Recent Articles
January 7, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Extensive coverage of the Trump Mob Capitol Insurrection; Raphael Warnock’s Win is One for the History Books (New York Times); and more
Street Food Redivivus
The ancients enjoyed a variety of street foods. A beautiful illustration of that came to light when officials with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii announced the discovery of an open-air eatery in the former city of Pompeii.
After COVID-19 Exile, Time to ‘Rebuild the Temple’
Communities of faith yearn to ‘get back to normal’ after months of missing the experience of community so central to the nurturing of faith. Their task is reminiscent of the desire to restore Zion and rebuild the Temple.
‘Stewards of Eden’
Riveting from beginning to end, Sandra Richter’s book, ‘Stewards of Eden,’ is a treasure for the church and anyone interested in the long-term welfare of the earth. It should become a staple in Bible studies across America.
Christians in Congress Outpace U.S. Christian Population
Christians continue to hold the majority of seats in the US Congress, a report said. In the 117th Congress, 88.1% (468 members) affiliate with a Christian faith tradition, outpacing the 65% of US adults who identify as Christian.
January 6, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Pro-Trump Forums Erupt With Violent Threats Ahead of Wednesday’s Rally Against the 2020 Election; D.C. Houses of Worship Beef up Security as Trump Defenders Descend on the Nation’s Capital; Brian Kaylor: The Democratic Sin of Congressional Chaplains; and more.
A ‘Flat’ Bible Flat Out Leads Away from Jesus
Many Americanized Christians hold Jesus hostage to their political whims with ‘biblical’ positions that have little to do with the Bible and less to do with Jesus’ calling upon his followers’ lives. They’re reading a ‘flat’ Bible.
When Adults Don’t Outgrow Childhood ‘Cooties’
Playground cooties are cruel devices of exclusion; almost every child grows out of them. But some children do not, and they carry that prejudice from playgrounds to borders and schools and gated communities and commercial businesses.
Your Church and Same-Gender Marriage – Part 2
A growing number of congregations across the U.S. have been engaging in conversations about conducting same-sex marriages since 2015’s Supreme Court decision. These 5 guidelines can help your church work through the process.
January 5, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: White Christian Nationalists to Hold Treasonous ‘Jericho March’ to Pray Pence will Destroy Democracy by Overturning Election; Progressive Faith Leaders Urge Congress to Honor Election Result;
Civil Rights Group Sues White Supremacist Proud Boys Over ‘Racist Attack’ on DC Church; Biden is Ushering in the Second Coming of Religious Liberals; Dance Floor Where John the Baptist Was Condemned to Death Discovered, Archaeologist Says; and as if that is enough for one day, oh yes, there is more …
Health Care Workers Face Pandemic Trauma
Months of caring for the tsunami of sick patients suffering from a virus, which health care professionals were learning about with each new case, has been traumatic. We must not forget to care for them when this pandemic ends.
SBC Seminary Heads Widen Gap with People of Color
The six presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention’s seminaries released a statement condemning critical race theory, further bringing into focus the disconnect between white evangelical Christians and Christians of color.
Your Church and Same-Gender Marriage – Part 1
Following the high court’s decision to legalize same-gender marriages, Christian churches now must decide whether to conduct them in church buildings and by their clergy. Making this choice is a defining moment for a church.
January 4, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Christian Nationalism’s COVID Vaccine Doubt Threatens America’s Herd Immunity; Raphael Warnock’ Campaign for the Moral High Ground; South Carolina’s Southern Baptists Take Issue with Denominations Recent Statement on Race; Armenian Christian Community Caught Between Israelis and Palestinians; and more.
Turning the Calendar: More than Symbolic
As we hesitantly enter 2021, we understand we still have a long way to go before the end of the pandemic and knowing racism is more than a blemish on our nation’s character. However, in our hesitancy, we can see hope.
Pope: ‘Culture of Care’ is Path to Peace
A ‘culture of care’ must be adopted in order to create a pathway to peace, Pope Francis said, urging people ‘to become a prophetic witness of the culture of care, working to overcome the many existing social inequalities.’
Most-Read Articles, Most-Purchased Books in 2020
Since GoodFaithMedia.org launched, the site has had nearly 400,000 pages viewed. Here are the top 10 articles viewed so far since the launch date. And check out the 10 most purchased books through GFM’s online bookstore.
‘Music of Darkness’ Is Latest Nurturing Faith Books Release
Idolatry is a sin, but can music actually be an idol? And is musical idolatry only found outside the church? Those are some of the questions addressed in ‘Music of Darkness,’ the latest release from Nurturing Faith Books.
December 31, 2020
In today’s news and analysis curated headlines: Religion, Abortion, Guns and Race. Just the Start of the New Supreme Court Menu.; First Baptist Church of Huntsville is Awaiting UV-C Light to Installation to Kill Bacteria; Head of German Bishops, Self-Described Conservatives, Calls for Catholic Church to Change Teaching on LGBT People and Women; and more
I Resolve to – Stretch
A new year is coming. As we consider resolutions related to diet or fitness, let’s not forget there are other aspects of personal and community health. The stretch toward justice may just be the most important of them all.
Honesty, Ethics Perception Rises for Medical Professionals
Perception of the honesty and ethics of US doctors, nurses and pharmacists increased in 2020, an annual survey found. Nurses retained the top spot, as they have for most of the past 20 years, with an 89% favorable rate.
What COVID-19 Has Taught Us: We’re Vulnerable
COVID-19 has been a game-changer. For all the dreadful things COVID-19 has done to us, it has helped dispel an illusion, the illusion of our own invulnerability. Just like everyone else who has ever walked this earth, we’re mortal.
December 30, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Churches Take Different Approaches to Keeping Watch Night Tradition; Rick Warren: Coronavirus Rules Aren’t Oppressing Christian; How Religion Primes Us to Think God is on Our Side; RNS’ Best Religion Stories from a Terrible Year; and more
Rose Garden Christianity is Thorny Variety
Focus on the Family founding president James Dobson took the loss by the incumbent president very personally. For Dobson and other religious-right attention-seekers, this was indeed a loss of privilege and influence.
Farewell 2020 – Few of Us Will Miss You
As 2020 ends in a few days, few will mourn the passing of one of the most difficult years of our lives. Yet the counsel of Scripture is that we do well to receive life’s obstacles as opportunities to grow in faith, hope and love.
Reaction and Response: Big Changes Needed to Meet Climate Targets
The 2030 climate targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement will not be met without substantive changes, a report said. Faith leaders echoed that sentiment, urging Christians to lead the way in making the necessary lifestyle changes.
December 29, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Rev. William Barber on Greed, Poverty and Evangelical Politics; Museum of the Bible Considers Suing D.C. Mayor Over Virus Shutdown, Citing Religious Freedom Claims; At Christmas Mass, Iraq’s Muslim President Calls for Christians to be Protected; and more
Emerging Voices | Sabbath Gives Clarity During Grief-Filled Pandemic
More than a day off or a chunk of unplanned time, Sabbath offers us a glimpse of clarity as we face the prolonged grief of this pandemic. We are reminded that amid grief, there is celebration. Amid chaos, there is peace.
How to Bring an End to Our Polarized Society
It is not acceptable to remain stuck in old, immature patterns of thought and behavior in which we use our religion or belief system as a shield from criticism and a weapon for attack. It’s patently un-Christian and unhealthy.
White Evangelical Protestants: Outliers on COVID-19 Views
White evangelical Protestants in the US are outliers when it comes to their views of the pandemic, a report said. They were the sole religious group surveyed that did not rate the pandemic as one of their top three pressing issues.