Recent Articles
To Withdraw or not to Withdraw: Should President Biden Follow the Example of Pope Benedict XVI?
The calls in America and around the world for Mr. Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for president began on June 27, 2024, following his monstrously poor debate performance. They will not cease.
What Is an Algorithm and Why Should I Care?
Algorithms in and of themselves are not a bad thing. They act as librarians, helping to streamline the content of the internet.
Barber Urges Voters to Set Aside “Foolishness” at Moral March
The “Moral March on Washington and to the Polls” event gave voice to the needs of over 135 million people in poverty and low-wage jobs, leading to this fall’s presidential elections.
A Bad DeBait & The Politics of Fear: Strategies for Progressive Truth-Telling
As progressives, our compulsion to tell the truth is noble, but it must be exercised with wisdom. Not every truth is the necessary truth to rally for at the moment; it needs to be the right moment.
One Murder, Six Million Times
This is the problem with everyone claiming to be a “chosen people.” Inflicted horror upon others who are not chosen becomes acceptable as the Other is dehumanized and placed outside God’s salvation history.
Words to Hold On to When Life Sends You Adrift
When my grandmother, Eva Mae, would call me, she would first ask a question. “You yet holdin’ on?” She was making sure I was keeping the faith, that I had not let go of my convictions.
Building Bridges in a Divided World: 7 Ways to Cultivate Unity
In a world that is increasingly divided, followers of Jesus can be proactive and intentional about building bridges over the chasm of our differences. Our faith calls us to be peacemakers, to love our neighbors, and to cultivate unity in our churches and communities.
Why I Am Still a Baptist
Dating back to the 17th century, Baptists forged a unique way of being Christian in the world. Existing as a despised and persecuted minority, Baptists developed a unique set of distinctives that gave them identity and helped them to withstand periodic persecutions from other, more established Christian groups.
Democracy is on a Razor’s Edge
After last night’s debate, though, there is a burning question: Is the current course effective or does it need to be corrected? As political pundits continue to debate the need for change, everyone needs to keep in mind the high stakes we are facing.
Celebrating Religious Liberty: Protecting Church-State Separation in Oklahoma
Baptists and the founders knew the only way to maintain religious liberty for every citizen and protect the government from religious intrusion was to separate them.
Mandatory Chapel Hurting Student Faith
While the strong Christian community these chapel services strive to create is a worthy endeavor, mandatory attendance is often more disruptive to a cohesive community and individual student growth. Many students struggle with the expectation of mandatory chapel attendance, often considering it just another responsibility to add to their already heavy plates.
Seeing God’s Kin-dom in the Dog Days of Summer
I hear the author of John’s Gospel say, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” A place filled with plenty of seating, a place that never runs out of chairs, a place that never takes away but always adds to.
Lifeway Research Asks Churches What They’ve Done Since the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
A new Lifeway Research survey asks, “What have churches done since the overturning of Roe v. Wade?”
The Childcare Crisis Affecting Millennial Parents
There are so many barriers to having children. The government is gatekeeping how and when to get pregnant and creating a world where only the wealthiest among us have access to resources to get pregnant.
In a Completely Predictable Turn of Events, a Conservative Megachurch Pastor was Found to be Abusive and Corrupt
In a series of events that most people outside his congregation saw coming, a prominent conservative, evangelical megachurch pastor with a national following was recently found to have engaged in abuse and corruption.
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.