Cultured Media

For many modern Americans, the very idea of reciting an unchanging creed, composed centuries ago, is troublesome. But, Jaroslav Pelikan, who died on May 13, 2006, was a scholar who devoted his life to exploring the vitality of ancient theology and creeds. He insisted that even modern pluralists need strong statements of belief.

Here, we revisit Krista’s 2003 conversation with him, who, then, in his 80th year, had released a historic collection of Christian faith from biblical times to the present and from across the globe. They discuss the history and nature of creeds, and how a fixed creed can be reconciled with an honest, intellectual faith that changes and evolves.

Listen to interview with Jaroslav Pelikan on Speaking of Faith

The spiritual is celebrated in American culture and beyond. It is the source from which gospel, jazz, blues, and hip-hop evolved. It was born in the American South, created by slaves, bards whose names history never recorded. The organizing concept of this music is not the melody of Europe, but the rhythm of Africa. And the theology conveyed in these songs is a potent mix of African spirituality, Hebrew narrative, Christian doctrine, and an extreme experience of human suffering.

We celebrate the life of Joe Carter, who explored the meaning of the Negro spiritual in word and song through its hidden meanings, as well as its beauty, lament, and hope.

Speaking of Faith Interview with Joe Carter

I personally haven’t thought about “gay marriage” in over a year, and just like the recent news about partial birth abortion made me reflect on the topic, anew I have new experiences to bring to this discussion since I am now married.

This is a rather old article/podcast (from 2004?) from Speaking of Faith, (which was recommended to me by my friend, Kelli Trujillo) I enjoyed listening to these two interviews from Gay Marriage: Blessed or Broken? even thought I disagree with some of the contents.