Brother Bill. I bring you greetings in the name of our savior…Jesus the Christ. We both graduated from Emory University…a university that I know gave us both a strong social conscience. I write because I am deeply pained in my spirit by your decision to use the electric chair for executions in Tennessee. I feel like your decision is an outward manifestation of a much deeper struggle going on within you…and all the rest of us who profess faith in... Read more
You are young now. You can only say a few words. There will come a time when you will know more words and will be called upon to speak. I want to write a few words to you before that time comes. We are the inheritors of a tremendous faith tradition of love and justice based on the life and teachings of Jesus. I have known no greater love than that which Jesus has spoken into my life. ... Read more
Congratulations. You are to be commended for starting your journey toward a doctorate in archeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I was surprised when I read of your matriculation and even more surprised that Southwestern’s President Paige Patterson is supportive. Dr. Patterson is a fair man. Just ask all the professors he fired at Southeastern. Not far down the road from Southwestern is Broadway Baptist Church…a church that he helped usher out of the Southern Baptist Convention. I heard that... Read more
I was scanning the news a few nights ago and ran across the name of Meriam Yehya Ibrahim. I doubt many people in our churches know the name of Ibrahim or the fact that she was sentenced to death in Sudan last week for being a Christian. There are without a doubt components of patriarchy and misogyny in Ibrahim’s case…but what about Kenneth Bae? Imprisoned for proselytizing, Bae is in declining health in a North Korean prison. Saeed Abedini... Read more
Numerous officials hurried into a back room. The meeting was called to order by the top official. The conversation began with the official clearing his throat and declaring, “The press is getting bad out there. Stand your ground and do not release any details about what is going to happen. This process must remain secret.” The officials left the room with no comment for the press. The murmurs of execution were a long time in the making. Then the... Read more
depression is setting in is it a result of my sin i am growing in rage perhaps due to my age you call then hang up just call me i will pick up why such a difficult cup to drink the world is awful i think speak now is it you but how you are the beloved is what you say now i can live another day Read more
Outside during the visit, everyone enjoys playing fetch with the family dog. When the host of the house whistles for the dog to come around back, no one pays attention. A few hours later, everyone gathers at the dinner table and prepares for a great feast. After a prayer asking God’s blessing on the meal and the hands that prepared it, the hosts bring out all sorts of breads and vegetables. Then…as the gathered lean in expectantly for the main... Read more
The classrooms were filled with learning and dreaming. Students were playing on the playground and eating in the cafeteria. The gates of the rural academy flew open and gunmen demanded everyone go to the courtyard. Someone was able to make a quick phone call to authorities but it was too late. The students were already loaded into trucks and driven off…kidnapped from their refuge of learning. Now imagine the students were white girls. The lack of outrage from... Read more
I got a phone call from a friend the other day. “I have decided to perform a same-sex wedding in defiance of the denomination,” she said. I congratulated her for her courage and encouraged her to come out publicly with her decision. “I can’t do that. I will end up with no job, no insurance and no pension. I want you to write about this to encourage others…just please don’t use my name or denomination,” she replied. I need... Read more
This morning I visited a young man in the Tarrant County Correctional Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. When I arrived at the appointed booth, I felt the urge to ask the young man about his crime. Then I remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. “I was in prison and you came to me.” Jesus does not say anything about guilt or innocence in this declaration of incarnation with those who are in prison. I mentally botched the execution... Read more
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