“Engage in speaking the truth, so that we do not mislead anyone by our silence.” — Book of Common Prayer During the presidential prayer service at Washington National Cathedral for the beginning of Donald Trump’s new term, Bishop Mariann Budde…
A rare sighting: A Republican rebukes Trump and Musk
Finally, a Republican lawmaker has spoken out publicly against Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s illegal dismantling of the federal government. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska says she does not fear Musk spending millions to fund an opponent against her in…
There is no Jesus in MAGA
A lot has been written and much more will be written about the times in which we live. This era will be studied with amazement, bewilderment and shaking heads. How could America have elected a twice-impeached convicted felon to another…
Truth on the scaffold: Bonhoeffer’s witness to American Christians today
Anyone watching the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency can see that truth itself is on the scaffold. Bonhoeffer’s life and thought gives us a lens to see our present dilemma as a nation and church. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is among the…
Presidents, pardons, prevarications and (women) preachers
On Jan. 20, the newly inaugurated 47th president of the United States of America issued a presidential pardon to about 1,600 individuals who, on January 6, 2021, illegally broke into the U.S. Capitol, mercilessly beat Capitol police, threatened Congress members…
Franklin Graham says Trump ‘stands with truth’
Donald Trump is a truth-teller and Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde is a liar, evangelist Franklin Graham told hosts of the Newsmax show “American Agenda” yesterday. “Trump stands with truth,” Graham declared. “As president, if Trump tells you something, he’s going…
‘He’s gone, but he ain’t gone far’
President Jimmy Carter died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100. For the American nation, his death could not have come at a more teachable moment given that the proceedings of his state funeral occurred barely two weeks before…
Du Mez, Jones and Bass say lies about California fires are portents of things to come
In blaming Californians and their governor for the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, Donald Trump provided a glimpse of the onslaught of disinformation Americans can expect from their next president, Kristen Du Mez said during the latest “Convocation Unscripted” webinar. Trump…
REpiphany
Some days are significant for multiple reasons. Take Epiphany, for instance. Long before I knew what Epiphany was, I knew it was my friend’s birthday. Halfway between mine and my wife’s birthdays, we celebrated him on the sixth day of…
The death of truth
Remember way back in 2017, when it felt sort of quaint for Kellyanne Conway, then special adviser to President Donald Trump, to introduce the term “alternative facts” as a euphemism for the lying that characterized Trump and those around him?…
Yes, a free and fair press is under assault by Trump and MAGA
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States can’t stay off the political hot seat. There’s a bill now before the U.S. Senate, known as the PRESS Act — the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act —…
Letter to a friend concerned about my peace
So good to hear from you, John Doe! I think about you just about every day because almost every day I see the gift you gave me. I write the following with profound appreciation for your own message. There is,…