Recent Articles
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.
July 27, 2023
Faith Leaders Call on Lawmakers to Improve Heat Response in Arizona; How Christianity Conquered Rome Through Simple Math; Biden Honors Emmett Till and His Mother With New National Monument (and more)
How Freedom Has Been Redefined to Deny Human Rights
In the name of this freedom, self-proclaimed “patriots” gathered to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a free and fair U.S. election. It is one of many instances in which freedom has been redefined to deny human rights.
Job Description of a Church Member:12 Ways to Enrich and Energize Your Spiritual Community
These days many have departed or disconnected from the local church. However, many other members and non-members are thinking in fresh ways about the positive role of the church as they address their need for spiritual community and their desire to serve in ways that make a difference.
July 26, 2023
A Missouri Church God Millions to Run Meals Program. Then Came Questions About Salaries, Spending.; A School Board in Missouri, Now Controlled by Christian Nationalists, Revokes Anti-racism Resolution; Thousands of Christians Demand Ban of Pro-Trump Event on Public Property (and more)
New Roots Urban Farm Is Church Near the Corner of Hogan and N Market Street
It’s not in the church on the corner. Instead, it’s right outside, sprouting new life right this very minute, as God always, always does.
Teachers Shouldn’t Need Wish Lists
Tyler, collector of vintage toys, records, comic books, and tattoos, would most certainly delight in a limited-edition Rick Flair wrestling figure or comic bookstore gift card on his birthday. However, I know he would rather have the tools he needs to educate his students and the state is simply not providing them.
America Is Not “Becoming More Divided”
America is not “becoming more divided.” With politicians spouting racism “as plain as day,” if you have ears to hear it, then you know that this goes back to America’s founding.
Many Americans Believe That the U.S. Southern Border Is in “Crisis”
Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe that the U.S. Southern border is in “crisis” or that the situation is a major problem according to a Gallup report published July 14.
July 24, 2023
Science ‘Supersedes’ Creationism, Einstein Tells Religious Students in Newly Revealed Letter;‘Backbone of the Church.’ In the Wake of Baptist Debate, Oklahoma Female Clergy Share Stories; Rambling Donald Trump Dodged Answering Questions About His Christian Faith at Campaign Town Hall (and more)
Look Back| U.S. Rep. John Lewis Was ‘Sold on Social Gospel’
By Aaron Weaver – U.S. Rep. John Lewis, civil-rights icon who died July 17, kept the faith. He was akin to a beloved Baptist pastor whose congregation was Atlanta’s 5th District. He loved everyone. Will we follow his footsteps and keep the faith?
On Religious Liberty in Cuba
My first-hand experience in Cuba contradicts the U.S. Commission On International Religious Freedom 2023 report and causes me to question its claims of being “objective, thorough, and fair.”