Opinion
Lenten Lectionary | A Blind Man’s Journey to Believing in Jesus
Growing from a sheepish beggar to a seasoned witness, a blind man in John’s Gospel received his sight in his first encounter with Jesus, but his true perception deepened through social pressure, dramatic trials and excommunication.
Along with jigsaw puzzles and endless searches for toilet paper, add some Bible study
By John D. Pierce Whether alone or with the few with whom you share germs, Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Tony Cartledge are a great place to turn in these odd and uncertain times. So we are making access to these Bible lessons and resources FREE for a limited time....
Choosing good responses
By John D. Pierce My friends Chris and Dianne Fuller, while living in Savannah years ago, experienced a flooded house. It was a mess for them and their two sons. Even effervescent Chris was feeling down when his parents, Millard and Linda, founders of Habitat of...
Church, Clergy Health Suffers When Chronic Anxiety Spikes
We live in anxious times. It’s a time that’s like a toxic martini for well-defined leaders and for congregational and clergy health. During a societal regression, free-floating anxieties are often projected upon leaders.
The Objectionable Practice of Politicizing Christianity
Christianism, or politicized Christianity, expresses a troubling aspect of US religious and political life. And the move toward ‘Christian nationalism’ is one of the main ways Christianism has been apparent in recent years.
COVID-19: While Darkness Descends, Our Songs Bring Light
Darkness descended upon the world as the COVID-19 virus reached a pandemic state. In hard-hit Italy, however, people joined their voices to sing songs of solidarity, finding community and faith. In the US, we are finding our song.
Leaning Into Lent: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
When life is calm, it’s easy for us to think we have control over our environment. As COVID-19 spreads and the stock market dives, Lent asks us to walk by faith rather than by sight, knowing the Divine guides and leads us.
3 Ways to Relieve Your Anxiety as COVID-19 Upheaval Rages
COVID-19 has caused our anxiety to grow, but now is not the time to seek cover and hide. Without downplaying the significance of the virus or disregarding public health guidelines, here are three ways to keep your anxiety at bay.
How Aristotle Bolsters Christian-Muslim Interaction – Part 2
No one has mastered Christian engagement with Islam; we must constantly work toward betterment. When we find different approaches, let’s not quickly dismiss what we think we see while entrenching ourselves in a preferred position.
The COVID-19 Virus and Come-to-Jesus Meeting
Canceling worship services, gatherings and conferences may seem dire in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but churches and other faith groups must face the reality of the possible consequences of ignoring warnings from scientists.
Identifying with Jesus: all year long
By John D. Pierce ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Communities, including congregations, tend to share cultural identities. When pastor of First Baptist Church in Monroe, Ga., near the college town of Athens, Glen Money said you could yell, “Go dawgs!” and “a hundred people...
How Aristotle Bolsters Christian-Muslim Interaction – Part 1
Instead of following extreme methods toward interfaith work between Christians and Muslims, it’s vital to find a virtuous middle ground. Can leaning on the classics help Christian-Muslim relations? Let’s start with Aristotle.
Forgiveness is When You Put Up with an Uneven Score
As many as a million people were killed during three months of 1994 during the Rwandan genocide. However, healing is the real story in this African nation as neighbor sought forgiveness from neighbor in the aftermath of the slaughter.
Lenten Lectionary | Will You Boldly Push the Boundaries?
Through his interaction with a woman who was on the margins of her own community, Jesus boldly defied cultural, religious and political expectations to practice solidarity with ‘the other.’ How bold are you?
‘Scandalous Witness’
The bad news of nationalism and partisanship has scandalized the good news of Jesus in today’s America. And Christians – both liberals and conservatives – have added to this demise of Christian witness, a newly published book says.
Fear Not, COVID-19! You’re Only Making the Wolf Bigger
Disruptive fear can affect our physical, emotional and spiritual health. As paralyzing fear over COVID-19 grips many in our nation and the world, these 5 practical suggestions can help you resist the temptation to succumb to fear.
Vaccinating Your Church Against the Anxiety Virus – Part 2
Anxiety invades the church like a virus. Some churches have so much anxiety they verge on being paranoid. They see everything as threatening. Others feel perfectly safe in their surroundings. How do you treat your church’s anxiety?
Reducing Energy Consumption Will Require Sacrifices from All
Fewer Christmas lights, no new clothes every season, taking staycations. We are all going to have to make more serious efforts to reduce our environmental impact. It may require sacrifices, but can you justify your current choices?
You saw it here first
First, Susan uncovered what first looked like a spear point, but turned out to be the head of a bronze scepter. Everyone gathered around to look at the find, and some dirt near the edge of a baulk was displaced. As soon as the others left, I scooped up the displaced...
How You Can Transform Our Political Climate of Contempt
In our society that’s committed to a politics of contempt, the election season is about to get nasty. How do we respond to our neighbors with a different political ideology? Let’s disagree vehemently with integrity and love.
14 Conclusions on Our Nation’s Presidential Primary Process
With the primary elections well underway and this week’s Super Tuesday results behind us, the US presidential election process is in full swing. Check out these 14 tentative conclusions on the US presidential primary process.
Look Back | Deny Your Denial; Don’t Two-Step Around Truth
What are you going to deny yourself for Lent? Here’s an idea. Maybe it’s time to deny your denial and come to terms with the truth. We use the ‘denial dance’ to two-step around the truth about ourselves and the world.
Cliff Vaughn Celebrates 20 Years at Baptist Center for Ethics
Associate director, culture editor, managing editor and now media producer, Cliff Vaughn has held many roles during his 20 years at Baptist Center for Ethics. His wisdom and insight always promote civility and the common good.
Countering Hostility Enflaming Our Polarized Society – Part 2
Moral pathogens inhabit our sinful, finite and imperfect world, some more virulent than others. In a time of profound polarization, obeying God might require us to make a choice that scandalizes our own notion of moral absolutes.
Lenten Lectionary | Your Lenten Journey to the Far Country
Lent is more than remembering the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. It begins with Abram and continues with the story of the migration of covenant people over 1,500 years. Lent is about a journey to the far country. Will you go?
Countering Hostility Enflaming Our Polarized Society – Part 1
Don’t buy into the myth of neutrality. Like the COVID-19 virus currently sweeping many parts of the world, a social, political and moral rancor assaults the US body politic. And even many Christians have been caught in its grip.
A Baptist Pioneer Remembered for Building Interfaith Bridges
Never seeking the limelight, Wayne Martin began building interfaith bridges before it became fashionable to do. He passed away recently at age 85, leaving a legacy of healthy growth of a spirit of community across interfaith lines.
Why Does Anti-Semitism Exist? Hatred Needs a Scapegoat
The term ‘anti-Semitism’ dates back only to the late 19th century, but hatred of Jews goes back at least to ancient Egypt. Dating back to the Old Testament scapegoat, people look to assign their sins somewhere other than themselves.
How Churches, Ministers Build Healthy Relationships – Part 1
It’s not always true, but healthy churches and healthy ministers tend to find one another. Congregational health and clergy health are somehow connected. How does it happen? There’s a psychological theory for that.
The Humanities Give Us Our Best Clues to Self-Understanding
Even though the humanities are undervalued in higher education, they remain at least one bulwark against the bulldozer of utilitarian ruthlessness. A human life well lived is one that enriches humanity – our own and others.