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”
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’”
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”
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?”
God filled his creation with duality–black and white, day and night, spirit and flesh. Duality provides texture to the world and without contrast, we have no beauty. Duality serves to reveal the complexity of a mysterious and wonderful God. Duality also marks God’s governance in the world. In the United States, we see this duality …
The right to vote is a significant privilege. When people cast ballots, they are doing more than merely making an abstract opinion known—citizens who vote promote overall human dignity. Evangelicals believe that all humans bear the image of God. As image bearers of God, all humans are endowed with the faculty of choice. Voting gives …
Once upon a time, religious liberty was a virtue championed by most. Americans believed that tolerance strengthened the bonds of society and united us around a shared vision. Our nation treasured the right of religious choice because it empowered the vision of E Pluribus Unum. Religious liberty ensured that citizens with diverse backgrounds and ideas …
Another mass shooting — our hearts sink — our anger rises. As a nation, we mourn the loss of life, and we grieve the loss of innocence. We are outraged at what we have become, and fear what we are becoming. Another boy not even old enough to rent a car becomes an active shooter. …
Recently, a local municipality banned dogs from all public events and festivals.[1] The city cited numerous complaints from small businesses that dog owners repeatedly allowed their pets to urinate and defecate on vending stands. City officials argued that the lack of canine supervision created a public health hazard and disrespected the private property of business …
The plate is full, but the utensils do not move––nothing moves––time stands still and the showdown begins. If you have raised a child, then you know the drill. The dinner protest: arms folded, stiff upper lip and the stony stare––they are dug in. There is no more reasoning once the child has moved from listening …
