Growing up we had a pond in our backyard. Ponds are enchanting when you are a young boy —especially at the start of the Northeastern winter. A boy’s courage ascends with each step across the ice-covered water — standing on the deep testifies to a young boy’s bravery. Yet the sound of cracking quickly reveals …
Continue reading “Wars and Rumors of Wars: Cultivating Courageous Habits”
(first published in Christian Post) “Pastor . . . don’t get political!” “Politics have no place in the church.” “Jesus never talked politics.” “What about the separation of church and state?” On the surface, church and politics don’t mix. But do they? First, I understand the concerns about the church aligning herself too closely …
I don’t log in to Twitter very often. Much of the content is discouraging and does not bring joy to my heart. But regrettably, I decided to check in the other day. It only took two quick scrolls before I was reminded why I limit my engagement. The tweet that made me cringe was not …
Nefariousness, narcissism, or both? The FBI still does not know precisely what motivated Jack Teixeira to betray his oath of office and his nation. But the 21-year-old has placed U.S. national security and our allies in a vulnerable position. Teixeira’s leaks jeopardized human assets, exposed sensitive intel-gathering methods, and undermined U.S. trust among allies. Foolhardy …
This article first appeared in The Fulcrum In Buffalo, New York, we know the trauma of social breakdown and tragedy firsthand, but we also know the healing that happens when neighbors come together across their differences. Over the course of this past year, we have suffered an extreme blizzard with devastating loss of life; the …
Continue reading “Evangelicals, it’s time for dialogue – ‘The Christian way’”
On November 24, I ran in the Buffalo Turkey Trot. I have never run this race before, so I didn’t know what to expect – but I learned nothing reflects Buffalo’s unique character like the Turkey Trot. An array of personalities set out for a 5-mile run dressed in costumes reflecting our city’s diversity and …
The legs of Western relativism have been wobbly for a while. And now Vladimir Putin’s war may deliver a knock-out blow. While some Western intellectuals cling to a “your truth and my truth” philosophy, the invasion of Ukraine is revealing the absurdity of such thought. Evil has a way of waking us up to …
What We Don’t Understand About Putin and his church The secular west does not understand religion. Not only do we not understand religion, but we also do not have a language to articulate religious matters very well. Therefore, when we encounter deeply theological matters, we do not have a vocabulary to communicate what we see …
Continue reading “What We Don’t Understand About Putin and his church”
The State Capital broke into an uproar as the Satanic Temple of Illinois unraveled its holiday display. First, the temple’s priest shouted, “Hail Satan” as he laid a carved image of Baphomet, the pagan deity, next to the nativity scene. Then, in a scene analogous to the 1973 movie The Exorcist, Roman Catholic Christians began …
Did you really expect mass vaccinations? Are you shocked that many people are hesitant, if not dogmatic, in their opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine? I received the vaccination as soon as I was eligible, and I strongly encourage others to do the same. But should we be surprised that many would resist? And why are …
Continue reading “Mandates, Manipulation, and Mayhem: What did you expect?”
