“Wait, I thought he was on our team”
My default is set on avoiding sports illustrations because men tend to use too many of them — and not often well. But throughout the season I have been contemplating …
Support determines scale
Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on the first year of the Jesus Worldview Initiative as part of the Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership at Belmont University. …
It’s time to close the curtains on one-act Christianity
Today’s very popular expression of Americanized Christianity got way off script when it became a one-act play rather than an ongoing adventure series. The main plot was lost when the …
When a sermon ruined a song
Willie Nelson’s song, “Always on my mind,” was ruined for me shortly after its 1982 release. By a preacher. For a good reason. While the song had been recorded a …
On judging others
Several years ago I wrote a column titled, “Why I don’t do dueling Bible verses,” noting how easy it is to extract something from the ancient texts that supports — …
More important than truth
Physician-scientist Francis Collins is known for his Christian faithfulness — and being one of the better voices for navigating issues of faith and science. Collins, who discovered the genes associated …
The Grief of Jesus
By: Guy Sayles Lately, I’ve imagined that I overhear the grief of Jesus. I hear strains of bewilderment and anger, loneliness and longing, protest and prayer. No wonder his followers …
To explain or ignore?
A challenge arises whenever something completely baseless and easily refutable gets offered up as shocking truth. Should I attempt to explain it or just ignore it? Increasingly, the first option …
Is it a cult? Check the ingredients
Religious cults were a big deal in the 1970s. I became intrigued by how these personality-led movements attracted such loyal followers. Some deprogramming efforts —initiated by concerned family or friends — …
Getting on the right trail
Anyone else tired of being told “what the Bible says” by those who ignore what Jesus said? It seems to be a daily experience. Sadly, the roots of misguided Christianity …