What a difference 15 years makes. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the United States has endured two gut-wrenching wars and a resulting debate over immigrants, refugees and Muslims that divides the nation. But there also has been enough…
Congregational postcards from the edge of Christianity
Some years ago I had the opportunity to consult with a congregation with a great history and reputation for having at least one — if not more — internationally known pastors who delivered sermons of great fame and lasting popularity….
God: Some assembly required?
When I was introduced to God some 20 years ago, God had it together. God was in control. God was sovereign. God had a plan. I needed only to believe. My, how times have changed. Today, I am viewed primarily…
Despite size, Nagasaki Cross inspires reflection on Christian unity, breaking barriers
It is known as the Nagasaki Cross, a small — about 15 inches tall and 7 inches wide — Christian symbol forged from debris found in the wreckage of a middle school located 1,500 feet from where an American plutonium bomb detonated on Aug. 9, 1945.
Finding Christ in Christianity: Have we stopped looking for him?
“Has anyone seen Jesus? I know that he is around here somewhere. He is always with us.” Jesus’ parents were traveling home after the festival of the Passover (Luke 2.41-51). It was two days before they noticed that he was…
An open letter to Donald Trump on his recent Christian conversion
Dearest Donald, My old buddy James Dobson says you are a baby Christian who recently accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. ¡Felicitaciones! Who am I to question the conviction of your heart or the resolve of your newfound…
Cafeteria Christianity in the age of social media: What’s old is new again
It is safe to say that “we” pick and choose among religious tenets and practices because “we” are human and that is what humans do.
The world is getting more religious, because the poor go for God
Far from being the century in which religion went away, for both Christianity and Islam, the 20th century was numerically the most successful century since Christ was crucified and Muhammad gave his farewell sermon on Mount Arafat.
When Christians fear the wrong things.
There are a lot of things I fear. Like windows without blinds (seriously) and heights. And there are a lot of things I do not fear.
Finding our way to a ‘good conversion’
No Christian conversion is exactly alike; each one is unique. This is certainly true of Saul’s conversion depicted by Luke in Acts 9. There are, however, some common elements. Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest disciples of…
Christianity and Korea
How did the religion become so apparently prevalent in South Korea?
Churches need to be less concerned about labels, more about being faithful
When we announced to the first church we served, in South Carolina, that we were moving to Alabama, someone came up right after church and said, “Here’s the question if you’re moving to Birmingham: Are you gonna say, ‘Roll Tide’…