Oh, To Be the Magi
Editor Brian Kaylor reflects on the Magi in the biblical story and how they inspired his imagination as a child and still today. They’re mysterious, magical, powerful, wise
Peacemaking is the Essential Work of Our Time
Some peacemakers get Nobel Prizes, but most are ordinary people who do extraordinary, countercultural things. Todd Deatherage offers ways Christians can be peacemakers in this time when the election is over but our Facebook feeds are still a war zone.
White Evangelicals, Don’t Just Condemn Christian Nationalism. Own It.
Anthea Butler writes that when White evangelicals ignore race as the motivating issue, she doubts their witness. Their handwringing, the self-abnegation, is meant to assuage their own discomfort, rather than the discomfort, violence, and continual distress of Black people in America.
Embracing a Legacy of Conflict
Columnist Terrell Carter writes that Jesus gave his disciples an earnest rundown of how their lives would be changed due to following him. Although discipleship would be a blessing, it would also carry a cost with struggle, conflict, and separation in many ways.
Trump Eases Rules for Religious Social Service Providers
The Trump administration on Monday moved to loosen restrictions on religious organizations that receive federal money to provide social services. The administration said it was clearing barriers that it claimed make it difficult for religious groups to participate in federal programs.
On the 1st Day of Christmas … Teachers Got a Legal Headache Over Blurring the Line Between Church & State
The Supreme Court has yet to set clear parameters about how religious holidays can be celebrated in public schools and whether granting access to all faith traditions is either constitutionally necessary or acceptable.
Black Southern Baptists Weigh in on Critical Race Theory Critique by Officials
The president of the National African American Fellowship told Baptist Press the SBC seminary presidents’ statement created concerns among African American pastors.
Vandals Hit Black Churches During Weekend Pro-Trump Rallies
People reportedly affiliated with the hate group Proud Boys tore down Black Lives Matter signs belonging to churches in Washington Saturday night, setting at least one aflame. The damage to the signs came after supporters of President Donald Trump flocked to the nation’s capital.
Photo Essay: Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church
On Nov. 25, vandals attacked Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, a historic Black Baptist church in rural Callaway County, Missouri. On Dec. 6, Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor met Mount Vernon’s pastor, Gordon Coleman, at the church to talk about its legacy and the damage.
Southern Baptist Seminary Presidents Double Down on Bad Theology on Race
At a recent annual meeting, seminary presidents in the Southern Baptist Convention reasserted the SBC’s dismissal of Critical Race Theory. Jim Wallis argues that opposing CRT as bad sociology is bad theology.