Opinion

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, John Sianghio tackles some of the tough questions that come with international conflict: Are there situations that merit appeals to the divine to guide the use of force? Can (and should) we pray for war?

Contributing Writer Christopher Dixon reflects on prepping for marathon races as an analogy for the church as we reach the two-year mark of dealing with a ravaging pandemic.

Lauren Graeber makes the case that parents of young children are still languishing in 2022 and it’s part of the reason they’re not coming back to church. As positivity rates once again drop and parents don’t rush back, she suspects that the deeper motivation for staying home every Sunday is something harder to talk about than health metrics.

Lizzy Case – writer, theologian, and founder of Arrayed – argues that the mandate to love our neighbor often stands at stark odds with the current situation of many garment workers. But by consuming less and more mindfully as well as advocating for workers’ rights, we can live out our faith with integrity.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell examines why in the midst of pandemic uncertainty and disruption so many people choose to take on more responsibility through pet ownership. Something was awakened deep within us that connected us back to earlier times where our care for creation was much more direct and, frankly, necessary for survival.

Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy makes the case that much of what we are seeing in politics today can be traced back to the late 19th century populists known as the calamity howlers. Only this time the chief howler is not a rural farmer but a multi-billionaire shady businessman from New York.

Contributing writer Laura Levens writes about challenges facing women called to ministry, noting her own experiences and those of some of her students. She also offers advice to Christians on how to help dismantle the patriarchy in churches.

Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor reflects on starting a third year of a global pandemic. Looking at coverage of this pandemic and the flu pandemic of a century before, he offers some lessons to consider.

Brian Kaylor reacts with satirical humor and sharp criticism to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filing lawsuits against dozens of public school districts after school officials enacted mask rules to keep children and teachers healthy amid the omicron surge.

Daoud Kuttab writes that while other churches have built majestic structures at the Baptismal site in Jordan, a wooden structure granted to Baptists is falling apart due to negligence and disregard. It is unclear who is to blame for the lack of progress in setting up a more permanent site at the location where Jesus was baptized.