Recent Articles
March 13, 2020
Throughout History When Outbreaks Spread, Racism and Xenophobia Weren’t Far Behind (CNN) Coronavirus Ripples Turn to Waves for Faith-Based Groups (BNG) LDS Church Suspends Worship Services Worldwide (KSL) COVID-19 is a Devil Testing Organized Religion (New York...
The COVID-19 Virus and Come-to-Jesus Meeting
Canceling worship services, gatherings and conferences may seem dire in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but churches and other faith groups must face the reality of the possible consequences of ignoring warnings from scientists.
Identifying with Jesus: all year long
By John D. Pierce ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Communities, including congregations, tend to share cultural identities. When pastor of First Baptist Church in Monroe, Ga., near the college town of Athens, Glen Money said you could yell, “Go dawgs!” and “a hundred people...
Nearly 2M in US Live Within 3 Miles of High Toxic Emissions
Around 1.6 million people live within three miles of the US’s top 100 toxic emission facilities, which produce 39% of all toxic emissions in the nation, a report said. Nearly 170,000 live within a mile of these facilities.
How Aristotle Bolsters Christian-Muslim Interaction – Part 1
Instead of following extreme methods toward interfaith work between Christians and Muslims, it’s vital to find a virtuous middle ground. Can leaning on the classics help Christian-Muslim relations? Let’s start with Aristotle.
Forgiveness is When You Put Up with an Uneven Score
As many as a million people were killed during three months of 1994 during the Rwandan genocide. However, healing is the real story in this African nation as neighbor sought forgiveness from neighbor in the aftermath of the slaughter.
March 12, 2020
A New Museum Traces the History of Christian Zionists (Mosaic Magazine) Alcoholics Anonymous vs. Other Approaches: The Evidence is In (New York Times) This Car Dealership Provides a Safe Place for Homeless to Park and Sleep Overnight (CNN) Clemson Football Players Can...
Tickets Now Available for ‘Good Faith After Hours’ in June
Good Faith Media, a new media company being formed by Nurturing Faith and EthicsDaily, is hosting an after-hours event this summer during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly 2020.
Lenten Lectionary | Will You Boldly Push the Boundaries?
Through his interaction with a woman who was on the margins of her own community, Jesus boldly defied cultural, religious and political expectations to practice solidarity with ‘the other.’ How bold are you?
Public Opinion Varies Widely on Religious Freedom’s Value
With over two-thirds of respondents in 34 nations calling it ‘very important,’ freedom of religion is among the most highly valued rights globally, but public appreciation varies widely between nations, a report said.
March 11, 2020
Eugene Cho, the New President of Bread for the World, Wants Christians to Stop Being Political Jerks (Relevant Magazine) Evangelicals, This is How Republics Fail (Sojourners) Insights from a New Study on Spirituality to be Revealed at Religion Communications...
‘Brother Molly’ Podcast Preview Now Available
Born into a legacy of Baptist frontier preachers, Molly T. Marshall blazed her own trail across the 20th and 21st centuries. A preview of a six-episode podcast about her life and work is available now from EthicsDaily.com.
‘Scandalous Witness’
The bad news of nationalism and partisanship has scandalized the good news of Jesus in today’s America. And Christians – both liberals and conservatives – have added to this demise of Christian witness, a newly published book says.
Fear Not, COVID-19! You’re Only Making the Wolf Bigger
Disruptive fear can affect our physical, emotional and spiritual health. As paralyzing fear over COVID-19 grips many in our nation and the world, these 5 practical suggestions can help you resist the temptation to succumb to fear.
March 10, 2020
Trump’s Minister Rallies Cincinnati Evangelicals: ‘We Put God Right at the Center of the White House’ (Cincinnati Enquirer) Veggie Tales Creator Phil Vischer Tells Stories Differently Now (Washington Examiner) Conversations About Race in Texas Faith Circles Tend to...
