Recent Articles
August 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: In Drought-Stricken Europe, the Ruins of an 11th-Century Church Have Emerged from a Disappearing Reservoir; Inside Amazing Grace, London’s Mega Church Turned Street Food Mecca; ‘He Reads His Bible Every Day’: Former President Jimmy Carter Makes Rare Appearance Ahead of 98th Birthday (and more)
Do We Really Want God to ‘Lead, Guide and Direct Us’?
Appeals for God to “lead, guide and direct us” were common in the churches of my upbringing – they likely still are in many congregations. But do the petitioners really want such guidance?
Albuquerque Shooting Demonstrates Why We Must Stop ‘Othering’
The Muslim community of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been reeling over the bizarre murders of four male members. This tragedy must be condemned, and we must learn to stop ‘othering’ in the wake of the violence.
Why You Should Send Your Children to Public School
Any time you are quoted on Twitter, you must brace yourself for the subsequent comments. Here is my response to two recent tweets about a statement I made on public education.
August 16, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Religions Have Long Known that Getting Away From it All is Good for the Body, Mind and Spirit; Services at Memphis Area Baptist Churches Continue as DOJ Opens Abuse Probe; Louisville’s Crescent Hills Baptist Church Calls Gay Man as Co-Pastor; and more
Returning to the Baptismal Waters Is Essential to Post-Racial Identity
Reading lists and seminars will not lead us to a post-racial society. It requires the baptismal waters, where Christians are led to die to being self-made by race. No one else can do this work for you.
Religious Liberty in Public Schools Requires Looking out for Students and Teachers
This August brings a new question for public school districts that no one would have predicted a year ago: Can public school teachers lead students in religious exercises?
What Umpiring Baseball Can Teach Us About the Life of Faith
I love baseball for many reasons, which led me to begin umpiring youth baseball games in recent years. A required training for umpires offered guidance that is applicable to the life of faith.
August 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Southern Baptist Convention Under Federal Investigation for Sexual Abuse Scandal; Some Survivors of Tops Attack Feel ‘Forgotten’ and Frustrated with Lack of Support; An Ex-Cop and a Preacher Wrestle with America’s Gun Violence; Va. Episcopal Diocese to Spend $10 Million for Reparations. But How? (and more)
People of Good Faith: Preston Clegg
Preston Clegg is pastor of Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
When Mourning Comes: 10 Pastoral Observations about Grief
I have walked alongside individuals and families who are dealing with grief for over 40 years. Here are 10 observations I have made about the traits of grief, the grieving process and grieving persons.
Look Back | Toward a Biblically Informed Debate on U.S. Immigration Reform
Immigration is close to my heart and experience because I am the grandson of an undocumented immigrant and migrant workers that carved out a life in the cotton fields of west Texas. Christians must ask the justice question.
August 12, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Teaching Teachers About the Holocaust and its Lessons for Democracy Today; Reagan, Racism, and Transphobia at Colorado Christian University Anti-Abortion Event; Georgia Church Hosting Adaptive Sports, Activities Program for People with Disabilities (and more)
Why Do Christian Nationalists Have to Ruin Everything?
A non-denominational Christian church in Texas performed an unauthorized version of the hit Broadway show Hamilton. The changes they made to several song lyrics are illustrative of how Christian nationalists seek to rewrite U.S. history.
The Benefits of Looking Through a New Lens
A recent invocation grabbed my attention and resonated with me in a new way, leading me to further reflection on a friend’s wedding to her same-sex partner the week prior. We benefit from looking through new lenses sometimes.
Religion, Spirituality Second Most Frequently Read Genre in U.S.
Books on religion and spirituality are the second most frequently read genre among U.S. adults, according to a new YouGov survey. Mystery and crime books are most frequently read.
August 11, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: ‘Primary Suspect’ Charged in Killings of Muslim Men in Albuquerque, Motive Still Unknown; Anglican Division Over Scripture and Sexuality Heads South; (Christianity Today)
Mark Wingfield: Where are the Women on the SBC’s First and Second Sexual Abuse Task Forces? (and more)
Faith Seeking Understanding | ‘Little Miss’ Memes and ‘Biblical Womanhood’
As I approach my 40th birthday, I’ve reflected on what I was taught about human sexuality and so-called ‘biblical womanhood.’ The ‘Little Miss’ memes circulating on social media offer a playful means to deconstruct this flawed thinking.
Could New Medical Technology Resurrect the Dead?
Researchers from Yale University have partially revived dead pigs, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Nature on August 3, 2022. What does this mean for our understanding of death and dying?
Both Open- and Close-mindedness Increase in U.S.
The number of U.S. adults who are open to new ideas has increased since 2015, according to a new report from Barna Group published July 20. But so too has those who feel threatened by those who disagree with them.
August 10, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: More than 30 Christian Church Leaders in SC Call for the State to Keep Abortion Legal. Here’s Why.; In Depth Look at Hate Crimes in Western Massachusetts (WWLP Springfield / MSN)
Texas Church’s Unauthorized, Altered ‘Hamilton’ is Followed by Sermon Comparing Homosexuality to Addiction (and more)
Nothing to Brag About
Comprehending the significant ways Americanized Christianity is deeply culturalized can be revealing, fascinating and constructive. Defining the word conservative as resistant to change is one tragic manifestation within Americanized Christianity.
The Similarities and Differences Between Modern and Biblical Poetry
The unfamiliar styles of some biblical texts is one of many challenges we face when studying the Bible. Here is a primer on the similarities and differences between modern and biblical poetry.
U.S. Majority Wants Congress to Codify Rights, Protections Established by Prior SCOTUS Rulings
A majority of U.S. adults want to see Congress pass legislation that would codify rights and protections established in five Supreme Court rulings, according to a new YouGov / The Economist survey.
August 9, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Wake Forest Baptist Church on University Campus Votes to Dissolve After 66 Years; Why Pew Research Center Typically Can’t Report the Views of Smaller U.S. Religious Groups; Ron Sider was the Real Deal (and more)
Celebrating an Icon Who Embodied Freedom
It’s someone’s 200th birthday! But how do you celebrate an embodiment of freedom? The answer is, “All year long.” I recently visited the birthplace of this icon, finding encouragement in her life’s work and witness.
A Clean, Healthy, Sustainable Environment is a Human Right
The U.N. General Assembly has recognized the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It is well past time for this acknowledgment, and the world must commit to maintaining a suitable earth for future generations.
U.S. Millennial Church Attendance Sees Large Increase in 2022
Weekly worship attendance among U.S. Millennials more than doubled from 2021 to 2022, according to a new Barna Group report. The increase was primarily the result of a significant attendance increase among non-white Millennials.
August 8, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: After Trump, Christian Nationalist Ideas are Going Mainstream – Despite a History of Violence; Christian Nationalism Used to be Taboo. Now It’s All the Rage.; Greene Launches Defense of Christian Nationalism: ‘Nothing to be Ashamed of’; Russell Moore Named Christianity Today Editor (and more)
People of Good Faith: Jim Hopkins
Jim Hopkins is senior pastor of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland, California, where he has served since 1989.