From historian Randall Balmer I learned the medical/moral matter of abortion became a late-date toss-in to the cynical Southern strategy of GOP thinkers in the 1970s. It gave them a new wedge to use in dividing the Bible Belt: Elevate…
In Gaza, ceasefire is the necessary moral solution
What we have witnessed in the Holy Land is a catastrophe, and Christians must do our part to end the violence. The terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israelis on Oct. 7 were abominable. This month’s long war in Gaza, which…
Living as pilgrims to know Jesus better
Being a pilgrim increasingly seems to fit many life chapters. I’m not speaking of “the” Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock, but as anyone who makes a journey, often to a foreign land, on a quest for spiritual renewal. Many who have…
Six things I learned from teaching incarcerated students
Note: This is the first in a three-part series by Chris Caldwell about his work in Kentucky prisons. I recently had the pleasure of teaching a college class in two medium-security Kentucky prisons. I’m on the faculty of Simmons…
On not walking the labyrinth at the end of the world
This story starts around lunchtime on Thursday. Well, really, the story probably starts way before that — maybe the summer I spent traveling California during college or that day I left a staff meeting with fire in my eyes and…
I was taught by an Elder wiser
A good, straight-forward lyric from friend (more like a sister, really) Kate Campbell helps frame for me a way to process a bit of difficult news of the day. In her haunting ballad “Look Away,” a beautiful yet mournful take…
What worshiping with other people does to you
Recently, I had the opportunity to sing in a choir behind praise and worship leader Charity Gayle at one of her concerts. What I experienced was beyond my expectations and I learned more than I imagined. My church choir was…
Revisiting ‘natural law’ and gun rights
Two years ago, I wrote an essay that tried to untangle the legal and political issues that evolved over the 20th century that led to the current impasse around guns. There’s no panacea, I argued, but at least we can…
If you’re uncertain how to approach Israel and Gaza, start with grief
I’ve known churches that have been on the frontlines of every concern of justice, congregations in which you could well assume nearly everyone is voting for the same candidate at the top of the ticket, churches in which no controversial…