Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
KELLNER: Couple acted to save Jews when government dithered
At the end of March, a census taken by Israel's Interior Ministry reported that the Jewish population in the nation stood at 6 million, out of a total population of 8 million. The vast majority of the remainder are Arabs, with another 350,000 non-Arab Christians, press reports indicated. Published April 4, 2013
KELLNER: Bucking trend, controversial pastor resurrects Dallas church
The Rev. Robert Jeffress knows how to make headlines, as witnessed by a recent kerfuffle over whether or not NFL quarterback Tim Tebow would speak to the congregation at the reverend's First Baptist Church in Dallas. (Mr. Tebow didn't). Last year, the question was whether, Mr. Jeffress, having classified the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as not being Christian, would endorse Mormon candidate Mitt Romney for president. Mr. Jeffress did. Published March 29, 2013
KELLNER: With Pope Francis, a chance for the first real e-papacy
With the election of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, there seems to have been no shortage of people — Catholic and non-Catholic — offering the new Pope Francis advice. Much, if not most, of that advice has been theological, suggesting a wide range of changes in Church doctrine and rules. Published March 21, 2013
Many U.S. Catholics want Pope Francis to hold the line, inspire
Parishioners and visitors at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception expressed hope Thursday that Pope Francis will call the church establishment back to its core mission and values -- and perhaps bring wayward elements of the flock back into line. Published March 15, 2013
KELLNER: A younger Schuller seeks ‘possibilities’ for women
Nearly 2,000 years after Jesus commissioned Mary Magdalene to announce his resurrection to his disciples, many segments of Christendom still have difficulty knowing what role to give female members and workers. Published March 14, 2013
KELLNER: Finding midlife enlightenment by way of Bhutan
Lisa Napoli hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., but has lived off and on in Los Angeles for quite some time. It was there when, at the age of 43, she had a midlife crisis. Published March 7, 2013
‘Survivor’ star Mark Burnett takes on ‘The Bible’ with his wife
In a sea of televised swill, reality show honcho Mark Burnett ("Survivor") is about to part the waters. With a little help from his own personal "angel," his wife, "Touched by an Angel" star Roma Downey. Published February 28, 2013
KELLNER: What if we could use DNA to clone Jesus?
It's a fanciful premise, given that no credible reports exist of actual human cloning ("Walking Dead" extras don't count). But a hard-boiled New York tabloid newspaper reporter, who describes herself as both an "agnostic" and a "lapsed Catholic," believes that if human cloning could be done today, there's genetic material from which another Jesus could — conceivably — be created. Published February 28, 2013
D.C. cardinal: New pope must be master of social media
While not revealing his choice for the 267th occupant of the Chair of Saint Peter, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, said that whoever is chosen as the next pope must be conversant in social media as well as the gospel to lead today's global Catholic Church. Published February 22, 2013
KELLNER: Conservative Judaism seeks reformed identity
At one point in its history, the century-old United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism was perhaps the largest and most prominent Jewish organization in the United States, claiming as many as 1.5 million members. Today, its approximately 850 congregations have dwindled to 630 in all of North America, and a recent spate of articles in Jewish-oriented media noted the United Synagogue dipped into $5.7 million of reserve funds to finance expansion projects, a move some deemed unwise. Published February 22, 2013
KELLNER: Warren driven by a new purpose — religious freedom
The contentious cause of religious liberty has a new, high-profile advocate: Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and author of "The Purpose-Driven Life," the 10-year-old publishing phenomenon that has to date sold upwards of 62 million — yes, million — copies. Published February 14, 2013
KELLNER: An intimate look at the man behind Jews for Jesus
Moishe Rosen led a career of preaching the message of Jesus that made an impact on his generation and far beyond. His Jews for Jesus organization says it "exists to make the messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide." Published February 7, 2013
KELLNER: Author urges prayers for ‘johns,’ porn addicts
If prayer can indeed move mountains, Anna Broadway, a 34-year-old writer in San Francisco, is focusing hers on a pretty gigantic one: asking God’s help on behalf of men who patronize prostitutes and those trapped in pornography’s grip. Published January 31, 2013
KELLNER: ‘End of World’ book should inspire, not frighten
The New Testament’s last book, Revelation (no “s” on the end, please) has inspired all sorts of sermons, tracts, even entire religious movements aimed at provoking fear and repentance, when, one author says, believers should take comfort from its words instead. Published January 24, 2013
KELLNER: With ‘Graph Search,’ Facebook will commoditize you
Facebook's announcement Tuesday that it will offer a way to search its "Graph" of information — a galaxy of data points gathered from, well, you and me — has, I believe, significance beyond the surface. Published January 16, 2013
KELLNER: The new Apple iMac is great — just try finding one
Despite continuing predictions of gloom and doom, Apple Inc. continues to roll out amazing new products. A good example is the iMac computer, starting at $1,299, and available — well, sort of — in 21.5-inch and 27-inch display models. Published January 9, 2013
KELLNER: Compact HP printer is impressively useful
Once upon a time, or so it seemed, a printer was utterly vital to the operation of a home computer. You could hardly have a PC without an "output device." Published January 2, 2013
KELLNER: More-or-less fearless tech predictions for 2013
Three weeks ago, your columnist noted some of the "good" that came along in the tech world in 2012. With very little to lose — you don't think I'm wagering actual cash money here, do you? — here are some more-or-less fearless predictions for 2013: Published December 26, 2012
KELLNER: Last-minute gift ideas for that beloved techie
Tick tock, baby, Christmas is hurtling toward us faster than the "fiscal cliff" deadline, and not even the (nonexistent) threat of the Mayan apocalypse can stop Dec. 24 from melting into the 25th. Published December 19, 2012
KELLNER: Last-minute gifting, part one
Only four days remain for Hanukkah, which ends on the evening of Dec. 16. After that, it's only nine days until Christmas (except for many Orthodox Christians, who will celebrate on Jan. 7). Kwanzaa begins Dec. 26. Published December 12, 2012