Recent Articles
Sue Fitzgerald: A Reluctant Pioneer
Pastors throughout the region valued and respected her. The issue was not Sue, but the Rev. in front of her name.
The Church Bus Driver
The old gray-haired Bapto-Appalachian-American preacher continues to ponder Brother Paul’s admonition that a church leader should not be a new convert while recognizing that there are some things that enthusiastic and willing new converts can do as they grow in grace and knowledge.
In My Own Words: The Need for Semantic Sovereignty
It took me a long time to find my voice after being “seen and not heard,” talked over, talked out of, talked about, mansplained and victim-blamed. It’s a wonder I have any part of my tongue left.
Lessons on the Road
American landscapes are diverse and beautiful. From the flatlands of the Southern Plains to the fog shimmering off the Blue Ridge Mountains, around every corner of America lies an organic painting created by the beautiful hand of the Divine.
Heart of the Moral Issue
In current affairs, the people of Gaza embody the “least of them” and their plight demands our urgent attention and action.
On Abortion, Donald Trump Understands Discipleship
I’ve seen white, evangelical “pro-lifers” hold up signs that read, “I’ll raise your baby!” to women seeking an abortion. I’ve yet to see a sign that reads, “I’ll fight like hell for systems that make it easier for you to be a parent!”
The Way of St. Jonathan Daniels
Daniels’s life is remembered as an example of what it looks like to love others as neighbors and brothers and sisters.
Lions, Unicorns, and the Separation of Church and State
The separation of church and state isn’t about doubt in God’s ability to lead, but rather the humble realization that our interpretation of God’s will may not be correct. If we are wrong, why make others suffer the consequences of our mistakes?
The European Mind Cannot Comprehend College Church Fairs
Students’ ability to choose from multiple churches to attend during their university years is remarkable, even in many communities across America. The fact that some college towns have enough churches to hold a carnival to court students would be unfathomable to most of the world.
Nurturing Faith Journal | The Chronicles of Shamgar Son of Anath
Lots of ‘em ask how I managed it, and I just tell ‘em Yahweh was with me. Folks look disappointed, like they want to know all the gory details. I tell all the young folks that come by that it ain’t no picnic sendin’ another man down to Sheol. It weighs on a man, even if he did it for good reason.
American Voters Remain Deeply Divided Over Almost Everything
The statement that “America is polarized” is prevalent in our political discourse. But is it true? According to the data, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
Changing Beliefs, Practices on Alcohol Consumption Among Younger Adults
Young adults are overwhelmingly more likely than their older counterparts to believe alcohol consumption is harmful to health , according to a recent Gallup survey. Their drinking habits have also changed.
It’s Character, Stupid
As we reflect upon an age of politics that was less caustic than our own, there is great irony in the party peddling nationalistic nostalgia forgetting how far our standards have dropped.
The Assistant Baptizer
I guarantee you there’s a story behind Brother Paul’s words about the qualifications of church leaders. That’s clearly the case in the letter to Titus, where Paul counsels Titus on cleaning up somebody else’s mess in Crete. We would have a much thinner New Testament were it not for epistles written to deal with conflict and destructive behavior.
Red, White, Blue and True Colors
I find political coloring problematic as it creates yet another false binary. Liberal versus conservative, the two extremes are not defined for Americans to meet in the middle.
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.