Reaction and Response | Incremental Education Hikes Not Enough
Although nationwide revenues and expenses for public education in the US are on a four-year upward trend, several teachers and education experts said more must be done to invest in our nation’s children.
Vaccinating Your Church Against the Anxiety Virus – Part 2
Anxiety invades the church like a virus. Some churches have so much anxiety they verge on being paranoid. They see everything as threatening. Others feel perfectly safe in their surroundings. How do you treat your church’s anxiety?
Reducing Energy Consumption Will Require Sacrifices from All
Fewer Christmas lights, no new clothes every season, taking staycations. We are all going to have to make more serious efforts to reduce our environmental impact. It may require sacrifices, but can you justify your current choices?
March 9, 2020
Nashville Church Worships in Rubble After Deadly Tornado (Fox40) DC Church Reports its Rector Tests Positive for Coronavirus (CBN) Joe Biden Attends New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson (WLBT) Tax Woes for Harvest Bible Chapel Properties (Chicago Daily Herald) The...
You saw it here first
First, Susan uncovered what first looked like a spear point, but turned out to be the head of a bronze scepter. Everyone gathered around to look at the find, and some dirt near the edge of a baulk was displaced. As soon as the others left, I scooped up the displaced...
How You Can Transform Our Political Climate of Contempt
In our society that’s committed to a politics of contempt, the election season is about to get nasty. How do we respond to our neighbors with a different political ideology? Let’s disagree vehemently with integrity and love.
14 Conclusions on Our Nation’s Presidential Primary Process
With the primary elections well underway and this week’s Super Tuesday results behind us, the US presidential election process is in full swing. Check out these 14 tentative conclusions on the US presidential primary process.
Look Back | Deny Your Denial; Don’t Two-Step Around Truth
What are you going to deny yourself for Lent? Here’s an idea. Maybe it’s time to deny your denial and come to terms with the truth. We use the ‘denial dance’ to two-step around the truth about ourselves and the world.
March 6, 2020
Bethlehem’s Church of Nativity Closing, Tourists Banned Before Busy Easter Season Over Coronavirus Fears (Fox News) Churches in Florida Taking Precautions Amid Coronavirus Outbreak (Fox3 Orlando) John Roberts Lays Groundwork for Supreme Court to Limit Abortion (CNN)...
Cliff Vaughn Celebrates 20 Years at Baptist Center for Ethics
Associate director, culture editor, managing editor and now media producer, Cliff Vaughn has held many roles during his 20 years at Baptist Center for Ethics. His wisdom and insight always promote civility and the common good.
Countering Hostility Enflaming Our Polarized Society – Part 2
Moral pathogens inhabit our sinful, finite and imperfect world, some more virulent than others. In a time of profound polarization, obeying God might require us to make a choice that scandalizes our own notion of moral absolutes.
CDC: With Obesity Rising, Nearly Half of US Adults Now Obese
Nearly half of US adults are obese, the CDC says. Obesity has been rising over the past decade, with 40- to 59-year-olds as the age group with the highest obesity level, and men slightly more likely than women to be obese.
March 5, 2020
Pastor of Tornado-Damaged Nashville Church Looks to Recovery (ABC News) Tornado in ‘the Buckle of the Bible Belt’ Takes Toll on Houses of Worship (BNG) California Southern Baptists to Shutter Newspaper (Baptist Press) Bible Bill Heads to West Virginia Governor’s Desk...
Lenten Lectionary | Your Lenten Journey to the Far Country
Lent is more than remembering the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. It begins with Abram and continues with the story of the migration of covenant people over 1,500 years. Lent is about a journey to the far country. Will you go?
Countering Hostility Enflaming Our Polarized Society – Part 1
Don’t buy into the myth of neutrality. Like the COVID-19 virus currently sweeping many parts of the world, a social, political and moral rancor assaults the US body politic. And even many Christians have been caught in its grip.