Other Opinions

No matter how we plan, people in disaster situations are notably bad at assessing risk and predictably overconfident about the control they have over their environment. Nor can church leaders control the behavior of whoever might walk in the door.

Karl Barth is widely regarded as the greatest (Protestant) Christian theologian of the twentieth century. Among a myriad of other things, Barth (1886~1968) is often credited with saying that people should hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. 

As this pandemic changes the way we engage, perhaps permanently, with both physical and digital space, and as legions of artists now find themselves unable to gather, or rehearse, let alone perform, it’s worth asking what the next generation of art — whether literature, music or theater — will look like.

The headlines that ran last week (April 24) announced a new sexual abuse scandal to roil the Southern Baptist Convention: “Cedarville professor fired over allegations of misconduct.” That’s true, to be sure. But that’s not the headline.

As a social scientist Thomas Reese confesses he is very pessimistic that we can change in time to save ourselves. As a Christian, he knows he must believe in the power of the Spirit to lead us to conversion, for conversion is what we need.

Three moral tests — truth, unity and solidarity — are not only religiously required but also practical and essential criteria for our reopening to a safer and healthier world. And these three biblical principles — truth, unity and solidarity — are now essential tests for the health and the healing of the nation.

A federal judge has let a couple of small independent Kansas Baptist churches conduct in-person worship against the express orders of Gov. Laura Kelly, asserting that by limiting church gatherings to 10 congregants, Kelly in all likelihood violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious free exercise. What's going on here?

I love to try new things. Sometimes, however, after I say yes, fear creeps in and I start to feel like maybe I’m in over my head. This is exactly what happened when I learned to kayak.

I drove to our local bank this morning and dropped off our application for the Paycheck Protection Program, which is administered by the Small Business Administration to help businesses make payroll while their revenues decline significantly due to COVID-19. Our business is a church. I’m the pastor. 

The coronavirus pandemic has raised a number of difficult questions concerning personal freedoms and public safety, with religion front and center. Should congregations continue to gather in person for worship and other social functions? Can the state restrict religious organizations from fully free functioning?