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
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: 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 …
Jesus Didn’t Do This, We Did. Acknowledging My Complicity in Trump’s America.
A Complicity I Can No Longer Ignore I am convinced there is a concerted effort to move this nation backward, and I have been complicit. Let me explain what I mean by this. First, this …
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 …
Me and Mark Driscoll: How Following a Pastor’s Voice Led Me Astray
Driscoll claims to have heard the audible voice of God As well-intentioned Christians, we make claims about how God speaks to us. There is a plethora of sentimental illustrations that seek to bolster our claims, …
Why I Love Teaching at a Christian College, and Why I Can’t
I’ve taught at three different Christian colleges, and I love it. Teaching Art and Faith at Christian Colleges Art and faith are often seen as at odds. As an artist deeply immersed in my faith, …