A PISTOL PACKING PASTOR, RABBI & IMAM (& Other Responses to Increasing Attacks Against Houses of Faith)

Last updated on: April 25, 2017 at 5:52 pm By Dwight Lee Wolter

Although it has been happening for a long time, there are an increasing number of attacks on institutions, individuals, and houses of faith. Here are a few historic and current, general and personal examples: Fifty years ago, fifteen sticks of dynamite were detonated at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Four African American girls were killed and twenty-two others were injured in the blast at the church known as a center of activity in the civil rights movement.... Read more

6 Reasons Why Love Made Me A Progressive Christian

Last updated on: May 1, 2017 at 5:21 pm By Posted by Editor

I am a progressive Christian. I did not choose this, like selecting which kind of ice cream my wife is most in the mood for (as long as it has chocolate but no nuts, I am probably safe). It is probably more accurate to say I grew into it. I have always been a follower of Jesus. I suspect I always will be. But the way I understand the nature of that “following” has evolved. In short, I am a... Read more

Dear White Christians (An invitation to take on five commitments for racial justice)

Last updated on: April 25, 2017 at 12:14 pm By Posted by Editor

A majority of white Christians supported President Trump during the campaign, voted for him, and are in favor of many of his actions thus far, including his thwarted ban on immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Unfortunately, that support sends a harsh message. The majority white Christian support for President Trump and his policies tells non-white Christian brothers and sisters and many others that we don’t hear them nor care about their dignity and safety. Hundreds of disparaging statements and... Read more

Dear Mr. O’Reilly: Your Behavior Suggests You Are a Broken Man (And I Wish You Peace.)

Last updated on: April 24, 2017 at 1:00 pm By Posted by Editor

Dear Mr. O’Reilly, I will admit, as a liberal-leaning Christian woman, I was a tad bit gleeful when I heard you had lost your job at Fox News. It seemed like justice had finally stepped in and taken control; the righteous had finally won; David had finally wound up that sling-shot and slung that stone at the seemingly unbeatable Goliath and brought him down. You were fired from Fox because you allegedly harassed women. Yet, according to an article in... Read more

What to Say When There is So Much to Say: Preaching in the Era of Trump

Last updated on: April 18, 2017 at 11:09 am By Guest Contributor

“When the media and the politicians keep rowing our people around, it will be helpful for preachers to drop a weighty anchor, steady the boat amid all the ripples, and look at political patterns in relation to the good news of Jesus Christ.” — O. Wesley Allen, Jr., author, Preaching in the Era of Trump A friend once told me that when he was a boy he was hired by an older couple to row their fishing boat for them.... Read more

Finding Lasting Satisfaction in a Thirsty Culture

Last updated on: April 17, 2017 at 5:32 pm By Megan Schmidt

by Peter Burns Growing up, my family made many summer pilgrimages from the plains of the Midwest to the hiking trails of the Rocky Mountains. Every peak seemed like a challenge to me, as if, once I reached the top I would be able to see the whole world. But the funny thing about a mountain range is the higher you get the taller they look, till you reach the summit and realize another peak is towering over you, as... Read more

TGIF? I Don’t Think So…

Last updated on: April 14, 2017 at 12:31 pm By Dwight Lee Wolter

Crucifixion was a spectator sport. It seems like it still is. And so, my friends, on this “Good Friday” I don’t want to (!) but I cannot help but think of Coptic (Egyptian) Christians slaughtered in their church last Sunday (Palm Sunday). I think of white supremacist, Dylann Roof, entering Bible study in a black church in Charlotte and, an hour later, salughtering nine people, including the pastor. I think of headstones toppled in Jewish cemetaries, and chemical weapons used... Read more

Was the Resurrection a Hoax?

Last updated on: April 11, 2017 at 10:44 pm By Megan Schmidt

by Jedediah McClure The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, believed by roughly 2.4 billion people across the world, is the foundation of the world’s largest religion. In the Biblical narrative, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified by Roman soldiers and buried in a sepulcher (tomb). Three days later Jesus miraculously rose from the dead to proclaim His divinity and declare the redemption of all mankind. The reality of this event is the cornerstone of all Christianity, without which Christianity would cease to exist.... Read more

PLEASE STOP PRAYING FOR SYRIAN BOMBING VICTIMS

Last updated on: April 7, 2017 at 2:52 pm By Dwight Lee Wolter

First there was outrage over the bombing of innocent people in Syria by Assad. Many persons of faith called us to pray for the dead and dying children and their loved ones. Then there was outrage over the bombing of an airbase in Syria by Trump. Many persons of faith called for us to pray for the retaliatory bombings to stop. In these calls to prayer, Assad and Trump were somehow linked as partners in terrorism. Trump out-Trumped Assad; and... Read more

Leaving Church to Search for God

Last updated on: April 3, 2017 at 12:15 pm By Guest Contributor

This morning our family lingered at length over our breakfast. We poured warm syrup over waffles, sipped coffee, and read the Seattle Times. Afterwards we wrapped ourselves in scarves and hats, raincoats and boots, and headed for the water. We ambled along for the rest of the morning under the vast gray sky that stretches from the tree tops of Lincoln Park out over Puget Sound. It was the first Sunday morning in my entire life when I have deliberately decided to skip... Read more