Opinion
How Should Christians Work to Overcome Oppression?
Is it ethical for people of color within the U.S. who claim to be disciples of Christ to engage in violence against oppressors? Before you answer, consider that violence against the oppressed has been institutionalized.
Why Competent Thinking Is Essential
Why are some people apparently not thinking about much of anything? That thought was on my mind one recent morning, leading me to spend some time thinking about thinking.
Wisdom Wherever You Find it: Moral Utility
History is a human construct that chooses among a myriad of events to create a narrative from the past to inform the present. So, we must consider what historian Jon Meacham called ‘the moral utility of history.’
‘Searching for God and Finding the Treasure’ Invites Readers on Journey of Self Analysis, Discovery
The Black Lives Matter movement caused me to look at the privileges that being white has afforded me. Reading the book ‘Searching for God and Finding the Treasure’ forced me to look at the privileges that being male has brought me.
Sunset on the Mountain: Count Your Blessings
Good Faith Media is hosting a writer’s retreat this week at Amicalola Falls State Park in the mountains of northern Georgia. Fall has assuredly descended upon the mountain, as we were greeted with 40-degree temperatures and a kaleidoscope of autumn colors.
The Shamefulness of Maternity Care Deserts in the U.S.
Nearly seven million women of childbearing age have low or no access to basic obstetric services in their county of residence, according to the March of Dimes “Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” biannual report.
By the Way | Weeping in Church During Roll Call
I wept in church recently. Didn’t see it coming, but during the refrain of “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder” there it was. Here is how I found myself in tears in a church pew.
U.S. Teens Have Mostly Positive Views of Jesus
In a recent Barna Group survey, teenagers around the world were asked about how they would describe Jesus. Their responses show that many teenagers have a fairly positive view about Jesus.
On “Saving” the Bible and the Babies
There are striking parallels in how power politics get played to seize organizational reigns and to advance an agenda of wider dominance disguised as “pro-life.” Both are centered on unquestioned control.
Where Prayer, Politics and Voting Intersect
A candidate for political office in the U.S. recently suggested that our vote is a sort of prayer. It expresses what we value for our common life and what our vision and hope is for its future.
Following Jesus Can Get You Kicked Out of Church
Following Jesus can result in you getting kicked out of a church. It’s an experience that both Clarence Jordan and I have in common. Ironically, American discipleship doesn’t come with that warning or many examples.
What Singing Vegetables Taught Me About Social Justice
My earliest lessons in what it means to be a Christian leftist were from Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber – two of Evangelical Christianity’s most important prophets for Christian children of the 90s.
How a Weary Traveler Found Liminal Space in the Eyes of Others
Not everyone can travel to specific locations or attend conferences and retreats in search for liminal spaces. However, we can all find these “thin places” when we focus on our relationships with others.
New Strategy, Same Concept: “Save the Man, Kill the Indian”
A family filed a suit that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming the Indian Child Welfare Act is unconstitutional. Will the Supreme Court acknowledge tribal sovereignty and keep ICWA as law?
Why, and How, You Should Practice the Ritual of Land Acknowledgment
I have been practicing the ritual of land acknowledgement for many years, like many other Indigenous people. Here is why, and how individuals and houses of faith can do so also.
Philadelphia Mayor Apologizes for Holmesburg Prison Experimentation
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney formally apologized for atrocities which were committed at the infamous Holmesburg Prison over 50 years ago. The prison had a long, horrific history of allowing medical experimentation on inmates.
Plain and Simple?
The Old Order Amish are famously “plain,” but their lives are anything but simple. A dozen participants in a recent Good Faith Experience with multiple Amish families learned just how complicated the “plain” life can be.
What’s in a Name?
If the first step toward liberation is self-naming, the fact that we are unable to name ourselves reveals how far we are from this goal. Part of the problem is that many within our community fiercely argue for one term over and against another.
Responding to Colonialism
The movement to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day challenges Christians to confront their faith tradition’s complex history and, at times, complicity with empire. So, how should American Christians think about and respond to advocacy movements for Indigenous peoples?
Perhaps the Winning Is in the Welcome
“Soul winner” was a common phrase in the religious lexicon of my upbringing. Sharing the good news of Jesus is important for Christians, but how it is carried out makes all the difference in the world.
Why Truth Must Come Before Lamentation and Reconciliation
Truth comes before reconciliation. These words have become ingrained in my mind after hosting and attending our Canadian Baptist families’ second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation online event.
Who First Discovered America?
Who first discovered America? Your answer depends on the history you were taught. Restoring the broken fragments of Indigenous history first begins by acknowledging a fuller and complete history.
On Military Service and Student Loan Forgiveness
An announcement about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program’s limited waiver ending in October reminded me of why I have student loans. I decided not to follow my family’s tradition of joining the military.
Look Back | Columbus Day, No Reason to Celebrate
Christopher Columbus was hired by my ancestors to expand the emerging empire of Spain. I find it somewhat surprising that we “celebrate” what is believed to be the start of one of the largest acts of genocide ever recorded in human history.
Remember This: The Story of Jan Karski
Of the Broadway shows I saw in New York City on a recent vacation, one left me moved beyond explanation. David Strathairn’s performance of Jan Karski in “Remember This: The Lessons of Jan Karski” was mesmerizing.
Road Trips, Car Trouble and Finding Hope in Small Towns
Car trouble on a recent trip resulted in a weekend spent in a small Virginia town. What I witnessed at the Friday evening community-wide gathering at the country store challenged my preconceptions and gave me hope.
Challenging Racism in the Criminal Punishment System by Connecting the Dots Between ‘Moore v. Dempsey’ (1923) and 2022 – Part 2
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1923 that the due process rights were violated at trial for six of the Elaine 12. Here is the connection between that decision and the U.S. criminal legal and punishment system today.
Challenging Racism in the Criminal Punishment System by Connecting the Dots Between ‘Moore v. Dempsey’ (1923) and 2022 – Part 1
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1923 that the due process rights were violated at trial for six of the Elaine 12. Here is the connection between that decision and the U.S. criminal legal and punishment system today.
Awakened by Ashes
In the early days of COVID-19, some communities required cremation as a safety public health step. As I’ve prepared a presentation on grief after the pandemic, I’ve been thinking about ashes.
The Capability Approach: New Perspectives for Old Problems
The imperative to care for others in James 2 is familiar to most Christians, but we should explore these verses through a new lens. The Capability Approach, developed by Amartya Sen, offers a different perspective on meeting needs.