I gave a talk for the Alliance of Baptists’ educational emphasis on anti-racism not long ago. Someone in the audience asked me to choose the one book I thought they should read. Immediately, I said, “Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider.” When…
How a medical emergency during worship showed love in action
We had a medical emergency last Sunday during our gathering at Restore. It was one of those “they don’t teach you this in seminary” moments. I was in the middle of preaching when I looked over and saw that someone…
Three images to remember Tyre Nichols
The video has been released. Seven officers have been terminated and five charged. The Scorpion Unit has been disbanded. Two EMTs have been terminated along with a supervisor. The district attorney says more charges may be forthcoming. The attorney for…
The state murder of Tyre Nichols
Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison. — Mark 6:27 On the day we write this post, during the week Tyre Nichols was buried…
Title 42, congregations and the sojourner
In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the “Remain in Mexico” border policy could be reversed by the Biden administration, specifically through the Department of Homeland Security. This Trump-era policy had forced migrants to remain in Mexico while their…
The truth about police brutality
Leadership is a privilege. It is not a right. I wonder when we will get that through our thick skulls. Jesus said rather plainly, “To whom much is given, much is required,” which underlines the differentiated, increased expectations that come…
Biblical orthodoxy 2023: Sign or get ‘churched’
In Giving Glory to God in Appalachia: Worship Practices of Six Baptist Subdenominations, the late Appalachian State University professor Howard Dargan observed: One ceases to be a member of a local Primitive (Baptist) church by being dismissed by letter to…
Jesus and Buddha are talking with me about loving and blessing my enemies
I seem to have a larger list of enemies these days, those I find it harder to love and bless. But Jesus is insistent about how we relate to our enemies: “You have heard it was said ‘You shall love…
Letter to the Editor: Kudos all around for Baptist News Global
Letter to the Editor February 2, 2023 Dear Editor: It is refreshing to read well-written, unbiased articles about things in life that truly matter. You and the team at BNG always do that. I was initially motivated to write this…
Letter to the Editor: Jesus expects us to follow him; Trump expects us to follow him
Letter to the Editor February 2, 2023 Dear Editor: I read Robert P. Jones’ perceptive article on Donald Trump and his allegedly disloyal white evangelical supporters and wanted to endorse it. Trump is outraged that Christian leaders are hesitating to…
Humor and hope mark the dark journey taken by a creative and brave photojournalist
Have you ever been death tripping? Journalist Jeff Sharlet recently took an unusual trip through the rural roads of Wisconsin. His trip became much more than a run-of-the-mill ride through the countryside. Instead, his trip was more like a pilgrim’s journey…
One year of sobriety
One year ago last Monday, I stopped drinking. For the past year, we’ve draw an “X” each day on a special, prominently displayed calendar. I preferred for Nancy, my wife, to draw the mark. Every time she did, she would…