For about a decade, I have had a book brewing that takes on the book of Job. It is now about to come out Sept. 1. It will be called Job in Exile: A Guide for Spiritual Refugees. There are…
The permanent paradoxes of Christian thinking about war
The morality of warfare has been in the news recently. This occurs every so often, usually when the United States launches a dubious military action (like the one against Iran) and someone in the administration (like JD Vance) claims the support…
The end of white liberal Christian optimism
When Donald Trump was elected president a second time, something in me broke and has stayed broken. I now realize what broke was the version of white liberal Christian optimism I had unconsciously imbibed from my teachers and milieu. It’s…
In conversation with Logan Morrison
Nearly three years ago, I interviewed Logan Morrison, who had made national headlines for being forced out of a soccer coaching job at an evangelical college for open communication related to sexual orientation. (That interview was reported with a previous…
After Primary Day, where are we?
I want to offer a few propositions for where our country is politically after this week’s round of primary voting, mainly in the South. President Donald Trump continues to destroy the careers of those Republican politicians who demonstrate independent judgment….
The guardrails preserving our democracy
I want to consider some good news today. The good news is that certain cultural, political and legal guardrails are holding against Donald Trump and his government right now. I am not suggesting our democracy is in the clear. I…
A report from the Post-Evangelical Collective meeting in Boston
The momentum is growing. The Post-Evangelical Collective has a bright future, but also key issues to consider. What follows are some observations from my fourth national Post-Evangelical Collective conference. In order, they have been Denver (2023), Raleigh (2024), Nashville (2025)…
Post-evangelical churches are succeeding
There is much handwringing about the “state of the church” these days. I want to suggest that handwringing is a bit exaggerated. I know the statistics. There are certainly many U.S. churches that are struggling and some that are closing….
5 a.m. musings in Amsterdam
It is both a blessing and a curse to be an American in Amsterdam tonight. On the one hand, it is a blessed escape. On the other hand, people look at you with worry and pity. On the one hand,…
Statement urges US Christians to ‘resistance’ and ‘repentance’
More than 400 U.S. Christians of multiple denominations have signed an ecumenical statement urging Christians to stand up for their neighbors, protect vulnerable people and defend democracy as faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Drafted by an ad hoc coalition of prominent…
Guthas became the first female pastor at Jimmy Carter’s church
Ashley Guthas wasn’t angling to become Jimmy Carter’s pastor. Yet she became another part of history when she was called as pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga. — a church where the former president and his wife, Rosalynn,…
Rising secularism isn’t good for democracy, scholar explains
Many Americans believe increased secularization will minimize religious and political tensions, simmer the culture wars and reduce threats to democracy, author and political scientist John Compton said. Some mainstream commentators argue the continuing move away from religious belief and belonging…