Opinion
Faith as the Clouds
The Bible speaks of faith in a wide variety of ways. A chance observation of clouds one day offered me yet another way to understand and reflect on faith.
Combating Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism was a contributing factor in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Its ideology continues to have significant influence across the nation, and Christians of good faith must continue to oppose it.
What Christians Need to Know About the Rwandan Genocide
“Hotel Rwanda” provided my only knowledge about the Rwandan genocide until I audited a class that focused on this terrible event. Here is what I learned.
The Eleven O’Clock News
A recent trip to Pennsylvania included a trip to an art museum. Several pieces stood out, prompting reflection on the circumstances depicted in the paintings, as well as those faced by the artists and what we’re experiencing today.
Lenten Lectionary | The ‘Subito Piano’ Following Palm Sunday
The energetic sounds of Jesus’ entry await us on Palm Sunday. But let us not allow the celebration to overshadow the ‘subito ‘piano’ that follows during Holy Week.
Russia, Ukraine and the Holodomor
“Holodomor” is a term derived from the Ukrainian words for “hunger” and “death.” It is the term used to identify a time of genocide enacted by the Soviet Union against peasant farmers who resisted its collectivization and ‘russification’ efforts.
The Gift of Well-Placed Shame
No one likes to feel shame. We tend to defend ourselves and deflect from our actions rather than own up to, and repent of, the fact that we were wrong. Here is when, and why, shame can be constructive.
U.S. Genocide Determination, Rohingya Muslims and the Ongoing Crisis
The Rohingya are largely a Muslim minority living in the Rakhine state of Burma. They have faced genocide for years, but the U.S. has only recently acknowledged what is taking place.
How Death Can Take on New Meaning
We’re all going to die. The ongoing pandemic has made us very aware of this reality. However, our inevitable death can take on new meaning.
Why There Is No Room for Neutrality
Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month begins as conspiratorial, dehumanizing totalitarianism continues to rise around the world. People of faith must commit to the pursuit of peace, truth and justice.
Ramadan: A Vaccine for the Heart
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which follows the lunar cycles throughout the year. It is a time of fasting that provides an annual vaccination for the heart.
BioLogos Faith and Science 2022
A trip to San Diego for a faith and science conference last week was both insightful and encouraging. The BioLogos conference hosted speakers who offered unique insight on the interplay between faith and science.
Why the Pain of Church Conflict Doesn’t Go Away
The pain of church conflict does not go away. Even years after the events that caused a rip in the fabric of the ministry of a pastor and their people, the pain remains. Here is why.
Cursed, Cursed, Cursed! Or Not?
A new archaeological find on Mount Ebal was announced recently. If authenticated, it could bring real excitement to the study of ancient paleography and perhaps even Israel’s history.
Lenten Lectionary | When Something Gets Hold of Us
I remembered a testimony time from 1997 when reading John 12, one of this week’s lectionary passages. What do we really think about Judas’ question to Jesus? And what does that reveal about us?
When Life Is Unfair, Look for Signs of Goodness
An off-the-cuff statement from a man grieving the loss of his friend stood out amid the usual trappings of a memorial service. “Life isn’t fair,” he said. While he is right, life is also good.
Wisdom’s Place at the Table
Wisdom is a virtue that is widely, perhaps universally, valued. However, its focus on the common good, rather than the benefit of an individual or a particular group, often causes disruption to the status quo.
Walking With Jesus Comes With Suffering
Lent’s focus on denial and suffering can be depressing. But perhaps it will provide empathy for those who suffer throughout the year. It also reminds us that walking with Jesus comes with suffering.
Emerging Voices | Women in Ministry Vital to Domestic Violence Response
Faith leaders are often the first people a victim of abuse will contact. Clergy need to be well-informed about abuse and domestic violence so they can respond appropriately.
Perverting Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream
Christians still misunderstand Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream. That much was clear from the Senate Judiciary hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
The Long Shadow of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: What Does this Mean for Us Today?
Why is it inconceivable to some that a Black woman would become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, even more so than a Black man? Understanding the history of racism and sexism in America is critical in order to see the connection.
Look Back | Celebrate, But Don’t Rest On Our Laurels
Evangelicals often point with pride to abolition as an example of what Christianity can do when it has a cause to fight for. But accurate history has a way of being very awkward for those who see the past in terms of what we called as children goodies and baddies.
Commemorations Determine What We Remember and Why
In whatever ways we remember — in curriculum or through monuments — to commemorate is a human endeavor. So, let’s be thoughtful and intentional about what we remember and why.
Why Russia’s Biological Weapons Claims Are So Troubling
Russia has falsely claimed that the United States is supporting an illegal biological weapons lab in Ukraine. Here is why these assertions are so troubling.
The Power of Words
The baptism of thousands of Catholics has been declared invalid due to a one-word difference in the official proclamation being voiced by the priest. What does this reveal not only about Roman Catholicism but also other expressions of Christian faith?
Lenten Lectionary | Seeing the Good in Repentance
Confessing sins and shortcoming can be difficult. Despite the general acknowledgement that “We all make mistakes,” we’re often reticent to admit specific failings. We need to learn to see the good in repentance.
Why We Need to Remember
I grew up in a Southern Baptist pastor’s home within a denomination that has a long, tragic history of racism. There remains a vestige of systemic racism within Baptist life and much of evangelical Christianity in the U.S.
The Debt America Refuses to Pay: Part 2
After more than 250 years of exploitation, abuse and enslavement, the formerly enslaved population of the U.S. was given no land, no property and no money. This is one of many hypocrisies that exist under the so-called “rule of law.”
The Last Thing You Want to Do
“This American Life” is one of the best podcasts currently being broadcast. An episode sharing a conversation between Joshuah Bearman and his alcoholic mother offers profound insight into the human condition.
Grieving Ornate Churches With So Many Unhoused
A recent trip to St. Louis included a visit to the Cathedral Basilica. I immediately felt uncomfortable and out of place. Here is why.