This is the ninth in a BNG series of articles on Christianity and democracy that will lead toward the July 4 celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The series has been curated by Carol McEntyre, senior minister at First Baptist Church of...
At the recent Golden Globes, Demi Moore received the award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in a gruesome, gory horror film. The Substance — which I have not seen — does not sound like…
In blaming Californians and their governor for the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, Donald Trump provided a glimpse of the onslaught of disinformation Americans can expect from their next president, Kristen Du Mez said during the latest “Convocation Unscripted” webinar. Trump…
Our church has just lived through the worst natural disaster our area of California ever has experienced, and the damage is not fully comprehended yet. On Jan. 7, a fire broke out in the Eaton Canyon area, which is a…
Some days are significant for multiple reasons. Take Epiphany, for instance. Long before I knew what Epiphany was, I knew it was my friend’s birthday. Halfway between mine and my wife’s birthdays, we celebrated him on the sixth day of…
By some accounts, the whole world is becoming more conservative. It that so? The answer is an unqualified yes and no. As with the second coming of Donald Trump, there are global indicators more people are leaning more conservative, which…
Invocation “Wade in the Water” Blind Boys of Alabama § §. § §. § For those who track the annual lectionary journey, yesterday’s focus was the “Baptism of the Lord.” It’s a topic near and dear to my heart, since…
Faith is vital to millions of LGBTQ Americans whose patterns of belief and practice closely mirror those of the wider U.S. population, according to a new study. “Religious LGBT adults, including those who are moderately or highly religious, are socio-demographically…
The rising tide of unpartnered American adults may have reached its limit, according to new data from Pew Research. For more than two decades, the share of American adults who do not live with a romantic partner has been increasing,…
Do you remember the old camp song, “Seek Ye First”? The song was popular at the American Baptist Church I attended as a child and teenager, the floating notes of the soprano line topping the chorus, the collective notes a…
A new trial date has been set for Johnny Hunt’s lawsuit against the Southern Baptist Convention in which he seeks more than $100 million for damages to his income, reputation and livelihood. That new date falls one week after the…
Upon her death at age 84, Anita Jane Bryant was remembered most vividly for her harsh stance against homosexuality in the 1970s and not for the successful music career that preceded her advocacy. A native Oklahoman, she won the 1958…
On Jan. 20, Donald Trump will take the presidential oath of office on the day set aside to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. This convergence crystallizes the United States’ ongoing struggle between competing visions of faith and politics in…
