An array of American faith-based organizations roundly condemned President Trump’s Sept. 30 decision to limit refugee resettlement in 2021 to no more than 15,000. That would be the lowest level on record, following a year that already brough an 80%…
Let’s stop appealing to Magic Jesus and get busy doing Jesus’ work
I don’t believe in Magic Jesus. If I go lie down on the interstate and pray to Jesus for protection, even if we pray a hedge of protection around myself, even if I name it and claim it, no divine…
Faith leaders make a case for Trump to the delight of some and dismay of others
“I’m done with Michael W. Smith.” That sentiment has been expressed widely this week on social media by Christians who have loved the veteran Christian singer-songwriter’s music but now find themselves disaffected by his apparent politics. For public figures —…
Beware when ‘law and order’ is cover for lawlessness and disorder
If you’ve been paying attention, the phrase “law and order” has saturated the news cycle of late. Some political candidates posture themselves as the “law and order candidate,” while other social commentators decry the absence of law and order in…
Why vote? Because if we don’t do better, we will repeat history
This is the first in a series of first-person columns written by current and former BJC Fellows, a program of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, on the prompt: “Why vote?” Aaron Sorkin’s West Wing holds a special responsibility…
You cannot follow Jesus and endorse racism. Period.
You cannot claim to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and endorse white supremacy — either explicitly or implicitly. Period. There is no room for justifications or caveats. None at all. This is not about whether you identify as a…
Vote “Jesus 2020”?
When I was in college, I read an author who introduced me to a radical new concept. I’d been attending church for 18 years, and this was something I’d never heard before. I was skeptical. The word this author introduced…
Worship event on National Mall illustrates merger of evangelical music and politics
It was billed as a worship rally, but it could have been a political rally. Last Saturday, Sept. 26, nearly 100,000 evangelicals gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the stated purpose of worshiping God. They were led by Vice President Mike…
10 ways to take care of yourself because things may get worse before they get better
2020 has been one heckuva year. The bad news is, it isn’t over. If I am reading the tea leaves correctly, we are in for a wild ride these next few months. Between now and the end of the year,…