Two Things the Hobby Lobby Case Tells Us about Politics and Being Christian
Since the Hobby Lobby case, I have learned two things about being Christian. First, being Christian means that you are right and that the other side is not only wrong, but a detriment to American...
View ArticleJesus is at the Border: Immigration, Barriers, and God’s Economy
I am not a politician, so I’m not an expert on immigration policies. I am not an economist, so I’m not an expert on the economic benefits or burdens of immigration. But I am a public theologian. I try...
View ArticleWhy the NFL is Better for Women than the US Senate
The NFL has come under severe scrutiny for its handling of domestic violence during the last few months. Rodger Goodell has admitted to fumbling the Ray Rice case, has admitted that the NFL has a...
View ArticleTerrorists Win: “The Interview,” North Korea, and the Tragic Irony of Christmas
Unfortunately, we will not be able to watch Kim Jong-un’s assassination on the big screen this Christmas. We will not be able to cheer as the brutal dictator’s helicopter explodes in the air “while...
View ArticleWho is God? Part 3: The Son of God: How the Son Subverts Violence and Patriarchy
My inner feminist recoils when I hear the term “Son of God.” I get the same feeling when I hear “God the Father.” I mean, isn’t that just patriarchal language that elevates men above women? If so,...
View ArticleTed Cruz and God’s Political Subversion
Ted Cruz became the first major candidate to declare a presidential run for 2016. His formal announcement came this morning at Liberty University, the largest Christian university in the world. Cruz’s...
View ArticleDonald Trump, Immigration, and the Politics of Satan
Donald Trump created a stir recently with his comments about immigration. “When Mexico sends its people, they aren’t sending their best. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists...
View ArticleThe Iran Deal and American Self-Deception
Politicians and pundits on both sides of the American political divide are debating the merits of President Obama’s deal with Iran. While Obama claims he has forestalled an Iranian nuclear weapon for...
View ArticlePresident Obama, Christianity, and the Truth about American Exceptionalism
President Obama just laid to rest all the speculation that he isn’t a Christian. During his speech in Kenya, he said one of the most Christian things any U.S. president has ever said. No, he didn’t...
View ArticleISIS’s Anti-Islamic Theology of Rape
My blood boiled with rage as I read the New York Times article “ISIS Enshrines a Theology of Rape.” ISIS has been promoting the systematic rape of women and girls, some girls even younger than 12. The...
View ArticleTrump, Biden and the Search for Authenticity
James begins the last unit of the Forgiving Victim course with a recap of how he began, with his understanding of desire. His way of thinking about desire permeates the Gospels and animates Jesus’...
View ArticleThe Political Wisdom of Jeb Bush, Stephen Colbert, and Jesus
A few weeks ago I wrote an article about Bernie Sanders. My point was to highlight how Bernie refuses to play the game of political scapegoating. He was baited by an interviewer to attack Hillary...
View ArticleAn Open Letter To Mr. Trump
Editor’s Note: This is a guest piece by Matthew Distefano. He writes this letter primarily to presidential candidate, Donald Trump, but it is also for all Christians and Muslims who live in the United...
View ArticleAdvent Meditations Part 1 – Hope In the Darkness
I meant last week to start a series of Advent meditations, but found myself swamped with all kinds of holiday-related commitments. I know, I know… there is a lesson to be found in this… to take the...
View ArticleThe Top 4 Myths about Syrian Refugees: Mike Huckabee and the Republican Debate
At Tuesday’s Presidential Debate, candidate Mike Huckabee had this to say about the Syrian refugee crisis: If it’s such a doggone good idea to bring people here that we really don’t know who they are,...
View ArticleThe State of the Union: Spiritual Wisdom to Heal the Political Divide
There was much to appreciate about President Obama’s speech last night. I also think that Nikki Haley’s Republican response was commendable on many levels. Both put forth a vision and a hope for...
View ArticleStar Wars and Theology Part 2: Overcoming the Myth of Good and Evil
One common critique of the Star Wars saga is that it holds a simplistic view of good and evil. For example, Star Wars makes it easy to tell the difference between good and evil. The distinction is as...
View ArticleBible Matters: Ezekiel’s Political Theology
The United States is in the midst of a presidential campaign. How should theology inform our politics? The prophet Ezekiel provides important answers that may surprise liberals and conservatives....
View ArticleHillary Clinton’s Emails, Donald Trump, and Moving through Scandal
Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay claims that the Justice Department is preparing to file charges against Hillary Clinton for mishandling of classified information in her emails. Delay said in an...
View ArticleIowa, Ted Cruz, and the Evangelical Identity Crisis
Ted Cruz ended last night with a yuuuuge victory over Donald Trump in Iowa. (Sorry, had to do it!) Religion played a big role in Cruz’s victory. The New York Times reports that Cruz’s victory was...
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