Recent Articles
Look Back | Baptists, Women and the American Suffrage Movement
From the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls to the ratification of the 19th Amendment 72 years later, Christian religion and women’s suffrage kept close, if not always cordial, company.
March 18, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Americans’ Support for LGBTQ Rights Higher than Ever, Even as White Evangelicals Lag; Helping Women Pay for Abortion Would be Illegal Under New Missouri Bill; Debt, Racism and Fear of Displacement are Driving an Overlooked Public Health Crisis Among Black Farmers (and more)
The Human Cost of War
While we have been inspired by the resolve and resilience of the Ukrainian people as they stand toe-to-toe with an evil aggressor, we need to remember and reflect on the human cost of war.
Global Nursing Shortage Must Be Addressed Equitably
As the world faces a nursing shortage, wealthier nations are recruiting from lower-income nations to address needs. Is this being done equitably? Or is it hurting nations with the greatest need?
Trying Not to Make God Look Bad
Whatever else you do in your pastoral practice and preaching, try not to make God look stupid. That’s a key lesson I emphasized to my seminary students, and it is a lesson all Christians should follow.
March 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: God Knows: Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Faith to Share Spotlight at Conformation Hearings; After 30 Years, the NRSV Gets an Update: Here’s What That Means; Williamsburg’s Historic Bruton Parish Episcopal Church to Contextualize Its Confederate Monument (and more)
Lenten Lectionary | Singing in the Shadow of God’s Wings
Psalm 63 vibrates with emotional intensity and assumed intimacy. It offers insight on journeying through life’s parched episodes and on singing in the shadow of God’s wings.
What Jesus Learned from the Woman with the Alabaster Jar
Jesus learned from most of the challenges he faced and people he encountered. His encounter with one unnamed woman had a profound impact.
U.S. Charitable Giving Increased in 2021
Charitable giving in the U.S. rose nearly 9% last year, with faith-based organizations experiencing an 11-point increase, a new report found. Online giving increased as well.
March 16, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Russian American Pastors Combat Propaganda in Their Churches; Omaha Church Sign About Immigration Sparks Complaints: Message is Quickly Changed; Speaking at a Church, Herschel Walker Skeptical of Evolution: ‘Why are There Still Apes? Think About it.’; Albany Pastor Opens Community Ice Cream Shop in Church Basement (and more)
Let’s Not Practice Our Liturgical Rightness Too Proudly
It’s easier to point out the flaws in others than to take a sober assessment of our own shortcomings. Are there ways that the attitudes of moderate-to-progressive Christian churches run counter to Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6?
Reliable Medical Research Vital to Public Health
“Follow the science” has been the mantra throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, flawed research methods and retracted publications from medical journals have created confusion and mistrust.
Two New Titles Now Available From Nurturing Faith Books
Two new titles are now available for Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media – a theological reflection, ‘Taking on the Cross,’ and a novel, ‘The Best Version of Alice.’
March 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Chattanooga Church Turns Coffee Profits into Help for Area Ministries; A Kansas Teacher is Suing School Officials for Requiring Her to Address Students by Their Preferred Names, Saying the Policy Violates Her Religious Freedom; As Ukrainian Baptists Continue to Shelter and Feed Neighbors, a CBF Ministry Center is Bombed; Ukraine Invasion Splits Orthodox Church, Isolates Russian Patriarch (and more)
Where You See Jesus Reveals How Faithfully You Follow Him
Christians are called to identify with suffering – not only with Christ’s pains but also the world’s groaning. If we don’t, we should begin to question what we call discipleship.
How Greed Affects Us All
We live in a society that doesn’t talk much about sin, but one deadly sin — greed – has begun to affect me and others in ways that I don’t like. How does the story end?
Is There a “World Without End”?
Conservative Christians often focus mostly on life after death, while progressive Christians often focus more on working for justice here and now. Is there a position to be found between these extremes?
March 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Putin’s Religious Vision Underscores the Danger of Christian Nationalism; Russian Orthodoxy and Christian Nationalism; How Christians Enabled Putin; ‘They are Preparing for War’: An Expert on Civil Wars Discusses Where Political Extremists are Taking This Country (and more)
People of Good Faith: Molly T. Marshall
Molly T. Marshall is president at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Understanding Zelenskyy’s ‘We Will Not Forgive. We Will Not Forget.’
“We will not forgive. We will not forget.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proclamation alludes to several historic events – from President Joe Biden’s statement following a Kabul airport attack to Olga Bergholz’s World War II-era poem.
Why I’m Stopping to Grieve on March 13
March is a hard month now, with it being the time when we came aware of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Here is why I’m stopping to grieve on March 13.
March 11, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Baptist Seminary of Kentucky Joins CBF Florida and the Caribbean Islands in Partnership; Survey: Overwhelming Percentage of Non-Christians View Christianity Negatively; Survey: Most U.S. Parents of Preteens are Now Millennials Who Reject the Bible (Washington Times)
The Best Way to End a Fight, According to Science: Take a Walk Together (and more)
I’m a Man and a Feminist
Patriarchy has controlled social and religious institutions through self-serving manipulation and theological malpractice for far too long. Here are a few reasons why I am a feminist.
What Russian Control of Key Ukrainian Nuclear Facilities Could Mean
Russia now controls two of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, one of which currently is without power. What does this mean for Ukraine’s energy supply but also for the world’s safety and security?
Emerging Voices | How to Respond to Disaster Trauma
The number of disasters I’ve seen in just the past few months doesn’t feel real. If the adage is true, that “when it rains, it pours,” then it feels like we’re in a monsoon.
March 10, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Trinity Broadcasting Network Taps Fox News Alums for Pivot to News Affirmative of ‘Christian Values’; Black Women Preachers Who Changed – and are Changing – History; 30 Years Later, North Carolina Baptist Church Recalls its Journey to Affirm Same-Sex Unions; Texas Faith Groups Mobilize Against Governor’s Order to Probe Child Trans Treatments (and more)
Family Matters
At the end of a hall-of-fame career, Duke University’s “Coach K” focused not on his accomplishments but on his family. This offers lessons to both individuals and communities of faith.
Podcast, Reading Guide Encourage ‘Seeing with Jesus’ During Lent and Beyond
New resources related to Jack Glasgow’s book ‘Seeing With Jesus’ are now available from Frank Granger and First Baptist Athens. A daily reading journal and a podcast provide aid for the journey through Lent and beyond.
Lenten Lectionary | It’s Not Easy Being Human
Global headlines and personal crises present us with unsettling realities that remind us of a universal truth: it’s not easy being human. Faced with such challenges, the Bible gives us hope that all will be well.
March 9, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Russian Orthodox Church Leader Blames Invasion on Ukraine’s ‘Gay Pride’; White Nationalists are Tearing Each Other Apart Over Ukraine; Was Donald Trump America’s First Atheist President?; Michigan GOP Candidate Says He Tells Daughters to ‘Lie Back and Enjoy it’ if Rape is Inevitable (and more)