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 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
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
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 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
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 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
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
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is celebrated this year from April 22 to April 30. It is one of the most significant and meaningful festivals in Judaism. In this article, we will learn from Naomi Klein, a Jewish environmentalist and writer, on her reflection on Passover and its challenge to Zionism. To develop this discussion, we shall proceed in three parts. First, we will explore Pesach, its history, rituals, and general meaning for the Jewish people, as well as the significance... Read more
Was Jesus a racist? In the Gospel of Mark, there is a story where a Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus. She asks for her daughter to be exorcised, for her daughter was possessed by a demon. After passing a test of faith, Jesus heals the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter without even having to pay the young girl a visit. The story is an exaltation of the woman’s faith, and it speaks to the racial/ethnic tensions in first century Judea. In 2021,... Read more
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