Recent Articles
A Lesson from the U.S. Senate’s Biggest Baseball Fan
Honus Wagner once quipped, “There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer.” This expression is a good reminder to check ourselves when we feel smug and dismissive toward others.
October 20, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Attendance Shrinking at Small and Midsize Congregations; Three-State Merger Hailed as Transformative by CBF Leaders; Powerful Gang Behind Kidnapping of 17 US and Canadian Missionaries in Haiti, Security Source Says; Scuba Diver Finds 900-Year Old Crusader Sword Off the Coast of Israel; and more
Running Off Without Jesus
Much of Americanized Christianity boldly proclaims to be the most faithful adherents to the Bible. At the same time, they seem to be ignorant of the fact that a central figure has been left behind, along with his teachings.
The Essence of God, Sharia, Jihad and Finding Your Way – Part 2
“Sharia” and “jihad” often are misunderstood and misconstrued by those who reference them in connection to terrorist extremists. Here is what you need to know about the true meaning of these terms.
Good Faith Media Enhances User-Friendly, Online Bookstore
Shopping for Nurturing Faith books — the book-publishing imprint of Good Faith Media — is even easier and more informative now. Learn about the new and improved bookstore features.
October 19, 2021
In today’s curated and analysis news headlines: Wendell Griffen: Southern Baptists, Attorney-Client Privilege, and Devotion to Empire; Preacher Who Suggests He is Acting Like Christ Laments Government Isn’t Executing LGBQT People; Pope Pledges to Continue Being a ‘Pest’ in Defense of Poor; For Missionary Group in a Fragile Haiti, Charity Turns to Chaos; and more
No Shortage of Shortages: We’re All Out
There has been no shortage of shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This global crisis has placed inequities and injustices in stark contrast, causing many to wonder how anything, and everything, will work out in the end.
The Essence of God, Sharia, Jihad and Finding Your Way – Part 1
Faith traditions and other ideologies have different terms for the quest to reach the concept of this divine entity, force or higher power. Many refer to this as an individual’s preferred “way” or “way of life,” which is what Sharia is for Islam.
Most U.S. Faith Communities Are Small with Declining Attendance
Most U.S. faith communities are small and experiencing an attendance decline, a report found. With data submitted prior, or shortly after, the March 2020 lockdowns, it provides a picture of pre-pandemic religious life in the nation.
October 18, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Southern Baptist Convention President Resigns After Internal Fight Over Sex Abuse Investigation; Afghan Refugees Met With Cooperative Effort from Kentucky Baptists; Russell Moore: ‘Evangelical … Merely a Political Word’; Do the Rituals of Religion Make You a Better Person?; and more
What Should We Call Ourselves?
I used to pride myself in being Mexican-American, saying the hyphen served as a bridge between two cultures. These days I find myself wanting to draw the bridge up or burn it down.
Poverty, Migration Increasingly Driven by Climate Change
Poverty is a growing threat to many farmers in Central America. Climate change impacts on weather patterns have exacerbated the challenges, forcing many to migrate to find more stable income. Here are the stories of several families.
Native Reservations: Hypocrisy, Hope and Religious Liberty – Part 3
Culture and social structures existed throughout the Americas prior to 1492. Many of the problems, past and present, regarding America’s history with Native peoples stem from our inability to recognize these cultures before Columbus’ arrival.
Latest Nurturing Faith Book Encourages ‘Lively Hope’
“Lively Hope” by J. Daniel Day guides readers through understanding the phenomenon of hope, hope’s many challenges, and our literary view of hope. The book is now available in the Good Faith Media bookstore.
October 15, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Counties with More Confederate Monuments also had More Lynchings, Study Finds; National Council of Churches Elects All-Female Officers, Approves NRSV Update; The Sleeper Supreme Court Case that Threatens the Separation of Church and State; A New Book by Esteemed Sociologist Robert Wuthnow Struggles to Show ‘Why Religion is Good for American Democracy’; and more
Native Reservations: Hypocrisy, Hope and Religious Liberty – Part 2
I am a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation. Here is a story of how my family was negatively impacted by the “Pratt Doctrine” that informed the creation of schools for Indigenous peoples designed to “kill the Indian to save the man.”
The Tragedy of Poverty in a Rich Land
Poverty is not natural or necessary. It is the result of poor choices, but not usually, or primarily, by those who are impoverished. So, whose choices lead to so much poverty in the midst of plenty?
Why It Matters if Ethics are Agenda- or Need-Based
Understanding the difference between philosophy and ideology is helpful in considering ethical frameworks. Let’s consider why these distinctions matter and what difference they make.
October 14, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis: Texas Axes Teen Suicide Hotline Page Over GOP Claim it ‘Promotes Transgender Policies’; Who’s Bankrolling the National Prayer Breakfast? Evangelical Superstar Franklin; No Musical Instrument Clause in Deed; and more
Why I Felt Ashamed After Visiting a New Church
Finding a church home can be both exciting and uncomfortable. After visiting one church in my new city, I left feeling ashamed … for a very good and holy reason.
Native Reservations: Hypocrisy, Hope and Religious Liberty – Part 1
The genocide of the Indigenous peoples of North America began 529 years ago this week. Columbus’ arrival began a long, painful history of European exploitation of Indigenous peoples in the Americas.
Going in Style
A recent archaeological discovery in the Old City of Jerusalem offers little in the way of moral lessons. Yet, it offers some interesting considerations that might pique your curiosity.
October 13, 2021
In today’s news and analysis headlines: White Supremacy Permeates US Life, Scholar Says; Southern Baptist Convention’s Lawyers to Cut Ties After Vote to Waive Privilege; An Ancient Translation is Now Helping to Threaten Abortion Rights; and more
Good, Bad Examples for Better Communication
Browsing a local paper revealed examples of both good and bad communication. Here are a few takeaways that might improve all our relationships.
‘Bootstrap Theology’ Offers Flawed Perspective on Poverty
Mercy on the poor and unemployed is lacking in much of the U.S. ‘Bootstrap theology’ contributes to this reality, as it offers a flawed perspective on poverty.
Practicing Christians Are Outliers in Pastor Assessment
Practicing Christians in the U.S. tend to be outliers in being very affirming of local pastors’ leadership in the community, a recent Barna Group survey found. Their affirmation was typically much higher than other groups surveyed.
October 12, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: At South Mississippi Baptist Church, Members Can Give in Cryptocurrency; How Being a Hospital Chaplain Motivated One Pastor to Address COVID-19 Misinformation; Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? The Damaging Christian ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ at the Heart of American Identity Crisis; and more
Why October’s Second Monday Needs an Accurate Poem and New Focus
The second Monday in October now has two holidays in the U.S. Each tells of the same events from vastly different perspectives. Let’s adopt an accurate poem and a new focus for this annual observance.
Will Christians Finally, Fully Repent of Colonial Legacy?
The discovery of unmarked graves of school-age children in Canada and the U.S. revealed again the tragic, horrific legacy of colonialism. Will the church stop shirking its responsibility and finally, fully repent?
Religious Orgs. Second Most Common Charitable Donation Among U.S. Affluent
Religious organizations were the second most common charitable cause supported by affluent households in the U.S. in 2020. Even so, a new report found a few trends that should concern religious charities.