God is not a racist. Torch-wielding white nationalists and white supremacists marching through Charlottesville, Virginia, Friday night failed to learn that important lesson. They shouted ‘unite the right’ and ‘white lives matter’ — and called for the South to split from the United States. The Friday evening march was a precursor to a larger “Alt-Right” rally [ Read More ]
For Christians who wish to be informed on matters of significance in the political arena but who are pressed for time, this article offers seven “go-to” sources for political news and opinion. The first five sources are secular outlets; I follow them to keep abreast of breaking news and a variety of perspectives on the [ Read More ]
What could a little Brit named “Lesslie” possibly teach American pastors about a Christian approach to American politics? Recently, Marty Duren interviewed me on his podcast, “Pastor Talk,” giving me the opportunity to outline some lessons we can learn from the life and work of British theologian Lesslie Newbigin. To access the podcast, click here.
When the Lord returns victorious, we will meet him first and foremost as Christians. But we will also meet him as twenty-first century Americans. Being an American is not the most important part of our identity, but it is an inescapable part and one for which we will give account. We owe it to God [ Read More ]
As a Christian citizen of the United States, it is clear to me that I am living in an increasingly post-Christian society. The majority of Americans no longer consider traditional Christian doctrine (e.g. original sin) or traditional Christian ethics (e.g. sexual morality) plausible in the modern world. Christians who do not abandon these beliefs are [ Read More ]
Christian, I apologize that I haven’t been able to respond sooner. If you’ll believe it, there are actually times when we professors have to log some hours and do an honest day’s work. You know how grueling it is to crank out a 15-page paper the night before it’s due? Well, imagine having to read [ Read More ]
In 2006, sociologist Philip Rieff (1922-2006) published My Life among the Deathworks, the first volume of his monumental Sacred Order / Social Order trilogy. In it, he argued that the West in general and the United States in particular is in the midst of an unprecedented attempt to desacralize the social order. [Note: This article [ Read More ]
In recent days, college students have shouted down, pepper-sprayed, punched and otherwise shut down the campus guests whose ideas they considered offensive. The most prominent recent cases have included Milo Yiannopoulos (University of California, Berkeley), Charles Murray (Middlebury College), and Heather MacDonald (Claremont McKenna College), but a number of institutions have disinvited scheduled speakers and [ Read More ]
Dear Christian, Thank you for writing. I’m excited to hear that you’ve recently become a Christian. I mean, considering your name and all, that seems apropos. But seriously, I’m especially happy that you took the time to inquire about how your Christian faith should affect your political views. I’m a political junkie too, and just [ Read More ]
How can Christians best respond to a situation in which historic Christian belief and practice is increasingly marginalized socially, culturally, and politically? On July 12, 2017, I participated in a panel discussion of this question at the National Press Club in Washington, D. C. The discussion was hosted by the Institute on Religion & Democracy and moderated by [ Read More ]