Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Technology Shapes Bible Reading, Creates Global Community
Mary Meeker was identified by Fortune magazine as "one of the ten smartest people in tech." She delivered in May a major report on Internet trends at an "All Things Digital" conference. Using slides, Meeker said we...
How are we perceived?
By John Pierce One of my favorite parts of doing communication consultation with churches is helping leadership to see some things their well-accustomed eyes might have missed. It is not that I am brighter or more...
How Jesus’ Divisiveness Created New Unity
When reading the New Testament, one discovers a great emphasis on love and unity. Indeed, the coming of the spirit at Pentecost is just one story that tells us that one of the primary works of the spirit is to unite...
Skype Interview: Austin Baptists Support Peacemaking in Israel
When two young girls – one Jewish, the other Muslim – were sent by their school in Israel on a goodwill tour of the United States, three stops were planned: New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The girls were asked to...
These Everyday Heroes Never See the Spotlight
Every morning, Leo's smile brightens the cafeteria at my elementary school. He hobbles in, holding his teacher's hand. His eyes squint at the bright lights. He squirms at loud noises. And always, he smiles. "Good...
Don’t think about it …
I'm still struggling to comprehend one of the more mind-boggling planks in the 2012 party platform adopted recently by Texas Republicans. The party's lengthy statement on education opposes various aspects of...
Growing in Christian Faith Like Family Farming
Wendell Berry says there are things about a farm that a farmer learns only by living on the land over time, tending to it in season and out of season, watching how the wind sweeps across it, observing how water flows...
Think Twice When You Find Buttons in Your Offering Plate
Editor's note: Columnist Jim Evans says, "I often get requests for repeats of columns I have written in the past. None is more requested than this one." One Sunday morning in my first pastorate, I noticed the lead...
Muslim and Christian Scholars Issue Letter to Hotel Execs on Porn
A Muslim and a Christian released in early July a letter to hotel executives asking them to remove pornographic movies in hotel rooms – even if it cuts into a profitable portion of their business. "We write to ask you...
For the beauty of the yard …
I'm a sucker for beautiful things. I enjoy posting pictures of majestic mountains, or tropical beaches, or quaint cities from different parts of the world. But grandeur isn't limited to large or exotic places. I enjoy...
“The Amazing Spider-Man”
I have written moviereviews at EthicsDaily.com long enough that I've now reviewed a movie that's a reboot of what I consider a recent movie. In 2002, Sam Raimi brought the story of Peter Parker to the screen. I say...
Chicago’s Murders Climb. Will Jesus’ Gang Keep Oath?
The sordid story of John the Baptist's execution boils down to being faithful to one's oath. (See Mark 6:14-29 for the longer version; Matthew 14:1-12 for the shorter one.) Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great) could...
Nigerian Crisis Captures Concern at BWA Meeting, Calls for Constructive Engagement
Nigerian Muslims and Christians were killing one another about the same time that Baptists discussed a resolution on the Nigerian crisis at the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) meeting in Santiago, Chile. According to the...
Meaningful work
By John Pierce We’ve all been to those retirement celebrations where the honoree proclaims: “I enjoyed getting up and going to work every day of my life.” And every mind is the room is thinking:...
What Our Marriage Rites May Say About Us
Picture an archaeologist or anthropologist centuries from now coming across a Sunday New York Times from our times. He or she might wonder what light the relic would throw on tribal customs like marrying in 2012. (We...
5 Statements That Mean Your Church is in Trouble
Since I was raised in a tradition that not only valued but almost idolized congregational autonomy, I hesitate to suggest that a church might need help from outside in dealing with any concern. I concur with Alan...
Christians Face Mounting Pressure in the Middle East
There is a special need for Baptists to pray for and remember the Middle East, according to Tony Peck, Baptist World Alliance (BWA) regional secretary for Europe and general secretary for the European Baptist...
Sleeping Like a Baby
A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., on June 24, 2012. Psalm 9:9-10; Psalm 131; Mark 4:35-41 How many of you slept well last night? How many of you did not?...
The Day Jesus Could Do Nothing
A sermon delivered by Randy Hyde, Pastor, Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, Little Rock, Ark, on July 8, 2012. Psalm 123:1-4; Mark 6:1-13 Oh, so Jesus thinks he’s the big shot now, does he? Coming back to town with his...
Basically Honest
A sermon delivered by Joel Snider, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Rome, Ga., on July 8, 2012. Revelation 2:8-11 Morning Prayer: Our Father, we, your children, come humbly before you this morning. We know that you are...
How Should Churches Help Poor? Compassion or Justice?
I mentioned in my lastpost Aung San Suu Kyi's warnings against "compassion fatigue" in the case of rich nations' support for her country, Burma. In my experience, most of those working in government aid agencies,...