A True Patriot–and Christian–Opposes Nationalism

I’m from Maryland. There, I’ve said it. There used to be a time when I wouldn’t have said that. I would tell people I’m from Alabama, because that’s where I was born. But saying you’re from some place means more than just you were born there. It indicates heritage, culture, and roots, none of which are...

What Killed Jesus Will Kill Us Too

History repeats itself, they say. They’re wrong. We’re just too stubborn to learn from history. The Maccabean period of Jewish history, which started with the revolt led by Judas Maccabeus in 167 B.C.E., is crucial in understanding the times in which Jesus lived and the New Testament was born. It also has a...

The Dangers of Church Discipline

One of my readers, commenting on a post I wrote about grace and nonjudmentalism, wrote, “How about writing a little about the difference between forgiveness and indulgence. What does biblical discipline, rebuke and reproof look like for believers in the church?” It’s a legitimate issue. I’ve said many times...

Beware of the Lions of Tribalism

When I was young I heard all the stories that make up the first part of the book of Daniel: Daniel and the Lion’s Den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the Fiery Furnace. Well, mainly those two. Not too much about the disembodied hand writing on the wall, even though that’s where we get the saying, “The...