Radically Christian: How Christians Respond to Mistreatment: What I Noticed When I Read 1 Peter The vast majority of this book deals with how Christians should respond when they suffer mistreatment. Modern readers, especially those in the United States, seem to have a very difficult time taking these commands seriously. We try to insert our Continue reading

Kitchen of Half-Baked Thoughts: We’re Fasting Today Today we’re having a time of prayer and fasting as a congregation. Gasp! He broke the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule about fasting! Isn’t it about time we got over that? Yes, Jesus said not to tell anyone when you are fasting. He also, in the same chapter Continue reading

Radically Christian: Is It Wrong to Celebrate Religious Days Like Christmas and Easter? I have to admit, Brother McAdams has changed my mind on a couple of things with this article. It’s well worth a read. Some might say, “But aren’t we supposed to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday and not just one Continue reading

Borrowed Light: What if The Foundation of Discernment is Hope and Not Suspicion? This post really has me thinking. I’m talking about foundations here. Starting points. I’m convinced that we’ve gotten this wrong and because of it the gift of discernment has now become synonymous with the “gift” of being a jerk. True discernment will Continue reading

Wineskins: Who We Are Instead Let us remember that the Church is the alternative to all the political divisiveness and partisan politics.  It is above the fray of mudslinging.  Christ gives His Church a distinct role to shine our light and point to Jesus.  The Church speaks to earthly powers, not for them.  We speak Continue reading

Washington Post: America’s Crisis of Contempt Arthur Brooks had some excellent comments at the National Prayer Breakfast. I’ve never been a fan of this particular event, but I do believe his remarks offer some needed encouragement to remember that we are all souls in need of Christ and that we are more than our political Continue reading

The Presbyterian Outlook: The Manger and the Inn: A Middle Eastern View of the Birth Story of Jesus Is the entire village of Bethlehem so hardhearted that no home is open to a woman about to give birth? Indeed, the “late-night arrival myth” slurs all the inhabitants of Bethlehem, not just the mythological innkeeper! In Continue reading

Sojourners: When White Nationalist Christians Redefined Their Neighbors What stands out about Kittel’s speech is his attempt to embrace Nazi politics while rising above what he believes to be exaggerated rhetoric. He dismisses the possibility of systemic violence against Jews. Instead, Kittel argues for an ethical white Christian nationalism in which Jews assume a guest-status Continue reading

America Magazine: I was an American missionary in Honduras. I witnessed firsthand the violence they endure. Yet violence does not issue warnings, and it will not take into consideration sincerely held beliefs. I had just returned from teaching my English class for the day when I learned that one of our volunteers and our executive Continue reading