Opinion
A day to remember
Some days you never forget: sometimes for good reasons, sometimes not so good. This is about one of the happy ones, and fortunately, it keeps turning up. In 2015, my wife Susan and I volunteered to spend three weeks digging with the Fourth Expedition to Lachish,...
Though cruelty is still in, some evangelicals now sensing it’s not the best way to be Christian
By John D. Pierce Cruelty is all the rage for those who march to the rhetorical and twittered drumbeat of their beloved president. They revel in his constant demeaning of people groups — other than white men. The Supreme Court let him down and he feels picked on once...
Coronavirus Doesn’t Stop Churches from Helping Refugees
The COVID-19 outbreak is a crisis in a crisis in Lebanon, happening in the middle of an economic and financial crisis, which already caused many to lose their jobs and income. Yet churches are doing their part to help refugees.
Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom from Slavery, Respects Cultures
On June 19, 1866, Texas freed-persons celebrated the anniversary of the announcement of their freedom – the first Juneteenth holiday. Today, Americans of all ethnicities celebrate the holiday, fostering respect for all cultures.
Faith Voices in UN Spaces | Executive Order that Advances International Religious Freedom
President Trump signed an executive order that will provide both a carrot and a stick to encourage countries to better embrace the freedom of all people to worship who, when and where they want or to choose no religion at all.
Lessons Learned Growing Up in Palestinian Refugee Camp
Growing up in a Palestinian refugee camp, I could identify the sound of incoming versus outgoing missiles. I wished those missiles would hit our enemies. However, my mother taught me we’re all brothers and sisters in humanity.
The Role Your Church Can Play in Ongoing ‘War’ with COVID-19
The public has made sacrifices during times of crises throughout US history. Yet in today’s pandemic, others believe individual freedom trumps efforts to enact collective public safety. What role can Christian churches play?
The Prophetic Echoes of Juneteenth
Imagine learning for two-and-a-half years US law said you were free but a white culture unwilling to relinquish control over you held you captive. Freedom can only truly be freedom when justice and equality for all can be achieved.
Why Black Anger Grows Daily Over White Moderates, Evangelicals
I am outraged about the willful blindness of white moderates, progressives and evangelicals concerning systemic violence perpetrated against black people in the US under the guise of law enforcement. I cannot be calm and patient.
Making Black Lives Matter in Theological, Seminary Training
If the books from my seminary training days were people in my living room, I would be joined by dozens of white men and two nonwhites. It would be an overwhelmingly homogeneous group. Do black lives matter in theological education?
Putting Human Faces to Immigrants’ Stories on US-Mexico Border
A pre-pandemic visit to immigrant shelters on the US-Mexico border puts flesh and blood on the agony and hope embodied in immigrants seeking US asylum. They’re more than numbers; they’re real people. Here are some of their stories.
High priests?
We've heard of "high church" worship, the kind of liturgy that includes robes and processions and formal hymns with no one directing the music, maybe even the occasional scent of incense. In a surprise finding, archaeologists have learned that some ancient Hebrews had...
“What Were You Thinking?” Realities and Responses to Systemic Racism in America
Some white people learned about unarmed nonviolent African Americans killed by police, but still don’t get ‘Black Lives Matter.’ How can such insensitivity exist to the oppression faced by African Americans? What were they thinking?
Myanmar Army Seeks to Purge Muslim Minority from its Nation
The Rohingya, a Muslim minority in the Rakhine State in Myanmar, are an unrecognized minority in their own nation. Their lives are at risk as the military seeks to purge the nation of their unwanted presence.
Charlottesville Clergy Lament Diseases of COVID-19, Racism
A clergy group in Charlottesville, Virginia, livestreamed a worship service to mourn the deaths of those lost to COVID-19 and racism. Here is an excerpt of that service.
Just need to say . . .
My role as contributing editor and curriculum writer for Nurturing Faith gives me opportunities to blog on a variety of subjects, from devotional thoughts to curiosities to archaeology. Lately I've focused more on archaeology. Rarely do I venture into politics and...
5 Suggestions to Move Forward in Ending Racial Discrimination
With many forced from their homes, refugees flee to our country looking for a better life for their families. Instead, they encounter hatred and anger. Here are five suggestions to help end racial discrimination for our country.
Babs: Feisty, funny, forever shaping the future
By John D. Pierce In our progressive Baptist world it is enough to just to say “Babs.” We all know who you’re talking about — the feisty, funny Texan whose life made an impact beyond degree. Yet the surname “Baugh” stood — and stands — for something very significant....
Political Loyalty of Prominent Baptist ‘Trumpers’ is Puzzling
Jerry Falwell. Robert Jeffress. Franklin Graham. Mike Huckabee. These are a few of the prominent Baptists who support President Trump no matter what he does. The political loyalty of these and other Baptists is puzzling at best.
It’s Time for White People to Listen to African Americans
As part of the majority race, understanding what it feels like to be treated unjustly because of your skin color is difficult. You can, however, do a better job of listening to African Americans to understand better their plight.
Trump’s Staged Photo-op: Coded Message to Christian Nationalists
President Trump’s staged demonstration of piety has sparked public outrage. The president, however, was not troubled. He meant to send a message to Christian nationalists, a vocal minority of Christians who seek political power.
What Will Happen the Day You Die?
Imagine being told the day you will die. What would you discover? You will see what remains undone in your life. But leaving something incomplete makes it necessary for someone else – another life – to pick up where you left off.
The Day Democracy Teetered on Tyranny’s Brink
As peaceful protesters demanded justice for the killing of George Floyd, President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on June 1 dangerously approached authoritarian rule over democratic governance. May our democracy regain its balance.
Younger Generation Tired of Racism; The World Must Adjust
The death of George Floyd, who died as a police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck, sparked protests in 50 states. The younger generation isn’t ‘waiting on the world to change.’ We have already changed; the world must adjust.
Let’s Tear Down Idols to Those Who Caused Pain to Innocents
The time is long overdue for us to stop celebrating idols in memory of those who caused the pain and death of so many innocent people. Why do we insist upon glorifying those who clearly lived in contradiction to the life of Jesus?
God’s Spirit Moves Against Abusive Law Enforcement Conduct
As peaceful protests about abusive law enforcement behavior against black and brown persons continue throughout the US, the Spirit of God is moving against fascism, militarism and abusive and homicidal law enforcement conduct.
‘Miracle on 31st Street’
If you want to experience joy and feel as though you have been wrapped in a warm blanket of love, read Susan Sparks’ new book, ‘Miracle on 31st Street.’ This small book of 26 devotionals will lift your spirits.
Read, think and learn
By John D. Pierce The July/August issue of Nurturing Faith Journal is chocked full of good stuff — specifically written for this publication. Dan Day’s superb article on Christian nationalism gives historical context and timely insight into the susceptibility of...
You Say ‘I Am Not a Racist’? That’s an Inadequate Response
For members of the biblical faith community, it is not enough to say, ‘I am not a racist.’ As sincere and truthful as that may be on a personal level, there is more to dealing with the problem of racism than being nice to people.
What You Can Learn While ‘Chancel’ Surfing During Pandemic
While nothing fully takes the place of in-person corporate worship, many ministers deserve a lot of affirmation and our support for the ways they’ve adjusted quickly to provide worship and other ministries in a short time frame.