Click the cover to read our Cover Story.
A HOPE-FILLED GUIDE TO ‘REFORMING AMERICAN POLITICS’
LET’S HANG UP THE BOXING GLOVES! In one front-page confrontation after another these days, “Christians” play a role as an angry and sometimes downright hateful force. Now, scholar and online researcher Harold Heie is urging Christians to stop allowing themselves to be co-opted by political activists as cannon fodder in the current culture wars. On the contrary, Heie argues after a year of research, Christian men and women can take part in cooperative and constructive conversations with people whose viewpoints are dramatically different. The keys to unlocking healthy conversation, Heie finds, lie in the often-overlooked core values of Christianity.
This week, our cover story is divided into two fascinating perspectives on Harold’s work:
- First, here is an overview of his research, a preview of his new book—and Harold Heie himself adds his own insights in an interview with Editor David Crumm. Please, share this story with friends via email, social media—or simply print a paper copy and show it to members of your class or small group.
- Then, second, we report on the potential of developing a book drawn from online writing—blogs, columns or eCircle conversations like the ones Heie conducted. Heie developed the material for his new book through online conversations. We welcome you to learn from his example. Are you an online writer with a growing audience? Interested in developing a book? Consider the helpful tips offered in this Front Edge Publishing column.
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MSU Bias Busters:
Helping Chaldean Americans Tell Their Story
NEAR MICHIGAN? Stop by on Tuesday evening May 22 for the launch of a new book by the team at the Michigan State University School of Journalism. This timely volume in the Bias Busters series uses 100 Q&A exchanges to tell the story of Chaldean Americans—Iraqi Christians—who have fled to the U.S. to escape persecution in their ancient homeland. Right now, however, hundreds of Chaldeans are in federal custody, caught up in harsh new rules limiting refugees. Here is the Bias Busters’ own announcement of the launch event, expected to be attended by many Chaldean-American leaders. And here is our earlier ReadTheSpirit Cover Story about the importance of this new book. Want to help spread the word about this endangered minority? Get a copy of the book, learn more and then talk to friends. Right now, the greatest threat to these Chaldean refugees is lack of national awareness about their plight.
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Click this photo of Derek Black to read Suzy’s column.
A CHANGE OF HEART IS POSSIBLE
THE STORY OF DEREK BLACK is the heart of Suzy Farbman’s inspiring column this week. You may have heard about this young man, who was considered the royal heir to the white supremacy movement in the U.S. Instead of following in his family’s footsteps, however, Derek turned 180 degrees and now actively promotes diversity and speaks out against racism.
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‘WHY-OMING?’
RODNEY CURTIS writes about a cross-country odyssey to drop his daughter off at her new home. If you’re a parent, you’ll especially enjoy Rodney’s story.
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Click the cover to learn more about the book.
‘THE BLACK KNIGHT’ TALKS WITH SOLDIERS NATIONWIDE
CLIFF WORTHY ON RADIO—This week, retired Col. Clifford Worthy, author of the memoir The Black Knight, appeared on the military news and talk radio show Frontlines of Freedom, which is produced by veterans to raise awareness about issues faced by military families. The show is carried on more than 180 radio stations. You can listen to the interview on the Frontlines website here. The audio clip begins with some military music, then the host introduces Cliff—and Cliff then shares some of his stories and insights as they talk.
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RAMADAN MUBARAK!
OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS are fasting during Ramadan. First, Stephanie Fenton has the story in her Holidays & Festivals column. It’s also timely to remind you about our 2019 commitment to help combat bigotry by reaching out to our Muslim neighbors in a friendly way. You can say: “Ramadan Mubarak!”
Want to do even more? Buy a copy of the new book Our Muslim Neighbors and become a positive model of change in your community. That new book just got a glowing review in the Midwest Review of Books, which said: “An exceptionally well written and absorbingly personal story of an immigrant life in America today, Our Muslim Neighbors is an extraordinary, timely and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library collections.”
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Faith & Film
Click to learn more about the May issue of Visual Parables.
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
- BREAKTHROUGH—Ed writes, “This is that rare, and pleasing, faith based film that does not try to convert its audience. Veteran TV director Roxann Dawson has teamed with writer Grant Nieporte to bring Joyce Smith’s book to life. It is the true story of 14-year-old John Smith’s miraculous survival from a drowning.” (5 out of 5 stars)
TOLKIEN—Ed writes, “Although not as satisfying as I had hoped, the film is still a must-see for those who love Frodo and his faithful companion Samwise Gamgee and all of the rest of their faithful companions.” (4 out of 5 stars)- LES MISERABLES—Throughout his career as a film critic, Ed has reviewed eight other film versions of the classic novel. He now gives 5 stars to the newest mini-series version.
- PENGUINS—The latest Disneynature documentary provides an intriguing look for the whole family at the Adélie penguins who manage to thrive in the inhospitable Antarctica. (4 stars)
- SHAZAM—Ed writes, “There’s a lot of silliness to the pagan mythology-based plot, but also a lot of fun as young Billy Batson becomes a super hero and learns to become more caring for others.” (4 stars)
- BEST OF ENEMIES—This new film has its flaws, Ed writes, giving it 4 out of 5 stars. However, it’s still a powerful drama, he concludes, based on the Osha Gray Davidson’s book, The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South.
- AVENGERS: ENDGAME—Headline news reports already are heralding a record box office for this three-hour Marvel epic. Ed reviews the movie and gives it 4 stars.
- GLORIA BELL—Ed describes this new film starring Julianne Moore to feeling like a female-focused version of the classic Zorba the Greek. (4 stars)
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