As in other examples where the culture wars have intersected with sports teams and American athletes, Christian faith has become part of the issues. Conservative "worldview" media has focused on former team member, Jaelene Hinkle, who drew criticism for speaking out against LGBTQ interests and back in 2017, withdrew from the national team rather than … Continue reading Christian Faith part of Culture Wars swirling around Women’s Soccer Team
Did Black Soldiers Fight for the Confederacy?
My biennial class on the American civil war is coming up this fall. In addition to the war itself, I am looking forward to covering the historical narratives that continue to capture our imagination as Americans. Of course this will include Lost Cause historiography, which leads to the question above. Historian Kevin M. Levin has … Continue reading Did Black Soldiers Fight for the Confederacy?
For Barton, Metaxas, et. al., July is a month for predictable talking points
More than a few Evangelical historians are vocal critics of David Barton and Eric Metaxas (for good reason). This week, as we've celebrated the July fourth holiday, John Fea and Thomas Kidd have drawn attention to the same well-worn talking points we've come to expect. Kidd has specifically referenced Barton's old and anachronistic claim (this … Continue reading For Barton, Metaxas, et. al., July is a month for predictable talking points
Are Siri and Alexa Replacing Your Local Pastor?
You can ask Siri or Alexa anything - so why not go to Google for answers to those ultimate questions in life? Religion News Service is reporting that given the democratization of information in the Internet Age, people feel less compelled to go to the clergy for advice. Here's Notre Dame theology professor Tim O'Malley, … Continue reading Are Siri and Alexa Replacing Your Local Pastor?
Letters to Young Scholars: A Book for my Adolescent Self
When my teenage son agreed to read and discuss a book together I landed on a book I had not previously known about: William Ringenberg’s Letters to Young Scholars, the second edition of which came out last year. I knew Ringenberg, the retired but long-time professor of history at Taylor University, from CFH circles and … Continue reading Letters to Young Scholars: A Book for my Adolescent Self
Reckoning with Racism and the Church: Reformed and Anabaptist Voices
Last week I offered some reflections and book recommendations on the issue of race. In other corners, a new book about race and the church was getting attention -- Jemar Tisby's volume, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism. I haven't gotten my copy of this yet, but according … Continue reading Reckoning with Racism and the Church: Reformed and Anabaptist Voices
In Honor of MLK: Reflections on Lessons Learned
I sometimes heard, as I was growing up, a common expression about bartering. If you wanted a lower price at a flea market or garage sale, you'd go to the seller and "chew them down." You know -- the metaphor about verbally bartering back and forth with them as if you were chewing on the … Continue reading In Honor of MLK: Reflections on Lessons Learned
Is your professor really the flaming liberal you think she is?
That colleges and universities are bastions of liberalism is a common assertion and among conservatives, there is considerable resentment about this. But is it true? Over at History News Network, Richard Morris, historian at Lycoming College (emeritus), has recently written a piece in which he consider this question as it relates to faculty members. He argues that … Continue reading Is your professor really the flaming liberal you think she is?
Pastors and Politics
When I talk with pastors, I usually go away reminded of how difficult it must be to navigate their role in these divided times. I know some pastors who blend political activism with their church ministry in ways that I find admirable and are consistent with my own leanings. And I know others who attempt … Continue reading Pastors and Politics
Gendered Messaging in the Evangelical Purity Movement: My guest post at the Anxious Bench
I've been a fan of the Anxious Bench for years so I'm excited to have this piece picked up by the editors there. The topic is outside the usual cluster of themes I write about here and I may be overextending myself. But consider it a conversation starter if nothing else. Basically, I use my … Continue reading Gendered Messaging in the Evangelical Purity Movement: My guest post at the Anxious Bench
The Hermeneutic Circle 