It is high time we ceased calling nationalism “Christian.” There is nothing Christian about American nationalism. Christians, especially, should lead the way. The origin of the name “Christian” is recorded in Acts 11:26: “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” A…
Preaching from both sides now
In the 1960s, I was in my late 40s. The popular song “From Both Sides Now,” written by Canadian Joni Mitchell, found me through the singer Judy Collins. The song takes us on a journey from “I’ve looked at clouds…
And to think I saw it in a Buc-ee’s parking lot
I would have been less surprised seeing an elephant walking past — carrying a Raja, with rubies, perched high on a throne. I certainly would have felt less nervous for the elephant’s and the Raja’s well-being. What I saw took…
Trump’s 2027 budget request includes plenty of pain to go around
Blissfully naive Americans — particularly those who adhere to the “tread on everyone, except for me” code of ethics — are prematurely breathing a sigh of relief that the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” didn’t impact them. There’s just one…
Women’s rights are at risk and the church cannot be silent
“Speeches do not protect girls,” Malala Yousafzai said as she addressed the United Nations at the opening of this year’s Commission on the Status of Women hosted by UN Women. When I heard her say it, I was sitting in…
I didn’t leave the church
In my last column for Baptist News Global, I wrote a sentence I want to come back to: “I am a trans man who grew up in the church and loved it until it threw me away.” Some readers may…
5 a.m. musings in Amsterdam
It is both a blessing and a curse to be an American in Amsterdam tonight. On the one hand, it is a blessed escape. On the other hand, people look at you with worry and pity. On the one hand,…
‘Messy White Lady’: Why we must trade fitting in for belonging
Three days after I arrived in Uganda in 2010, I headed to a nearby hotel with friends to play soccer. Since it was going to be a long afternoon, I brought along a container of fruit to share. As I…
How many more signs do you need?
Every week, I get emails from readers accusing us at BNG of being the Devil’s agents for publishing articles critical of Donald Trump. Inevitably, these writers think we just don’t understand the Bible or politics or culture. They know it…
Letter to the Editor: Soldiers should refuse illegal military orders
In the final sermon before his assassination in 1980, Archbishop of El Salvador Oscar Romero told the soldiers in a public broadcast to refuse the orders of the violent, militaristic regime in the country. “I want to make a special…
Letter to the Editor: When Muslims sound more like Jesus than the Christians
I live in Alabama where, apparently, a number of aspirants to political office are operating on the sad assumption that a majority of Alabama voters will reward them for being xenophobic, in general, and Islamophobic, in particular. Last week, in…
Letter to the Editor: End the war in Iran, now
Many Americans and Christians continue to rightfully express concern at the ongoing conflict against Iran, with one poll recently suggesting 60% of the country opposes the usage of military force. While the operation appears to have achieved its military objectives, the civilian carnage has been tragic: One Middle…