I am a pastor who loves Jesus. Yet I’m also realizing I’m a pastor who loves comfort, ease, a good reputation, and money almost just as much. These idols cause me to fear writing the words you’re now reading.
The war at home: Four ways good faith can help defeat ISIS
What is frightening about the recent mass killings in San Bernardino, Calif., is how easily seemingly ordinary individuals can wreak havoc on the lives of so many innocent people. Our vulnerability to mass murder has been revealed many times in…
“Undo the folded lie”
“I believe the light that shines on you will shine on you forever . . . though I can’t guarantee there’s nothing scary hiding under your bed.” -Paul Simon, lyrics in “Father and Daughter” This Advent I feel more like…
Responding to Ashley Ray’s comments on the “Feminist Rebellion”: Why I am a Baptist Feminist
This post has been edited. When I usually come across articles like the one describing Dr. Ashley Ray’s lament on the “feminist rebellion,” I usually ignore them. However, I am reminded of how comments like this reflect embedded beliefs and…
Franklin Graham echoes Trump’s anti-Muslim stance
By Bob Allen Evangelist Franklin Graham says he agrees with presidential candidate Donald Trump’s proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States, an idea Graham himself surfaced in July after the fatal shooting of four Marines by a naturalized…
Baptists join other Christians opposing Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric
By Jeff Brumley The voices from the right, condemning Islam and fearing Muslims, have gotten noticeably louder in recent days. On Monday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump issued a call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States. On…
Taking offense, but for the wrong reasons
By Joe LaGuardia In a society where people seem so easily offended there is no surprise that few call themselves Christians. Christianity is an offensive faith, there is no way around it. Unfortunately, for too many it has become offensive for…
The dangers of radical Islam and Christian hypocrisy
I’ll be honest. The sight of all those cheering Christians almost brought me to tears. I cannot bear the thought of a so-called “Christian” sanctuary filled with cheers and praise. The pastor says: bomb the hell out of them, just…
Social Security. Not individual security.
Speaking from a perspective of enlightened self-interest, it’s clear that in a capitalist economy the stronger the lower and middle classes are, the more money those at the top are going to have. And speaking from a perspective of faith,…