Recent Articles
Five Common Misconceptions When Talking about Race
Talking about race can help expel its toxins. But there are several misconceptions that have to be identified and addressed. Here are five.
February 10, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Religious Right’s Rhetoric Fueled the Insurrection; A Century Ago, White Protestantism Extremism Marched on Washington; Baylor and Southwestern Baptist Regain Control of Texas Foundation After Failed ‘Coup’; Middle East: Anger Grows at Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Virus Scofflaws, Threatening Rupture with Secular Jews (Washington Post); and more.
If Not Required by Jesus, It Isn’t a Requirement
The definition of the term “Christian” has changed a great deal since biblical times. It’s become an almost meaningless label these days. So, what does Jesus call disciples to do and be?
Safety Net Programs Have Reduced U.S. Poverty, Disparities Remain
Social safety net programs in the U.S. like SNAP, SSI and TANF have significantly reduced poverty levels, a report found. Yet, racial and ethnic disparities remain, which could increase further as a result of the pandemic.
Breadmaking Fosters Virtual Community During Lock-Down
A 112-day lock-down in Australia ended in late 2020. To cope with isolation, many turned to breadmaking and fostered community by sharing the results online. Beyond the pandemic, where can this sense of life together lead us?
February 9, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Former QAnon Follower: I Really Believe It’s a Cult; West Virginia’s Evangelical Christians Torn Over Religion’s Role in Politics; We Need to Talk About Bruce Springsteen’s Strange Quasi-Christian Ad for Jeep; Catholic Schools in US Hit by Unprecedented Enrollment Drop; and more
Baptist Pastors Need Reintroduction to Jesus
Two Baptist pastors who called Vice President Kamala Harris “Jezebel” received little news coverage and few public denunciations from fellow Baptists. Their racial slur demonstrates both cultural incompetence and a need to be reintroduced to Jesus.
White Evangelicals More Likely to Say Online Harassment Due to Faith
Nearly one-third of white evangelicals in the U.S. say the online harassment they have experienced resulted from their religious affiliation, a report found. This is the most of any religious group.
What Is Love Asking of Us Now?
We live in a time of bitter division, which has brought out the worst in us. In the current political and social climate, people of faith must consider what love is asking of us now.
February 8, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: California to Revise Indoor Church Guidelines After Ruling;Peleton Makes Toning Your Glutes Feel Spiritual. But Should Jesus be a Part of the Experience?; A Student Athlete Sparked National Change After Being Disqualified from a Volleyball Match for Wearing a Hijab; The Brave, But Forgotten, Kansas Lunch Counter Sit-in that Helped Change America; and more
People of Good Faith: Jana Peterson
Jana Peterson, a self-described “homeschooling homemaker” for 15 years, is pursuing a master of divinity at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. She is a GFM Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern for the spring 2021 semester.
I Didn’t Sign Up for White Christian Nationalism
I had already started following Jesus when I realized that something didn’t look, feel or sound right. If race, racism, white nationalism, toxic masculinity and insurrection are part of Christian discipleship, then cross my name off.
Look Back | Magic Words
Words have power. One could almost say they are magic. Let’s give attention and care to what we say so that our speech brings hope and healing.
February 5, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Biden, at Prayer Breakfast, Calls out ‘Political Extremism’; How Evangelicals’ Fundraising by Demonization Fed Capitol Violence; Gun Sales in January Set a New Record After Capitol Hill Insurrection;
Immigrants in Sanctuaries in Churches Hope Biden Offers Relief; and more
Lessons from ‘GameStopped’ Wall Street
A surge of individual investors buying stock in GameStop frazzled hedge fund managers and disrupted Wall Street last week. Such events should remind people of faith that in God’s economy, justice and equity abound.
When Things Make No Sense, Look for ‘Transmogrifiers’
Words can be ‘transmogrified’ by the people who use them, causing terms to take on a meaning that makes little sense to others. ‘Religious liberty’ is one concept that now has conflicted meanings.
White Christians Present Obstacle to End White Supremacy, Religious Nationalism
White professing Christians are the main obstacle to overcoming religious nationalism, white supremacy and racial injustice in the U.S. Despite such opposition, people of color are pressing ahead with efforts to dismantle systemic racism.
February 4, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis: A Mix of Hope and Dismay as Religious Leaders Assess Biden; The Trump Administration was a Catastrophe for American Christianity; A Letter to the White Church in America; White Evangelicals Most Likely to Say They’ve Been Harassed Online for Their Faith: Pew Study; and more.
An Elegy for Myanmar
Myanmar’s military carried out a coup early Monday morning, placing State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi under house-arrest. People of goodwill should call for justice in Myanmar and provide a lifeline of encouragement to those from Myanmar presently residing elsewhere.
Fixing Things
From appliances to face masks, fixing things is much easier than changing people. If we want to see change, we have to make good decisions, love others and fix what is within our reach.
US Prison, Jail Population Dropped Sharply in 2020
The U.S. inmate population declined in 2020, driven by a yearlong drop in prison inmates and a partial year decline in jail inmates. Still, the nation incarcerates more of its residents than any other nation.
February 3, 2021
In today’s news and analysis curated headlines: A Black Pastor Received a Racist Letter When He Announced He was Leaving the SBC; Cults Often Claim a ‘Christian’ Connection; Tensions Mount in German Catholic Church Over Abuse Report; and more.
When I Saw Hank, I Saw a Black Man
“Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron (1934-2021) overcame barriers and racist systems to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time, breaking Babe Ruth’s homerun record in 1974. His life and legacy should inspire us all.
Pilate’s Question Continues to Challenge Today
‘Fake news’ claims, popularized under the Trump administration, have made Pilate’s question, ‘what is truth?’ an important query for the nation. We must seek and defend truth, but not as a settled, finished possession.
Reaction and Response: US to Re-enter Paris Climate Agreement
An executive order signed on Jan. 20, 2021, set the U.S. on a path to re-enter the Paris climate agreement. Several faith leaders offered their reaction and response to the decision.
February 2, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: First Baptist Tulsa to Recognize Race Massacre Anniversary with Prayer Room Exhibit; The Real Rosa Parks Story is Better than the Fairy Tale; Sanctuary Movement Leaders Sue U.S., Claiming Religious Rights Violated; and more.
Seven Appeals to U.S. Evangelicals
To evangelicals in the U.S. who supported Donald Trump, let me appeal that you bring an end to the culture war, lay aside your other loyalties and return to your first love: the way of Jesus, the kingdom of God.
Cooking Fatigue: American-Style Pandemic Blues
A magazine article exposed economic inequality and unrecognized privilege. While many cannot find sufficient daily food, apparently some Americans are suffering from ‘cooking fatigue.’
Reaction and Response | Conspiracy Theories Common in U.S. Protestant Churches
Conspiracy theories are heard frequently in nearly half of U.S. Protestant congregations, a report found. Four Protestant leaders shared their reaction and response with Good Faith Media.
February 1, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Religion Professor: Christian Nationalism is a Threat, and not Just from Capitol Attackers Invoking Jesus; How the NRA Helped Foment an Armed Insurrection at the Capitol; Religion and Psychology Use Similar Methods to Reduce Stress; Will the U.S. End its Support for the Apartheid Israeli Regime?; and more