that movement are changing, their agendas might be as well. Dan Harris, senior correspondent for ABC World News, recently sat down with some rising Christian leaders at this year’s Q Conference in Chicago to talk about where the Christian movement is headed.

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2

Millennials in the Workplace

by Q Ideas

When Tom from the film (500) Days of Summer was asked why he had never achieved his dream of becoming an architect, his response dripped with sarcasm: “I guess I just figured, why make something disposable like a building when you can make something that lasts forever, like a greeting card.” Tom's words are more than a smart line in a great movie. They're emblematic of the way a new generation of employees are approaching the workplace.

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6

Rebranding Atheism

An MFA Project Turns Into a Thoughtful Rebranding of Historic Non-Belief

by Jonathan Merritt

Looks like Christians aren’t the only ones with an image problem. Atheists are now struggling with the way people perceive their movement. Find out what happens when an MFA student tries to rebrand atheism.

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1

Green Like God

by Jonathan Merritt

“God is green. The idea seems bizarre, almost trivial. Yet, I'm as sure of that statement as I am that two plus two is four and the mixing of red and yellow makes orange.”

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3

Art: On Behalf of the Church to the World

by David Taylor

An Interview with author David Taylor about the practice of art in the church and how the church can support artists and art communities.

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8

Is Christian America Dead?

by Q Ideas

In a dusty studio in 1964, Bob Dylan laid down his third album—a collection of stark story songs addressing issues ranging from racism to poverty. The title track zeroed in on the changes going on in society and it became one of Dylan’s calling cards: The Times They Are a-Changin’.

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"Rescued": A Redemptive Documentary

by Q Ideas

The 7.0 earthquake in Haiti devastated millions of lives. Compassion-fatigued American's have become over saturated. The natural questions ensue. Can Haiti change? Is there hope for Haiti's most vulnerable children? Through the power of a documentary platform, the lives of two Haitian orphans are elevated and their stories told.

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2

Revisting Christ and Culture with D.A. Carson

by Jonathan Dodson

A review of D.A. Carson's recent reexamination of Richard Niebuhr's seminal work.

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Choose Shoes

by Q Ideas

The focus of this season's TOMS campaign is "Choose Shoes." Giving gifts can always be done thoughtfully.

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7

N.T. Wright On Managing Technology

by Gabe Lyons

Recently at our Austin Q gathering, I asked the participants to consider limiting their real-time tweets or live-blogging during sessions. Our hope was for each person to break away from the usual noise and take advantage of an opportunity to be fully present, engaged and reflective.

N.T. Wright’s recent thoughts underscore the unintended consequences social media can produce.

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0

An Interview with Jon Foreman

Trap Door Sun Talks with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

by Q Ideas

Many of us have been enjoying the "seasons" EPs by Jon Foreman, but it's back to band-time. Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane debuted November 10th, 2009 and the group are touring again. Our friends at Trap Door Sun (Jason Locy & Tim Willard) caught up with Jon to discuss song writing and being marooned on an island. You can check it out here.

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5

Best in the World or for the World?

by Craig Johnson

I'm always amazed by people who are the best at what they do. These are people that dedicate their life to an instrument, a sport, an invention, acting, politics, etc. I'm talking about true and raw talent. Unbridled excellence. They have reached the Gladwell "10,000-hour" mark and have mastered their craft.

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5

Concerning the Church: Death to Innovation

by JR Kerr

What if the life of the church is not actually going to come from better or newer thinking on what it means to be the people of God? What if the life of the church begins to re-root itself in a deep commitment to the essentials of the Gospel in a way that is honest and relentless?

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4

Concerning the Church: Church Branding Overwhelms the Cross

by JR Kerr

Recently, I was traveling into a city I am in quite often. After making my way through a crowded airport to get onto my final connecting flight, I quickly realized the only seats available were window seats. Now as a rule, I am not a "window person". The thought of being locked into a 12-inch space for a number of hours is not the least bit appealing to me. But in this case I was glad to take my seat, in hopes that the flight would be quick and there would be no need to get up.

As I was gazing out of the window upon our entry into the city, I began looking at the landscape and was literally struck sideways by what I saw next.

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10

Concerning the Church: Newton’s First Law of Motion

by JR Kerr

I was sitting in church and it hit me.

Is this really it? Are we being the church God had in mind? Is this what God had in mind when he stood with his disciples in the final moments of his life on earth and told them to go into all parts of the world and declare his authority over all creation? Is this what he envisioned when declaring that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church of Jesus Christ?

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4

Starbucks! Apple! Church!

by Jason Locy and Tim Willard

The church has figured out what the folks at Starbucks, Diesel, Apple and countless other companies have known for a long time. Marketing works! By using the same techniques as other successful companies, the church can draw thousands into its doors each Sunday by doing one basic thing: marketing.

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7

When Art Offends

by Jonathan Merritt

On a recent visit to New York City, I stumbled upon a outdoor art market in Soho. Intrigued by the organic “New Yorkiness”, I stopped to encounter gritty “starving artists” with musty suitcases full of original artwork. I couldn’t help but purchase a couple of pieces and as I was leaving, I noticed one lonely artist with violent depictions of animal slaughterhouses with renderings of Jesus superimposed over them. “That is not art,” I thought, averting my eyes. “That guy shouldn’t be allowed to show that.”

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1

The Union of Life, Work and Marriage

by Jose and Nikolle Reyes

People often ask, “What’s it like working with your spouse?” My usual response is that working with my husband is easy; it’s living with my business partner that’s hard.

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11

On Ambient Knowledge and the Efficacy of Socializing Online

by Nick Purdy

In general, I'm on the late end of the early adopter spectrum. So I'm aware of new-ish trends particularly in technology and media, but usually watch curiously for some level of critical mass before investing time or money to participate.

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Brass Knuckles, Grace and the Global Church

Going to the Ends of the Earth to Learn from the Body of Christ

by Gideon Tsang

The following is based on a true story. The names have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals.

The taste of blood was fresh in his mouth. His tongue probed his teeth like a dental hygienist checking for cavities.

Are all my teeth intact?

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Conversion and Contextualization

Re-examining our Expectations of Gospel Change

by Jonathan Dodson

According to Andrew Walls, the word "conversion" has been used in two main ways throughout Christian history .^[^1] The first meaning of conversion denotes "an external act of religious change." This act reflects a movement towards Christian faith, individually or collectively. The other meaning of conversion refers to "critical internal religious change" within the Christian community. This meaning of conversion gets at what we might call “gospel change.”

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1

The Dude Abides

The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers

by Cathleen Falsani

Our friend Cathleen Falsani, religion writer for the Chicago Sun Times is also a staunch fan of the Coen Brothers. So much that this has become the topic of her new book, The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers, now available on Amazon. Cathleen tells us a little more about this unique book project in a Q & A.

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7

The Quiet Fight

by Shari Thomas

1

Work of the People

by Gideon Tsang

There are many things I loathe. Preaching with my fly exposed. Conversations with spinach in my teeth. Reality TV. The "meet and greet" during church services.

"Thanks for attending our church and please take a moment to greet your neighbor!"

There are several reasons why those words make me want to respond like a vampire ostrich. An overwhelming desire to dig a hole and stick my head into the ground consumes me. Unfortunately, I never have the foresight to bring with me a jackhammer to pre-dig my hole.

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PASTE Magazine: Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture

by Q Ideas

For those of you who joined us at Q Austin, you may still be leafing through your May issue of PASTE Magazine, featured in your gift bag. The monthly publication is packed with thoughtful commentary and reporting about what is good, true and beautiful in popular music, film, books and culture.

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