“Those that don’t know any history think everything is an overreaction right now. Those that do know history think everything is an underreaction right now.” These were the words posted recently on Threads by medical physicist and musician Benito Thompson. To which…
The evolving and continuing role of the U.S. church in Bible translation
For more than a century, the church in the United States has been actively involved in supporting nearly 7,400 language communities of the world by sending missionary Bible translators, praying and funding Bible translation. According to recent statistics from ProgressBible, 4,172…
Demand the United States end genocide in Gaza
More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli assaults in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. “The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that many people reportedly continue to be killed and injured, including people seeking food along…
No, MAGA supporters aren’t the same as Nazis
We humans love dichotomies. For example, when we meet someone, our brains tend to classify the person as masculine/feminine, taller/shorter, etc. Of course, false dichotomies abound. While a woman is either pregnant or not, a person can have both masculine…
We have time to …
In 49 C.E., Seneca wrote a book on time management. In On the Shortness of Life, he came down hard on his fellow Romans for pursuing political careers they didn’t really care about, holding elaborate banquets they didn’t especially enjoy…
You’ll hear no endorsements from this pulpit
The IRS recently announced it would no longer enforce the Johnson Amendment. The amendment, passed in 1954, bears the name of then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson. The Johnson Amendment prohibited churches, religious organizations and other nonprofits from participating in electoral…
Anger and the animating presence of God: Where do you put the anger?
Given the state of public affairs in these riven United States, I too frequently find myself in a foaming-at-the-mouth froth of anger. Utter disgust, flinging foul imprecations and anathemas — mostly under my breath. I catch myself, with James and…
‘Justice’ and ‘transparency’ with caveats? Epstein victims deserve better
In August 2017, author Michael Wolff conducted research for his book Fire and Fury. He spoke at considerable length with Jeffrey Epstein. On Aug. 10, 2019, the notorious sexual predator was found dead in his prison cell. Authorities ruled his…
Where seldom is heard a Christian word: A reflection on the Beatitudes
Early in my ministry in South Louisiana, I was pastor of the only Baptist church in a town of about 6,000 people. This was Jimmy Swaggert territory, and many Pentecostals and charismatic/nondenominational churches dotted the area. You were most likely…
The time a young PTSD-wracked veteran walked into her backyard
I was sitting on my back porch, watching some early Fourth of July fireworks but not feeling at all patriotic as I pondered the current ICE raids. Almost everyone I know is impacted, asking about their loved one and wondering what can we do if they…
How a teacher’s kindness can change a student’s life
I was a fifth-year senior, which was one of the most embarrassing times of my life. It meant I hadn’t finished high school in the usual four years, and I would be required to go back to the same high…
‘Wide open spaces’: Reflections from a summer camp chaperone
Earlier this summer, I was holed up in my temporary dorm room at Converse University, groaning at my laptop while my students and our other church chaperones were outside practicing their performances for the annual camp variety show. I heard…