Recent Articles
Unwrapping Christmas | Murder of the Innocents
Jesus’ birth announcement received mixed reviews. Any retelling of his story should bear witness to grief as some people will experience it this Christmas season.
Wisdom Wherever You Find It | Time Enough for Love
These are pretty dreary times. For the individual who begins with a sour view of humanity as the point of origin, none of this is a surprise. For others, we must find time enough for love.
Report Explains How Religious Tolerance Differs from Religious Freedom
Religious tolerance differs in significant ways from religious freedom, a new U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report emphasizes. Authoritarian nations often focus on the former to deflect from oppressive, unjust policies.
December 19, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Christmas Tree is One of the Oldest Religious Traditions; In Haifa, Jews and Christian Arabs Celebrate Christmas Together; Bethlehem Welcomes Christmas Tourists After Pandemic Lull (and more)
What Was Joseph Thinking?
While the attention needs to focus on the mother of Jesus, I’ve often wondered what was going on in Joseph’s head. In looking at the story, we see that God’s understanding of righteousness differed significantly from Joseph’s original understanding.
Tragic Death of tWitch Part of Long, Ongoing History of Mental Health as Taboo Topic
I hate to be a Christmas party pooper, but this is not “the most wonderful time of the year” for everyone. For many families, the birth of Jesus will be overshadowed by the death of a loved one.
Jan Karski, the Joint Declaration and Condemning Atrocities
The first formal international statement about the atrocities of the Holocaust was released on December 17, 1942. It was long-overdue based on the world’s knowledge of Nazi atrocities and resulted in large part from the work of Jan Karski.
Look Back | Like Mary, Do You Believe God Will Right Injustice?
God cannot wait for mortals to get it right (we never will), so God comes among us in the frailest form of human life, and Mary is God’s first earthly home. She has found favor with God.
December 16, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood is a Force of Nature; What Happens When the Most Sacred Site of Your Religion is Slated to be a Copper Mine? This Activist is Trying to Stop it; We Declare You Restored: How Christian ‘Forgiveness’ is Deployed to Enable Abuse and Corruption (and more)
Two New Books Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Paul Wallace answers questions Christians ask scientists and Bruce C. Salmon reflects on a lifetime of offering eulogies in the newest titles from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media.
The Evolution of U.S. Evangelicals
Evangelicals have become an angry and selfish lot within U.S. society. These are harsh words that I take no pleasure in writing, but sadly, it is true.
Most U.S. Protestant Churches Will Hold Christmas and New Year’s Day Services
Is your church planning services on Christmas and New Year’s Day? If so, you are part of a strong majority who plan to do so, according to a LifeWay Research report.
December 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: LGBTQ Families React After President Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act; Before Roe, a Baptist Preacher Performed Abortions in Secret. Now He’s Helping Texans.; This Spiritual Tradition Could be the Most Poetic Bereavement Therapy Ever Documented; Israel Blocks Gaza’s Christians from Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem (and more)
Advent Lectionary | The Embodied Christ
Controversy surrounds the birth of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. Fewer details are provided about Mary’s conception than in Luke’s Gospel, but the difficulties this unwed pregnancy causes are clear.
By the Way | Books, Novels and the Virtues of Failure
Wrapping up another academic term, I was faced with a student who had neglected his studies coming to plead with me to raise his grade so he could graduate. This offered “food for thought” on the virtues of failure.
Political Affiliation Influences U.S. Perceptions of Discrimination Against Christians, Jews and Muslims
U.S. adults are more likely to say that Muslims face a great deal or moderate amount of discrimination than those who say Jews and Christians do. Responses varied significantly when analyzed based on political affiliation.
December 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: White Nationalists, Other Republicans Brace for ‘Total War’; Faith is the Key to Making Black Lives Matter, Says Religion Award Winner; Thousands Make Pilgrimage to Des Plaines in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe (and more)
Making up for Lost Causes
The term “Lost Cause” did not enter my vocabulary until well into adulthood, but its influence was deeply (and quietly, as intended) ingrained. It remains so today in many pews across the southern U.S.
Rethinking Generosity
After a slew of Giving Tuesday emails, it is a good time to step back and reconsider generosity. How do we prevent the fear of not having enough from becoming the motivation that controls our entire life?
Trust in Charitable Organizations Increases Among U.S., Canadian Adults
Adults in the U.S. and Canada are expressing more trust in charitable causes and organizations, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Trust in U.S. religious charities rose for the first time in four years.
December 13, 2022
Climate Change and Christianity: Some Chattanooga Area Believers Find Small Acts of Stewardship are a Start; Being Religion Affects Your Relationship Choice; Theologian: What Sort of Christian Story is Viable in Our Time? (and more)
Unwrapping Christmas | Is There a Difference Between Merry Christmas and Merry Xmas?
He says, “Christmas.” She says, “Xmas.” Some Christians disagree on how an invitation to celebrate Jesus’ birth should read. It reveals how little some of us know about early Christian symbols and traditions.
The Highway of Advent
The massive road-building project that is the interstate highway system divided communities across the nation, creating situations of injustice and inequality. By contrast, Advent reminds us of a divine road-building project that is bringing justice and equity.
Weekly Churchgoers Only Faith Group Without Majority Approving Marijuana Legalization
Weekly churchgoers in the U.S. were the only faith group without a majority of respondents favoring the legalization of marijuana, according to a Gallup report. Political conservatives were the only other demographic group without majority support.
December 12, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: As Attendance Dips, Churches Change to Stay Relevant for a New Wave of Worshipers; United Methodist Split: 198 Churches Leave North Alabama Conference; 2 Books Reach Same Conclusion on Organized Religion in America (and more)
Blowing the Whistle on Human Rights Violations
Last week, an all-female referee crew took the pitch at a World Cup match for the first time. It was significant moment that offered a reminder that we need to promote and defend women’s rights around the world.
Report Details How Some Faith Groups Were Blamed for the Pandemic
On November 29, Pew Research Center published a report showing how government restrictions have impacted religious groups and their sacred spaces specifically. It also detailed how religious groups were blamed for the pandemic.
Look Back | Overcoming the Politics of Fear with Faith
The politics of fear afflicts our culture and infects our congregations. So, perhaps the rightful role of faith in politics is to overcome fear.
December 9, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: With Race in Mind, Christians Reconsider Language of Dark and Light at Advent; Greek Orthodox Church Destroyed on 9/11 Reopens; Friction Over LGBTQ Issues Worsens in Global Anglican Church (and more)
Leave and Learn: Three Unique Good Faith Experiences Offered in 2023
Three in-person travel experiences are being offered by Good Faith Media in 2023, with dates far enough apart to participate in all three. Join GFM staff on trips to Alabama, Amish Country and Iceland.