Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
When You’re Baptist in the US on Independence Day
Many Baptist core beliefs, while grounded in Scripture, reflect central themes of U.S. history and are a tenor of our times. While U.S. Baptists love and honor their nation, their ultimate loyalty must be to Christ and his reign.
Mississippi: Pious State Shouldn’t Have Inhumane Prison System
Mississippi, which proclaims “In God We Trust” on its license plates, is the most religious state in the US. Such a state should have a prison system that serves as the model for the rest of the nation. Sadly, that’s far from true.
July 3, 2019
Robert Jeffress, Baptist Pastor and Trump Worshiper: Democratic Party ‘Completely Antithetical to the Christian Faith’ (Huffington Post) The Mormon Church Vs. the Internet (The Verge) When Leaving Religion is Like...
From The Pews | Risking Your Freedom to Stand Up for Caged Kids
As we celebrate our freedom in the US this week with barbecues and fireworks, hundreds of children are imprisoned in atrocious conditions at our nation’s border. Will we risk our freedom to stand up for the least of these?
Answering Whether or Not Religion is a Good Thing
Most religious people are convinced that their religion is a good thing but have their doubts about the goodness of other religions. So is religion good? That depends.
Churches Least Likely to Embrace Diverse Opinions, Adults Say
In a survey assessing five institutions, U.S. adults declared that churches were the least likely to be open to diverse opinions, with less than half saying churches were very or somewhat open.
July 2, 2019
Democratic Candidates are Hiring Faith Outreach Directors – But Outreach for Whom? (RNS) White Supremacists Increase Recruiting Efforts at Colleges, ADL Says (CNN) Trump Campaign Going into Overdrive to Reach White...
The Central Park 5: Why We Can’t Lose Count of Truth
The story of the Central Park 5, told on Netflix’s “When They See Us,” isn’t the first time young men were found guilty of a crime they didn’t commit; it won’t be the last. We must tell their stories, no matter how numerous.
Nations Often Overlook Human Trafficking Within Their Borders
About 24.9 million persons are currently enslaved in sex or labor trafficking worldwide, and a new report says many countries often overlook human trafficking that takes place within their own borders.
U:21 | Why Your Church Doesn’t Need to Fear Postmodernism
Many Christians see our postmodern culture as a threat to the church’s well-being – something to be feared and something killing Christianity. That’s far from true. If anything, postmodernism will kill cultural Christianity.
July 1, 2019
Jimmy Carter Suggests Trump is an Illegitimate President (CNN) Oregon Pastor Slams White Supremacy, Embraces Lady Gaga and Finds Followers Worldwide (Oregon Live) Weddings a Less Religious Affair (Minneapolis...
Fully Known and Fully Loved
By: Ginger Hughes “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” The starlit skies devoid of city lights sparkle down at me. The eagle soars high above head, the vast Wyoming skies...
What Holocaust History Teaches Us About Today’s Immigration Crisis
Detention centers for undocumented immigrants are not the same as Nazi concentration camps, but the border situation is clearly horrible and seems to be getting worse. Is this really the America we want?
Why German Gov’t, Faith Communities Impose Tax on Members
In Germany, religious communities have the right to impose church taxes on their registered members. The virtually uncontroversial system provides a stable financial basis even in times of declining church membership.
‘Toy Story 4’
In the fourth go-round in the adventures of Woody and Buzz and the rest of the ‘Toy Story’ gang, Woody helps a new toy, who believes he’s destined for the trash heap, find his purpose.
Look Back | July Fourth Worship’s Focus on God, Not Patriotism
While Independence Day provides US churches with the opportunity to celebrate religious liberty, they must be careful to not cross the line and transform their worship services into a patriotic pep rally.
June 28, 2019
Evangelicals are Supporting Trump Out of Fear, Not Faith (TIME) Evangelicals are Naked Before the World (Washington Post) Pete Buttigieg Takes Aim at Religious Hypocrisy (The Atlantic) Ford to Alabama Dealership: No...
Sorry! But it needs to be said
By John D. Pierce There are not many things President Trump is honest about. He is a record-setting liar. His false claims are so numerous and outrageous that even his best defenders call them “alternate facts” and...
Summer Camp from Hell: Children Behind Fences
How we treat children – any child – reveals the moral conscience of our culture. When we separate children from their parents, place them in cages, imprison them at military bases and withhold services, we have lost our souls.
Why You Shouldn’t Label People
When we label people, it keeps us from having to listen to what may be legitimate concerns about our own position. More than anything, labels reduce people to things.
How Churches Can Attain the Best Version of Themselves
How does your church move toward the best version of itself, transitioning from church-as-we-have-known-it toward church-as-it-is-becoming? These 4 steps will help you make that transition.