Opinion
Itching for a Brawl: 7 Facts You Don’t Know About US-Iran Tension
You may believe you know all you need to know about the tensions between the US and Iran, but it may not be as clear-cut as you think. To interpret the latest round of US-Iran tension, here is some history you need to know.
Becoming Peacemakers in Our Tit-For-Tat Violent World
President Trump ordered the killing of one of Iran’s top military commanders. Iran, in turn, fired missiles hitting military bases housing US troops. Tit-for-tat acts of violence may be the way of war; it is not the way of Jesus.
Digital Manipulation: Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind – Part 1
In every benevolent use of a new discovery, humans always have a proclivity to find a way to use it malevolently. False information and the spreading of propaganda through photo and video manipulation have become very easy.
Aesop’s Wars: Do Presidents Cry Wolf?
The decision for any president to engage in warlike actions should be taken with great caution and wisdom. Yet our presidents seem to be falling into a pattern of crying wolf when it comes to clear evidence for warlike actions.
Start Off Your New Year Right with the First Psalm
The first psalm is a good text for reflection for the first full week of a new year, pointing eloquently to the kind of life Jesus embodied, to the fruit of the Spirit that Jesus displayed and to the source of his power and influence.
How You Can Subvert Our Pervasive Culture of Contempt
The culture of contempt is a prevalent force in US society. The author of a new book suggests we must follow 5 rules if we want to subvert that culture for the good of the nation and the world.
Caring for the Poor Does Not Happen from a Distance
God cares about the lost being found, the disconsolate comforted, the suffering helped, the poor lifted up. As Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us, you cannot love people from a distance. It involves relationships.
Why You Need to Know Our North Star of Religious Freedom
The most significant legislation in the history of religious freedom is not well known to most US citizens. That must change because Christian nationalists are conflating religious freedom to suit their theocratic aims.
Have we erred on Ur?
For years, most Bible readers have assumed that Abraham’s hometown should be identified with the great city of Ur, located in southern Mesopotamia, an area known in ancient times as Sumer. The area is now in southern Iraq; the site of Ur is near the modern city of...
Most Evangelicals Won’t Honestly Call Out Trump’s Flaws
Most conservative evangelicals who exhibit unwavering support for President Trump refuse to acknowledge his flaws. If they truly loved him, however, they would be honest in their critique of him.
Two Sets of Magi: Which One Are You?
We’re familiar with the Magi who brought gifts to infant Jesus, but there’s a second set of Magi in Scripture. One knew how to embrace mystery; the other refused to do so out of fear. Which group best represents you?
Is God With Them? Why Refugees May Doubt God’s Presence
As Christians, we proclaim Jesus became flesh and blood to be with us. Yet how many refugees, including 5,000 children torn from their parents’ care, at our southern border must wonder if God is really with them? Are we culpable?
Throughout Life’s Journey, God Pitches a Tent Beside You
In the Gospel of John, we read that ‘the Word became flesh and lived among us.’ God still pitches a tent alongside our celebrations and failures, journeying with us to envision and imagine a life-giving way to wander in this world.
Look Back | A Replacement for New Year’s Resolutions
Let’s face it. Many of us don’t keep New Year’s resolutions. We can never seem to turn our best ambitions into long-term success. Instead, make a New Day’s resolution. Embrace the power that each new day holds.
On New Path of 2020, We Will Discover Bright Lights of Hope
While we should never forget the past, we should not dwell on it either. With another year behind us, we must look toward the future through courageous and optimistic eyes. Here are my hopeful possibilities for 2020.
New Year’s Alert: The Dangers of ‘Politi-Fatigue’
My new year’s concern is ‘politi-fatigue,’ or political fatigue. It will lead to passive citizenship that either will check out of the process or will be vulnerable to efforts to manipulate responses in ideological directions.