By David Gushee We live in a time and culture in which genuine moral discourse is rapidly disappearing –swallowed up by partisanship, spin, politics and self-interest. By “moral discourse” I mean conversation between persons of good will about the rightness…
Saddleback forum points out candidates’ differences, similarities
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — Individual stand on moral issues — from personal character to the international arena — was the foundation of the Aug. 16 Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency. The two-hour forum, sponsored by Southern Baptist mega-congregation…
Developing ‘Conservative radicals’ in Christian higher education
By David Gushee In his recent book, The Great Awakening, Jim Wallis suggests that it is time to move beyond the conservative vs. liberal paradigm to a framework he calls conservative radicalism. This is true in American culture, in evangelicalism…
Reflections from BWA: Missing, and forgiving, Southern Baptists
By David Gushee I am just back from Prague, Czech Republic, having had the privilege of attending the Baptist World Alliance annual gathering and then a meeting of Baptist theological educators from around the world. It was good to be…
The path to discernment on homosexuality
By David Gushee I have sought to suggest in a handful of columns in recent months that a rethinking of the church’s stance on homosexuality is needed. Reading in the scholarly literature, one sees that some very fine Christian minds…
God, country and the 4th of July
By David Gushee Visiting family last weekend, I experienced a classic “God and country” service at a large SBC church. There was a day when I would have been outraged by such a service on theological grounds. This particular day…
America’s moral center says ‘no’ to torture
By David Gushee An unprecedented bipartisan coalition of religious, political, and military leaders recently released a document expressing our shared rejection of torture and prisoner mistreatment by — or in the name of — the United States. The signatories include…
The moral influence of a market economy
By David Gushee I have to admit that I don’t remember the make or model of the car. But I do remember that it promised 15 whole miles per gallon in the city, and 23 on the highway. What I…
Obama’s historic breakthrough
By David Gushee The Democratic primaries are finally over, as Barack Obama has barely edged out Hillary Clinton for the nomination. This is an upset of epic proportions. It was unimaginable 18 months ago. The Illinois senator’s victory over his…