Recent Articles
Praying for Peace, Preparing for Occupation
One of the largest Baptist Unions in Europe is preparing its congregations for years of occupation while praying for peace. They awoke on Feb. 24 to the reality of war across their nation.
On the Brink, We Pray for Peace
Russian military actions ordered by Vladimir Putin have place the world on the brink of war. He appears to be following the previous strategy of another dictator.
‘The Vanishing’ Raises Questions of Faith, Place and Ritual
‘The Vanishing’ by Janine di Giovanni is an account of the history and faith and likely demise of the original Christians in four ancient lands. The conversations and encounters it records raise questions of faith, place and ritual.
U.S. Divided on State Funding for Private Schools Teaching Religion
U.S. adults are evenly divided on whether taxpayer dollars should be used to fund private schools that teach religion, according to a YouGov / Yahoo survey published Feb. 11.
February 23, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Black History Comes Alive with Drama and Heroism – in Trump Country; From New Christian Right to Christian Nationalism; Supreme Court Won’t Consider Health Worker Bid for Religious Vaccine Exemption; and more
A Brief History of Kievan Rus
Vladimir Putin’s recent polemic claiming that Ukraine was created by the former U.S.S.R. is revisionist history. Here is a brief history of Kievan Rus and the region now comprising Belarus, Ukraine and Western Russia.
Buzz Off!
New research has discovered that mosquitoes react to different colors when carbon dioxide levels are high enough. So, what color should you wear next time you’re outside?
Teachers Leaving the Profession Shouldn’t Surprise Us
The teaching career is changing, and not for the better. Teachers are leaving the profession in alarming numbers, and many plan to leave earlier than they thought they would.
February 23, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Ahmaud Arbery Murderers are Officially Guilty of Hate Crimes; Supreme Court to Hear Case of Web Designer Who Objects to Same-Sex Marriage; Credibility of Pastors Waning as Influence of Christianity Loses Cultural Dominance: Study; Israel Drops Contentious Plan to Seize Christian Holy Sites (and more)
Isolating, Overemphasizing John 3:16 Contributes to a Cheap Gospel
John 3:16 is among the most well-known biblical texts, often referenced as if it is “the gospel in a nutshell.” Is this a proper, accurate view of this verse?
Why Asking Questions Is Essential to Healthy Faith
Many children and youth grow up with questions they’re taught not to ask in church. Healthy congregations encourage serious inquiry and walk alongside those asking hard questions.
Parenting 101: A Brief Reflection on Raising Children
Losing my mother during the pandemic led me to reflect on parenting – particularly my own. Here is a brief reflection on raising children.
February 22, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Yale’s Happiness Professor Says Anxiety is Destroying Her Students (New York Times); Echoing American Christian Extremists Hatred of LGBTQ People, Muslim Extremists in Senegal Demand Longer Prison Sentences for Homosexuals; Theologian Scott McKnight on Saving Evangelicalism (and more)
Truth-Telling Needed to Counter Jan. 6 Revisionist History
The seriousness of the Jan. 6 insurrection continues to be downplayed by those who wish to revise the history of what took place. We need prophetic truth-tellers who refuse to allow such falsehoods and lies to go unchallenged.
Nursing Shortage Isn’t New; the Nation Is Finally Noticing
COVID-19 has brought new challenges and heightened existing ones in health care. But not having sufficient nurses and other health care workers is a challenge that predates the pandemic.
Slim U.S. Majority Has Confidence in Religious Leaders
A slim majority of U.S. adults expressed confidence in religious leaders in 2021, according to a Pew Research Center report published Feb. 15. It is the third survey in a row that shows confidence has declined.
February 21, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: America Has a Long History of Resisting Multi-Racial Democracy; God, Guns & the GOP: Inside the BamaCarry 2022 State Convention; Guns to Garden Tools: Colorado Group Seeks Healing; Pro-Trump Candidate, an Evangelical Pastor, Says God ‘Raising up Armies’ to ‘Shut Down’ Democrats; Jim Wallis is on a Mission to Make Voting Rights the Religious Issue of Our Time (and more)
People of Good Faith: Angela Grant
Angela Grant is currently an Ernest C. Hynds Intern at Good Faith Media and is a recent Yale Divinity School graduate.
The Words Unsaid
The Super Bowl 56 halftime show led to diverse reactions across the U.S. One of the songs performed, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” includes a refrain that can give us hope as we mobilize against injustice.
Look Back | Black History Helps Us Appreciate Our Full History
Seeing the film “Hidden Figures” helped me realize how much history we should know that remains hidden. Knowing the whole story of our nation makes us better.
February 18, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: She Found Her Father’s Segregated Schoolhouse Decaying in the Virginia Woods. Now it is on the Way to Being Saved.; Arsonist Sentenced for Burning Catholic, Methodist, Baptist Nashville Churches; Will They Know Christians by Their Love or Reckless Obsession with Liberty?; God, Grades and College (and more)
Black Liberation Theology: Why Rap at the Super Bowl Was Important
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem were electrifying as the Super Bowl 56 halftime performers. However, some of the reactions from white friends and pundits were disappointing and disturbing.
Why We Cannot Call the American “Kitten” a Democratic Biscuit
What insight does a Malcolm X quip offer regarding U.S. democracy? Is the system broken, or is it functioning as designed? Here is some insight on these and other questions.
‘Introducing the Raceless Gospel’ Webinar Next Week
The Raceless Gospel Initiative at Good Faith Media will host its first webinar, “Introducing the Raceless Gospel,” on Feb. 24, 2022, at 12 p.m. CST / 1 p.m. EST.
February 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: A 300-Year-Old Church is Preparing for a Spiritual But Not Religious Future; Sandy Hook Families Reach $73 Million Settlement With Gun Manufacturer Remington; Abortion Opponents Hear a ‘Heartbeat.’ Most Experts Hear Something Else. (and more)
Help for the Culturally Impaired
The Super Bowl offered an exciting game, even for those who didn’t care what team won. The advertisements were hit-or-miss, but they gave me an idea for an enterprising, tech-savvy person to work on.
Until Someday Is Today: Continuing the Fight to Protect Voting Rights
The 2013 SCOTUS ruling in Shelby County v. Holder gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the years since, many state legislators have passed legislation that makes it harder for people to vote.
Emerging Voices | Meeting the Holy Spirit on Broadway
Meeting the Holy Spirit on Broadway was a welcome surprise. It reminded me that the sacred-secular divide posited by some people of faith is a false dichotomy that we should work to dismantle.
February 16, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: West Virginia School District Says Students’ Rights Were Violated During Religious Gathering on Campus; A Tennessee Couple’s Struggle to Adopt Shows Religious Freedom is Under Siege in America; Catholic Priest Baptized People for Decades Using One Wrong Word. Now Those are all Considered Invalid.; The Quiet Flight of Muslims from France (and more)
Among Global Evangelicals, Americans Are ‘Odd One Out’
Two theologians, John Stackhouse and Michael Bird, sat down recently to discuss evangelicalism. They explain how white evangelicals in the U.S. are the ‘odd one out’ when compared to counterparts in other countries.