I grew up in a Christian tradition that was completely anti-Halloween. We were not allowed to Trick-or-Treat, and the church took the idea of the Devil’s Day very seriously. Halloween was not a holiday to play around with. This was a dangerous day for Christians because Satan had free reign over the earth. In fact, Christian mythology and superstition have played a large part in the spooky ideas that haunt the month of October. This year, October will include two... Read more
It has been a wild year for labor. Starting in February, CNBC reports about 362,000 workers have been on strike this year alone. That’s over double the amount in 2021 and 2022 combined. From bus drivers in Alaska, teachers in Los Angeles, writers and actors in Hollywood, and the United Auto Workers, labor has shown itself to be a force. Can a Christian, in good conscience, support or join a striking labor union? It depends on who you ask. Conservative Christian thought... Read more
The Universal Church is in a major period of change. The Church is finding healthy roots in the Global South and the Mainline denominations are having trouble keeping up. In America, Baptists hold a majority of power – both in the Church and in government. The Church is struggling to find itself in the new century. It seems that the Church has been here before. Each time, the Church at the crossroads has found a way forward. The last major... Read more
Fall is fast approaching and it’s a beautiful time in New England. The leaves are changing colors and there is a nip in the air. I work on a university campus which has seen the arrival of students for the fall semester. Everything is pointing towards autumn. Depending on your personal preference, fall can be the start of pumpkin spice, horror movies, or maybe both. In much of the liturgical Church calendar, we’re in a period called ‘Time After Pentecost’.... Read more
There seems to be a trend that people aren’t going to church anymore. According to some, this is a new phenomenon. H0wever, the American Church has seemingly had this fear for decades. The secularization of the country has created panic for the conservative denominations. Looking back to the Scopes Monkey trial, Fundamentalism has been concerned with the religious life of Americans. Lifeway put out an article in June of this year about the lack of church attendance. They note that... Read more
If I were to ask you what your favorite Christian holiday is, you might say Christmas or Easter. Maybe you grew up observing the Church Calendar and prefer Ascension Day or Epiphany. No matter what your preference, most people wouldn’t think of Labor Day as a Christian holiday. It’s not a Christian holiday like the others – it didn’t come from the Church. However, the theme and spirit of the holiday is in line with Christianity. When we look back... Read more
I promise this isn’t clickbait. I really think the American Church has failed the family. Even with the youth programs, small groups, and college outreach, the American Church has failed the family. Forget the pro-life rhetoric and sanctity of marriage speeches. The Evangelical American Church has failed to produce strong families that can handle our 21st century. Why? Post Structure? The 1900’s was a dramatic time in world history. Two world wars, several international conflicts, and the wild advancement in... Read more
Why do we suffer? When we ask this question, there are so many additional questions behind it. What do we mean by suffering? Is there good suffering, or maybe a good way to suffer? German philosopher Nietzsche notes: “Man, the bravest animal and most prone to suffer, does not deny suffering as such: he wills it, he even seeks it out, provided he is shown a meaning for it, a purpose of suffering.” I have a weird interest in the... Read more
I grew up in a Fundamentalist church. By definition, this church was more conservative than most. It was also nondenominational – meaning that it was completely separate from a larger church hierarchy. Many of the Christian issues of the 90’s and 00’s were not a real problem. It was up to the pastor to preach and teach what he thought was right. Naturally, a single voice and opinion led to narrow views of the Christian faith. The idea of women... Read more
August 19th is World Humanitarian Day. On this day, we recognize the work so many have done to help those in need around the globe. The United States has a long history of humanitarianism. Americans help those in need, both the private and public sectors. While there are many reasons to help the less fortunate, this is a foundational Christian teaching. “This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also... Read more
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