by Jim Hopkins | Sep 9, 2021 | Opinion
It is important that the biblical story of Jonah be more than the beginning of a “did that really happen?” debate. In fact, Jonah’s placement among the prophetic books of the Bible should tell us that, like the other prophetic works, the story of Jonah will cause us...
by Jim Hopkins | Feb 15, 2021 | Opinion
Some white Christians speak a great deal about accountability, but then apply it very selectively. The response, or lack thereof, to the charges by the United States House of Representatives of “incitement of insurrection” against former President Trump on the part of...
by Jim Hopkins | Jan 20, 2021 | Opinion
Many tributes to Martin Luther King Jr. fail to recognize that he was a Baptist pastor, a minister formed by and committed to the traditions of the African American church. The connection between King’s powerful expression of the truth and the truth-telling tradition...
by Jim Hopkins | Dec 29, 2020 | Opinion
The year 2020 is ending in a few days. Few will mourn its passing. It will be remembered as one of the most difficult years, if not the most difficult year, of our lives. Global pandemic. Racial injustice. Political turmoil. Economic uncertainty. The list is long....
by Jim Hopkins | Nov 6, 2020 | Opinion
The headline in the East Bay Times read, “Relax, Oakland … Gerald the turkey has been captured.” It was big news. Gerald, a wild turkey, had taken up residence in Oakland’s Morcom Rose Garden. His aggressive, bullying behavior toward garden visitors had forced the...
