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But what happens when revelation becomes routine? What happens when some preachers talk about God as if they have his cellphone number? God lets them know who to vote for, what sermon to preach and when to start a new building program. That practice trivializes God, some scholars and preachers say. It also contradicts what history's greatest prophets and mystics say about hearing from God.

The article also gives space to Pentecostals who say some have merely deafened themselves to God. Those interested in further reading might be interested in Ruth Tucker's new book, God Talk, and her related blog at InterVarsity Press, Questioning Faith.com.

Quote of the day:
"For now, let's start with this: as fellow believers, we should not be afraid to engage the evangelical left's ideas in a spirit of love.  It would be a mistake, as we begin this dialogue, to view these men and women as "political enemies" rather than fellow members of the body of Christ. … Liberal evangelicals help us because they share our foundational commitment to Christ, yet they see political questions in a different light.  As we actively dialogue with them about our political positions, hopefully both sides will benefit.  Most importantly, let us pray that Christ will be glorified in the way we conduct our conversation."

—Ken Connor, who resigned as president of the Family Research Council in 2003 after a disagreement with board members over the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Beyond the top five:
Don't skip the links below. The weekend had many important stories that just didn't make our top five. For example, check out the latest on the Mt. Soledad cross dispute, The Washington Post on the Alliance Defense Fund, Peter Steinfels on post-secular higher education, Harvey Cox on progressive religion, another denomination's fight over homosexual clergy, and a court decision against the companies that "clean up" Hollywood films.

Ireland | Catholicism | Pope Benedict XVI in Spain | Church life | Women bishops in the Church of England | More Anglican disputes | Australia's Uniting Church | New York's ruling against gay marriage | Mass. gay marriage ban | More on homosexuality | More on sexual ethics and family | Life ethics | War and terrorism | Politics | Religious Left | Barack Obama | Philippines | India | China | Church and state | Lawsuits | Mt. Soledad cross | Education | Evolution | History | Books | 'Cleaning' movies illegal | Music | Entertainment and media | Missions & ministry | Billy Graham in Baltimore | People | Spirituality | Jamaica abuse case | Pa. abuse cases | More abuse | Crime | Other stories of interest

Ireland :

1. How Catholicism fell from grace in Ireland | Country doesn't even have enough priests (Chicago Tribune)
   
   
2. Recruitment drive as number of young priests dwindles | Church scandals must not put off young men from joining the priesthood, the Archbishop of Dublin said today (Ireland Online)
   
   

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Catholicism :

1. A calling answered | New priests now tend to be older, coming from earlier vocations (The Kentucky Post)
   
   
2. Suit to reopen E. Boston church is dismissed | Parishioners plan to appeal ruling (The Boston Globe)
   
   
3. Women on a mission to storm the gates of Rome | Females are swelling the ranks of Anglican clergy, but in the Catholic church, many won't wait for the Vatican to find its feminine side - they're taking the crozier into their own hands (Peter Stanford, The Observer, London)
   
   

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July (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50