Category Archives: in the news

Life in our United States

Posted on June 2, 2016 by jim

Last week a child fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati zoo, and a gorilla had to be killed. Suddenly the country was filled with zoologists, parenting experts, and people who evidently would feel comfortable with their child in … Continue reading →

Posted in in the news | Tagged | 1 Comment

Original sin

Posted on April 30, 2016 by jim

The idea of original sin really is original, it’s not in the Bible. It’s a concept conceived by Augustine of Hippo. Augustine’s original sin says that you’re born a sinner as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. … Continue reading →

Posted in Celtic spirituality, Civil Rights, Faith, in the news | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“To make gentle the life of this world”

Posted on April 3, 2016 by jim

April 4 marks the 48th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jr. King has been dead nine years longer than he lived. Every year, I revisit the response of Robert Kennedy in Indianapolis, Indiana, following the assassination. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, culture, in the news | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Risen – a movie review

Posted on April 2, 2016 by jim

I strongly recommend the movie Risen. According to distributor Sony Pictures Risen “follows the epic Biblical story of the resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius, are tasked … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Faith, in the news | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marginalizing moderates

Posted on March 23, 2016 by jim

In many faith traditions, moderates are usually marginalized by the vocal extremists. Ted Cruz, “conservative Christians,” “evangelicals,” Franklin Graham, Liberty University, and so many other “Christians” in the mainstream don’t represent the true message of Jesus. (Here’s a simple hint, … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, in the news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Brussels

Posted on March 22, 2016 by jim
Posted in images, in the news, Scripture | Tagged | Leave a comment

We must take sides

Posted on March 20, 2016 by jim

A simple checklist to determine if you support Authoritarianism or Christianity. If you support a candidate who announces to the world an intent to violate basic human rights and civil liberties; If you think mass incarceration and deportations based solely … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, images, in the news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Where is God in your smile?

Posted on February 2, 2016 by jim

I happened to be thinking about Joel Osteen the other day, and here he is talking with Stephen Colbert, a Christian. I have serious concerns about mega churches, but which faith leader best exemplified the joy of Christ? Osteen or … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, in the news | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Beware of false prophets

Posted on January 28, 2016 by jim

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” – Jesus The past two weeks have been an interesting time for Evangelical Christians. On Jan. 19, Franklin … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, images, in the news | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Too many Christians do Christmas wrong

Posted on January 2, 2016 by jim

If you’re a Christian who thinks the Christmas season ended on Dec. 25, then you’re already a casualty of the ‘war on Christmas,’ and you don’t even know it. In the United States, the annual commercial assault on Christmas begins … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, in the news | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Watch Night

Posted on December 31, 2015 by jim

I learned of Watch Nigh” at my historically black seminary (one of the many, many blessings I received by attending the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University). In the African American community, Watch Night services on … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, culture, in the news | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Savior in A Charlie Brown Christmas

Posted on December 19, 2015 by jim

We’ve all seen A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Emmy award-winning TV program that has charmed audiences for 50 years. As Charlie Brown struggles with the commercialism of Christmas, Linus reminds him of what Christmas is all about. The Christian messages … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, in the news, Scripture | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The eighth night of Hanukkah — tonight and 84 years ago

Posted on December 13, 2015 by jim

The eighth night of Hanukkah, 84 years ago: 84 years ago, hate, vitriol and racist lies were reaching a fever pitch, sweeping across the land of my ancestors. (http://rarehistoricalphotos.com/menorah-defies-nazi-flag/) We in the United States face unabashed fascism and shameless hate … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, in the news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

YOU can help refugees

Posted on December 13, 2015 by jim

About 10 years ago I saw Tony Campolo speak. His message included a suggestion of how we can help others. He cited the common bad idea that  “we can’t save them all.” But, he said, we could save one. A … Continue reading →

Posted in in the news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment