Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Bible Diversity on Display at Presidential Ceremony
The Bible was on display at President Trump's inauguration - different versions, different texts, different symbolisms. Three Bibles had the symbolic value of tying the president and vice president to the honored past....
Game Show Reflects Society’s Worship of Money
NBC's new game show "The Wall" is troubling. I've only seen one episode, but from the very beginning there was something off-putting about the show. I have to admit, though, that it hooked me. I watched until the end,...
12 Trends That Shaped U.S. Religion Since the ’70s
What are the most significant changes and megatrends that have occurred in the U.S. since the mid-1970s? If you imagine someone time traveling between the eras, what would strike them? What was not tolerated then but...
8 Observations to Help Churches be a Prophetic Witness
The global community faces daunting issues in 2017. Where does one go to hear God's message to the people of his creation? I have been reflecting on prophetic ministries that dare to speak for God about issues like...
January 25, 2017
Columbia University, a Historically Anglican College, Reveals Details of How it Profited from Slavery (NPR) Civil Rights Activist: Republicans Can Never Say They Care About Family Values Again for Embracing Trump and...
It’s safe to talk Chinese
For now, at least, it seems safe to talk Chinese. It's certainly not safe to talk politics, at least in a mixed crowd that might include both fans and detractors of the current president. Folks like me can only shake...
‘The Disturbances’
"The Disturbances" tells the story of the 1966 genocide outbreak in northern Nigeria by the Hausas against the Igbos. An estimated 30,000 Igbos were killed over a few days in September with hundreds of thousands...
While Size of Crowds Notable, They Prove Nothing
Comparing crowd sizes became a surprising focal point following President Trump's inauguration. By now, most of us have seen overhead shots from the Washington Monument of the crowds at the 2009 Obama inauguration next...
Increased Bible Reading a Consistent New Year’s Resolution
A desire to read the Bible more is a consistent desire of U.S. adults, according to the Barna Group. The percentage of U.S. adults who would like to read their Bible more has been consistent for the last five years -...
Divergent Approaches To POTUS Inaugural – Protest and Prayer
Honored civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman John Lewis sought to delegitimize the presidency of Donald Trump. "I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president," said Lewis, who plans to protest Donald...
Baptists Serving in Moldova Enjoy Fruitful Ministries
Situated between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is a country with 3.5 million people. The nation is comprised of several ethnic groups - 75 percent are Moldavians speaking the Romanian language; the others are Ukrainian,...
January 23, 2017
Evangelical Groups Urge Congress to Codify Obama's Dreamers Action for Undocumented Immigrants (Christian Post) White, Black, Hispanic Churches Combine to Form Church in Cincinnati (WCPO) How One Montana Town Defeated...
‘Silence’
Some movies are pure, artistic expressions of the filmmaker's desire to communicate more than just putting some moving images on a screen. Other movies are so hard to watch because they challenge you in ways you wished...
Favorable Views of Pope Francis Remain High in U.S.
A majority of U.S. adults across all categories continue to view Pope Francis favorably, according to the Pew Research Center. Eighty percent of Catholics hold a favorable view, compared to 72 percent of white,...
January 20, 2017
Google Removes Reference to Charleston's Emanuel AME Church as 'Shooting Range' (Charleston Post and Courier) Muslim Professor: How Hatred of Islam is Corrupting the American Soul (ABC Australia) Anti-Muslim Preacher...
What I Recall about 1966’s Tribal Atrocities in Nigeria
I read about "The Disturbances" in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) periodical, The Banner. Unfortunately, I read it just before bedtime. It took hours for me to calm down and go to sleep. So many images went...
After Inauguration, Churches Begin Work of Empathy
I have been thinking about what President Obama said near the end of his farewell address. He said that the most important person in the country is still the citizen. As President-elect Trump assumes office, it will be...
January 19, 2017
Trump-Style Politics is Putting Religion to the Test (Catholic Register) Americans Doubt Presidents, Pastors Can Lead Nation Through Challenges (BNG) A Christian Packing List for the Women's March on Washington...
5 Ways You Can Pray for the President, Other Leaders
Donald John Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, Jan. 20. Regardless of who we voted for, it is imperative for people of faith to pray for our new president and for other local,...
4 Ways to Handle Political Tensions in Your Church
Raise your hand if you thought the political tensions within your congregation would subside after the November election? Think again. Those tensions have simply morphed, creating a different focus. Post-election, the...
‘Hidden Figures’
It begins with a young African-American girl counting her steps. She counts differently than most children - "1, 2, prime number, 4, prime number..." That child is Katherine Coleman, who becomes Katherine Goble Johnson...