A few weeks ago, I sat with a Baptist leader who described himself as a “moderate Baptist.” He meant it as a compliment, and most people in our circles would receive it that way. After all, “moderate” is one of...
Doug Melville knew he had to do something to make sure his family members’ legacies were preserved after seeing the movie Red Tails. One of the characters, played by Terrance Howard, was based on the life of his great-uncle, Benjamin…
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…
The mild 2023 version of Beatlemania hardly compares to the wild 1964 version, but it has brought new musical products. “Now and Then,” the “last” song from the band, was released Nov. 2 to promote the Nov. 10 release of…
New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson recently commented that he is a “Bible-believing” Christian, and all anyone needs to do to understand his view on any topic is to read the Bible. Politicians of every stripe often trample faith…
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…
The political scientists tell us we are living in the age of resentment. This is the story of searching for a word that defines our age because “resentment” doesn’t really fit the bill. In an alliterative journey through the “Rs”…
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…
Racial disparities continue to plague Black Americans in part because of the persistent perception that they are, by nature, threats to law and order, said Jamila Hodge, CEO of Equal Justice USA. “We have won many legal battles — the…
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…
Pastors in Zimbabwe fear a fast-spreading cholera outbreak could sink what remains of precarious church earnings as authorities mull worship restrictions and some congregants are staying away from services for fear of contagion. “It never rains,” said Pastor Josia Jagidhi,…
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…
Julie Chen was on top of the world when her world came crashing down five years ago. She was creator of the daytime Emmy award show The Talk, along with being the host of Big Brother. But then, it all…
