Recent Articles
COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Persistent Injustices
The global pandemic is an apocalypse – in the sense of an unveiling of persistent injustices around the world. Being forced to see that which is often ignored should elicit a response from people of conscience.
Good Faith is coming!
By John D. Pierce Since announcing the formation of Good Faith Media we have been buoyed by the widespread interest and affirmation. This new venture brings together the varied media and experiential resources of Nurturing Faith and EthicsDaily. However, the sum of...
May 5, 2020
Canada: Why Religious Freedom Stokes Coronavirus Protests in the U.S., but Not in Canada (The Conversation) Detroit Pastors Keep the Faith After Getting Coronavirus (Detroit Free Press) Supreme Court to Hear Two Cases About When Religious Employers Can Ignore Civil...
3 Ways Clergy Can Help Health Care Workers Process Moral Distress
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the ever-present moral distress faced by health care workers ‘into overdrive.’ The local church must mobilize to provide both immediate and long-term support to those on the front lines.
Don’t Forget You’re Not Alone Despite Physical Distancing
COVID-19 has challenged the world not only economically, but also emotionally. As our fears are heightened and loneliness is widespread, it is important to remember that we’re not alone.
Cost Concerns Keep U.S. Adults from Seeking Medical Care for Possible COVID-19
Potential costs keep some U.S. adults from seeking medical care for symptoms associated with COVID-19, a new survey found. This corroborates earlier polling data about postponed health care visits and procedures due to financial considerations.
May 4, 2020
Trump’s Favorability Among White Christians Falls in Double Digits, Particularly in Counties Hit Hardest by Coronavirus, Poll Says (Newsweek) Trump Brings Religion into the Coronavirus War (The Atlantic) Assault Weapons, Swastikas and Confederate Flags: Michigan...
Nurturing Faith extends free Bible study resources through June
By John D. Pierce Thoughtful and applicable Bible study — for individuals or in tech-connected groups — fills an important role during this time of isolation and uncertainty. Therefore, the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Tony Cartledge are available to everyone by...
How Not to Waste an Apocalypse
An apocalypse is an unveiling, shining light on what is wrong and providing an opportunity to make the necessary changes to pursue justice for all. How can you avoid wasting these moments?
Look Back | Millennials – A Voice to Call the Church to Faithfulness
Rachel Held Evans (1981-2019) offered a prophetic voice to U.S. Christians. She clearly articulated what many have felt about church and called Christians to more faithfully follow the life and teachings of Jesus.
Reaction and Response: Most U.S. States Exempt Religious Gatherings from Pandemic Rules
Most U.S. states exempt houses of faith from public gathering prohibitions, while lawsuits concerning restrictions have been filed on First Amendment grounds. Faith leaders weigh in on the balance between religious freedom and public health.
May 1, 2020
Broad Coalition of Faith, Civil Rights, Business and Immigration Organizations Launch a Pro-Immigrant Campaign (The Hill) Eric Metaxas, David French Highlight Evangelical Disagreement Over Supporting Trump (Christian Headlines) ‘A Phantom Plague’: America’s Bible Belt...
New Book Explores ‘What it Means to be Black and Christian in America’
A new book explores ‘what it means to be Black and Christian in America.’ Author Terrell Carter highlights instances of racial injustice and considers reactions by white Christians that reveal ‘unwritten American societal expectations for black people.’
Immigrants Face High Living Costs, Lack of Safety Net During Pandemic
Many immigrant families are facing job loss, coupled with high costs of living and no safety nets available to them. One family’s experience illustrates the challenges faced by many.
Majority of U.S. Protestant Pastors Affirms Human-Caused Climate Change
For the first time in LifeWay Research’s polling on the subject, a majority of U.S. Protestant pastors affirmed that global warming is taking place and that it is human-caused.
