When Mike Pence substituted the American flag for Jesus in his speech during last week’s Republican National Convention, he continued a long tradition of American fundamentalist Christianity, which seems to have a problem with Jesus. Pence did not misspeak. His…
Pivotal religious freedom case scheduled for day after election
As if a high-stakes presidential election isn’t enough for the first week of November, the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 4 will take up a case that goes to the heart of the culture wars fought by the Religious Right…
Christians, we have an older glory
“Let’s fix our eyes on Old Glory and all she represents …, let’s fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith and freedom, and never forget that, ‘where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,’…
There are two Americas, and they are not on speaking terms
Sioux City, like most towns in the rural Midwest, went heavily for Trump in 2016. It was there that the Republican candidate claimed he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue without losing votes. Many of the Sioux Center residents interviewed…
In this election year, we need a ‘come to Moses’ meeting
We are in for an ugly ride on our way to Nov. 3, 2020. All the talking heads agree: this election season may be the nastiest in American history. Weighting its nastiness will be the God-factor. Both parties, speaking from different…
If elected, Harris would be fifth Baptist vice president; the first was a slaveholder
If Joe Biden wins the November election, his running mate announced Aug. 11 will become the fifth Baptist vice president. Sen. Kamala Harris attends Third Baptist Church in San Francisco. However, as a Black and Asian American woman, Harris stands…
This is a step toward stopping Muslim travel bans
For more than three years, Americans have watched the “travel ban” saga play out at the White House, in the courts, and even in the streets, with disastrous effects for American Muslims and global communities. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the NO BAN Act,…
Collaboration is the strategy for a hopeful religious future
Erik Larson released a remarkable book earlier this year, The Splendid and the Vile, detailing the extremely complicated, interesting and inspiring relationship between Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt. Churchill and Roosevelt developed a unique friendship over time, both products of…
Politicians won’t save us: Reclaiming our prophetic voice
I don’t know about you, but every day I’m receiving more and more messages from friends and family about the upcoming presidential election. Since I’m a pastor, the messages sent to me tend to focus on how either Donald Trump…