Opinion
Old Perspectives Dressed in New Clothes Today
Two thousand years ago, the Pharisees sought to apply the Law to its current reality, while the Sadducees believed the Law must be seen within the context that it was written. Not much has changed, really. Just more modern clothes.
Trump’s Belief He’s Sole Source of Truth Borders on Deity
Donald Trump Jr. said his father ‘literally saved Christianity.’ And the president wants you to believe his superior wisdom to see the way forward, trusting in him as the sole source of truth. It’s approaching Deity.
All Hands on Deck; The Situation is Dire
When the pandemic closed the doors of church buildings all across the globe, God’s spirit moved in nontraditional ways. The church continues her good work, but we must not negate or ignore the work of God through other means.
Leaders Face New Congregational Paradigm Post-COVID-19
Because of the global pandemic, congregational leaders face a paradigm shift like never before. It will require leaders to think outside the box and to be more participatory. And we will need everyone to double down, not opting out.
Emerging Voices | Stopping Church Sexual Assault
Baptist churches have a sexual assault problem. If they want help, they could draw from the United Church of Christ model, which allows churches to maintain local freedom, build covenant with others and address the problem.
6 Reasons Why You Should Vote
Our nation is in the throes of one of the most contentious presidential elections in modern history, leaving many exhausted and daunted. Before joining the ‘What’s the point’ club, consider these six reasons why you should vote.
Two Clues to the Story of Our Times
When historians look back at this time, they’ll focus on the widespread, white evangelical capitulation to a political ideology totally at odds with everything these Americanized Christians have claimed to value. Here are 2 clues.
Racism Cannot Be Tolerated in Church. Period.
How can churches who specifically name values like diversity, inclusion or tolerance still end up racially homogenous? Perhaps we must do more. In this case, align ourselves with clearly defined antiracist positions and boundaries.
How Your Vote Will Include More of ‘We the People’
Over the course of US history, our Constitution has been amended to include more people who were denied the right to vote originally. That’s why your vote matters. Voting ensures fair and full representation for all.
No Religious Test in Judge’s Confirmation Hearing
Confirmation hearings are set to begin today on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court. All senators should remember this: Do not ask questions that appear to impose a religious test.
Religion and Politics: Would Jesus Be Partisan?
The only way to speak truth to power for much of human history has been in person – face to face with the powerful ones. In today’s democracy, we can vote to express truth to power. If Jesus lived in a democracy, he would vote.
The Hug I Needed
We all need someone who gives us strength. We all need time to escape this world’s noise in order to rock a child to sleep or play on the floor. We need to find someone when we are weak, so they can be strong for us. Thanks, KK!
Voting for Relevance with Imagination
Many Americans will not vote during this election season because there is nothing relevant there for them. Nothing stirs their imaginations enough to warrant casting their vote. Maybe anger and fatigue constrain them from voting.
What Makes Educated Folks Vote Against Science?
I didn’t grow up with a dichotomy between faith and science. Yet the highly educated people I knew voted for anti-science candidate Trump and are ready to do so again. How could they? Turns out it was the wrong question.
Christmas Can’t Come Too Soon?
Even as store Christmas displays pop up, we need to gird ourselves for a different kind of Christmas. But maybe a different kind of Christmas will let us reflect on a night when it didn’t feel like our version of Christmas at all.
Washington Set Tone for Presidential Transitions
George Washington set the tone for peaceful presidential transitions when he chose not to seek office after his second term. Today, our divided nation teeters on a knife’s edge as uncertainty looms over this election’s transition.
Humility: Cultural Virtue for Christian Journey of Antiracism – Part 3
Humility is an opportunity for letting go and listening deeply. Practiced at the level of culture, it is an invitation to learn about how our cultural superiority and white supremacy have devastated cultures and destroyed lives.
Reconsidering Affirmations of Faith
Affirming what one believes has a long history in religious traditions. A story about Waylon Jennings, however, reminds us that the simplest expression of faith often exceeds static, repeat-after-me faith affirmations.
Dancing with Covenant that ‘Brung’ You
We have broken our national covenant many times, lured away by other ‘seductive dance partners.’ As we make decisions about our nation in the next few weeks, let’s remember to dance with the covenant that ‘brung’ us.
Humility: Cultural Virtue for Christian Journey of Antiracism – Part 2
Humility, in respect to racism, means undoing the high view of whiteness, even if the lingering effects of white supremacy are unintentional. And it is unintentional since none of us would call ourselves white supremacists.
When Your Story Feels Anti-Climatic
No story worth telling ends in the middle. While no one seems happy in 2020, we’re still in the middle of the story. But it feels like an anticlimax. Ahead, beyond the screen, awaits fulfillment, good times, renewal and inspiration.
Humility: Cultural Virtue for Christian Journey of Antiracism – Part 1
I was the pompous Christian college student who memorized Scripture with friends, even if I didn’t truly live them. It was misplaced rigor, misguided piety and an out-of-focus faith. What could turn around my selfish ambition?
Christianity Not Political? Think Again
Those who claim that ‘Christianity is not political’ fail to understand what Christianity is. The trick is how to recover this understanding of a ‘Christian politic’ without falling prey to a partisanship either right or left.
Plan to Get Punched in the Mouth
Humans have always had fists, and those who work toward justice, fairness and equity can expect to be punched in the mouth. For those of us who practice nonviolence, that’s the moment our commitment ceases to be academic.
To Dismantle White Supremacy, Examine Christian Nationalism
Once again, this time at the first presidential debate, the president equivocated on white supremacy and the violence inspired by it. Christians can’t hem and haw like Trump; they must stand against violent white nationalism.
When Nonviolent Protest Worked
More than a million peaceful protesters in East Germany helped bring in freedom in 1989. What they did then, we can do today. Any church or group of believers can protest for justice and change peacefully. God will provide the power.
Taking Steps to De-escalate Abortion ‘Wars’
Abortion is extremely contentious. For more than 45 years now, there has been considerable ‘warfare’ between pro-choice and pro-life people. Is there any way to de-escalate such negative polarization? Some folks are trying just that.
Trump-Biden Debate a Presidential Debacle
The first debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential election quickly devolved into a debacle. Good people must start acting with compassion and kindness if we want to set a better course for the nation.
Can These Seeds Grow?
Nearly 2,000-year-old date palm seeds were discovered and later cross-pollinated to grow and bear fruit. Imagine if people who hold strong differences were able to come together and compromise. How much fruit would they produce?
For Judaism, Why Nonviolence Doesn’t Work All the Time
While Jewish tradition does not counsel violence in most circumstances, it also does not counsel nonviolence in all circumstances. However, it is fair to say that Jewish tradition rejects violence borne of anger.