Opinion
Movie Review: “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.”
‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” puts a fictitious Atlanta megachurch front and center. This ‘mockumentary’ reveals the tragic results when following the money takes precedent over following Jesus.
A Christian Case for Legalized Abortion Part 1: Bearings from the Bible
The U.S. Supreme Court said the Constitution does not guarantee the right to abortion in its ‘Dobbs’ ruling, even though most adults say abortion should be legal with some restrictions. What does the Bible say about abortion?
Look Back | Ceremonial Faith Is Not Enough
The U.S. is beset with “ceremonial Christianity.” It is promoted by those who decry the separation of church and state and who have created a false, alternative history of the nation.
The Life Beyond
After updating my will last week, I began pondering life after death. Avoiding the “pie-in-the-sky-bye-and-bye” kind of thinking, most of us believe in some kind of existence beyond this one. My Indigenous ancestors offer a helpful framework for such reflection.
Our Fellow Believers – Friends, Not Foes
The Roman Catholicism in which I was raised inserted me into the mystery of Christ; it also taught me (with some allowances) that basically only Catholics would go to heaven. The latter view has changed significantly over the years.
Sermon Preparation of the First Order
When the new ‘Nurturing Faith Commentary’ became available on Aug. 1, the first order came from Nathan Byrd III, pastor of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia. Here is why Byrd was so eager to purchase the book.
The Problem of Political Anger
After 30 years of sparring over politics with a conservative friend of mine, I’ve found that political temper tantrums from both of us are never constructive. We need to be committed citizens with strong convictions, but not extremists.
Navigating Loss and Processing Grief
A close friend has died, and the world seems a bit darker in his absence. Frederick Austerlitz the Fearless. Fred for short. Our Golden Retriever. Our Golden boy was laid to rest. Here is how our family is navigating our loss.
Why We Must Take Care of Our Blessings
There are multiple reports that parts of world are in deep water, with flooding in some places and prolonged drought in others. Water is indispensable, so we should be paying attention and working to care for creation.
The Stubborn Witness of a Spider
I bumped into one of my sisters this morning. To be more precise, I actually crashed right into her while walking in the woods. Pausing to collect myself, here is what this encounter is teaching me.
How We Can Address Social Determinants of Health
What are the social determinants of health in the U.S.? What are some barriers to health and wellbeing for senior adults? A recent study provided some insights and suggested answers.
Seven Reflections on Work for Labor Day
Work is good and essential in both a civilized society and a spiritual community. Yet, some have misunderstood the story of Genesis 3 to imply that work is a part of God’s curse on humanity.
The Interplay of Christian Nationalism and Replacement Theory
The interplay between systems of Christian belief and conspiracy theories was the focal point of a webinar hosted by Religions for Peace, USA, which featured Carmen Celestini, a post-doctoral fellow with the School of Religion at Queen’s University.
Look Back | Shine Faith’s Light on Work This Labor Day
Despite the importance of work, the theme is rarely addressed at church. Yet, the Scriptures are full of references to work. Can you name a few?
When Does ‘It’ Stop?
When does it stop? That was the question posed to one of my sons who had posted on Facebook about the Biden administration’s tuition forgiveness program. It is one question among many revealing a problematic trend.
“Woke” and Proud
A teacher who had been using Nurturing Faith Journal and Bible Studies was apologetic, but still regretted to inform me that his senior adult class would no longer be using the curriculum I write. Here is why.
A Great Reversal Too Damaging to Ignore
The language, priorities and public witness of Americanized Christianity have changed significantly in recent years. Most astonishing is the baffling reversal from the long-espoused values of so many who confess the Christian faith.
Protecting Children in Conflict Zones
Children are too often casualties of war. Recent headlines out of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, reporting the deaths of nearly 40 children, is the latest example of this tragic and deplorable trend.
Before Summer Officially Ends, Add This Book to Your Reading List
Summer is nearly over, but there’s still time to add one more title to your reading list. That book is ‘Under the Skin’ by award-winning journalist Linda Villarosa.
How Conflict Can Be a Positive Agent of Change
Conflict is a natural part of being in a community. It cannot be avoided or controlled by anyone, but it can also be an agent of change. Here are four principles that can help leaders positively navigate conflict.
Wisdom Wherever You Find it: Saving the World
I am delighted to discover something I learned from the Bible or Midrash has an analogue in the Qur’an or Hadith. That wasn’t always true. It’s amazing how possessive you can feel of something you claim as universal truth.
Theological Education, Debt and Jubilee
With my childhood faith beginning to crumble, I enrolled in seminary and took out several student loans. As I sat and “pondered anew what the almighty could do,” those loans also sat and waited.
A Drive-by Reflection of Heritage and New Vision
An unexpected detour onto rural backroads took me past several churches, some of which seemed to have a history based on their names. Often church splits result from a separation between heritage and vision.
Look Back | As New School Year Begins, Let’s Praise Teachers
Teachers show up each day and do their best to teach and take care of their students. Their work is as simple and as complex as that. Let’s support, and praise, our teachers.
Why Christian Nationalists Want to Ban Books
Books are being challenged by parents and removed from public school libraries across the U.S. This is another manifestation of Christian nationalism, in which adherents desire to force everyone to think, act and believe just like them.
Re-Enchantment: A Return to Comic-Con
We live in a world of disenchantment, according to author Andrew Root. He suggests that Comic-Con is a place for re-enchantment. Here was my experience attending the 2022 gathering of Comic-Con International.
Are We in a New Civil Rights Movement?
Are we in a new civil rights movement? A recent webinar hosted by Equal Justice USA and featuring historian and author Jemar Tisby, explored this question and others related to race, criminal justice, the legal system and Christian nationalism.
Reflecting on Inflection Points
The mathematical concept of an inflection point has been adopted, and adapted, into popular parlance to refer to a change in the direction of a process. What insight does the concept offer in the covenant faith journey?
Is Disagreeing Agreeably on Facebook Possible?
Nearly two years after creating a private Facebook group to promote constructive dialogue, the experiment hasn’t gone as planned. Here is what I’ve seen as the group’s moderator, as well as three lessons learned.
Have You Raised Your Ebenezer and Taken Time to Be Holy?
Christian hymns often move us deeply, inspire us to live more fully and faithfully, and sustain us through life’s challenging times. But do we take time to consider what we’re singing?