It’s that season again when everyone’s Christian relative is on Facebook, talking as if abortion is the only issue in the world. As far as they’re concerned, as long as a candidate says they’re pro-life, no other issue matters. At this point, choosing to end abortions is a fool’s errand. It’s probably never going to happen, but the hope that it will is what will keep you voting Republican forever. It’s the hook that makes evangelicals easily manipulated. But I... Read more
I watched The Social Dilemma the other day—mostly because I saw everyone talking about it on Facebook (which is ironic). And, right off the top, I want to say that it’s a sobering and informative piece. For many folks, this documentary didn’t offer any new information. But it’s critical that we remind ourselves (and each other) that we are the product tech companies are manipulating and selling to advertisers. After the documentary was over, I reflected on the ecclesiological implications.... Read more
At the beginning of Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise’s character has a breakthrough (or, depending on how you look at it, a breakdown) in a Miami Hilton. In a fit of clarity, he pens a 25-page mission statement called “The Things We Think and Do Not Say.” It lays out everything wrong with sports management, and what needs to change if it wants to return to its roots. What does he get for his transparency? Fired. The rest of the film... Read more
In many faith spaces, you’ll hear the following refrain: “Let’s not get too political. We don’t want to hurt the gospel.” Sometimes ministry leaders will say something like, “I don’t care what you believe politically, but . . .” and they’ll go on to make a point about the Christian practice. It’s understandable why pastors would shy away from political issues. Dangerous political faultlines run through most congregations, and pastors want to avoid friction that could result in a churchwide... Read more
The evidence is in. The United States can finally abandon the pretense that it is a Christian nation. For most of us, this isn’t news. Since its inception, America has demonstrated many of the same strengths and character flaws as other colonial western nations. But if COVID-19 has done anything, it’s revealed that the U.S. brand of Christianity doesn’t look anything like Jesus. Take up your cross There’s a point in the gospels when Jesus reveals he’s going to die.... Read more
Americans have always loved a good conspiracy theory. In the 1840s, a group of citizens argued that famed explorer Meriwether Lewis hadn’t shot himself, but had been murdered. Another theory, exposed in a 1979 book, suggested that America had developed an invisible warship in 1943. Charles Berlitz, the author who made this theory famous, was already well known for revealing the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle. There was a time when these diversions from the truth were mostly harmless. Mass... Read more
There was a Facebook post defending Trump that went viral in March. Maybe you’ve seen it. It featured a blurry profile picture of the president and it said: Just stop for a minute and look at this photo. This is NOT a political post by any means. This is simply something that everyone should stop and think about. Can you imagine the weight he must be feeling right now? When he signed up for this role (without pay) he did... Read more
I don’t know if anything in Christian thought and practice is more confusing than prayer. After decades in ministry, I have found that it’s an area where people are the most consistently frustrated, disoriented, and mystified. One of the biggest problems I’ve found over the years is that we primarily learn how to do it by praying with others. This means that we have a lot of enculturated ideas about how to do prayer. We develop our impressions of the... Read more
Yesterday the United States launched a drone strike against Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force. This act was more than the tactical killing of a known terrorist. It was akin to taking out our vice president or secretary of state. Knowledge of Soleimani’s bloodthirsty behavior wasn’t based on any new intel. Past administrations have struggled with the question of taking out this man who has been responsible for guerilla warfare and terrorism throughout the Middle... Read more
Whenever Trump feels like he’s in trouble, he begins pandering to his evangelical base. After all, that’s where he’s found so much support. Earlier this year, he tweeted about biblical literacy classes and seemed super excited about states offering classes for studying the Bible. And while he’s right that many “Bible literacy” bills have been introduced, none of them have passed. As a Christian and a student of the Christian Scriptures, I’m glad these bills haven’t been finding any... Read more
Honest to God
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