Recent Articles
Human Migration: Looking for Una Vida Mejor
If you open your cupboard and there is nothing but dust and you reach into your pockets, and there is nothing but lint and there is no sustaining work for you to do to support your family, but only underemployment and unemployment, you migrate and look for una vida mejor.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules Against Establishment of State-Sponsored Religious School
The Oklahoma Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, declared yesterday that the official state establishment of a religious charter school violates the First Amendment’s Separation Clause of the U.S. Constitution and other statutes under Oklahoma state law.
By the Way | In Praise of Short Sermons
The Puritan era of three-hour sermons every Thursday and twice on Sunday is long past. So, too, is the classic three-points-and-a-poem sermon. It is better to give the congregation a thought or two to carry through the week rather than a long-forgotten theological disquisition.
Churches are Participating in Pride, Hosting Drag Events
This June, cities all over the country have hosted a multitude of Pride events: parades, lip-syncing competitions, concerts, and educational experiences, just to name a few. While the list may not be surprising given that it’s Pride month, the venue of some of these events– churches –may seem counterintuitive.
More Americans Hold a Liberal View on Social Issues, Resulting in Ideological Equality
Gallup’s Values and Beliefs survey finds most Americans hold a liberal view on social issues. The liberal perspective is no longer a “minority viewpoint.”
Book Review: ‘The N Word of God’ Is a Prophetic Retelling of the Myths of Race
Mark Doox’s satirical graphic novel, “The N-Word of God,” turns the racialized worldview on its head. The Columbus, Ohio native’s first book will leave readers scratching their heads, wondering how they ever came to accept the dueling identities of black and white.
Con Job: Trump’s Unexpected Campaign for Biden’s Immunity
Politics is simply the way multiple people negotiate how they will be with each other. So, if you think you’re not into politics, you’re already deceived. You are into politics, even if you are disengaged, because disengagement is a type of relating and negotiating.
A Letter to Extroverts
Introverts are not selfish. They do not purposely avoid people because they are antisocial or ill-willed toward others. They do it to reduce their stress levels, which allows them to function to the best of their abilities, both for themselves and others.
What Defines Us
When we consider everyday choices with the care often saved for defining moments, every page of our lives can demonstrate who we are and grow us into the kind of person we should strive to be.
Wisdom Wherever You Find It | Just Look at Them and Sigh
As a kid, I found more truths in rock and roll than in Scripture, including lots of words I never heard in the Bible. But despite my preference for the Beatles (not the Stones then) and Simon and Garfunkel, no song made more of an impression on me than “Teach Your Children.”
First Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Moderator Reflects on Joys and Challenges of Early CBF Years
First Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Moderator Reflects on Early Days of CBF.
What Do We Mean by “Pride”?
Semantics aside, this month is about recognizing the innate worth of all of God’s children—no matter how they’re wired—and giving thanks for being able to live into that creative diversity.
A New National Survey Reappraises American Attitudes on Confederate Monuments
Two years later, a new national survey from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and E Pluribus Unum (EPU) reappraises American attitudes on Confederate monuments and finds Americans remain divided over their memorialization in public spaces but express support to repair the damage of past discrimination.
Before you celebrate Juneteenth, remember why we needed it in the first place.
You can’t appreciate the joy of Juneteenth unless you understand the sorrow of slavery.
Nurturing Faith Journal to become Good Faith Magazine
The new “Good Faith Magazine” will build on the expansive, inclusive tradition of SBC Today, Baptists Today and “Nurturing Faith Journal.” Baptist life will always be our “family of origin,” and the Baptist principles of soul competency and religious freedom will continue to guide us.
New Gallup Poll Says “Slim Majority” Finds Changing Genders Immoral
A new Gallup poll reports a “slim majority” of American adults (51%) believe changing genders is immoral. Concurrently, most U.S. adults polled support gender-affirming care for minors (62%).
Hungry for Faith: Telling Old Stories in Compelling Ways
People who never darken the door of a church or synagogue may have not all turned their backs on faith, but they are turned off by organized religion. That is a different problem. It may not be any easier, but it certainly demands a new approach.
Priscilla and Aquila as a Model for Ministry
Apparently, God will not cup your ear and whisper into it if you are a woman. Good only for her lady parts, God has no use for women save marriage and childbearing. It reminds me of Priscilla and Aquila and the ministry model they offer readers in the Acts of the Apostles.
Affirming Network of Cooperative Baptists and Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists Announce Merger
This morning, the Affirming Network (AFN) of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB) announced they had merged into a single organization, retaining AWAB’s name.
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Roderious Phillips Named Associate Media Producer at Good Faith Media
Roderious Phillips has been named associate media producer at Good Faith Media (GFM). He will join the production team as GFM continues to expand its media coverage and paid-production projects.
The Seraph and the Stars
The highest point in every Greek Orthodox Church is always decorated with an icon of Jesus so that no other saint or angel can be placed above Him. The Hagia Sophia is no different, but its icon of Jesus is still covered by plaster and paint from when it was converted into a mosque.
Sold Out of Flagpoles: January 6 Version
Everywhere you looked, a different kind of savior was being idolized.
Justice Alito’s Not-So-Secret Mission: Create a Christian Nation
While Alito has every right to hold his religious beliefs—even as much as they offend me—he has no right to force them into his rulings and opinions that affect millions of people, some who are people of faith and others who are not.
Nurturing Faith, Creativity and Rest at Inkberry Hill
Instead of moving toward an easier life, we’ve chosen a more strenuous one. Moving in itself is a major chore, and then there’s the job of getting an overgrown property with a house and three outbuildings in shape. Some days, I feel that I’ve traded the cushy life of a professor and writer for the roles of maintenance man and groundskeeper.
70 Years Under God
A progressive, mainline Protestant minister doesn’t match our stereotype of someone espousing Christian Nationalism today in a time of Franklin Graham, Robert Jeffress, Sean Feucht, Charlie Kirk, and other conservative evangelicals wanting to codify Christianity.
Big Bibles of Pinewood
In parts of this country, including my own, pulling out a large Bible to read in public will boost your social status among your neighbors far more than diminish it. Being seen reading a Koran, on the other hand, comes with a level of risk that we don’t understand. This should cause us concern and spur us on to greater humility.
Look Back | Complementarianism: A Separate-But-Equal Knockoff
Jesus set the example for another and better way. He made it very clear that there is no artificial ranking of male and female roles in his kingdom.
New Regulations Expanding the Scope of Title IX to Go into Effect in August
A paper recently released by the U.S. Department of Education has announced that new regulations to Title IX will go into effect this August.
Let’s Talk about Genocide
The perpetrators of genocide will always provide “reasons” why such extreme acts are necessary. They accuse their victims of being “savages,” of controlling a “worldwide financial cabal,” of being terrorists and threats to our security. They label their victims “vermin” and cockroaches.
People of Good Faith | Johnna Ryan
Johnna Ryan is the Summer 2024 Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern at Good Faith Media. We are excited to have her on board and for all that she will teach us and contribute to good-faith conversations.