By Dwight Duhon Next Sunday morning the sun will rise; the smell of coffee, toast and bacon will fill the kitchens of many. And some 56 million Americans will get ready to attend one of 300,000 churches dotting the landscape…
Living through grief online
By Natalie Aho Theories, both good and bad, abound about what this online community means for our society. I chart through these waters as a representative of churches and organizations like ABP. Recently, I learned how this online life enriches…
Religion should build up, not destroy
By Zachary Bailes No words, no labels and no blame can provide solace for the lives lost and families tragically affected by the bombing and shooting in Norway. For Norway there remain only prayers to be sent up and hopes…
Forgiving a murderer
By Jim Denison Mark Stroman watched 208 people walk past him to be executed. On July 20 his turn came when he was put to death by lethal injection. What makes his case unique is the fact that a man…
‘Master Plan’ more bad news for urban poor
By Angela Fields Attention! There is an open house for new luxury downtown loft apartments in Atlanta. The lofts are specially designed to provide a magnificent living space. Apartments are equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto large balconies offering…
Lottie Moon, a missionary in history and legend
By Regina Sullivan “It is a small thing to be judged of a man’s judgment. It is good to know that we are judged by God.” As I began my graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel…
A letter to fellow Baptist Michele Bachmann
By Zachary Bailes Dear Michele Bachmann: Seriously? You left the Lutherans and now want to be Baptist? Calling yourself “Baptist” doesn’t equate to much – there are as many definitions as there are Republican presidential candidates. I’m not sure you’re…
Seeing America from across the seas
By David Gushee This is my first column in two months. My absence stems from many weeks on the road. I am still processing these experiences. With my daughter Marie, I spent two weeks in Cape Town, South Africa, helping…
Alabama Baptists MIA in opposition to immigration law
By Wesley Spears USA Today reported recently that Alabama churches were leading the charge against the state’s recently passed new immigration law. This should not be surprising, but it is. That is a testament to the church’s failure in…
‘Kudzu Jesus’ and the Kingdom of God
By Bob Setzer Not infrequently, Jesus shows up in some pretty surprising places. According to recent news reports, the face of Jesus has been seen in a pizza sold in Australia, a poppy petal photographed in the high desert of…
Turning the world right-side up
By Kate Hanch There’s something about loving our enemies that makes us uneasy and anxious. It goes against our gut feelings and automatic responses. In a world of many polarizing politics and reality television that capitalizes on finding the scapegoat,…
Grabbing the thread of forgiveness
By Norman Jameson A 1972 photograph of 9-year-old Kim Phuc fleeing her burning village in Vietnam — her clothes incinerated from her body and her skin falling from her back and arms — captured the world’s attention. Some say it…