Since the attempted assassination of former President Trump, there has been much talk of God’s “providence” and “sovereign” will. It’s at times like this when one realizes that many people just regurgitate what they learned in seminary, college, or from some pastor somewhere. As I’ve listened to recent sermons and read some of the things posted on social media or media in general, one gets the clear sense many of these people have not thought things through. For those claiming... Read more
In the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 8, we read of Israel’s cry for a king. Perhaps this is a continual temptation for God’s people, one that will hound us until Jesus returns and heaven comes to earth. Maybe it cycles about at opportune times. If so, we are in one of those times as it pertains to evangelicals and their attraction, even devotion, to Trump. You know the guy, that lover of money, the serial adulterer, thrice-married, five-timed bankrupted,... Read more
Unless one has been living under a rock (a mercy for sure right now), they are aware of the story regarding South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and her new book, wherein she proudly recounts shooting her young dog, “Cricket.” And, not only Cricket, but a goat and some horses too. I spent my young years living on a rural feedlot surrounded by farmland in California’s great Central Valley. We had dogs, cats, horses, cows, and so did many of the... Read more
I have two primary conceptions of the secular in the sense of a space. First, following John Milbank, I think it to be entirely fancied. Ontologically, in a core sense, there is no secular—it doesn’t exist. It had to be imagined. If one is a Christian or believes in the gods of the philosophers/major religions, then they know that God/or ground of all being—is the one, “who is in all places and fills all things.” To believe there is a... Read more
We knew Trump had an authoritarian bent when he first ran for the presidency and from his first four years in office. Each year he was there it became more and more evident. I think it was, partly, simply due to his ignorance and not understanding how our government works, our history, the three parts of our system (executive, legislative, judicial) and so on. Further, he never understood what it meant to be a what they used to call a... Read more
Not only are religious leaders/pastors/theologians learning they are losing members, especially young people, along comes new polling revealing this finding: “Among those who plan to vote for Trump, 71% feel that what he tells them is true — higher than the results for friends and family (63%), conservative media figures (56%) or religious leaders (42%).” With those findings in mind, note this stark fact: Trump is a pathological, serial liar. Even some of his most well known cheerleaders know that.... Read more
Is the currently released movie Sound of Freedom based on a true story? Yes. Is human trafficking in America a significant problem? Yes. Should American law enforcement be doing everything in their power to prevent and stop human trafficking? Yes. If found guilty, should we prosecute those who do such to the fullest extent of the law? Yes. Should we as a society/culture do everything in our power to stop human trafficking? Yes. Do any of the affirmative answers above... Read more
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. –John 13:35 Will people know we are Christians (disciples or followers of Jesus) by our verbalized theological beliefs? Will they know we are Christians by the way we vote? Will they know we are Christians by the church we are members of or attend? Will they know because we “witness” or share our faith? Will they know because we don’t drink, dance,... Read more
We are coming to the end of March, which happens to be Oscar month. For those who care, many gather to watch who wins best picture and the other categories pertinent to movie making. If one is a cinephile, it’s a special month for sure. For those who watch the Turner Classic Movie channel, in March of each year, they run movies that have won Best Picture throughout the decades. If one has an affinity for the cinematic arts, it’s... Read more
The next bogeyman the leaders of the white fundamentalist-evangelical world are ready to foist upon their flocks and the rest of us is “pluralism.” Such a scary word, right? Like “Critical Race Theory” (CTR), “socialism,” and other things they don’t understand, get ready for “pluralism” to join the long list of things we are supposed to be afraid of, be against, and is a clear sign we are in the Last Days and everything is going to hell in a... Read more
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