Opinion
Several Remembrances Needed on Holocaust Remembrance Day
The world again prepares to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27. There are at least three remembrances that are necessary to avoid a hazard of this solemn occasion.
Unsung Heroes: World, Meet Willie O’Ree
Everyone knows Jackie Robinson and how he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. But do you know who broke the color barrier in the National Hockey League?
Miracles or Maladies? A Review of “Midnight Mass”
“Midnight Mass” is a haunted limited series from Netflix. The show begs us to rethink the miracles of Jesus and how we understand disability, growing old and the complexities of life.
Praying for Unity with Catholics and the Whole Church
After a pandemic-related pause, Baptists and Catholics resumed ecumenical dialogue and engagement in 2021, with plans to continue their work in 2022.
Some Hope for Those Wearied by Headlines
It’s easy to get weary looking at the international headlines. Here are five under-reported things that are the result of the hard work of good faith people.
Increased Outdoor Activity Is Encouraging and Concerning
Record numbers of people have been venturing into the “great outdoors” during the pandemic. This positive, encouraging trend could have negative, long-term impacts.
Gone to the Dogs
College athletic expenditures raise many questions – both ethical and economic – about the value we place on sports and on education. What are some of the trends and issues that need to be explored?
Emerging Voices | Ministering to Christian and Non-Christian Athletes
There are many challenges facing college athletes these days, causing sports to seem more like a business than play. How can we minister appropriately and effectively to student-athletes?
Should MLK Day Have Been Celebrated This Year?
The annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday has taken place every year since 1983. But should it have been celebrated this year in light of efforts to dismantle what he championed?
Honoring Tradition and Departing from It
Resistance to change is a common response, particularly when it involves long-standing traditions. Yet, change is unavoidable, so how do we honor traditions of the past when we must depart from them?
Following in King’s Footsteps by Loving Our Enemies
Loving one’s enemies was a central teaching of Jesus and a core conviction at the heart of Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership in the civil rights movement. Will we commit to follow in King’s footsteps?
Emerging Voices | Pastoral Care in the Midst of Natural Disaster
How should pastoral care be carried out in the wake of natural disasters and other crises? Taking the proper approach can tune the beliefs of those for whom we care.
Look Back | Selma’s ‘Turnaround March’ Was Turning Point
One of Martin Luther King Jr.’s lesser-known actions took place in Selma, Alabama, on March 9, 1965. Here is what he did and why it was so significant.
The Ongoing Dream of Voting
Limiting the right to vote has a long, tragic history in the United States. Since the nation’s formation, some have sought to restrict ballot access while others have worked to expand it. The struggle continues today.
Do We Admire the Dream, or Are We Captured by It?
Once more the U.S. pauses to celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend. We must consider whether we are merely admirers of his dream or are captured by it.
Potential Sickle Cell Cure Necessitates Celebration and Reflection
New technology allows researchers to more easily modify DNA to address conditions that lead to conditions like Sickle Cell Disease. Such advancements are cause for both celebration and further reflection.
What About the Dream? Reflections in Preparation for MLK Day 2022
The U.S. faces serious questions about “The Dream” set forth by Martin Luther King Jr. What are the issues that must be addressed to ensure his dream comes to fruition?
Movie Review: ‘Encanto’
Disney’s newest movie “Encanto” tells the story of a magical family that lives in a secluded village deep in the forests of Colombia. Here is what the movie does well and where it needs improvement.
What’s in Your Bowels?
New archaeological research related to a seventh-century BCE toilet has revealed interesting results. What might it reveal about that era? And what lessons could it offer us today?
Helmet Policies, Sabbath Observance and 2022
What do biblical Sabbath observance views and a helmet policy debate in “The Mandalorian” TV show have in common? How might these discussions instruct us today as we seek to live faithfully in 2022?
Context Needed to Understand, Assess Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health
There are no absolute precepts in law, no bedrock foundation. The law is evolving, like a meandering river. This is why principles like ‘stare decisis’ are so critical in the U.S. judicial system.
North American Church Experiencing Crisis of Meaning
The church in North America is experiencing a crisis of meaning. What are the contributing factors? And how should faith leaders respond to constructively engage this new reality?
May the Least of What We’ve Done Be Blessed
An unattributed saying on a Cambridge, Massachusetts, headstone provided profound insight and offered a challenge. As we enter an uncertain new year, its message is important for us all.
Remembering Vital to Protect Democracy, Freedom
As the U.S. observed the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, a number of people and events were on my mind. Remembering our history accurately is vital to protect democracy and freedom.
How Immigrants Are Vulnerable to Human Trafficking
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking – not only undocumented persons but also people in the U.S. under the temporary farmworkers visa program. Here is what you need to know about immigration and trafficking.
Look Back | For New Year, Will You Choose Life or Decay?
Ethical considerations are all about choices – what, how and why we choose certain actions. As a new year begins, we would do well to consider the biblical exhortation to “choose life.”
The Fragile State of Democracy
On Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. democracy came closer to collapsing than any time since the Civil War. It is time for decent and thoughtful people to dream of, and work toward, a better, stronger nation.
What You Need to Know About Sex Trafficking
Why does sex trafficking exist? How can we reduce demand for sex trafficking? Find answers to these and other questions here.
A Lectionary Reflection for Epiphany
Epiphany recalls the journey of the magi to see Jesus. Let’s use this day to renew our commitment to seek justice for all, working to manifest God’s light amid the thick darkness facing our world.
Running Through the Night
Why did a North Carolina pastor complete a 100-kilometer run on a rainy night in late December? What does he hope will result from this experience?