Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Should We Give More Attention to Plight of White Men in U.S.?
Some time ago, during the U.S. presidential election, I asked whether it might be worthwhile to listen to the complaints of American white males who seemed to be supporting Trump in unusual numbers. Many progressives...
U.S. Faith Groups Respond to Trump’s Proposed Budget
The U.S. faith community has responded primarily with concern and critique to President Trump's budget proposal. The Central Conference of American Rabbis said it "strenuously objects" to the budget in a May 25 press...
‘What do you do?’
By John D. Pierce A common introductory question is, “What to you do?” The response is usually tied to one’s profession or educational pursuits. Follow-up questions and responses often lead to connections — or at least...
What if?
By John D. Pierce What if you could spend a day with an active participant and Christian leader in the Civil Rights Movement who was mentored in life and ministry by Drs. Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr.? Such...
Profiles in Goodwill: Amanda Tyler
Amanda Tyler is executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. 1. Where did you grow up? Austin, Texas. 2. What is your favorite verse, book or story in the Bible? Why? Micah 6:8. Its...
We All Suffer When People Tinker with Environment
The basic premise of ecology is that everything is connected. The very definition of ecology embodies this truth: the word ecology comes from two parts - "eco" from the Greek "oikos" for "household," and "logia" for...
May 31, 2017
Baptist Pastor Defends Slavery as Beneficial and Biblical (Patheos) What to Make of These Viral Racist Rants? (CNN) White Supremacist Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of Two Men After anti-Muslim Rant in Portland (Los...
A Theme Rarely Heard in Pulpits: Mothering Like God
Raquel Contreras summarized her call to leadership, saying, "They needed a mother." Contreras' story, which she shared at the Baptist Women In Ministry's Leading Women 2017 conference, held April 26-28, is one of...
After Manchester Attack, We Can’t Let Hate Win
Hate has been bothering me lately. Not, I hasten to add, because I am feeling hated, and not because I hate someone else. I was reading some comments online from someone I don't know but whom I respect about the level...
It Matters: The Ethics of How We Treat Other Bodies
The prologue to the Gospel of John provides this powerful metaphor for meaningful embodiment: "The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, a glory filled with grace and truth" (John 1:14)....
Muslims to Begin Observance of Month of Ramadan
My fondest memory of Ramadan is from my childhood. It happened in the wee hours of the night, an hour or so before the crack of dawn. I slowly became conscious listening to a beautiful recitation of the Quran and...
There Is No Greater Love: A Memorial Day Tribute
Memorial Day is a day to honor men and women who went into battle but did not survive. With their lives, they paid the ultimate price. The late U.S. Army General Norman Schwarzkopf once said, "It doesn't take a hero to...
‘Alien: Covenant’
Ridley Scott directed a masterpiece in 1979. The first "Alien" movie is still the standard for what is known as science fiction horror. Scott returns to direct his third movie in the franchise. "Alien: Covenant" tells...
May 26, 2017
CBF Announces Plan for Expansion, Right-Sizing of its 2017-2018 Budget (CBF) 4th Circuit Court Ruling Keeps Trump’s Travel Ban on Hold (NPR) East Lansing Church Will Shelter At-Risk Immigrants from Feds (Lansing State...
Does Our Divisive Time Need Theology of Community?
The long history of Christian theology has had many seasons. Its early generations focused on creedal formulations in an effort to establish a foundational expression of belief to guide interpretations and applications...
Like All Presidents’ Budgets, Trump Offers Mixed Bag
The Trump administration's 2018 budget proposal has, like all presidential budgets, received mixed reviews. Its overall goal of decreasing the national debt by reigning in spending is a worthy endeavor that should be...
Choosing a Better Way in Our Polarized Nation
In an article just prior to the 100-day mark of Donald Trump's presidency, Rich Harwood asks, "What about 'our' first 100 days - how are we responding to the challenges around us?" Not well, according to Harwood. He...
May 25, 2017
Fundamentalist Christian GOP Candidate Assaults Reporter, Shakes Up Montana U.S. House Race (Capital Public Radio) Texas Senate Adds Voucher Provision to Public School Finance Bill (Baptist Standard) ‘Because She Was...
One last, long day …
The last day in Israel was one of devotion for travelers with the Campbell University Divinity School and Nurturing Faith Experiences study tour of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. We began the day on a long and winding...
Profiles in Goodwill: Craig Sherouse
Craig Sherouse is senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. 1. Where did you grow up? Palatka, Florida. 2. What is your favorite verse, book or story in the Bible? Why? 2 Timothy 1:7. It carried me...
This Memorial Day, Don’t Blur Line Between God, Nation
How shall we honor the fallen and our veterans? Patriotism and nationalism are problematic words, for they carry at least two meanings and several sides to the story of our democracy. We need only look to Frederick...