Recent Articles
Nurturing Faith Commentary Year A, Volume 3 Now Available
Nurturing Faith Commentary: Year A, Volume 3 by Tony W. Cartledge is now available. This release is part of a planned 12-volume commentary series that will cover every designated text for every Sunday in the three-year cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary.
Don’t Mess With Stress
A 2022 report from the American Psychological Association suggests that we are a stressed-out nation. In “Stress in America 2022,” the authors outline primary sources of stress.
What A Trip to the Barbershop Revealed About Economics and Cultural Trends
A recent trip to the barber resulted in a surprise: a $10 price increase for a haircut. This led to a reflection on how economics and poverty impact and influence cultural trends.
Exposing and Countering Christian Nationalism: How White Christian Nationalists View Themselves
I am a big fan of letting white Christian nationalists define themselves, whether in action or word. After all, who better to do so? Here is what some of their actions and statements have revealed.
How the Double V Campaign Brought Social Antagonism and Racial Transformation
During World War II, the United States’ desire to become a global superpower via decadent militaristic imperialism. The Double V Campaign was a moment of social antagonism and racial transformation, transcending class, gender and religion.
When to Wash Our Faces and Shake Our Shoes
There are always things to learn if we are curious enough. The late storytelling songwriter Tom T. Hall got me to digging after contemplating some of his words that flowed from the radio.
February 14, 2023
Oldest Schoolhouse for Black Children – a Religiously-Based School – in the Country Moved to Virginia Museum; Why Carl Sagan Believed that Science is a Source of Spirituality; What Happens When Church and State Merge? Look to Nazi Germany for Answers (and more)
Police Brutality Has a Generational Impact
We leave justice up to the court system, but the unimaginable pain of losing their loved one never left the family of Atatiana Jefferson. Police brutality has a long history in America, affecting generations within a single family.
‘Walking Into History’ Out of Whitewashed Tombs
A significant civil rights event took place in hometown of Clinton, Tennessee. In fact, it happened in the very building in which I attended middle school. Yet, the first time I heard about it was through a musical performance.
Global Christian Population Projected to Reach 3.3 Billion by 2050
There will be over 2.6 billion Christians worldwide by the middle of 2023 and around 3.3 billion by 2050, according to a report published in early January by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
February 13, 2023
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Amendment to Bar Nebraska Kids from Church Camps – a Response to an Amendment to Bar Kids from Drag Shows – Grabs National Attention; His Popular Blog Debunks Christian Myths. With the Profits, He Does the Christian Thing.; Black People Who Left Christianity are Sharing Their Reasons Why, and They Had a Lot to Say (and more)
People of Good Faith: Amy Butler
Amy Butler is founder of Invested Faith. She previously served as pastor of several churches, and she is a contributing correspondent at Good Faith Media.
EJUSA Evangelical Network Is ‘Locked in Solidarity’ With the Mass Incarcerated
A February 9 webinar hosted by the Equal Justice USA Evangelical Network focused on mass incarceration and how churches can respond. The presenters were Jamila Hodge, executive director of Equal Justice USA, and Sam Heath, manager of the EJUSA Evangelical Network.
U.S. Adults Continue to Be Dissatisfied with Nation’s Morality, Ethics
U.S. adults continue to express dissatisfaction regarding the morality and ethics of the nation, according to a Gallup report published February 2. The level of dissatisfaction is near the poll’s all-time high.
December 10, 2023
The Christian Groups Fighting Against the Child Indian Welfare Act; Church of England Allows Same-Sex Blessings for Couples; Preventing LGBTQ Discrimination in Michigan Just Moved a Step Closer to Reality (and more)
Embracing MLK’s Ten Commandments for Non-Violence
Missy and I walked through the Boston Commons, visiting some of our favorite sites recently. We also stopped by a new sculpture on the Commons known as “The Embrace,” focused on Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King.
By the Way | Holy Days, Holidays and the Super Bowl
America enters its high holy days this week: the run-up to Super Bowl Sunday. This event is filled with symbolism and ceremonies that mirror and parallel religious symbols and rituals.
White Evangelical Protestants Most Likely Religious Group to Support Christian Nationalism
A majority of most U.S. religious groups reject or express skepticism about Christian nationalism, according to a Public Religion Research Institute and The Brookings Institution report. Two groups were outliers.
February 9, 2023
Two-Thirds of White Evangelicals, Most Republicans Sympathetic to Christian Nationalism; To Be Ordained, Would-be PCUSA Pastors Had to Interpret the Worst Story in the Bible; More Black Americans Turning to Spirituality and African Traditions Over Organized Religion
Legislating Ignorance: The Battle for Democracy
Authoritarians use disinformation, anti-intellectualism and intimidation to obtain and maintain power. These tactics are being used in the U.S. to control what can be taught in public schools. This is where the battle for democracy is taking place.
Second Annual Confronting Whiteness Conference Held at Myers Park Baptist Church
Participants gathered over two days at Myers Park Baptist Church for the Confronting Whiteness conference. They listened to African American thought leaders and sought to discern what it means to confront whiteness in our lives, churches and the world.
Inaugural Good Faith Advocates Meeting Focuses on Countering Christian Nationalism
The first Good Faith Advocates meeting focused on countering Christian nationalism. The hour-long meeting featured three GFM staff members and special guest Matthew Dowd.
February 8, 2023
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How the LDS Church Could Prevent its Headquarters from Becoming a Toxic Wasteland; Boston’s Slavery Ties Deepened by Findings at First Church in Roxbury; Ukraine’s Main Catholic Church Moves Christmas to Dec. 25 in Pivot to West (and more)
Were Jesus’ Disciples Real Christians?
Take a close look at how so many Americanized Christians define their faith today. What are the priorities, even essentials, they embrace and seek to enforce on others? Do these align with Jesus’ life and teachings?
Legislating Ignorance: Authoritarian Tactics
A recent trip to Poland involved visits to a museum at the factory owned by Oscar Schindler. One exhibit revealed that the first thing the Nazis did wasn’t to round up Jews or communists. It was far more insidious.
Moral, Ethical Business Conduct a Priority for Younger Workers
U.S. adults under age 30 want to work for businesses committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment, according to a report published January 26 by Gallup and Bentley University.
February 7, 2023
Friends, Family and Community Come Together at Atlanta’s Friendship Baptist Church to Celebrate Hank Aaron’s 89th Birthday; Oregon University that Fired Professor Who Reported Antisemitic Incidents Settles With Him for $1M; Two Baptist Higher Education Institutions in Texas to Merge
How Some Politicians Are Co-opting Terms and Erasing History
Just in time for African American History Month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis banned the Advanced Placement African American history course for high school students. Considering the other cultural and historical courses that weren’t banned is revealing.
How Mercy Shaped My Life
I grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon, witnessing and living through the horror of the massacre of refugees at the hands of a Lebanese Christian group. A chance interfaith encounter during the chaos shaped my life.
The Work of Shoring Up Democracy Continues
The McMinn County school board called a special meeting in January 2022 about banning books. What followed was a flurry of work by my congregation and community members to oppose such decisions and to offer a better way.