April 30, 2020
Baptists Help Liberian Boy Receive Life-Changing Surgery (Ethics Daily) Southern Baptist Publishing Arm LifeWay Announces Cuts Due to COVID-19 (RNS) South Alabama Charities Hurt by Decline in Church Tithing (NBC15) India: Religious Freedoms in India Deteriorated Last...
POSITIVE NOTES: Music helps us get through hard times
By John D. Pierce Lee Bains III had planned to be touring with his band, The Glory Fires — that “draws deeply from punk, but also soul, power pop, country, and gospel.” Yet, like just about everyone else, Lee became homebound this spring. And, like many other...
Heart Unity: Gandhi’s Insights for Building Strong Interfaith Relations
Gandhi’s concept of ‘heart unity’ offers insight on constructive interfaith engagement. His inclusive approach is a model for developing personal character and social harmony.
The Ethics of Human Challenge Trials in COVID-19 Era – Part 2
The ‘Doctrine of Double Effect,’ developed by Thomas Aquinas, offers a time-tested method for assessing human challenge trials being proposed to streamline COVID-19 vaccine development.
Baptists Help Liberian Boy Receive Life-Changing Surgery
A 10-year-old boy from Liberia received life-changing surgery in the U.S. thanks to connections formed through a charitable foundation established to build houses, churches and schools.
April 29, 2020
Top E.R. Doctor Who Treated Virus Dies by Suicide (New York Times) Troy Sneed, Grammy-Nominated Gospel Singer, Dies from Coronavirus Complications (CNN) Evangelical Church Sues California Governor Newsom Over Coronavirus Restrictions (Los Angeles Times) Iowa Religious...
‘Brother Molly’ Podcast Has New Release Date of May 12
A six-episode documentary podcast on the life and work of theologian Molly T. Marshall, titled ‘Brother Molly,’ will be released on May 12. It will be available for free at BrotherMolly.com and popular podcasting platforms.
Interreligious Relations Must Become Imperative, Not a Sidebar
Christians, as well as all others, must recognize they have something new to learn about God and the meaning and role of religion from traditions other than their own. Interreligious encounter must become an imperative.
The Ethics of Human Challenge Trials in COVID-19 Era – Part 1
Human challenge trials are regularly conducted all over the world. While these trials could aid in rapidly getting a COVID-19 vaccine to market, we have an ethical duty to protect vulnerable populations and mediate the risk.
April 28, 2020
A Virginia Pastor Believed ‘God Can Heal Everything.’ Then He Caught Coronavirus. (Washington Post) Chicago Area Catholic Church Offering Socially Distant Confessions (WBBM) Electricity Consumption Up for Pizza and Liquor Stores, Down for Dry Cleaning and Religion (PV...
Interfaith Efforts Can Help Break Down ‘Religious Distancing’
While social distancing is helping us respond to the COVID-19 crisis, ‘religious distancing’ causes individuals and communities of faith to respond to fear and anxiety toward the ‘religious other’ by isolating themselves from them.
U:21 | What This Pandemic Can Teach You About Prison Reform
The U.S. criminal justice system is corrupted in more ways than we can count. Prisons and jails are unnecessarily populated. Prisoners held for longer than their sentences. And it all creates a breeding ground for COVID-19.
7 Things Your Church Can Learn During This Global Pandemic
Often perceived as the most resistant to change, churches have been putting into place new skills and practices as they respond to ‘shelter in place’ guidelines. After the COVID-19 crisis passes, here are 7 lessons we can take away.
April 27, 2020
For Hospital Chaplains, Coronavirus Has Shifted Political Care (US News & World Report) Some of the Most Visible Christians in America are Failing the Coronavirus Test (The Atlantic) Louisiana Pastor, While on House Arrest, Again Defies Coronavirus with Church...
Being a Good Interfaith Neighbor During the Age of COVID-19
Neighboring is one of the basic tenants of the Abrahamic faiths. Each of our holy texts – Christian, Jewish and Muslim – speak of being good neighbors. Isn’t it a shame it takes a pandemic to get to know our neighbors?