Oklahoma’s top education official is facing mounting opposition to his directive that every public school classroom have Bibles for teaching Scripture to students. Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was sued Oct. 17 by more than 30 faith leaders,…
My journey from fear to a whole new way of seeing grace
Grace is amazing — or can be. It depends on the God giving it. The grace that is truly amazing flows from a vulnerable God of love, expressing that love by showering grace freely toward all in an ever-widening flood….
Putting Christian political participation in proper place
“Christian nationalist” (or its synonym “MAGA Christians”) has, at times, been applied to any Christian who expresses a political opinion or votes Republican. Yet not every Christian who votes or is otherwise involved in politics is a Christian nationalist. Such…
Bibi and the Bible
In his recent speech at a joint session of (most of) Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referenced the Bible in a description of the Israel Defense Forces, even giving the Hebrew: “As the Bible says, “עם כלביא יקום” —…
Oklahoma school districts pushing back on Bible mandate
At least 13 large school districts in Oklahoma have told the state superintendent of public instruction they will not obey his order to place a Bible in every classroom and require every teacher to teach from it. Earlier this summer,…
Ryan Walters descends from the Capitol with new commandments for Oklahoma teachers
The handwriting is on the wall for Oklahoma teachers. Anyone who knows the Jewish and Christian Scriptures would understand that statement is a riff on a well-known passage from Daniel 5:5 where mysterious handwriting appeared on the wall with a…
Books help us learn, but books also help us love
There is a certain magic lost in the absence of books. Deep connections are forged through the intimacy of gathering close to turn well-loved pages, eagerly anticipating the words and illustrations waiting for us on the other side. Books help…
Oklahoma schools chief mandates Bibles in every public school classroom
Two days after the Oklahoma Supreme Court swatted down an attempt to use public funds to support a Catholic charter school, the state superintendent of public instruction mandated all public schools have a Christian Bible in the classroom and teach…
Before you protest at a Pride parade, look closely at what the Bible actually says
I look forward to marching in the Pride parade with my church each year. We have had a float in the parade almost from the parade’s beginning. Each year there are protesters. Almost always, there is someone holding a Bible;…