As presidents have formally done every year since 1952 (and informally before that), President Obama on Thursday, May 7, will issue a proclamation urging our country to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.” By longstanding national tradition, we will…
Destroying our own neighborhoods
The recent uprising in Baltimore has occupied our screens and dominated our conversations for more than a week now. Protestors there pricked the consciences of the nation in their cries for justice for Freddie Gray. At some point, a small…
Texas public schools are not ‘Godless environment’
Speaking passionately and personally, we pastors are for Texas children, and we are alarmed at the language and legislation coming from some of the most powerful people in our land. It attacks neighborhood and community schools and the dedicated, faithful…
Mike Huckabee announces presidential bid
By Bob Allen Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his second run for president May 5 at a gathering in his hometown of Hope, Ark., pledging to lead the country “from hope to higher ground.” “It seems perfectly fitting that…
Christian leaders voice support for Ukraine
By Bob Allen Ukrainian church leaders called on the global Christian community to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine at an April 28 consultation in London. The event was co-sponsored by BMS World Mission, founded in 1792 by Baptists…
How corporate America changed our religion: A review of “One Nation Under God” by Kevin Kruse
One Nation Under God could change the way we think about civil religion in America. Forget about the 1970s, or even the 1950s, Kevin Kruse says, this story begins in the heart of the Depression. Exiles from the Southern Baptist Convention who…
Texas Baptists take sides in school choice, pastor protection legislation
By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist official bemoaned a school voucher vote in the state Senate and supported a House measure to protect clergy from being forced to officiate over same-sex marriages in recent debate at the Texas State Capitol…
Taxation: Theft or support of the public welfare?
It has been ten days now since Tax Day 2015, but I am still thinking about taxation because of what I saw/heard in the media in the days following April 15. While driving around town on the 17 th, I…
The roots of left/right polarization in the United States
By David Gushee follow David:@dpgushee Early this week at Notre Dame an impressive group of Catholic scholars will gather for a conference called “Polarization in the Catholic Church: Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal.” I was invited to participate and…