The Banner

Commentaries on Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, and Hebrews
05/24/2022

Department: Author: Dave Beach“He is God by nature, and he became man while remaining God.” — Cyril of AlexandriaFor the first time in English, the collected comments of Cyril of Alexandria (A.D. c.378-444) on four key New Testament epistles appear together in one volume, the latest in IVP’s Ancien

Only Ever Always
05/24/2022

Department: Author: Paul DelgerLove & The Outcome, the husband-wife duo of Jodi King and Chris Rademaker, inspires listeners to find hope in the midst of difficulty with its third studio album, “Only Ever Always.” The duo knows too well the pain of hardship as the release date of the album coincid

Catechism Kaleidoscope
05/23/2022

Department: Author: Ruth VerkaikHe fascinated me.I almost fell out of my leafy perch to get a better look.The gold edge of his white robe brushed the ground as he slowly lit each candle. There was a seriousness to his movements that arrested my attention. As each flame roared to life, I saw his dar

Orthocardia: Having a Right Heart
05/23/2022

Department: Author: Shiao ChongYou might have heard of the theological terms orthodoxy (right beliefs) and orthopraxy (right behaviors). But what about orthocardia—having the right heart? I first came across the term in a newsletter from American journalist David French. Of course, all three are in

Do Christians Have an Obligation to Make the Internet Better?
05/23/2022

Department: Author: Dean R. HeetderksDo Christians have an obligation to make the internet better?I think so, but for me and some of you, it is going to take work. As Reformed Christians we know that everything is being redeemed by God—even the giant, sometimes dark and sinister hole we call the in

A Day for Rememberin': Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day
05/20/2022

Department: Author: Sonya VanderVeen FeddemaThis fictionalized account of the first Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) relates the story of 10-year-old Eli, whose community recently has been liberated from slavery at the end of the Civil War in 1865. During the war, Union soldiers wh

Pachinko
05/20/2022

Department: Author: Daniel JungDuring my childhood in the 1980s I remember sitting down with my parents to watch Alex Haley’s Roots. They told me, “We must watch it. It is America’s history.” I always found it peculiar that they didn’t say, “This is our history.” All my life, my parents have ingrai

Friends Are Friends, Forever
05/20/2022

Department: Author: Sonya VanderVeen FeddemaYoung Dandan and Yueyue have been inseparable friends and neighbors as far back as they can remember. One day, just before the Lunar New Year’s Eve, Dandan’s parents tell her that her family is moving from China to the United States. When Dandan tells the

Christian Think Tank Responds to Canadian Military Report Recommendations to ‘Redefine Chaplaincy’
05/20/2022

Department: Author: Alissa VernonAfter Canada’s National Defence minister received a report from an advisory panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination on April 25, Cardus, a Christian nonpartisan policy review and research group, issued a brief with concerns about the panel’s recommendations to “

Historic California Congregation Disaffiliates From the CRC
05/20/2022

Department: Author: Alissa VernonAt its May 10 meeting Classis Central California “acquiesced” to the decision of First Christian Reformed Church of Ripon, Calif., to disaffiliate from the denomination. That’s the final step in a process directed by the Church Order (Article 38-f) when a local cong

In Memoriam: Rev. James Alvin Molenbeek (1949-2022)
05/20/2022

Department: Author: Janet A. GreidanusCompassionate and caring, Jim Molenbeek had a soft-spoken presence that calmed the people around him. He dedicated his whole adult life to ministry and continued to minister to his family and caregivers up to his final hours. Jim, age 73, died April 20 after be

A Food Pantry Reflection
05/20/2022

Department: Author: As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The

Faith on the Ground: Religion News Service Speaks With Voice Buffalo Director
05/18/2022

Department: Author: Religion News ServiceThe Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This interivew by Adelle M. Banks is presented as it was published on religionnews.com May 17, 2022.Soon after a white 18-year-old shooter targeted Black customers of a community

The Consequences of Human Conflict
05/18/2022

Department: Author: Laurisa O'BrianThe hostilities in Ukraine have delivered daily reminders that conflict creates risk to human lives even beyond violence. Conflict also affects people’s ability to access food. In 2018, the United Nations recognized conflict as a key driver of severe food crises,

Popular Church Worship Songs, Short Shelf-life: Study
05/17/2022

Department: Author: Religion News ServiceThe Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Bob Smietana was published on religionnews.com May 2, 2022. The most popular worship song in churches these days is “Build My Life,” from Bethel Music, the megachur

3 Shows to Watch on Peacock (and Canadian Channels)
05/17/2022

Department: Author: Lorilee CrakerRutherford FallsRutherford Falls first caught my eye on the Rotten Tomatoes website as a Top 5 “Certified Fresh TV” option. It’s a critical success that hasn’t quite caught on with the masses yet, probably due to its network—Peacock—still building and gaining subsc

Doctors and Friends
05/17/2022

Department: Author: Sonya VanderVeen FeddemaReading Doctors and Friends felt surreal for this reviewer after having lived the past two years through the COVID-19 pandemic along with the global community and experiencing some of its myriad consequences. Why surreal? An introductory note to the book

Centering: The Asian American Christian Podcast (Season 6)
05/17/2022

Department: Author: Daniel JungIn December 2021, Daniel Lee, academic dean of Fuller Theological Seminary’s Center for Asian American Ministry, and Alex Jun, professor of higher education at Asuza Pacific University, wrapped up the sixth season of Centering: The Asian American Christian Podcast—a p

The Banner Recognized With Press Association Awards
05/16/2022

Department: Author: Alissa VernonSpring is award season for the Evangelical Press Association and the Associated Church Press, two professional organizations supporting Christian journalism in North America. Each year both organizations recognize members for achievements in design and editorial wor

Samaritan’s Carriage Ministry Back on the Road
05/16/2022

Department: Author: Anita Ensing BeemNine assisted living homes in West Michigan have enjoyed the ministry of Samaritan’s Carriage, an accessible transportation and excursion service founded by Gary and Eileen Ruiter, for almost 20 years. The trips halted during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed at