Justice vs. Authority
(WW) — A recent CNN piece explored how contemporary Christian music largely ignores contemporary moral concerns. But one line in the piece particularly caught my eye — and not in a good way.
After Halloween, What?
(WW) -- The stores are full of Halloween merchandise. How should Christians respond? Some churches condemn Halloween celebrations and forbid any emphasis of them in their church. Others respond more positively.
Time for Golden Rule Politics
Imagine a world where Christians — both those running for office and those just planning to vote — actually applied the Golden Rule. With that goal in mind, Baptist and other denominational leaders are calling for Christians to act Christlike, even in political conversations.
Cultivate Common Ground Regarding Faith in Public Life
(RNS) — The choices Americans make now about faith in public life will help to determine our course. With hate crimes and hostility toward certain faiths soaring, Americans have to decide whether we will tolerate this state of affairs or act to change it.
No, My Synagogue Didn’t Just Violate the Johnson Amendment
On Rosh Hashanah, my Conservative synagogue put out postcards addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, protesting the Trump Administration's immigration policy and calling on her to support a "framework" of pro-immigrant policies.
Nationalism & the Tribal God It Creates
(WW) — Nationalism always leaves us more enslaved, not more free. This is true because tribalism always shrinks us — a smaller world, more selfish goals, deeper fears and more distrust of the other.
As Fostering Reaches Crisis Point, Activists Make It a Pro-Life Issue
(RNS) — More than 100,000 kids are currently waiting for foster homes in this country, while another 20,000 will age out of the system this year. What awaits those who age out is very often not a happy situation.
Let’s Not Ask Botham Jean’s Family to Choose Forgiveness Over Justice
(RNS) — Sometimes it can feel like you are better off being white and guilty in America than black and innocent. We live in a world where black lives are too easily extinguished and white lives are too easily excused.
Of Trees & Thornbushes
There’s a fascinating, oft - overlooked parable in Judges 9. It might be one of the most profound teachings about political power and who we trust to rule found in the scriptures.
Let Zacchaeus Find Redemption
When Zacchaeus met Jesus and recognized his sins, he did more than say a prayer. And a critical part of that story is the financial payments. But are we unwilling to let a Zacchaeus walk such a path of redemption?