From historian Randall Balmer I learned the medical/moral matter of abortion became a late-date toss-in to the cynical Southern strategy of GOP thinkers in the 1970s. It gave them a new wedge to use in dividing the Bible Belt: Elevate…
The unnecessary that
Malcolm O. Tolbert had a long and varied career within Baptist religious circles, beginning as a pastor at the age of 18, missionary in Brazil, seminary professor and author of many books on the interpretation of Scripture. In 1952, Tobert…
Words, words, words
O words, how I love thee — when I’m not hating thee. What other product of the mind leads us to truth with one hand and deceives us with the other? What other human invention enlightens us and manipulates us,…
Some words I’m working to adjust in my vocabulary this year
On New Year’s Eve, Lake Superior State University released its annual list of English-language words and phrases that should be banished in 2023 because they are overused and trite. Please don’t call this list the Greatest of All Time or…
Words matter, even when talking about those you hope to empower
Movements for racial and social equity cannot succeed as long as their members and supporters use stigmatizing language about the challenges they face, social entrepreneur Trabian Shorters said recently on the “Interfaith America with Eboo Patel” podcast. Even when the…
The slap heard ’round the world
Sunday night, there was a slap that should be heard around the world. Before some of you tune out, let me issue some disclaimers. I am aware that some will feel obligated to feign disinterest at anything happening within the…
Your words hold the power of life and death
In the age of social media, it’s easy to forget the power our words have on others. Sitting behind the safety of a computer screen makes it simple for us to say whatever we think with little consequence. With the…
Hidden pencils, urgent warnings and instructions Mary Oliver left the Church
What lines would the Church write if we approached Scripture – and our world – with the holy curiosity and expectancy Mary Oliver did when she went to the woods and to the shore?
Words matter. What if the source of our words matters as much as the words themselves?
Faced with the overwhelming abundance and appalling emptiness of human speech these days, something inside me wants to follow Job’s lead and “lay my hand over my mouth.”