Opinion

As Rev. Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, campaigns for the U.S. Senate, it raises questions about religion in politics. Why do so few clergy serve in Congress? And what kind of effect might this have on the priorities and policies that emerge from Washington, D.C.?

While women are changing the world of electoral politics, their progress in the world of religion is downright glacial. Ryan Burge unpacks the data over the past two decades.

President Donald Trump will leave the White House next month after overseeing a deadly year of federal executions. We should pause and reflect on this moment. After all, our government conducts this killing spree in our names and with our resources.

Last week’s statement from the presidents of six SBC seminaries opposing critical race theory isn’t good for the denomination. I don’t think they understand how problematic it is to have six White men meeting to discuss race without having anyone of color in the room to represent their experience.

For more than a decade, an annual column here has recognized truly questionable attempts at marketing and promoting religion, probably due to indigestion-fueled middle-of-the-night inspiration. Here is the 2020 edition of the Bad Burrito Awards from columnist Ken Satterfield.

Using prayer to cover up our own misdeeds or guilty inaction isn’t just upsetting but can also be dangerous. Consider the latest move to fight coronavirus undertaken by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Instead of issuing a life-saving statewide mask mandate, he called for an official day of prayer.

Columnist Greg Mamula has noticed a trend in Baptist churches toward at least acknowledging classic Christian seasons like Advent more often. He writes that the good thing about seasons is that they come back around every year, allowing us to gain deeper understanding of each season.

Our consumer society’s dependence on instant gratification has infected our religious practice. Advent comes with a countervailing message: Expect God to show up in unexpected places, like a subway car, a Zoom call, or a stable.

Robert Ingold writes a letter to the editor to offer a public apology concerning concerning allegations he made during the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting in October.

Editor Brian Kaylor reflects on the ministry and impact of Word&Way this year, and he expresses thanks to our readers and donors who helped make it all happen.