What follows is a creative imagining of what Martin Luther King Jr. might say to white American evangelicals today. It was written by Joel A. Bowman Sr. in the spirit of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Dear white American evangelicals:...
As I sat in my living room watching Ryan Seacrest ring in the new year, I couldn’t help but think that, although it’s a new year, the theme seems to be the same across America. Many of my brothers and…
A new online resource documents the religious components of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the United States Capitol. Uncivil Religion: January 6, 2021 is a collaboration of the University of Alabama’s Department of Religious Studies and the Smithsonian’s National…
It isn’t at all novel to admit this to you, dear reader, but New Year’s resolutions are gratingly unbearable; even under the best conditions. But I must say that this year, there is a uniquely hollow and darkly comedic quality…
For those who are keeping score at home, the stats are now Will McRaney 4 and North American Mission Board 1. But this legal game is far from over. In the latest twist to the curious case of McRaney’s lawsuit…
As a full-time pastor for more than 25 years, I’ve never been without employment — until now. In December 2021, I stepped down as the senior pastor of my church without another ministry position or job of any kind. Leading…
As one of the nation’s oldest Protestant denominations works intently to define its role in a post-denominational age, a group of 43 churches has announced it will break away to form a new body. This schism within the Reformed Church…
Schools and streets have been named after Martin Luther King Jr. Churches and libraries are named after him. He is the only African American and the only American clergy honored with a national holiday. In many countries around the world,…
The third Monday in January has been dubbed “Blue Monday.” “The reasons are pretty simple: bad weather, barren trees, post-holiday hangovers and a lot of resolutions that have already gone bust. And then on top of those things you have…
I am not accustomed to discussing publicly my personal health on the internet (or most anywhere else), but in this case, I am going to make an exception and do just that. When Janice and I returned to the United…
