Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Familiar Woes Echo from Santa Clarita Schoolyard Rampage
Another shooting. This time in a Santa Clarita schoolyard. So the ritual begins. The press conference. The calls for prayer. ‘Never again’ echoed once again. Cable news pontifications. Promises from politicians. And nothing is done.
5 Ways Your Church Can Fight Lenders Who Prey Upon Poor
Payday and title loan companies prey upon those who are vulnerable and need money right away, often charging them exorbitant interest rates plus fees. Here are 5 ways your church can deal with these predatory lending practices.
Look Back | Is America Christian? Our History Says ‘No’
A broad segment of US citizens cling to the false notion that the United States is a Christian nation. However, a careful reading of history clearly demonstrates that the idea of a Christian America cannot be supported.
November 15, 2019
Your Stories: Fix America’s Divides or We’re Doomed to Fail (CNN) The Right’s ‘Judeo-Christian’ Fixation (New Republic) Less Than Half of Evangelicals Identity as Pro-Life, Poll Suggests (Christian Post) Bible Museum...
When history asks…
By John D. Pierce Someday history will ask: “When American evangelicals were sacrificing their claimed values and witness to overwhelmingly embrace a religious/political ideology in stark contrast to the life and...
5 Ways Your Church Can Assist Our Nation’s Farmers
Farmers are the backbone of our food supply, working long hours to bring food to our tables. As farmers and their families are struggling, churches can begin to engage in tangible efforts to help them in at least five ways.
For Many in Extreme Poverty, God is Their Strength to Cope
In spite of the promises of politicians and efforts of aid workers, the poor have no illusions about how deeply imbedded injustice is within the social and political systems of society. For many of them, God is their strength to cope.
‘Learning Poverty’ Negatively Impacts Children Worldwide
A majority of children in low- and middle-income nations are experiencing ‘learning poverty,’ a report said. Around 53% of children in these nations, and up to 80% of children in the poorest nations, are learning poor.
November 14, 2019
Wisconsin Assembly Votes to Recognize Tree, Bible Week (Yahoo) ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’: California Churches to Use Church Land for Affordable Housing (RNS) Two New Films Explore the Limits of Christian Forgiveness...
GI Bill’s Benefits Didn’t Include Many African American Vets
Following World War II, the GI Bill helped many veterans go to school, secure a well-paying job and buy a home. Those benefits, however, only extended to white Americans and excluded many African Americans.
A Dual Approach for Christians to Make a Difference to the Poor
Jesus was crystal-clear about his concern for the poor, marginalized and the powerless. How do we as Jesus followers actually make a difference among our poor neighbors? A two-pronged approach is essential.
Millions in US Die Due to Inability to Pay for Medical Care
Around 34 million adults in the US know someone who has died in the past five years as a result of not having funds to pay for treatment, representing 13.4% of the adult population, a Gallup poll found.
November 13, 2019
The People Reclaiming Religious Freedom from the Christian Right (Vice) Jews Were Victims of More than Half of all Hate Crimes (Forward) Wisconsin Republicans Push to Recognize Thanksgiving Week as National Bible Week...
Ending Poverty Isn’t Priority for Far Too Many Christians
Even though reminders of poverty and the poor surround us, most Christians in North America don’t support a sustained response to poverty in an attempt to end it in our lifetimes. The will is not there.
To Deal with Childhood Trauma, Create a Jewel Box of the Mind
Bad things happen to good people. What you do about it forges your character. Turn each traumatic childhood experience into a precious gem to keep in the ‘jewel box of your mind’ to help bring closure to each horrifying memory.
God’s Best Gifts Come to Us Without Price Tags
In society and church, our desire to measure and value everything in monetary terms always takes us down the path of dehumanization and idolatry. As people of a gracious God, do we know the most important things in life are free?
November 12, 2019
Christian Women’s Health Centers in Texas to Begin Offering Contraceptives to Single Women (Baptist Standard) A Historic Chicago Church With Civil Rights Legacy Could Get Landmark Protection (Chicago Curbed) Still...
Pope: Economic Inequality Largely Unchanged Since Biblical Times
Citing the Psalms in his address for the World Day of the Poor 2019, Pope Francis said the inequalities and social imbalances described in the Bible are largely unchanged today, ‘as if history has taught us nothing.’
4 Reflections for People of Faith Observing Veterans Day
As you observe Veterans Day, originally called Armistice (or Remembrance) Day, marking the cessation of World War I hostilities on the 11th month of the 11th day of the 11th hour in 1918, keep these 4 reflections in mind.
Government, Faith-Based Alliances Help Promote Common Good
From improving economic opportunities for all to treating and preventing the spread of deadly diseases, government and nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based groups, often work together for the common good.
November 11, 2019
How Christian Theology and Practice are Being Shaped by Trauma Studies (Christian Century) A Nuanced Impeachment Conversation in Deep-Red, Dutch Christian Reformed, Iowa (The Atlantic) Texas Evangelical Anti-Abortion...