Many have dismissed inclusive language as “politically correct.” I believe it runs much deeper. It is an attempt to speak justly about humans, and it strives to offer a vision of God beyond gender
We inexplicably walked away from a terrifying accident. We’re still shaken – by the weight of gratitude
Some people would tell our incredible story of tragedy averted and credit angels’ wings, the intervention of something powerful and supernatural. That doesn’t fit my theology. But I have no doubt God was with us.
In America’s culture divide, the Golden Rule is no longer enough
It seems America’s cultural divide has reached such a bitter impasse that the Golden Rule no longer applies. We’ve short-circuited it by jumping to the conclusion that “others” are not like us enough for this sage wisdom to apply.
Blessed are the foolish, for they are key to healthy churches
Signs of a healthy church are not necessarily a polished worship service, a jazzy children’s program or excellent preaching, but a place where fools are welcome and celebrated. This church is led by the most foolish one of all, the God who voluntarily became human to dwell among other foolish humans, so that they might become God’s children.
A world still charged by flame: finding God in the singed pages of the Old Testament
In Fire by Night, author Melissa Florer-Bixer invites us to encounter the God of the Old Testament in new ways. Joining in God’s liberative work in the world is an urgent matter, which makes the patient care of reading these old, old faith stories all the more important.
Everybody’s: sometimes the gospel finds us in the ‘world’ before we find it in the Church
My long interest in American religion doubtless began in the 1950s and ’60s at Everybody’s, Fort Worth’s first real discount store. All kinds of people shopped at Everybody’s, but not everyone was treated equally.
Baylor’s decision on LGBTQ inclusion: Will my alma mater become invested or irrelevant?
If Baylor University doesn’t begin to recognize and respond in Christian love to the diversity of its students we not only have failed to measure up to the model of Jesus; we are identifying with the rigid textual literalism he faced 2,000 years ago.
SBC’s sexual abuse study should include a probe of its own files on reported abuse
The Southern Baptist Convention purports to be studying the problem of clergy sexual abuse. But if the SBC is sincere about wanting to get a handle on this scandal and to understand its institutional failures, it should authorize an independent commission to delve into its files containing reports of abuse.
How to know if your church will be alive in 10 years
Only 8 percent of American churchgoers attend congregations of more than 1,000 in weekly attendance. Yet the churches attended by 8 percent of Christians are held up as the models for every other church to emulate in order not to die.
Whose ‘principles of faith’ are being manifested on Trump’s watch?
Mercy, justice and humility are the marks of authentic Christianity. I see none of these in the principles of faith by which our president operates. The only thing worse than the failure or refusal of people of faith to see this reality is to remain silent.
5 things Protestant churches in the U.S. can learn from Eastern Orthodoxy
The difference in liturgical calendars at this season of the church year provides an opportunity to consider some lessons for American Protestantism from the Eastern Orthodox branch of Christendom.
‘It is Well’: hope amid fear after facing the ‘C word’ 4 times
My life’s journey has taken me through cancer four times. On rare occasions, I was able to confront the repeated news of recurring cancer with a bit of confidence. Most of the time, I was forced to my knees by the demon of cancer and begged God for a miracle my dad never received.