The 248th birthday of our country will be celebrated this year under dark shadows. Personally, I will not be doing much celebrating. Let’s review our situation, shall we? Former President Donald Trump already was leading in the presidential election polls…
Living between Romans 13 and Revelation 13 as we celebrate our nation’s birthday
As July 4 approaches, we struggle with the political polarization in our nation and worry about our democracy threatened by the allure of autocracy. To use scriptural categories, we are living between Romans 13 and Revelation 13. Romans 13 has…
Monarchy redux: Follow the money
Who’d a thought that just prior to commemorating our overthrow of a king, the U.S. Supreme Court would reinstate monarchy? That might be an exaggeration, but only a teeny-weeny one. With today’s Supreme Court ruling, presidents of the U.S. have…
Redneck Requiem: An essay on friendship and death
Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit A grape changes color when it sees another grape You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) The Lonesome Dove miniseries is remembered for many things — outstanding theatrical roles…
Can progressive Christians be fundamentalists? Yes
Those of us who grew up in more conservative churches have found freedom in the exvangelical movement. Liberation Theology, multiple ways to interpret the Bible, and new theories that help us realize the Triune God is much bigger than we…
To renew the church, let’s redefine ‘Christian community’
The decline of the church in the Western world has been the subject of extensive study and speculation. Often, we focus our attention on the motivations of those who have left Christianity. In this season following Pentecost, however, perhaps we…
Evangelicals quoting Scripture: Whatever happened to Romans 13?
Not long ago, our evangelical brothers (and some sisters) seemed to like this passage a lot. So did the previous presidential administration. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and…
This Fourth of July, let us reclaim patriotism
Not since the Civil War has the United States faced such ill winds as we experience this Independence Day. The very idea of American democracy is under assault from internal forces convinced they are the lone defenders of democracy. The…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Rowan Williams
Rowan Williams is the past Archbishop of Canterbury, the retired master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and one of the world’s greatest living theologians. He is also a person who has thought concretely about social issues, governance and government over the…
When being a pastor is ‘the most important calling,’ family values take a back seat
Most of the noise at this month’s Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting was from men attempting to cement their pastoral power over women, Christian nationalists attacking religious liberty, messengers seeking to censure SBC leaders publicly, and the convention voting to…
On women’s issue, the SBC reminded us who they are
As an ordained Baptist minister, I always knew I was unwelcome at the Southern Baptist Convention. But after my experience at their annual meeting this month, my body will always carry with it the sting of knowing I am not…
Ron DeSantis throws another hissy fit like a mean father
Just when you think Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can’t sink any lower, he limbos below the lowest bar you’ve seen yet. Although I doubt we would find the failed Republican presidential candidate doing the limbo because his fan club might…