Opinion
King’s Nonviolent Resistance Was Way of Life
Nonviolent resistance was not a method but a way of life for Martin Luther King Jr., but it was not without danger. Indeed, the ultimate outworking of the adoption of nonviolence is a preparedness to give one’s life for the cause.
Emerging Voices | The Church and the Death Penalty
Here’s a troubling fact: Where the most Christians are populated in the US is directly correlated to the most executions. It’s a statement that should shock us all. Do we really want to claim we know if someone is beyond redemption?
We Need Constellating Light to Follow King’s Path
Admiring Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream is not the same as being captured by it. Too many find it possible to respect the man but relinquish the mission. It has become too easy to revere the dreamer but renege on the dream.
A New Look at an Old Word
The words we consider to be scripture were written by many different human persons over nearly 1,000 years, being constantly adapted and edited along the way. The Bible does not have to be perfect to tell us what we need to know.
The Other Dream of Martin Luther King Jr.
We all know about Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream for racial equality, but he appeared to have another dream, inspired by his studies of the life of Mahatma Gandhi. This dream was for cooperation and understanding between religions.
God is in Control – Well, Not So Fast!
Some look at the terrorist attack on the US Capitol and say ‘God is in control.’ That abdicates the responsibility God has given us. Will we have the faith to move the mountains of racism, prejudice and white supremacy?
It’s Time to Name Our Sins
We must hold the people responsible for the attack on the US Capitol accountable. It’s also time for all of us to hold ourselves accountable by confessing our sins when we replaced a commitment to the common good with other loyalties.
There’s No Leapfrogging to Healing, Reconciliation
We can’t simply declare peace and harmony by ignoring that which has brought about conflict and injustice. Reconciliation requires honest confession, strategic planning and purposeful implementation.
King, Heschel: Fast Friends and Activists
Bound by a profound sense of mutual gratitude, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel had become fast friends, their lives intersecting in a brief period of time during the civil rights movement.
White America, This Is Who We Are
In the wake of the attack on the US Capitol, we need to stop saying ‘this is not who we are.’ This is who we are. We still support laws and policies that maintain white people at the top of the social and economic ladder.
We Warned You: This Was Trump Show’s Likely Ending
We warned you. This was how the Trump Show was likely to end – with something horrible, violent, terrifying. And then, on Jan. 6, domestic terrorists, spurred on by the president, stormed the Capitol. We warned you for years.
Another King Holiday: We’re Still Not Listening
It’s that time of year again when we pretend we believe him. We are remembering the dreamer, Martin Luther King Jr., though last year was clear evidence we had fallen asleep at the wheel. We haven’t come together – ever.
An Attack Done in Jesus’ Name
The assault on the US Capitol on Jan. 6 is a textbook example of Christian nationalism, which perverts Christianity and endangers our political union, claiming a special, privileged position for Christianity and its adherents.
Why Jan. 6 is Day of Reckoning for the Church
Jan. 6 should go down in history as a day of reckoning for the church in America. Evangelical leaders said Trump’s election was an act of God to put the US back on the right path spiritually. The mob action would say otherwise.
An Evangelical Response to Trump-Inspired Attack
Trump-supporting protesters stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6, endangering the lives of our governmental leadership. President Trump incited his followers and must be held accountable for this travesty.
In 2021, Expose Your Life to Wonder
While many of us have moved away from New Year resolutions, we should still set challenging goals for the short-time future and the longer-term future. We can build those goals from our values, interests, curiosity and wonder.
America, It’s Time to Make a Choice
We stand at a crossroads. Every American has a choice to make. It’s not between political parties or politicians, but between good and evil.
White Privilege on Display at U.S. Capitol
Trump supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol building and disrupted the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. Protected by white privilege, most walked away unharmed and few were arrested.
You Have a Story to Share
If you are a living, breathing person, you have a story. The importance for this lies in a deep soul need to share our story and connect with others by hearing their stories. Your story is more than facts; it is deeply personal.
Street Food Redivivus
The ancients enjoyed a variety of street foods. A beautiful illustration of that came to light when officials with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii announced the discovery of an open-air eatery in the former city of Pompeii.
After COVID-19 Exile, Time to ‘Rebuild the Temple’
Communities of faith yearn to ‘get back to normal’ after months of missing the experience of community so central to the nurturing of faith. Their task is reminiscent of the desire to restore Zion and rebuild the Temple.
‘Stewards of Eden’
Riveting from beginning to end, Sandra Richter’s book, ‘Stewards of Eden,’ is a treasure for the church and anyone interested in the long-term welfare of the earth. It should become a staple in Bible studies across America.
A ‘Flat’ Bible Flat Out Leads Away from Jesus
Many Americanized Christians hold Jesus hostage to their political whims with ‘biblical’ positions that have little to do with the Bible and less to do with Jesus’ calling upon his followers’ lives. They’re reading a ‘flat’ Bible.
When Adults Don’t Outgrow Childhood ‘Cooties’
Playground cooties are cruel devices of exclusion; almost every child grows out of them. But some children do not, and they carry that prejudice from playgrounds to borders and schools and gated communities and commercial businesses.
Your Church and Same-Gender Marriage – Part 2
A growing number of congregations across the U.S. have been engaging in conversations about conducting same-sex marriages since 2015’s Supreme Court decision. These 5 guidelines can help your church work through the process.
Health Care Workers Face Pandemic Trauma
Months of caring for the tsunami of sick patients suffering from a virus, which health care professionals were learning about with each new case, has been traumatic. We must not forget to care for them when this pandemic ends.
SBC Seminary Heads Widen Gap with People of Color
The six presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention’s seminaries released a statement condemning critical race theory, further bringing into focus the disconnect between white evangelical Christians and Christians of color.
Your Church and Same-Gender Marriage – Part 1
Following the high court’s decision to legalize same-gender marriages, Christian churches now must decide whether to conduct them in church buildings and by their clergy. Making this choice is a defining moment for a church.
Turning the Calendar: More than Symbolic
As we hesitantly enter 2021, we understand we still have a long way to go before the end of the pandemic and knowing racism is more than a blemish on our nation’s character. However, in our hesitancy, we can see hope.
I Resolve to – Stretch
A new year is coming. As we consider resolutions related to diet or fitness, let’s not forget there are other aspects of personal and community health. The stretch toward justice may just be the most important of them all.