Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
King doesn’t follow suit
I don't generally watch television dramas -- I've never seen "24," "Heroes," "Numb3rs," "West Wing," or "CSI" anywhere. I did watch one episode of "Lost" several years ago, but it got weird rather quickly.Even so, when...
A visit with Doug Maag
How's this for commitment? Doug Maag taught a college Sunday school class at Wieuca Road Baptist Church in Atlanta from 1964 until 1998. And it was more than a Sunday morning duty."Those were blessed days," the...
Show them the money
Bernie Madoff's headline-making plea of "guilty" in the infamous Ponzi scheme that bilked investors of $65 billion was a hollow confession that continues to stick a proud thumb in the eye of the individuals, charities,...
We Lost the Ideal of Collective Responsibility
It never fails. Just about every time I write about the responsibility we have not only as Christians but also as citizens to provide a viable social safety net for the poor in our midst, someone will fire back to let...
“Watchmen”
I need to get this out of the way: Do not go see this movie if you are upset by graphic violence or sexuality, including male frontal nudity. “Watchmen,” based on a best-selling graphic novel, tells a story that is...
A Racial Unity Service Hits Home for Minister
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—During a recent racial unity worship service at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, Carolyn Staley was feeling nostalgic about the civil rights movement. An admonition from Steven Arnold, pastor of St....
Faith in tough times
The Christian community in Dalton, Ga., is not giving up although times are mighty tough there. An ecumenical gathering called "24/7: Faith in the Real World" is one rallying point.Last Monday night, the quarterly...
˜Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work ”and Why Your Company Needs Them’
Peter Shankman's book does for events and publicity what Seth Godin's books do for brands and companies. At the end of the day, no matter what you're working on, it better be remarkable to get people talking. And,...
Still Praying for Gaza
News that even in these straitened times international donors have responded so generously to the needs of Gaza is very welcome. Not just the ravages of the recent war (if so one-sided a conflict can be given that...
Garden Imagery Finds Expression in Church Project
The Bible begins and ends in a garden. While these images may have surprisingly originated from Persia (Iran)—given no pre-exilic prophet speaks of them—their powerful influence throughout scripture and upon Western...
An Extravagant Faith
McAfee School of Theology is on spring break this week, so this sermon is from last fall’s chapel. This sermon was delivered by Brett Younger, associate professor of preaching at McAfee school of Theology in...
“Angel Food” founders get wings clipped
The founders of "Angel Food," a Georgia-based "non-profit" that uses churches to sell discount groceries, are back at work following a court-brokered agreement, but without their company credit cards and exorbitant...
Church Leaders Criticise EU over Climate Plan Weakness
The European Union's plans for tackling climate change are inadequate, and the UK Government should take a lead in revising them, according to Church leaders in this country. Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed...
Is Rush Limbaugh the De-Facto Leader of Conservative Christians?
Rush Limbaugh told what he thought was a joke to a cheering crowd at the 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of conservative activists and politicians. In his rambling remarks televised...
The Pulpit Is Dangerous
My wife collects Precious Moments figurines. Most of the little statuettes that reside in her curio cabinet were given to her by me on various special occasions or holidays because (a) I love her, (b) she likes them,...
God Didn’t Protect Jesus from Human Vulnerability
I find it fascinating the way in which the Gospel of Mark tells about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In only two verses, Mark raises challenging theological questions by what he does say as well as through...
Memorial celebration for Millard Fuller
The remarkable life of Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing, will be celebrated this Saturday at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Everyone is invited to join in person or...
Advancing God’s Kingdom Requires Defending Human Dignity
One of the human rights intimately associated with the right to life is the right to dignity. Dignity is the basis of the famous right of habeas corpus. From the Latin meaning “having your own body,” this right...
Lose Some Life to Save Some
I don’t think Jesus had those 128 soldiers primarily in mind when he taught his disciples that “those who lose their lives … will save their lives.” Those 128 refer to the number of U.S. soldiers who took their own...
Obama Headed for Repeat of Vietnam, Says Peace Activist
PASADENA, Calif. -- While applauding President Obama's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq by 2011, a longtime peace activist cautioned that Afghanistan may be the next U.S. military quagmire. America...
Wondering and wandering
This is a day for wondering at our house ... not about where the stock market will go today, or whether the weather will remain nice, or what we should do for supper.For Jan and me, today is a day for wandering the...