Lia Thomas is a competitive swimmer on the UPenn women’s swim team – a statement that, in and of itself, is not noteworthy. But it caused absolute mayhem, and here’s why: Lia Thomas used to be William Thomas, and used to be on the UPenn men’s swim team. Yes indeed, Lia Thomas is transgender. Her transition began in May of 2019 with testosterone suppression therapy, a process that causes fatigue and loss of muscle mass. Thomas swam for the men’s... Read more
Amnesty International just released a carefully researched, copiously documented report entitled “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: a look into decades of oppression and domination.” Some Jewish (and non-Jewish) leaders immediately dismissed the report, labeling it “antisemitic.” Were they right? Or should we take Amnesty’s findings seriously? You don’t have to be Jewish to ask these questions. Dear Jewish Americans, Last week as you no doubt heard, Amnesty International published a report declaring Israel an apartheid state. It was the third such... Read more
Tucker Carlson spoke last week Wednesday, January 26, on the subject, “Biden only talks about skin color” (video and transcript here). This bold, brash newscaster reads his teleprompter with confidence as usual, ready to dish on all the secret plans that progressives have for destroying the United States. He knows that progressives don’t want what’s best for all of us – they’re trying to destroy white folks. He wants to destroy progressives before they destroy white America. He applied this... Read more
Growing up a well-trained evangelical, I knew my Bible. I knew Luther’s Small Catechism. And I knew all the words for most of the hymns in our hymnal. In short: I was a Good Christian. Want proof? I thought you’d never ask: I got an A in Religion class every semester from kindergarten through college graduation. I was top of my confirmation class. On those bulletin inserts with fill-in-the-blank sermon notes, I filled every blank, every week, with the correct... Read more
Every day, I report on the situation in Israel-Palestine. Every day, I am deeply disturbed by what I read and write. But some stories are particularly disturbing to my spirit as a Christian – like this one that I wrote yesterday about Suleiman Hathaleen. Many evangelical Christians impulsively support the modern state of Israel, assuming that it is somehow connected to the Bible because it has a Bible name. We Christians need to get over that idea and recognize that... Read more
How can we make the best of yet another year of isolation? We’ve already taught ourselves how to bake sourdough bread, learned a language, gotten a dog, and started yoga. But the pandemic refuses to leave us. There must be some new self-improvement activity we can take up, right? YES. I have one that is absolutely free, easy as pie, and will make you a better person! Have I got your attention? GET A LIBRARY CARD AND – hear me... Read more
Christmas for me used to be a sentimental-happy time, full of beloved songs and traditions. As an exvangelical, I’ve been taking a close look at some of those songs to see if their message still rings true. Today, it’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” If you want some background music for this post, “I Heard the Bells” has been set to a number of melodies. My favorite melody is this one; here’s my second-favorite; if like me, you... Read more
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” may be among the top ten most beloved hymns of the Christmas season because, of course, Bethlehem is the most beloved little town of Christmas. Take a break from the wrapping and rushing and rehearsals, and walk with me to Bethlehem. This Christmas season, we’re lingering over a few cherished hymns just long enough to hear the message that we might otherwise sing right past. (Last time, it was Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.)... Read more
First-World Problem of the Day for evangelicals: to choose between a foul-mouth egomaniac and an oppressive apartheid state. Such a tough decision. The darling of the evangelical world, Donald Trump, spoke out in characteristically vivid language last week, criticizing the former prime minister of Israel, evangelicalism’s favorite place. That’s right: the beloved ex-president is on the outs with the beloved homeland, begging the question: whom do we love more – God’s man, or God’s land? Mike Evans, evangelical leader and... Read more
Advent and Christmas hymns are part of some of my earliest memories, and probably yours too. This Christmas season, I’d like to linger over a few cherished hymns just long enough to hear the message that we might otherwise sing right past. (Last time, it was O Come, O Come Emmanuel.) If you want some background music for this post, here is a lovely vocal performance of today’s hymn; if like me, you prefer instrumental background, this is a wonderful... Read more
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