Shepherds play an important role in the biblical narrative. Shepherds appear frequently in both the Old and New Testaments, often in reference to leaders. One of my favorite images of a shepherd is that of a caregiver. It is common…
Lesson from an anthill: pay attention to foundational relationships
A few ant bites were a reminder about three kinds of relationships that provide a solid foundation for my life, and that I should never take for granted.
Una lección desde un hormiguero: ponga atención a las relaciones fundamentales
Algunas picaduras de hormigas me recordaron sobre tres tipos de relaciones que proporcionan una base sólida para mi vida, y las cuales nunca debo de dar por sentado.
Inviolate! The protection of all children
It’s time for us to go a step further by owning at least a part of this national shame of forcibly separating children from their migrant parents. We must be willing to name our government’s role in this crisis as perpetrators of child abuse. We must understand such harm in light of our knowledge about children’s health and wellbeing and how strongly the Scripture speaks to the mandate of protecting children.
Judge Kavanaugh: do you believe it’s legitimate for our government to favor Christians over adherents of other religions?
As a teacher of political theory and constitutional law – and as a Baptist Christian – I would like to know the views of Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh on the meaning of religious freedom as guaranteed by the First Amendment. More specifically, I would like to know if Kavanaugh believes it is legitimate for our government to favor Christians over adherents of other religions.
What an eroding Christian witness in America urgently needs: mature Christians
Thankfully, every epoch sifts its ideas, institutions and theological claims. Renewal movements erupt because God’s Spirit will not be quenched.
Doing church in America: ‘resetting a Body of broken bones’
In American Christianity the broken bones of individual and collective division desperately need resetting.
Preaching on #metoo and #churchtoo
The biblical stories remind us that our lies, cover-ups, excuses and foot-dragging do not make the national blight of sexual misconduct go away.
No, Pastor Jeffress (and others), America is not a Christian nation. And here’s why it matters
It simply is not true that America is a Christian nation. We are a nation of Christians (and Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and people of no faith at all), but we are not a Christian nation.
The eccentric nature of religious freedom and true dissent
As often as we Baptists seek the approval of “kings” and power brokers, we show disdain for our own heritage, including forebears who were locked up, beaten and even killed for daring to dissent.
The struggle to know God’s will through scripture
Jesus offers us a model of how we might struggle with our sacred texts and bring our own personal, intuitive, common-sense experience of God to bear on our interpretation and application of scripture.
Frankly speaking: an Independence Day showdown with drama, daring and indigestion
The gastronomic gamesmanship at the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest every July Fourth is for many a celebration of what makes America great. But I have a few questions.