Recent Articles
December 21, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets and Modernized Christmas; Across US, Houses of Worship Struggle to Rebuild Attendance; Islamophobia Has Forced American Muslim Community to Evolve; and more
New Nurturing Faith Books Analyze Broadway and the Gospels
The latest books from Nurturing Faith feature Terrell Carter looking to Broadway for insight and inspiration, and Maralene and Miles Wesner carefully analyzing the Gospels for information about Jesus as a person.
Few in U.S. See Conflict Between Religious Teaching, Vaccination
Few adults in the U.S. say there is a conflict between religious teaching, or personal religious beliefs, and receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Still, a slim majority favor religious exemptions for vaccinations.
Do Lab-Grown Embryos Have Rights?
With scientific research bringing science fiction plot lines into reality, we must ask questions about the morality and ethical framework of such discoveries. Here is a primer on a new development related to human embryos.
December 20, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Vince Guaraldi’s Classic ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ Music (CBS News) Memphis Church Gives Away $10,000 in Gas to Those in Need ; U.S. Generals Issues Chilling Warning: Civil War Possible in 2024; and more
People of Good Faith: David Emmanuel Goatley
David Emmanuel Goatley is Associate Dean for Academic and Vocational Formation, Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams, Jr. Research Professor of Theology and Christian Ministry, and Director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke University Divinity School.
We Could All Use an ‘Advent of the Heart’
As Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the focus on Jesus’ second coming in the church of my youth has come to mind. Rather than a physical event, perhaps we need to consider this as an ‘advent of the heart.’
Look Back | The Danger Your Church Faces When Rejecting Others
The pull toward exclusiveness has been, and continues to be, a challenge for faith communities. It is a ‘clear and present danger’ that all religious communities must acknowledge and work to address.
December 17, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Derek Chauvin Pleads Guilty to Violating George Floyd’s Civil Rights; Tim Kaine Becomes First Democratic Senator to Ditch National Prayer Breakfast; In Lawsuit, Christian Financial Guru Dave Ramsey’s Former Employee Says He Was Told to ‘Pray Away Covid Before Being Fired; Long Wait for BBC Religion Editor is Over; and more
All I Want for Christmas Is …
A devastating storm ripped through eight U.S. states last week, killing nearly 100 people. Its severity is the result of climate change, so all I want for Christmas this year is for people of faith to care for creation.
Why Do ‘Good’ People Believe Lies?
The conundrum of seemingly “good” people believing lies has faced humanity for generations, and it’s the million-dollar question now facing the U.S. Let’s consider some of the possible reasons they do so.
What an Execution Reminded Me About Christmas
Mississippi carried out its first execution since 2012 in mid-November. Here is how one church was connected to this person and what his death reminded them about the challenging nature of prison ministry and the hope of Christmas.
December 16, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Pastor Who Defied the Odds; Thomas Edsall: How to Tell When Your Country is at the Tipping Point of No Return; Ex-Boarding School for Native Children Owning Up to its Past; and more
Same Old, Same Old?
What is the Septuagint and what is metalepsis? And what do they have to do with aging? Perhaps very little – or maybe more than it first would seem.
Don’t Forget: Immigration Policy is About Human Lives
Too often immigration policies are discussed and implemented apart from a clear recognition of the human impact. We are talking about human lives, and the reinstitution of “Remain in Mexico” will have dire results.
Nearly a Third of U.S. Does Not Affiliate With a Religious Tradition
The religiously unaffiliated now comprise nearly a third of all U.S. adults, a new report found. While a majority still identify as Christian, total affiliation has declined significantly in the past decade.
December 15, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Jacksonville’s Oldest Baptist Church, Damaged Beyond Repair by Hurricane Florence, Reopens; Americans Who Identify With No Religion Now Account for 29 Percent of Population: Poll; Why So Many Guns on Christmas Cards? Because Jesus was ‘Manly and Virile.’; and more
A Longer View of ‘the Sinful World’ Into Which Jesus Came
How do we appropriately get ready for Christmas and the coming of Jesus whose birth Christians celebrate that day? Beyond the pageants and pageantry, turning a careful eye upon ourselves is, perhaps, the most appropriate preparation.
Advent Lectionary | Why Mary Did, in Fact, Know
A popular song appearing at church services around Christmas is “mansplaining” at best. We need to turn the question around, asking ourselves if we’re willing to listen and learn from those who know more than we do.
U.S. Adults: Fair Trial More Likely for Whites Than Blacks
U.S. adults believe a white defendant is more likely than a Black defendant to receive a fair trial, a report found. Notable differences emerged when analyzing responses based on race and on political affiliation.
December 14, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: NC Baptist Church Pays Off Student Loan Debt, Gives Brand New Cars for Christmas; Colorado Springs Faith Leaders Seek Solutions to Affordable Housing; ‘A Safe Place’: For LGBT Asylum Seekers, Westport Church Offers Them a New Shot at Life; and more
Why It’s Not ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ for Many
Lights, wreaths, presents, stockings, trees and more fill out sights during the holiday season. Amid the joy and celebration, don’t forget that for many people this isn’t “the most wonderful time of the year.”
New Resource Available to Help Churches Discuss Taxation and Justice
Five Christian organizations have jointly produced a taxation and justice resource for local churches. The “ZacTax Toolkit” draws its name from Jesus’ encounter with a tax collector named Zacchaeus.
How You Can Navigate Holiday Grief
Grief is always difficult to navigate, but particularly during the holidays. Here are 10 helpful practices to consider as we journey through the fall and winter holidays.
December 13, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Humble Origins of ‘Silent Night’; After Tornado, Kentucky Residents Struggle with Loss (KHOU)
Supreme Court Ruling on Texas Law Was the Result of Decades of Pressure From Anti-Abortion Groups to Shape the Court; Despite Everything, Americans’ Opinions on Abortion Hasn’t Changed in 50 Years; and more
A Lament for Humanity on Human Rights Day 2021
“And it came to pass” is the biblical phrase used to introduce a momentous event, whether favorable or unpleasant. Here are several “and it came to pass” moments to consider on Human Rights Day 2021.
Renaming Advent Candles Can Give the Season New Meaning
Perhaps, this year, it is time to give a new name to the candles of Advent. Or, perhaps, this year you need permission to name each candle and burn them in honor of whatever it is you need to shine bright or burn to the ground.
Finding Joy During Advent
A family trip to Walt Disney World serves a reminder that the joy of Advent can be found in the familiar faces of children all grown up.
December 10, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Over 17,000 Christians Condemn Lauren Boebert’s Islamophobic Remarks, Demand Censure; The CEO of Epik, a Born-Again Christian, Uses the Language of Redemption to Explain Why His Company Provides Extremists an Online Platform; Children, Coping with Loss, are Pandemic’s ‘Forgotten Grievers’; and more
How to Not Pour Gas on Climate Fire
The reality of climate change is now clear to all. That human action is driving such change should not be up for debate. What needs to be done at the governmental and personal levels? Here are several suggestions.