Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
BSCNC to no longer “tolerate” CBF
Encouraged to “pull out a can of spinach” and “put an end” to toleration of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), messengers to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) annual session pulled out their...
Isolation and irrelevancy
In another deliberate and continuous move toward isolation and irrelevancy, the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) approved a policy yesterday that gives leadership the right to reject cooperation with congregations...
Fragile freedoms and Baptist Higher Education
During a fellowship dinner sponsored by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, Wingate University president Jerry McGee took a cue from Walter Shurden’s famous analysis of Baptist life’s “Four Fragile...
Failed Leaders Create False Gods
Obsessed with his Model T design, Henry Ford permitted no modifications or improvements for twenty years. When his designers surprised him one day with a prototype of an updated model, Ford literally ripped off its...
‘Islam in America’
"Islam in America" doesn't get distracted by the deep-seated fear and hatred that exists between the United States and other parts of the world. No--"Islam in America" is about another Abrahamic faith community on...
The Lord’s Prayer Calls Us to Forgive Others as God Has Forgiven Us
Jesus does not command us to forgive others as an act to which we begrudgingly submit. Rather, Jesus understands the power of forgiveness to transform enemies into friends. What do the words Jesus gives us to pray...
…for such a mutt as I
In his first news conference since the election, President-elect Barack Obama responded to reporters' questions on Monday about the economy, energy, foreign policy and what kind of new puppy would accompany his two...
‘Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor’
Many of us who seek to minister to "the least of these" do so by giving our time, talents and funds. Sometimes we work in or donate to soup kitchens, clothes closets or other charitable ministries. Seldom do we realize...
The Myths of Transcending Race and Post-Racialism
Rather than speaking about a color-blind or "post-racial" society, the pundits and other observers of the Obama election should hope that it marks a society committed to "post-racism." Barack Obama understands and...
Reverse Congo’s Melancholy History
The Democratic Republic of Congo's problem is its wealth. It is the size of Western Europe, and it is quite staggeringly rich in diamonds, coal, oil, and coltan, an essential ingredient in mobile telephones. Its very...
Believe it … or not
Books and tourist town sideshows produced by Ripley's "Believe It ... Or Not" have drawn in the incredulous for years, featuring attractions that seem too weird, crazy, or otherwise impossible to believe.I haven't...
See Gray in a World of Black and White
Methodists have historically had the ability to hold together the concerns of both liberals and conservatives, to preach both the evangelical and social gospels, and to attempt to understand and acknowledge the...
Congo in Crisis, BWAid Appeals for Help
Washington, D.C. (BWA) -- Recent conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have displaced 250,000 people. The latest outbreak of violence began in late October in the province of North Kivu in eastern DRC...
Baptists: Governments Must Keep Promise to Poor
Two Oklahoma Baptist leaders are calling for Baptists to take action to assure that governments keep their financial commitments to poorer countries even in the midst of a global financial downturn. In October, some...
Something to say
Insight and inspiration don't come in even doses. A veteran pastor, when speaking of preaching, told me long ago: "Sometimes you have something to say; sometimes you have to say something."Writing editorials, blogs,...
Ashurbanipal Invades Boston
I'm drooling, but not for barbecue or even Thanksgiving dinner. A feast for the eyes has arrived in Boston, and my own eyes are itching for the view when I visit that fair city in a couple of weeks. I'm posting this...
‘The Politics of Jesus’
While politics seeks to find common ground, faith in Christ reaches for higher ground. At the risk of sounding like I'm contradicting myself, I do believe there was a definite political dimension to Jesus and his...
‘Ruby’
The challenge of losing weight is a staple of American reality television. Shows like "The Biggest Loser" and "Celebrity Fit Club" revolve around weight loss, while others like "Supernanny" or "Wife Swap" have included...
SBC Leader Holds Poor Record of Political Punditry
Throughout this election year, journalists have often asked for political insights from Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. He remains a key source...
Racism Is a Sin
Three older pastors took me aside to offer some well-intentioned advice. In summary, they told me I wouldn't get far in ministry if I challenged racism. They defended their racist humor, insisting they meant no harm,...
A lasting image
The election night demeanor of 68-year-old Congressman John Lewis is one to remember. He was solemn and reflective — not giddy like part of a post-game victory celebration.Partisan politics aside, Lewis — like Sen....