Recent Articles
New GFM Podcast on Race, Religion and Politics Drops in March
Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast. Thomas and guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics.
Fears of the Faithful Hinder Care, Bring Harm
The failure of Christians to own their fear results in actions and ideas that harm LGBTQIA+ persons. Such fear leads down the road of hate and scapegoating if left unchecked.
March 11, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Baptist Seminary of Kentucky to Open Institute of Black Church Studies; ‘The Horror Has to Stop.’ Spiritual Advisors to Death Row Inmates Decry Recent Wave of Federal Executions; As a Pastor, I Pray my Flock Comes Back. As a Religion Demographer, I’m More Realistic.; Prominent Evangelical Beth Moore Says She’s No Longer a Southern Baptist; and more.
Think Your Taxes Are Too High?
Another U.S. tax season is upon us. While it can be stressful, particularly for those who might owe money to the state or federal government, the experience of one Roman soldier might make you feel a little better.
Plagues, Vaccinations and the Future
Like the Israelites trudging through the desert, the pandemic has left us with “shortened souls.” The vaccine program is providing hope, and we will have an opportunity to make a fresh start in relating to God, one another and creation.
Ecumenism Vital for the Future of Theological Education
Theological education is in a state of flux, requiring innovation to find viable paths into the future. Here is how one Baptist / Church of Christ collaboration is modeling a way forward.
March 10, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: 11 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2021; Study Suggests that the Modern Anti-Vaccine Movement is Shaped by Christian Nationalist Ideology; Latino Churches Push Covid Vaccine Enrollment, but Some Spread Misinformation; and more
Sneaking Favored Souls into the Christian Clubhouse
U.S. evangelical leaders have changed the boundary lines for select individuals whose politics align with their own. They seem willing to embrace or excuse whatever ugliness is needed to protect the cultural dominance of white Americans.
“Check the Ears:” Making Sure the Baby’s Not Dark
“Concerns” from the British royal family about the possible skin color of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son were disclosed in a recent interview. This reminded me of my own experience – though my family is far from being royal.
‘Delightful Church’ Project Connects Churches, Fosters Dialogue
Ross Gay’s “The Book of Delights” inspired five Baptist congregations to foster virtual community and dialogue amid pandemic isolation. Here is an overview of the approach being used to foster delight in their churches.
March 9, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Spiritual Problem at the Heart of Christian Vaccine Refusal; History Professor: How the Study of Evangelicalism has Blinded us to the Problems in Evangelical Culture; LGBTQ Rights Bill Ignites Debate Over Religious Liberty; and more.
International Women’s Day 2021: Choosing to Challenge
International Women’s Day 2021 urges us to “choose to challenge” the societal, cultural and political structures that prevent us from realizing an equitable world. Now is the time to dream – and work – toward a gender equal world.
“Just the Facts” on Vaccine Development
We must start with “just the facts” before we determine what we believe and why. Here is the information you need to know about vaccine development in order to wrestle with the ethical and moral considerations.
Party Line Vote on COVID Aid Reveals Troubling Realities
The party line vote of the latest COVID-19 relief bill is deeply troubling. Too often political leaders seem to care primarily about those who can provide them money or votes. Such transactional politics must change.
How One Facebook Group Is Trying to Disagree Agreeably
Social media allows us to maintain relationships across distances that made regular communication difficult in the past. Yet, it also has become a forum for divisiveness and anger. Here is how one group of friends is working to change that.
March 8, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Black Protestants Aren’t Least Likely to Get a Vaccine; White Evangelicals Are; In Georgia, Republicans Take Aim at the Role of Black Churches in Elections; Hundreds Risked Everything in Selma 56 Years Ago Today. This Group is Trying to Identify Them; Why QAnon Has Attracted so Many White Evangelicals; The Empty Religions of Instagram; and more.
People of Good Faith: Rob Marus
Rob Marus is associate vice president for communications at the Association of American Universities in Washington, D.C. He serves on the Good Faith Media governing board and is an active member of The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington.
LGBTQ+ Christians Continue to Feel Sting of Judgment, Exclusion
Christian churches, universities and organizations continue to struggle with the message of welcome at the heart of the gospel. As a result, LGBTQ+ Christians have felt the sting of judgement and exclusion.
Malcolm, Martin and the American Racial Impasse: Part Two
Lent urges pilgrims on a journey of repentance. With the U.S. increasingly acknowledging its long history of racism, we should use this time to confess our sins and orient society toward more just policies.
March 5, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Is America a Christian Nation? Pastors at Odds About Fusion of Faith and Politics; QANon Has Merged with White Christian Evangelicals, Experts Say – and the Results Could be Lethal; Hundreds Demonstrate in Sioux City Against the Closure of Catholic Churches in Iowa; Century-Old Chicago Logan Square Church Transformed into Luxury Apartments; and more
Masks, Social Distancing Still Advisable Even If Not Mandated
Governor Abbott’s decision to end the Lone Star State’s mask mandate alarmed many health officials and state leaders. It is difficult in such times to parse through the partisanship in our politics.
The Heartbreak and Hope of Church Schisms
The ongoing schism within the United Methodist Church is the latest in a long series of such divisions in Christian history. While sad to witness, splits based upon conscience can also lead to hopeful futures.
The Confidence of Faith and the Idolatry of Certainty
It is a short distance in the calendar between Christmas and Easter, but that period seems to contain in a microcosm the whole of the pilgrimage, both personally and historically.
Malcolm, Martin and the American Racial Impasse: Part One
Our nation is grappling with whether race is incidental to our history or baked in. Just how deep will this archeological dig into racism’s roots go? And what are we going to do with the mounting pile of embarrassing artifacts?
March 4, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines; How Christian Schools and Homeschooling Teach Supremacist Conspiracies; QAnon and Conspiracy Theories are Taking Hold in Churches. Pastors are Fighting Back; French Catholic Clergy May Have Abused at Least 10,000 People Since 1950, Say Investigators; Conservative United Methodists Announce New Name, Logo, Website for Planned Denomination; and more.
More Identify as LGBT: Will They Be Treated Equally?
Discrimination against LGBT folk is still alive and well, but no longer as widespread as in years past. Could the U.S. House passing the Equality Act and a Gallup poll revealing more LGBT adults in the nation signal a trend toward greater equality?
Lent Calls us to Embrace Foolishness
Lent is a season for reversals. It calls us to acknowledge vulnerability and to embrace foolishness, trusting that divine weakness is stronger than human vigor and divine folly is more astute than human wisdom.
“Moving the Goalposts” Claims Ignore Pandemic Realities
Pundits claim Dr. Fauci and others have been “moving the goalposts” with their pandemic-related policies and guidelines. Such attacks miss the point.
March 3, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Shane Claiborne Urges Churches to Remove US Flags from Altars or Add Flags of Other 195 Countries; How Slavery Still Shapes the World of White Evangelical Christians; New Orleans Archdiocese Warns Catholics to Avoid ‘Morally Compromised’ Johnson & Johnson Vaccine; Who is a Jew? Israel’s Supreme Court Expands the Answer; and more.
Kris Exposed Hypocrisy, Injustices I’d Not Seen
The music of Kris Kristofferson points out hypocrisy and identifies social injustice in places some listeners never knew to look. His willingness to confess his own contradictions made it easier for others to do the same.