There are only two ways to raise your children: you either shut them down or you open them up. If you shut them down you raise them in a zero-sum world of winners and losers. You teach them that the…
The illogical politics of abortion
By Miguel De La Torre A study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute reveals that issues related to reproductive health received unprecedented attention at the state level in 2011. Legislators in all 50 states introduced more than 1,100 reproductive health-related provisions,…
The illogical politics of abortion
By Miguel De La Torre A study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute reveals that issues related to reproductive health received unprecedented attention at the state level in 2011. Legislators in all 50 states introduced more than 1,100 reproductive health-related provisions,…
Don’t Worry, Gay Scouts, Southern Baptists Still ‘Love’ You
At last week’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, messengers from SBC churches around the country voted on and approved a resolution concerning the recent change in membership policy by the Boy Scouts of America, which says that “no youth may…
Re-imagining disability
By Molly T. Marshall What do race, gender, the poor, sexual minorities and persons with disability have in common? They are all the focus of theological thinking over the past few decades. All of them are in some way “other”…
Looking for our fathers
Somewhere I read of a young man who in a fit of rage killed his father. That night when everyone was asleep in the jail, the jailer heard the boy sobbing: “I want my Father. I want my Father.” Almost…
Back from the bridge
By Amy Butler Almost 50 years ago her world fell apart. Teenage angst plus serious, debilitating mental illness led her one biting winter day to the rail of a bridge, one leg over the side, ready to say goodbye to…
How to interpret the Scriptures
A church member will sometimes ask how I go about interpreting the scriptures. I am tempted to answer, “On the run,” since I preach and teach several times each week. Thinking more about the question, here are some guidelines. First,…
A modest proposal for a fractured Baptist family
By Marv Knox Do you think Baptists ever will get back together again?” a young friend asked over lunch the other day. His question arose naturally, because this is convention season for Baptists. The Southern Baptist Convention is conducting its…
A modest proposal for a fractured Baptist family
By Marv Knox Do you think Baptists ever will get back together again?” a young friend asked over lunch the other day. His question arose naturally, because this is convention season for Baptists. The Southern Baptist Convention conducts its annual…
Protesting in North Carolina: Moral Monday Reflections
Recent events in North Carolina are putting our Baptist convictions to the test. In remembering the most, North Carolina’s lawmakers have forgotten the least. School children are hungry. Access to affordable healthcare will soon be even more difficult to procure. …
Change happens
By Bill Wilson Are you tired of the doomsday rhetoric about the church in America? Have you noticed that the bandwagon of those predicting the imminent demise of congregational life is filled to capacity? Are you ready to tune out…