The shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson and the choking death of Eric Garner in Staten Island have dominated the news cycle for weeks, making it almost impossible to get any other issue onto the agenda. Immigration, Ebola and…
Peace on Facebook or Ferguson or Long Island or Cleveland
There’s a certain hollow and rather pernicious powerless-ness that wells up within me as I’ve quietly taken in the scenes, voices and verdicts (or, rather, lack thereof) unfolding before us all over the last couple of weeks. So much so,…
Jesus, Africa, refugees, and a retelling of the Christmas narrative
The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Latest posts by (see all) What are the Theological Disciplines?: The Christian Academy as University – December 10, 2015 The Intellectual Life Together – December 8, 2015 What Child Is This?: The…
7 ways to help those suffering from ‘the empty chair at the holiday table’
By Eric Eckert For many, this Christmas will be the first without a special loved one. The loss of a family member or a friend brings obvious grief. And for those who have the opportunity to interact with a bereaved…
Fayetteville, Ark., repeals anti-discrimination measure some Baptists opposed
By Bob Allen In a special referendum ballot Dec. 9, citizens in Fayetteville, Ark., voted 52 percent to 48 percent to repeal an anti-discrimination ordinance adopted in August by the City Council. The City Council passed the ordinance barring “discrimination…
Youth pastor charged with child abuse
By Bob Allen A former youth pastor at a Southern Baptist church in Charlottesville, Va., is under arrest for the alleged sexual assault of a child under his care. Jacob Daniel “Jake” Kepple, 35, resigned his post at First Baptist…
Of lament, brutality, torture and Advent
I am almost overwhelmed with sorrow today. I do not wish to discuss how different groups on either side of the spectrum may, or may not, have made use of, or sought to make use of the events in Cleveland,…
Biblical backdrop to grand jury injustice
The grand jury decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the “choke-hold” death of Eric Garner has produced some interesting critics. According to the Washington Times website (12/1/14), Glenn Beck said that Garner’s treatment by the NYPD was “inexcusable,…
Advent, Genocide and the Baby in the Manger
Advent is my favorite time of year. The idea of waiting for hope to be born is irresistible and wonderful. When I was a kid, I memorized the entire Christmas story from the gospel of Luke for a Christmas event…
Chaos or community: Which way?
By Ken Sehested – Chaos or community: Which way?
The Banality of Evil
“Banality” is not a word that we often hear. The dictionary I consulted defines it as “the condition or quality of being banal, or devoid of freshness or originality.” “Triteness,” “staleness,” and “unimaginativeness” are synonyms for banality.
Jesus is Dead and So Are We: Eric Garner is Our Only Hope for Resurrection
By Jeff Hood – Jesus is Dead and So Are We: Eric Garner is Our Only Hope for Resurrection