Recent Articles
When Losing the Debate, Change the Rules
Traditionally a solidly red state, Kansas voters resoundingly communicated their deep desire for women to keep reproductive care. It was now evident that conservatives could no longer depend on voters. They needed a new plan to implement their draconian laws: If you cannot win the public debate — change the rules.
Jesus Changed His Mind; You Can, Too
My friend and colleague Kristian Smith preached a message after the overturning of Roe v. Wade called Holding Jesus Accountable that radically changed my perspective on Mark 7:24-30 and the concept of accountability.I want to take his observations and apply them to a different facet of Jesus’ ministry and our relationships with one another.
August 10, 2023
Birmingham Foot Soldiers Recount Experiences Before 60th Anniversary of Church Bombing; The Surprising Staying Power of Dispensationalism; In Setback for LDS Church, Appeals Court Reinstates Tithing Lawsuit Fraud Case (and more)
New Florida Teachings Standard is a Racist Revision of History
Rewriting history is an attempt to limit awareness of social structures’ complicity in denying personhood to those who are of color. But it is never enough to simply repress bodies; minds must also be controlled.
Hollywood Strike: A Lesson in Togetherness
For many of us, this strike has little direct effect on our lives— other than potentially decreasing the quality of television programming and postponing movies for the foreseeable future. However, this is much more.
August 9, 2023
Ohio Voters Easily Reject Ballot Proposal in State’s Special Election, Thereby Protecting Abortion Rights; Black Georgia Church Started Before End of Slavery Celebrates 160 Years in Community; Teen Accused in Brooklyn Hate Crime Stabbing is ‘Good Christian Boy,’ Attorney Says (and more)
Is Curiosity a Spiritual Gift?
What if we became more curious about what it means to be faithful followers of Jesus?
U.S. Is Not Universally Viewed as ‘More Religious’ Than Other Countries
Nearly a quarter of the world (23%) does not consider the United States ‘more religious’ when compared to other wealthy nations, according to a Pew Research report released July 31.
August 8, 2023
About 100 Milwaukee Faith Leaders Launch Campaign Against Christian Nationalism; A Florida Baptist Leader Wants to Have a Chat with Governor DeSantis About History Standards; Moody Bible College Asks Federal Appeals Court to Allow it to Discriminate Against Women Pastors (and more)
Faith in Lies: Why So Many White Christians Worship Donald Trump
To worship someone is “to regard [that individual] with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.” Donald Trump, America’s biggest criminal by far, is worshiped by much of white evangelical America.
Employees Are “Half In, Half Out” at Their Current Job
Fifty percent of employees are looking for the exit, according to a Gallup report published July 27.
August 7, 2023
What Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban Understand About Your Brain; A Christian Nationalist DeSantis Appointment to Disney Board Taught Seminar Using Discredited Research Claiming White People Were Slaves in America; Oregon’s Greater Idaho Movement Echoes a Long History of Racism in the Region (and more)
Trump’s True Legacy: Normalizing Crazy
Trump’s true legacy will be the normalization of radicalized beliefs, immoral behavior, unethical practices, inspiring insurrection, and the ability to convince many voters his lies were true. And yet, those are not the scariest parts of this American nightmare.
Concerning Politics and the Gospel
“There is no such thing as non-political Christianity.” Having spent a 45-year pastoral career trying to “keep politics out of the church,” I did not know what to make of the suggestion.
Shaping Theological Education through Global Conversation: A Seminary Shaped by Vision
An international seminary – a new feature in European Baptist life – offered a platform for serving European Baptist theological research and ministries. The underlying message was conveyed: mission and theology are linked together in dynamic combination, and both are necessary for Baptist life and work.
Identity Theft: The Christian Version
As I sat on hold the other day, waiting to explain my predicament to my credit card company, a thought occurred to me. I’ve been a victim of identity theft before. It was not so much a financial theft – even though that could be argued – but I, along with many others, were victims of spiritual identity theft.
Shaping Theological Education through Global Conversation: A Seminary Shaping the Global Church
Whether through high-level academic research or the lively conversations in the Learning Network, today’s IBTS is centered on three areas: the mission of the church, Baptist identity, and practical theology. What sets IBTS apart in its approach to these areas is its twin commitment to a truly Baptist engagement with the world and the intentionally international context which it has created to do it.
In Case of Emergency …
It’s always bothered me that so many people profess faith in the same way they buy fire insurance, with little regard for what happens between then and the final day of trouble when they hope to cash in a ticket to heaven.
This Barbie is a Biblical Metaphor
Even though the new movie is a comedy, many viewers took to social media to express surprise at how “Barbie” went deeper than surface level, touching on thoughts of death, strained mother-daughter relationships, patriarchy, identity crises, and what it is like to be a woman. As a Greta Gerwig fan, this didn’t surprise me at all. The accomplished director has used these themes in previous films like “Lady Bird” and her adaptation of “Little Women” in 2019. What did surprise me about “Barbie” was the biblical parallels.
August 2, 2023
White Christian Nationalist ‘Kingdom to the Capitol’ Tour Brings Support, Opposition to Boise; Dodgers Held Christian Faith and Family Day and No Gay People Protested; Bob Smietana: As Organized Religion Falters, the Devil Falls on Hard Times (and more)
Would I Accept Me?
Let me make a confession: I’m not as tolerant as I sometimes claim to be. While intolerance isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is helpful to be self-reflective as we make judgments about others.
Honest Conversations About Grief: Navigating the Journey of Loss
Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, an emotional upheaval that comes hand in hand with loss. Whether it be the passing of a loved one, the end of a cherished relationship, or even the loss of a job or a dream, grief manifests in various forms throughout our lives.
August 1, 2023
Faith-Based Protesters Gather in Miami to Condemn Gov. DeSantis’ Education Standards on Black History ; First Legal Challenge to State-Sanctioned Catholic Charter School Filed in Oklahoma; Ukraine Moves Christmas to December 25, Distancing Itself from Russian Tradition (and more)
‘Lies my teacher told me’: Florida Edition
Don’t listen to Florida’s teachers. Slavery didn’t provide on-the-job training.
American Workers and AI Exposure
Nineteen percent of American workers are in jobs that are exposed to AI (artificial intelligence), according to a Pew Research Center report published July 26.
Relating to Both Jesus and Christ
For too many years, for me, Christ was simply Jesus’ last name: Jack Smith, Susan Parker, Jesus Christ. Intellectually, I knew better. But, practically, both in my private faith and as a theologian, I functioned as if Christ were simply Jesus’ surname. Whether in...
Look Back| Leadership Styles: Jesus vs. The Wolves
When Jesus talked about leadership, he spoke of those who served others. We still elevate leaders more wrapped up in self-promotion than in service. If we elevate wolves to lead us, don’t be surprised when we wind up as prey.
July 28, 2023
Trailblazing NC African American Pastor to be Featured on Highway Historical Marker; Two Texas Teachers Fired by Baptist Academy After Attending Drag Show; Science Recreates Biblical Fire to Reveal Secrets of Jerusalem’s Destruction (and more)
The Tenth Circle of Hell
Italian writer Dante Alighieri wrote about the nine circles of hell in his masterpiece, Inferno: Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud, and Treachery. With all due respect to Mr. Alighieri, I would like to add a tenth circle to this fiery chasm of doom: Norman, Oklahoma.
Belief in ‘Religious Entities’ Continues to Decline
Belief in each of the five spiritual entities is at its lowest, according to a Gallup poll released July 20. There has been a steady trend downward since 2001.