A Sikh Prayer at the RNC Sparks Christian Outrage

Last updated on: July 18, 2024 at 3:26 pm By John San Nicolas

The first freedom guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is the freedom of religion. The First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from government establishments of religion. The government cannot coerce people to follow certain religious ideals. It cannot privilege one religion or sect above others. The First Amendment also protects Americans’ right to freely exercise their religion. Contrary to what many antagonists of religion may say, religion is not a purely private matter. Americans can practice their religion... Read more

Can Christians Vote Their Values in a Two-Party System?

Last updated on: July 9, 2024 at 7:42 am By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

2020 was the year that I awoke to the political world around me. It was a chaotic year for many, many Americans. This was the year I began to really ask myself, “How should Christianity relate to politics?” The Jericho March Prior to 2020, I was definitely interested in politics. Starting in 2016, I really began to think about race, culture, economics, and political power. But it wasn’t until 2020 that I found that there exists a very important link between... Read more

Grants Pass: How Does America Treat Its Poor?

Last updated on: July 1, 2024 at 11:31 pm By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

On Friday, the Supreme Court of the United States made a historical ruling that will have drastic effects on the lives of homeless Americans. In Grants Pass v. Oregon, the Supreme Court gave the green light for cities to outlaw and punish homelessness, so long as cities frame it as “camping” in public places. As Christians, this decision demands a strong, faithful response. For if there is anything positive that Christianity has had to offer the world of political thought, it... Read more

The Church Needs a Faith that Works

Last updated on: June 30, 2024 at 6:44 pm By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

The relationship between faith and works is a difficult one for Protestants. Since the Protestant Reformation, Protestants have been careful to safeguard the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. We insist strongly that there is nothing that we do that can set us right before God. It is wholly the work of Christ by which we are saved. But sometimes this obsession with faith alone can get us into dangerous waters. It did for Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer famous... Read more

Would Jesus Make Fun of Homeless People?

Last updated on: June 22, 2024 at 6:14 pm By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

Every society has some form of poverty. As Jesus said, we will always have the poor with us (Mark 14:7). And one can tell a lot about a society by how it treats its poor. In America, there are many who look down with disgust, disbelief, or derision at those who have been forced out onto the streets. The harshest and ironic part of this tragedy is that much of the derision towards the homeless comes from Christians. They Deride... Read more

Creationism vs. Science from Scopes to Science Films

Last updated on: June 17, 2024 at 6:59 am By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

The debate between creationism and evolution is a continuously popular one in Christian circles. Much of the conversation is relegated to philosophy and abstract apologetics. But also interesting is the history of how evangelicals have reckoned with this conversation throughout time. We begin with the history of the well-known Scopes trial, a hallmark moment for creationists in America. Then, we visit the lesser-known Moody Institute of Science (MIS). This was an institute that chose to engage with the culture through... Read more

The Sabbath was Made for Us, Not Us for the Sabbath

Last updated on: June 9, 2024 at 12:33 am By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

The teachings of Jesus are absolutely foundational to Christian living. As Jesus Himself once said, if His followers truly love Him, they will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Yet, far too often, Jesus is reduced to a self-help life coach. His teachings apply only or mostly to moral journeys of individual improvement. Or, His teachings are utilized to help individuals cope with worry (Matthew 6:34) or burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). The political nature of His teachings are therefore neglected, substituted instead... Read more

An Introduction to Evangelicals and Christian Media

Last updated on: May 24, 2024 at 7:53 pm By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

This article is an introduction into how evangelicals utilize media. When we are talking about “media,” we are referring to the many cultural artifacts that evangelical businesses produce. This includes online media, such as websites like Christian Mingle (a dating site for Christians), or social media platforms like Savior Connect. It includes business niches, like Christian Contemporary Music (CCM), Christian Hip-Hop (CHH), Christian clothing brands like Art of Homage, and others. Christian media is easily recognizable. A surefire way to... Read more

Augustine’s City of God: No Justice, No Peace

Last updated on: July 17, 2024 at 7:27 am By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

Augustine’s City of God is a foundational text in Christian political thought. Augustine developed many important concepts and principles rooted in Scripture and Tradition. As modern Christians, we would do well to draw what we can from this ancient text. Here, we will explore what Augustine, in light of his socio-political context, had to say about peace. Is all peace good peace? Is all peace just? And is order at the expense of harmony and equality truly an order worth wanting? These... Read more

Political Animals from the Garden of Eden

Last updated on: May 10, 2024 at 4:34 pm By John San Nicolas

0 Comments

One of the great philosophers in the Western tradition, Aristotle, famously called humans “political animals.” The broad idea behind this term is that humans naturally associate with each other. We form families, make friends, and experience conflict and enmity. Being political isn’t just for rulers and politicians. To be human is to be political. Aside from Aristotle, there is a biblical foundation for this view. Not only are we political animals; we are political animals from the Garden of Eden.... Read more