“They killed the boy.” That was the explanation a Bible professor once gave me for why Jesus wasn’t a good model of leadership. The Christian scholar had been describing how, many years before, a subordinate had proposed holding a pastor’s…
Dear men who support women in ministry (part 2) …
In 2024, the Survey Center on American Life revealed a significant shift: More Gen Z women are disengaging from the formative religion of their youth than are Gen Z men. This marks a notable reversal from the three previous generations,…
A 34-year game of tag
There are some things we do early in life that probably ought to stick with us more than they do. They could vary from you to me. But I think anything that fosters playfulness, laughter and awe, and that helps…
There are better ways to read the Bible
“Your son is disruptive, disrespectful and dishonoring to God. He asks too many questions during Bible study, and it’s causing the other students to doubt their faith. I’m sorry, but he’s not welcome here anymore.” My youth pastor said this…
Remembering Hulk Hogan: The man, the myth, the mixed legacy
Terry Gene Bollea — known to the world as Hulk Hogan — was more than just a wrestling icon. He was a cultural phenomenon. The man who ripped T-shirts with ease and flexed biceps like bronze statues died Thursday morning…
The timeless journey of ‘Pass It On’
Hundreds of thousands have viewed the short, hand-held video taken by a nurse on a bus carrying the surviving young girls from Camp Mystic the morning after the horrific July 4 floods in Kerr County, Texas, that left at least…
A prayer for the broken-hearted people of the world
We left on vacation July 6, just two days after our national celebration of Independence Day. Typically, I’ve loved our little neighborhood’s quirky annual July Fourth parade, which includes appearances by groups like a Vespa troup, Taiko drumming corps, attachment…
Letter to the Editor: You can’t have it both ways on women’s rights
Dear Editor, I read Jeff Brumley’s article on the Trump administration’s decision to cease consideration of gender-based violence in immigration and was struck by the administration’s blatant inconsistency. In January, President Trump signed Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring…
What the prophets knew that America has forgotten
The U.S. Supreme Court is in summer recess, offering a temporary respite to the millions of Americans whose lives have been made more complicated by the court’s recent rulings. Whether by upholding President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship,…
A national wake-up call on Black America’s relationship with water
Now more than ever, America must confront a long-standing yet under-acknowledged public health and cultural crisis: Black Americans and water. The sudden and tragic death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner — an actor beloved across generations — has cast a spotlight on…
So you say you want a biblical worldview?
Conservative evangelicals were right: Worldview matters — a lot. Only problem is, we now see their preferred worldview is rotten to the core. And there’s about as much Bible in their “biblical” worldview as there is grapes in Grape Nuts….
Queer & Christian: Reclaiming our faith for today and tomorrow
What does it mean to be a Christian in the 21st century? What do our lives of faith look like? Our evangelism? What do we, as followers of Jesus, have to offer the world around us? How do we best…