Loving “The Donald”
I first wrote this reflection in 2015. I was concerned then about the evangelical embrace of hateful ideologies and rhetoric. Unfortunately, that embrace only grew stronger. I am proud to see old essays like this …
Politics
Turn off the applause sign: finding authentic reflection while watching the horrors of war.
An innovation of American television was the introduction of the applause sign to live studio audiences watching the taping of situation comedies. The applause sign would signal the audience as to when it was appropriate …
A Christian Democrat? Here’s why…
There have actually been a couple of interesting posts on this subject that I have seen on Facebook. One was an article entitled “Christian Democrat?” on In All Things. The website is a Dordt College project and as …
I’m an Evangelical Democrat and I’m Coming Out… Politically Speaking
I am a Democrat. Even more…by most metrics, I’m a progressive or liberal Democrat. There I said it. My Facebook friends won’t be surprised by this. I haven’t hidden my political orientation but I’ve also …
Gun Violence: Perfect Love Drives out Fear
We are all weary of the gun control discussions. This essay was first published after a school shooting that was the 40th school shooting of that year and the 26th mass shooting of that year. …
Put away your swords -Lamenting the celebration of Kyle Rittenhouse
When the life of Jesus was threatened by an angry mob, Peter, one of His most impetuous disciples, stepped up to defend the life of Christ with a sword. Peter famously cut off the …
The religious roots of Striketober
Though it is getting little coverage outside of what is being inaccurately described as a “worker shortage,” the United States is in the middle of a quiet but growing reactivated labor movement. Nabisco, Kellogg and …
Reconsidering what it means to be Pro-life in America
For over a decade, the United States of America was a dry nation. The Volstead Act was a nationwide constitutional ban on alcohol in all its forms, and while statistically, the consumption of alcohol did …
Insiders Until They’re Not
Martin Luther stood in peril of his earthly life and possibly his eternal soul. The energetic Wittenberg firebrand challenged more than he realized when he issued debating points to the popular indulgence seller Johann Tetzel. …
“Marching as to War” Why do American Evangelicals celebrate bloodshed?
The tragic images coming out of Afghanistan in the wake of U.S. troop withdrawal is a reminder of the prophetic words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “An eye for an eye leaves us all …