Recent Articles
A Case Study of America’s Evolving Faith and Politics
By and large, the people of faith in my life are tired of participating in a religion that values the manipulative power of fear more than the deeply transformative power of love and hope.
Kamala Harris and DNC Refuse to Give Voice to Justice for Palestinians in Gaza
By rejecting the pleas of Palestinian Americans to be heard during the official proceedings in Chicago, Harris did not give those voters a reason to believe that her policies towards Palestinian justice will be different from Biden’s.
What Kind of Mother?
After several days in the ICU at their hometown hospital, doctors informed Julie that, in addition to her severe autism, Dani had a rare and aggressive mitochondrial disease and would likely not survive until age seven.
Honoring Roots and Bracketing Biases
It is not uncommon for pieces of ourselves to be at war with one another, but the sooner we allow ourselves to sit with the dissonance, the sooner Jesus can do restorative work in us to heal those parts and make us whole.
Most Immigrants in the United States are Christians
The overwhelming majority of immigrants (70%) are Christian, mirroring the overall immigration to European countries.
Faith and Youth Sports: Intersection or Bifurcation?
Examining muscular Christianity has led me to suggest that the “faith and sport” movement, which made its way into youth sports, was an attempt by Christians to align themselves with one of the most popular cultural activities throughout human history: sport.
Still Worthy of Peace
After nearly a decade of pervasive fear and division, joy is making a powerful comeback. This isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s a profound response to years of adversity. Joy is being celebrated in our communities, art, social movements, and even political activism. It’s a stark contrast to the language of human carnage that seeks to divide us.
Trap: Reimagining ‘The Twist’ in M. Night Shyamalan’s Films
Character studies in Shyamalan’s work remind us that there is so much more that distinguishes humans from others than DNA and fingerprints. We are a strange mix of all the things that have ever happened to us and all the ways we have been conditioned to respond.
Unmasking: Embracing My Neurodivergence
I want to show another way, a world where people are people, not objects or “things” to be controlled.
My Fear of Doctors
My annual physical is fast approaching. Honestly, I am afraid to go to the doctor, regardless of how critical routine check-ups are. But my fear of doctors is for the same reasons that most Euro-Americans find it frightful.
New Survey Measures Religiosity and Spirituality to Find the Most Religious Place in the World
Pew Research Center researches religion and spirituality worldwide. The think tank surveyed people in 102 countries and has announced what they found to be the most religious place in the world.
By the Way | A Visit to Fort Ross
When my son and I visited Fort Ross to film as part of our documentary about Orthodoxy in Alaska, we encountered mixed views about the impact of Orthodoxy on Alaska Natives
The Decline of the Church in America
The church is in decline because we are not preaching a message consistent with Jesus’ message.
Transforming Conflict
While some of Jesus’ disciples might refer to him as the “prince of peace,” neither the leader nor his followers could avoid conflict. Instead, they were often transformed by it.
BJC announces 2024 class of BJC Fellows
This cohort of BJC Fellows brings together people with a wide range of theological, educational and geographic perspectives, all united in their commitment to upholding the core principle of religious liberty.
Remembering Prince Moore
Born in 1906, he had known all four of his grandparents and one of his great-grandmothers who were formerly enslaved. In a world without radio, television or internet, and very little in the way of reading material, he was marinated in the stories of parents, grandparents and his great-grandmother.
American Complicity in Gaza
Until the United States government gets serious about demanding Israel’s reasonable participation in the peace process — which includes the departure of Netanyahu — then death and destruction will continue to follow.
Gallup Reports Drastic Changes in Beliefs about Vaccines
In 2001, only 6% of respondents believed that vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they were designed to prevent. In 2019, that rate almost doubled to 11%. Currently, one in five (20%) Americans hold that belief.
Alliance of Baptists Prepares for Second Pilgrimage to Montgomery
The Alliance of Baptists is preparing for its second pilgrimage to the three sites of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama.
Reversal of Fortunes: Reimagining Public Education and Defense Spending
Don’t just thank a teacher. Argue for a different definition of national security.
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
The scripture repeatedly guides us to place our trust in God alone, warning us of the perils of misplaced hope. Our modern era is rife with distractions and diversions that promise salvation and security through human institutions and ideologies.
Calling All Purple Church Pastors: End Your Silence
Many purple church pastors remained silent because they made a calculation that Donald Trump would eventually go away. But he didn’t go away, and their silence is one of the reasons why.
A Lament on Evil
Debating who is right and wrong is not of interest to me because defining evil is shaped by our personal worldview. I simply know that my dread was at an all-time high as I wondered if the nice ticketing agent who helped me figure out the problem with the kiosk would be with or against me in an American Civil War.
Gaza – The Sad Reality Versus the Possibility
In the midst of fighting for Israel’s future and confronting the rise of extreme antisemitism, can we still uphold our right to self-defense and Israel’s right to peace and security while also recognizing the humanity and suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters?
New Survey Finds Most Pastors Have Limited ‘Secular’ Work Experience
A new Lifeway survey finds most pastors have limited work experience outside of ministry. Most of the pastors surveyed say their resumes include several church and ministry roles but lack experience in jobs unrelated to ministry.
Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord
This week at our church, we reached a new level of anxiety and defense. A police officer stood inside the door to our sanctuary when choir members arrived for midweek choir practice. I don’t think it was what the psalmist had in mind when singing, “I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.”
On Being a “DEI Hire”
DEI frightens those who assume the political and social arenas are their birthrights. They feel threatened by the unraveling of white affirmative action, which endangers the lie upon which it is based— white supremacy.
We Need Smart Mouths
Life and death, the here and now, and how the world gets around are because our mouths move about. This is a creative tool, so be mindful when you move your lips.
A Better Name
Marilyn and I are adoptive parents. We adopted our three daughters in 1980. I worked for 13 years as an adoption case manager with Polk and Haralson County Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). I know the significance of a name received later in life that bestows a status equal to one given at birth.
CBF Leaders Participate in State Department Refugee Resettlement Efforts
Under the Welcome Corps program, sponsor groups of at least five U.S. citizens commit to providing resettlement services to refugees for at least 90 days. They will assist in locating housing and employment and in registering children in local schools.