The truth behind conspiracy theories
It is a statistical fact that conspiracy theories engage more followers and see further reach in times when people feel helpless and out of control. This article does not attempt to respond to any one …
Politics
Politics and the Church
Recently, there have been disagreements within Christianity over the church’s role in the political sphere. Some Christians are starting to wonder if Republicanism is wrapped too tightly into the fabric of American Evangelicalism. Most, however, …
Is America hostile to the Christian faith? (Poll)
The idea that America is increasingly hostile to the Christian faith is a common one in evangelical circles. I saw someone post the following on one of the social media groups I am in: “The …
I love America but it is not my idol
America is not, nor has it ever been, nor should it ever be a “Christian nation.” We can’t baptize a nation, nor should we try. Christians are the last people on earth in need of …
Separating the sheep from the gloats: Lamenting Evangelicals’ response to abortion reversal
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court, evangelical cultural warriors are rejoicing, even gloating, over this political victory. And make no mistake, this is a political victory made possible …
What grieves me about the January 6th insurrection
As horrifying as the January 6th insurrection was for our democracy, that was not what made me grieve. As purposefully dishonest as the lies were from QAnon, former President Trump, cable news hosts, and the …
Not all idols are made of stone: Evangelical idolatry and the midterms
It was the philosopher William James who observed in his The Varieties of Religious Experience, “there can be no doubt that as a matter of fact a religious life, exclusively pursued, does tend to …
I’m sorry Judge Jackson: Defending political fundamentalism over Black lives
The nomination and expected confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court has put on display the ever-widening political and cultural divide in the United States. …
There is no “Other” in a biblical ethic
I first wrote this as a long rambling Facebook status. After someone shared it, I decided that I should make it into a short post. I think with the elevated politicization of, well, everything, over …
The day evangelicals lost their testimony: Falwell endorsed Trump
A few years ago, I was teaching a week-long course at the Grunewald Guild. There had been some drama with one of the interns and his perception that the environment was repressive, which is not …