A religion piece from The Oregonian shares how a new Christian movie is diffusing the division between evangelical and non-Christian "Lord Save Us, slated for national release in June, is a disarming and uplifting call for a truce in the culture wars. In his remarks to the students, as in his film and the companion book, Merchant points out that many believers have lost track of the simple but crucial biblical imperative to spread love and compassion. (Forgive any bias I may have toward Merchant's film and book; he and I have become friends in the course of his interviewing me for them.)

The early February screening seems to have started something. About 130 students -- most of them not religious in any traditional sense -- filled out comment cards with mostly positive sentiments, many expressing a desire to get involved in that compassion thing themselves. What quickly emerged were plans for a college contingent to participate in Night Strike, a Christian service program that provides food, clothes and friendship to homeless people under the Burnside Bridge every Friday night."

Along with this, Luis Palau is having success in rallying Portland churches to work with the mayor to serve their city this Summer. Sounds like a major missional success!

"Ask a random sample of Portlanders about Christians, the younger Palau says, and it's doubtful that many will offer, 'Oh, they're the ones out serving the community with no strings attached.' He is right, and it's a truth that hurts for a good number of Christians these days. 'What we're saying now,' Palau adds, 'is wouldn't it be amazing to partner with the city and corporate leaders to make the community better?'"

Read the entire article

What's your opinion on the culture wars? Is there a common ground that conservative and liberal thinkers can share and work from? Will Palau's "Summer of Service" help improve relationships between Christians and the Portland culture?