The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Can we really appreciate what’s at stake if there’s no risk involved?
Chesterton vs. Hitchens
The need for worthy opponents.
God and the Detectives
Religious mysteries: a perplexing case.
A Mother Tries to Prove that Her Son Exists
Critics mull over The Forgotten, Shaun of the Dead, First Daughter, and the 10th anniversary of The Shawshank Redemption. Plus: More reviews of Sky Captain, Silver City, Mean Creek, and the new Star Wars DVD package.
Reading with the Saints
The art of biblical interpretation.
Evangelical Leaders Reiterate Call for Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine
Over 80 educators and ministry heads affirm efforts to negotiate lasting peace, and warn of consequences of failure.
Congregation Gets Protesters, Then Cops’ Bill
Plus: Methodist locale loses tax exemption over gay ceremony stand, bad grades for Oxford’s Christian schools, Dobson nixes Thompson again, and hundreds of other stories from online sources around the world.
Tablet Is ‘Proof’ for Jeremiah Passage
Plus: A Ghanaian pastor’s shocking magic trick, Time on Democrats’ religious outreach, what to watch next in the Holsinger debate, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Benedict XVI Tests Brazil’s Religious Climate
Also: Bishops clarify Mugabe statements, a priest-imam soccer game is cancelled, the spanking debate resumes, and more.
Film Critics Call for <em>Da Vinci</em> Boycott
Plus: Muslim immigrants “seize” European churches, Christian radio station in Kenya attacked, CPT leaves Iraq, McCain and Falwell, and other stories from around the world.