by Ben Leslie | Apr 26, 2002 | Opinion
It was near the end of a semester in Christian ethics, and one of the students had never quite accepted the church’s obligation to the poor and the oppressed. He summarized his frustration this way: “Give a hungry man a meal, and you keep him alive for a...
by Ben Leslie | Apr 1, 2002 | Opinion
The resurgence of interest in spiritual practices signifies renewal in the church. But as Augustine recognized centuries ago, there is no value so good that it escapes the possibility of its own distortion. Spiritual practices have enjoyed a heightened appreciation...
by Ben Leslie | Jan 30, 2002 | Opinion
The charismatic Hindu leader of India’s struggle for independence might appear an unlikely source for Baptist reflection on the ethics of social justice. But, Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) has already shaped Baptist life in a variety of ways. Gandhi’s most...
by Ben Leslie | Jan 15, 2002 | Opinion
Social justice is not the first thing most Americans associate with Baptist churches. Even among Baptists the connection is not a strong one. Yet, Baptists have consistently struggled for a more just society. Baptist progenitor Roger Williams advocated for Native...
