Recent Articles
Tomorrow Belongs To Oliver Anthony?
Who’s Oliver Anthony? He’s not hard to find these days. Crashing onto the scene last week with his tune “Rich Men North of Richmond,” he now boasts several songs in the top ten U.S. iTunes charts.
Protection Is the Main Reason for Most American Gun Owners
Most gun owners in the U.S. say they own a gun for protection, according to a Pew Research Center report released on August 16.
February 25, 2023
Where Do Socioeconomic Classes Mix? Not Church, Not Chili’s; Birmingham Church that Hosted First Civil Rights Meeting Gets Preservation Grant; In Federal Court, a Baptist Weighs the Future of US Immigration
Baylor University Misses the Mark, But They Still Can Do the Right Thing
Baylor’s most recent actions are concerning for a variety of reasons. However, the blatant disregard for how much its positions against LGBTQ+ students harm them and place their health in jeopardy is quite alarming.
Care and Feeding of the Public Trust
Betraying the public trust” is a phrase long used to describe persons who have acted contrary to the confidence and intentions of those who put them in a place to do so. It can happen in large “publics” like national life, and in small ones, like a church, club, or other association where trust is an essential component.
Good Faith Media Releases ‘Second’ Narrative Podcast Today
“A Second Language” is a six-part narrative podcast – releasing today – about Second Baptist Church in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.
God Is Good
Maybe God is good because we only read those biblical passages which present us with a benevolent deity. But for those of us who have carefully read the entire text, a disturbing depiction emerges.
August 24, 2023
Pride Flag Killing Suspect Appears to Have a Long History of Anti-LGBTQ Social Posts; Varied Regional Culture May Affect Individual Expression of Religion; San Francisco Archdiocese Announces Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (and more)
Remembering Ben and Joe
No, they weren’t two of the four Cartwright men whose adventures on the Ponderosa were watched so faithfully decades ago. But these two men — Ben and Joe — were stalwarts in their own rights.
When Black History Becomes a Crime
There was a time not all that long ago (indeed, my parents were children) when it was illegal for Black students to attend my alma mater, Little Rock Central High School. Now, thanks to actions by my home state’s ambitious new governor and her rubber-stamp legislative supermajority, it may be illegal for students there to study the full historical context of how Central High came to be a literal landmark of the Civil Rights Movement.
Black August Celebrates African American Resistance
Black August celebrates the history of African American resistance and the legacy of freedom fighters.
Three New Books Available From Nurturing Faith Books
Merrill Davies chronicles one man’s work to make meaning out of his life in the 20th century and Tony W. Cartledge gives access to a multitude of ideas, insights, and illustrations for those who heed the call to equip disciples to follow more faithfully in the ways of Jesus in the newest titles from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media.
August 21, 2023
Southern Baptist Leader Resigns Over Resume Lie; Trump Indicted in Georgia for His Election Lies: Why do His Evangelical Supporters Remain Loyal to Him?; British Historian Tom Holland: ‘Today’s Christian Culture is Trying to Purge Itself of Christianity’ (and more)
People of Good Faith: Justin Fung
Justin B. Fung is a Washington, DC-based pastor, worship leader, and liturgist, whose passion is for discipleship and spiritual formation that is evidenced by justice and peace, particularly in multicultural, multiethnic, and multiclass contexts.
Apocalypse Now
My interest is motivation. I would lift up the apocalypse as a sign of hope for this world.
August 18, 2023
A Religious Calling to Protect Democracy; Religion Literacy Course is an Eyeopener for Maryland Educators; Review: ‘Bible Belt,’ a Song by Houston-Born Lou Ridley that Recounts Her ‘Religious Trauma’ (and more)
Defending Freedom and Human Rights: The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions
The Parliament of the World’s Religions convened over 7,000 individuals from multiple faiths this week in Chicago. This year’s theme was “Defending Freedom and Human Rights.”
Gallup Finds Democrats and Republicans are Dissatisfied with Race Relations
There are several partisan gaps among Americans, but race relations is not one of them, according to a Gallup report released on August 7.
August 17, 2023
As Maui Rescue Continues, Families and Faith Leaders Cling to Hope But Tackle Reality of Loss; Ilhan Omar defends anti-abortion activist for posting about Jesus after GOP congressman called her ‘bigoted’; Kyle Rittenhouse, White Christian Nationalist Hero for His Killing of Black Activists, Launches Nonprofit with Far-Right Texans as He Ramps Up Political Engagement in the State (and more)
This I Can Do
Each time I went to vote, it seemed to me that the election workers were having a lot of fun. So, when the opportunity came for me to work a primary election, I jumped at the chance.
Religious Endowments: Five Ways to Move Beyond Stagnancy
Stagnant money yields stagnant congregations. Spending money is mission consistent.
August 16, 2023
Important Symbols of Hawaii’s Complex Religious History Were Also Lost in the Fire; A Religious Ritual in Iran Becomes a New Form of Protest; Ghana’s Plans for a National Cathedral are Mired in Controversy and Delays – But Also Reflect Religion’s Strong Role in the Nation’s Identity (and more)
Rethinking Original Sin
This idea of an implanted seed of sin, however, seems to take humanity off the hook from personal responsibility — and be somewhat at odds with our created state that God deemed good. What makes more sense to me is to see “original sin” in a more specific way: that is the human proclivity to seek control over others.
By the Way: Minding the Store at Christianity Today
The initial issue trumpeted evangelicalism’s “relevance to the world crisis.”
Occasionally, the magazine approached that goal. Too often, it has settled for mediocrity and for reflecting a perceived consensus.
Montgomery Goddamn!
African Americans are celebrating that Damien Pickett, co-captain of the Harriott II Riverboat, was not murdered in Montgomery, Alabama, after he was physically assaulted by multiple European American men and women on August 5. Members of the crew and paying customers came to his defense, besting his attackers on a dock that once served as a slave port in a formerly well-known slave trading community.
The Life and Death of Ethel Cain
Preacher’s Daughter still feels like a secret treasure even after attracting well-deserved public praise and attention on social media.
August 14, 2023
Christianity Today Editor: Conservative Evangelicals Call Jesus ‘Liberal’ and ‘Weak’; United Methodist Pastors Feel Worse and Worry More Than a Decade Ago; Republicans Invoke Noah’s Ark in Court to Defend Greg Abbot’s Border Buoys (and more)
Confusing Symptoms With Our Disease
[T]he deeper problem – meaning the disease – is that a sizable part of the U.S. adult voting population in one of the major political parties believes that a wealthy white man should not face charges for allegedly criminal conduct. They believe Trump is superior to the rest of us.
Starlette Thomas Named Interim Managing Editor for News and Opinion
Starlette Thomas has been named interim managing editor for news and opinion at Good Faith Media.
August 11, 2023
Progressive National Baptists Gain Partners to Address Voting Rights, Gun Violence; Black Leaders Blast Desantis ‘Atrocities’ Outside State Education Building; 200-Year-Old Hawaii Church, Home to Royal Graves, Destroyed by Wildfire (and more)