Should I tell him he’s a racist?
Social media is fraught with challenges not the least of which is racism. I admit that over the last few years, I have become less active on social media—part of the reason is the growth …
Christianity
“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 …
It seems good to the Holy Ghost: A defense of progressive Christianity
One of the unfortunate consequences of growing up as a small, skinny kid with little to no athletic talents, is that I was always picked last when participating in playground games. This happened enough that …
Seeing God when our metaphors fail
Let’s face it, it is absolutely impossible for us to understand an eternal transcendent God and his domain. It is far beyond our comprehension. So, we often use metaphors to make the incomprehensible accessible to …
If I could pick my pastor
If I could pick my pastor, I imagine they would be—compassionate, bold, and unapologetically challenging the status quo. Picture a shepherd for the marginalized, embodying the very essence of love and activism. A leader transcending …
Philosophy for Theology: A scholar of art & religion
The last part of my Philosophy for Theology project was to discuss my own academic interests. This will certainly give readers a better understanding of what my scholarly agenda is. A Scholar of Art …
Philosophy for Theology: Aesthetics and Theology
Aesthetics and Theology A year ago, I had the joy of reading Aesthetics in a redwood forest in the hills near Santa Cruz. It was a great way to pass the time as my wife …
Recovering from religious trauma: Healing begins with believing
The number of people sharing stories of religious trauma has increased significantly in recent years. Religious cultures in the United States all too often create broken institutions led by broken people, who do everything imaginable …