Opinion
With Skill and Care, Clemons’ Pastoral Touch was Deep, Wide
Hardy Clemons was known as a ‘pastor to me’ to those who knew him. Before his death on July 1, he shared about coming to terms with grief, which he learned on a personal level after his wife of 57 years died following Alzheimer’s.
The Problem When Your Pastor (Only) Preaches the Gospel
My white conservative friends say we don’t need to talk about race to bring about racial reconciliation. We need to talk more about the gospel, they say. But the gospel is not about leaving earth but serving people here and now.
3 Ways Trump Undermines Separation of Church and State
President Trump wants to repeal an amendment, which keeps nonprofit groups from involvement in partisan politics at the risk of losing their tax-exempt status. Here are 3 ways Trump is already acting as if the law is already repealed.
Good Faith Media for When You Feel ‘Apart’ from Family of God
After watching churches ignore or initiate injustices, I didn’t feel a part of the family of God. I felt more like I was apart from the family of God. Today, I’m glad to have made the wonderful discovery of Good Faith Media.
3 Steps to Counter Dubious Roots of White Evangelicalism
White evangelicalism has some dubious roots. These include accommodating hyperpartisan politics and allowing uncritical patriotism to creep into its churches. Here are 3 ways to reckon with these and other questionable roots.
How Teddy Roosevelt Prevented US from Becoming More Inclusive
The most important lesson Teddy Roosevelt could have taught us is the one he didn’t. He could have been a catalyst of vision and hope, helping his nation become a more inclusive and caring land. Instead, we have reaped the whirlwind.
Schools’ Lessons on Racism Often Knows No Global Boundaries
The legacy of racism of schools such as Baylor is not only complex and broad, but also global. Sometimes, they even help shape race relations in other countries. For an example, examine Baylor’s relationship with leaders in Brazil.
Goodbye and Hello: A New Day Dawns with Good Faith Media
For too long now, conservative fundamentalism has co-opted Christianity, with its focus on exclusion, conformity and placating a ruling white-class. However, a new era of Christianity is emerging. Salut, Good Faith Media!
Good Faith Media: Singing Same Tune but Adding More Voices
As Nurturing Faith joins with EthicsDaily.com to form Good Faith Media today, we’ll be singing the same song but we’re adding more verses and voices. While we’ll stay close to the familiar, we’ll be venturing out into the new.
The last blog
While this is my last Nurturing Faith blog, don’t get your hopes up. I’m not finished writing. Starting tomorrow, however, my opinion writing will move to the Good Faith Media web site — as we officially launch this new, expanded organization.
Possumbilities
An encounter with a possum offered a time to reflect on ‘possumbilities’ as Nurturing Faith combines with EthicsDaily.com to become Good Faith Media. You’re invited to join the party.
Good Faith Media Willing to Ask Uncomfortable Questions
As EthicsDaily and Nurturing Faith become Good Faith Media, we will continue asking lots of questions. These questions will make more people feel more uncomfortable. May our love help us cast out our fear of asking questions.
Baptist Center for Ethics / EthicsDaily Embarks on ‘New Wrinkle’
You could see it as an ending. I prefer to see it as a new beginning. Or, to quote Baptist Center for Ethics / EthicsDaily.com founder Robert Parham (1953-2017), it is a “new wrinkle.” That’s what I think best describes the launch of Good Faith Media, formed by the...
Church’s Struggle with Racism Traces Back to First Century
Just as the spirit-filled community was not immune to ethnic tensions in the first century, today’s church is not immune to racial injustices permeating our society. To deal with racism, it will be more than a one-and-done deal.
If You Need a Spiritual Director, the Earth Has an Opening
Do you have a spiritual director? If you don’t, your spiritual director is as close as the Earth. Listen more carefully to what God says to you through creation. In doing so, your heart can be more open to the wonder of God.
Remembering Why the Bible Has Problem with Statues
As we debate the place of statues in public spaces, it’s good to remember the Bible’s consistent caution when it comes to graven images, or, in this case, statues. The Bible urges us to be very careful about how we enshrine ourselves.
Artists Converge in Tulsa to Paint ‘Black Lives Matter’ Message
A group of young artists gathered early one morning in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to paint Black Lives Matter in large, yellow letters in the heart of Black Wall Street. They are part of a larger movement to uproot the bigotry infecting us all.
Those Who Oppress Weak Will Face Their Own Reckoning
The Old Testament screams out what we face in this present day. Some don’t care about the weak or those begging for breath. They oppress the poor and extort the immigrant. But be warned; they will be left to their own grievous destiny.
Silence is More Than Violence, White Christians; It’s Sinful
While white Christians have been among the protesters over police brutality, many others have remained silent. Why? Because some white Christians would prefer the status quo rather than become a proponent for change.
Light for the Church through Converted Listening
The local church’s practice of theology needs the illumination that God’s Spirit offers through the whole body of Christ because this is a practice of a church on pilgrimage toward a place that we cannot yet see.
When Your Autonomy Takes Back Seat to Our Nation’s Rights
We are a nation with a profound belief in individual autonomy. However, autonomy takes a back seat when our nation’s collective health is at risk. When we exercise any right, we must minimize the harm that might come to others.
Enough Conversations; Let’s Do Something about Racism
The pandemic and the protests over police brutality have stirred up reflection about the ramifications of racism. While some have urged more talks, it’s time white people stop talking about racism and start doing something.
Why Baptist Theological Education, Faith Have Bright Future
Two gifts are emerging in a North American church scene in which every major denomination is waning. We have a renewed desire to evaluate our roots and a renewed interest in looking up from our trenches and finding friends nearby.
Nonsense passed from one generation to another doesn’t always stick, thank God!
By John D. Pierce A recent news report on how adults leaving the Trump rally in Tulsa explained racial justice protests to their children and grandchildren was a bit alarming — though what would be expected from those coming out of such a gathering. Conflating...
Soft Repentance, Shallow Reconciliation Present Clear Dangers
As we seek a way forward in the call for justice in the wake of the death of George Floyd, we must beware soft repentance and shallow reconciliation. They’re easier and involve less risk. They also perpetuate the problem.
Your Words Have Power in Everyday Life to Explode or to Heal
Our words have the power to calm an explosive situation so reason can take hold. Yet many of us live with negative words, either receiving or delivering them. We must take control of what we say and build people up with our words.
La decisión del Tribunal Supremo es un aplazamiento temporal para los beneficiarios de DACA
La decisión de la Corte Suprema 5-4 que protege a los beneficiarios de DACA de la deportación es tan solo una solución temporal, la cual puede ser anulada por la administración Trump mediante otros mecanismos. ¿Como cristianos, tomaremos nosotros medidas para buscar una solución permanente?
High Court Decision is Temporary Reprieve for DACA Recipients
The Supreme Court 5-4 decision protecting DACA recipients from deportation is a temporary solution the Trump administration can override by other means. Will we, as Christians, take action to seek a permanent solution?
7 Things About Which Your Church Should Be More Curious
Curiosity is a key ingredient in wisdom and foresight, yet many churches lack curiosity. Too often, leaders are over-confident and disinterested in new information. Here are seven things about which churches should be more curious.
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,...