It happens almost every week. Over the last year, with recurring and uncanny regularity, a pastor or Christian leader reaches out to me to share their journey of leaving abusive churches or organizations. In each case, they know I’m no…
Saddleback, women’s ordination and Jezebels: An open letter to Al Mohler
Dear Al, May I call you Al? We both have doctorates, so I would prefer we forgo honorifics; you can just call me Jonathan. I’m not sure we’ve met, although I’ve known you from a distance for years. I doubt…
A lesson from Texas: Winterization of power stations and the Golden Rule
As a record-breaking wave of arctic weather sweeps across the nation, the biggest energy producing state, Texas, is crippled. The state’s leaders are quick to point fingers at green energy alternatives like wind and solar, claiming such sources of power…
Why resisting gaslighting in the wake of sedition is self-care
The events in our nation this week have disturbed me. On Wednesday, like countless others, I was shaken by watching a seditious riot take over the Capitol. I use the word “sedition” because the actions of those involved meet the…
Why can’t Christians so concerned about cults see that they’ve joined one?
My conservative evangelical upbringing taught me all the tenets of “true” Christian faith — the inerrancy of Scripture, that the rapture will happen any day, and that teenage hormones are sinful (even though they are also a gift from God)….
Four ways to recognize a bully in your church
It was five minutes before worship, and I was greeting people at the sanctuary entrance. The contemporary service was about to begin when a gentleman who usually frequented our traditional service came through the door. After seeing the stage (drums…
‘You can’t get a Ph.D. in caring’: COVID-19 calls for believer-priests | #intimeslikethese
With all this grief, on a societal level perhaps not seen since 9/11 or the stock market crash of 1929, we pastors and other church staff sure could use more ministers. For Baptists, this shouldn’t be a novel idea.
Logsdon Seminary will be shuttered: 7 Questions for Hardin-Simmons University’s president and trustees
Yes, these are hard times for theological education. But the closing of a second seminary founded by moderate Baptists feels like an abandonment of Baptists’ historic commitment to the effective preparation of ministers for congregational ministry.
Grieving the state of the American church: We must snap out of our slumber
At the beginning of a new decade, I mourn the state of the church in America. The church is largely guilty of pushing people away from the body of Christ and from the full witness of Scripture.