The Best Christian Writing 2004

This collection of the finest contemporary Christian writing is "a prime example of diverse beliefs among Christians." — Los Angeles Times This year's volume brings together an elegant and engaging array of essays by Christian luminaries tackling relevant issues. These writers distill the riches of belief into lucid explorations of faith and truth, reflecting the many dimensions of today's Christianity. Includes contributions from a diverse group of distinguished writers: David Batstone J. Bottum Andy Crouch Scott Derrickson Jennifer Holberg Philip Jenkins Douglas Jones Jeremy Lott Frederica Mathewes-Green Wilfred M. McClay Kathleen Norris Julie Polter The Preacher James Calvin Schaap Lewis B. Smedes John D. Spalding Tim Stafford James R. Van Tholen Lauren F. Winner Albert Louis Zambone Wendy Murray Zoba

Introduction ix Preface xvii Saving the Corporate Soul 1 Dakota Christmas 8 We're Rich 27 A Conversation with Wim Wenders 30 SWF Seeking King 55 A New Religious America 61 Just Wood 70 Jesus Sells 81 Both Door and Path: On Repentance 93 The Continuing Irony of American History 99 The Prodigal Reader 117 The Cold Reaches of Heaven 122 Be Thou My Vision 128 Dancing with Ghosts: A White Man at Wounded Knee 131 God and a Grateful Old Man 146 The Shocking Truth About John Wesley 151 How to Build Homes Without Putting Up Walls 157 Vegetarians in Babylon: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 171 Speaking in Tongues 179 Technology As If the Incarnation Actually Happened 185 A Sense of Place: The Many Horizons of Martin E. Marty 194 Biographical Notes 211 Credits 215