Loving “The Donald”
I first wrote this reflection in 2015 and was concerned then about the evangelical embrace of hateful ideologies and rhetoric. Sadly, that embrace has only grown stronger. I am proud to see old essays like …
Politics
A Christian Democrat? Here’s Why… You Can Vote Democratic
I have seen a couple of interesting posts on this subject on Facebook. One was an article entitled “Christian Democrat?” on In All Things. The website is a Dordt College project, so the article has a very reformed leaning. …
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 …
Trumpalmentalism: The new religion of taking Trump seriously AND literally
The conventional wisdom that Trump supporters took him seriously, but not literally, was challenged on January 6, 2021, when hundreds of his supporters–literally–answered his call to march to the Capitol and “fight like hell!” His …
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 …
Speaker Mike Johnson and the painful cost of “Heroism”
I just saw the news that Mike Johnson from Louisiana was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. As he became the leading contender some of my friends began a group chat about it. …
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 …
Pat Robertson and the ideological transformation of the Republican party
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” declared former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Rosey Grier, “Pat and Dede Robinson!” Immediately realizing his gaffe, Grier added, “Robertson! Pat and Dede Robertson!” The couple emerged from a townhouse behind the …
Telling secrets, finding grace: If all life is sacred, all life is truly sacred
A couple of years ago, a meme started to float around in what I think of as my Internet circles that wasn’t so much a joke as it was an expression of despair. It was …