Recent Articles
Our Fellow Believers – Friends, Not Foes
The Roman Catholicism in which I was raised inserted me into the mystery of Christ; it also taught me (with some allowances) that basically only Catholics would go to heaven. The latter view has changed significantly over the years.
September 8, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Historic BBQ Helped Build a Church; Court Rules Football is Not, in Fact, a Religion; South Carolina Lawmakers Advance Near-Total Abortion Ban to Full Senate After Stripping Rape and Incest Exceptions; When Does Life Begin? As State Laws Define It, Science, Politics and Religion Clash (and more)
Sermon Preparation of the First Order
When the new ‘Nurturing Faith Commentary’ became available on Aug. 1, the first order came from Nathan Byrd III, pastor of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia. Here is why Byrd was so eager to purchase the book.
The Problem of Political Anger
After 30 years of sparring over politics with a conservative friend of mine, I’ve found that political temper tantrums from both of us are never constructive. We need to be committed citizens with strong convictions, but not extremists.
Navigating Loss and Processing Grief
A close friend has died, and the world seems a bit darker in his absence. Frederick Austerlitz the Fearless. Fred for short. Our Golden Retriever. Our Golden boy was laid to rest. Here is how our family is navigating our loss.
September 7, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How the Ukraine War is Causing Fissures in D.C.’s Russian Orthodox Community; Some Parents Complain After More Than 100 Students are Baptized at NC School Without Their Consent; Former First Baptist Church Auditorium Downtown to Return to Life with Immersive Art Exhibit (and more)
Why We Must Take Care of Our Blessings
There are multiple reports that parts of world are in deep water, with flooding in some places and prolonged drought in others. Water is indispensable, so we should be paying attention and working to care for creation.
The Stubborn Witness of a Spider
I bumped into one of my sisters this morning. To be more precise, I actually crashed right into her while walking in the woods. Pausing to collect myself, here is what this encounter is teaching me.
How We Can Address Social Determinants of Health
What are the social determinants of health in the U.S.? What are some barriers to health and wellbeing for senior adults? A recent study provided some insights and suggested answers.
September 6, 2022
Some Members of the Southern Baptist Convention are Meeting in Fort Worth to Tackle Sex Abuse Scandal; Stained Glass Jesus Stays as South Carolina Church is Turned into Apartments; The Roots of American Support for Israel (and more)
Seven Reflections on Work for Labor Day
Work is good and essential in both a civilized society and a spiritual community. Yet, some have misunderstood the story of Genesis 3 to imply that work is a part of God’s curse on humanity.
The Interplay of Christian Nationalism and Replacement Theory
The interplay between systems of Christian belief and conspiracy theories was the focal point of a webinar hosted by Religions for Peace, USA, which featured Carmen Celestini, a post-doctoral fellow with the School of Religion at Queen’s University.
Support for Labor Unions in the U.S. Continues to Increase
The number of U.S. adults who approve of labor unions continued to increase in 2022, according to a new Gallup report. Support has increased for the last six years and is at its highest level since 1965.
Look Back | Shine Faith’s Light on Work This Labor Day
Despite the importance of work, the theme is rarely addressed at church. Yet, the Scriptures are full of references to work. Can you name a few?
September 2, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: As the Third Consecutive Woman to Preside Over CBF, Debbie McDaniel is Just as Surprised as Anyone Else; A Conservative School District and Texas Lawmaker Try to Outmaneuver Efforts to Subvert ‘In God We Trust’ Law; NC Church’s Pride, Black Lives Matter Flags Burned (and more)
Second Nurturing Faith Commentary Volume Now Available
‘Nurturing Faith Commentary: Year A, Volume 2’ by Tony W. Cartledge is now available in the Good Faith Media bookstore. This is the second of a planned 12-volume series, with a promotional pricing offer available until the end of 2022.
When Does ‘It’ Stop?
When does it stop? That was the question posed to one of my sons who had posted on Facebook about the Biden administration’s tuition forgiveness program. It is one question among many revealing a problematic trend.
Reaction and Response: Majority of U.S. Protestant Pastors Say Females Could Be Pastor of Their Church
A majority of U.S. Protestant pastors affirm that women could serve as the senior pastor in their congregation, according to a LifeWay Research report. Significant disparities exist between denominations.
September 1, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Second Baptist Pastor Ed Young Calls for Democrats to be Voted Out During Sermon; Texas Education Board Moves to Delay Updates to Social Studies Curriculum After Conservative Pushback; The White Christian Understanding of the U.S. Has a Global History; Major Evangelical Organization Says Christianity Demands Climate Action (and more)
“Woke” and Proud
A teacher who had been using Nurturing Faith Journal and Bible Studies was apologetic, but still regretted to inform me that his senior adult class would no longer be using the curriculum I write. Here is why.
Meet the Fall 2022 Good Faith Media Interns
Machael Murrell and Christine Young are Good Faith Media’s Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Interns for fall 2022. They are the seventh group of interns and will begin their internship on September 1.
U.S. Growing Pessimistic About Addressing Climate Change
A majority of U.S. adults believe climate change is taking place, but fewer say their personal actions can have a positive impact on climate change than did so three years ago, according to a report from AP-NORC.
August 31, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: BYU Dallied. The Bills Waffled. Then Public Shame Forced Them to Act.; Poll: Black Americans See Racism as a Persistent Challenge, and Few Say the Country’s Racial Reckoning Has Brought Change; DNA Analysis Solves Mystery of Bodies Found at Bottom of Medieval Well (and more)
A Great Reversal Too Damaging to Ignore
The language, priorities and public witness of Americanized Christianity have changed significantly in recent years. Most astonishing is the baffling reversal from the long-espoused values of so many who confess the Christian faith.
Protecting Children in Conflict Zones
Children are too often casualties of war. Recent headlines out of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, reporting the deaths of nearly 40 children, is the latest example of this tragic and deplorable trend.
Few U.S. Adults Say Religion / Faith Became More Important During Pandemic
Personal and public health increased in importance for one-in-four U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Pew Research Center report published Aug. 18. Few said religion / faith had become more important.
August 30, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Conservative Christians’ Opposition to Homosexuality is Not an Ancient Teaching; Christian Nationalists and Religious Leaders Vow to Throw Trudeau Out of Power; Roanoke’s Belmont Baptist Church to be Sold, Become Affordable Apartments (and more)
Before Summer Officially Ends, Add This Book to Your Reading List
Summer is nearly over, but there’s still time to add one more title to your reading list. That book is ‘Under the Skin’ by award-winning journalist Linda Villarosa.
How Conflict Can Be a Positive Agent of Change
Conflict is a natural part of being in a community. It cannot be avoided or controlled by anyone, but it can also be an agent of change. Here are four principles that can help leaders positively navigate conflict.
Wisdom Wherever You Find it: Saving the World
I am delighted to discover something I learned from the Bible or Midrash has an analogue in the Qur’an or Hadith. That wasn’t always true. It’s amazing how possessive you can feel of something you claim as universal truth.