Monthly Archives: September 2008

Episcopal leader on ouster of Pittsburgh bishop

Posted on September 22, 2008 by melissa nann burke

Episcopal Bishop Nathan Baxter of Central Pennsylvania was among those who voted last week for the removal of Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh from all ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. The bishops’ successful, 88-35 vote came as the Episcopal … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglicanism, Around Pennsylvania | Leave a comment

Americans believe in heaven, guardian angels

Posted on September 18, 2008 by melissa nann burke

A new study released Thursday about U.S. religious beliefs found two in three Americans (67 percent) are “absolutely sure” heaven exists, and another 17 percent said it “probably” does. A great majority (73 percent) also believe hell absolutely or probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia | Leave a comment

Word of the day: Theodicy

Posted on September 16, 2008 by melissa nann burke

I am reading “God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question” by religious studies professor Bart D. Ehrman. He explains how the Bible explains human suffering, why he finds the explanations unconvincing, and why he gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheists, agnostics, doubters, Books, Word of the day | Leave a comment

Another UCC church departs

Posted on September 15, 2008 by melissa nann burke

Paradise Holtzschwamm Church in Paradise Township has joined the Chicago-based Evangelical Covenant Church after severing ties with the United Church of Christ two years ago. “We didn’t feel we fit anymore,” the Rev. Thomas D. Bellis said. Pictured is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Denominational doings, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment

UCC president will speak in Gettysburg

Posted on September 11, 2008 by melissa nann burke

­A national leader of the Cleveland-based United Church of Christ will speak on “Piety and Politics on the Road to the White House” 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at Gettysburg College. The Rev. John H. Thomas, president and general minister of … Continue reading →

Posted in Local events, Mainline Protestants | Leave a comment

Word of the day: Catechism

Posted on September 10, 2008 by melissa nann burke

Religion News Service has a report about a Catholic in Franklin County who’s taking credit for prompting a recent revision by the U.S. bishops to the Catholic catechism for adults. What’s a catechism, exactly? Merriam-Webster says: “A manual for catechizing … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Catholicism, Word of the day | Leave a comment

Salvation Army leader in York Twp.

Posted on September 10, 2008 by melissa nann burke

The national commander of the Salvation Army in the United States will speak at an advisory board meeting of the York Salvation Army 6 p.m. tonight at Heritage Hills Conference Center in York Township. Commissioner Israel L. Gaither is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Local events | 2 Comments

Another creation/evolution film

Posted on September 9, 2008 by melissa nann burke

Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly are slated to star as Charles and Emma Darwin in upcoming biopic, rechristened “Creation,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. The real-life husband-and-wife duo are scheduled to begin shooting at the end the month in England. … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrities, Film, Science | Leave a comment

Campolo to speak at York Suburban

Posted on September 8, 2008 by melissa nann burke

Tony Campolo, a liberal evangelical author and commentator, plans to speak 10 a.m. Nov. 8 at a fundraiser for Bridge of Hope of York County, a new charity helping homeless women and children. Campolo, a sociologist, teaches at Eastern University … Continue reading →

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Word of the day: Apocrypha

Posted on September 7, 2008 by melissa nann burke

YDR food writer Nicki Lefever came across Apocrypha while reading the missionary novel “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver. The Apocrypha (uh-PAHK-ruh-fuh) are Jewish writings that are included in the Old Testaments of Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians but excluded … Continue reading →

Posted in Word of the day | 1 Comment