1. The Church provided the moral/theological grounds for the dispossession of natives and “discovery” of the New World. It did so by issuing papal bulls such as Inter Caetera (1493), written by Pope Alexander VI the year after Columbus’ voyage. #ColumbusDay #IndigenousPeoplesDay 2. This bull established that any land not inhabited by Christians was available to be “discovered,” claimed by rulers in the name of Christ. It granted Spain by divine authority “full and free power, authority, and jurisdiction of every kind” to conquer most of the Americas.

1/ Most will agree that sexual assault is morally heinous. Yet the general public remains alarmingly ignorant of the nature and degree of the life-altering trauma experienced by victims of assault/abuse. This may be especially so among morally conservative Christians. Put another way, sexual assault—perhaps for having been kept in society’s shadows for so long—remains vague at best in our moral imagination. This makes it disturbingly easy, even instinctive, to dismiss/minimize allegations of assault as being selfishly or politically motivated.

I remember preaching the Sunday after 9/11 like it was yesterday. Hardest sermon I've ever had to preach, not least because I was young (just turned 25 the day before, just started my second year in seminary) and, despite my habit of feigning confidence, I was terribly scared. /1 I remember wrestling tearfully late Saturday night with a deep sense of helplessness and inadequacy. I remember the next morning looking out upon the 200+ mostly college students who hung onto every word from Lamentations 3, the text from which I preached. /2

A #LaborDay prayer for moms and dads whose daily (unpaid!) work and calling includes the glorious duty of diapers: "Heavenly Father, in such menial moments as this—the changing of a diaper—I would remember this truth: My unseen labors are not lost, for it is these repeated acts of small sacrifice that are slowly being sewn into a quilt of lovingkindness that swaddles this child.

What is Tolerance? “Tolerance” once meant (A) the allowance of the free expression of contrary views, i.e., despite one’s opposition to them. Today it means (B) the acceptance of all views as equally true, i.e., relinquishing any opposition to them. /1 Thus, “Intolerance” once meant (A’) the prohibition of even the articulation of beliefs with which one disagrees, i.e., invalidating its very right to exist. But it now refers to (and based on the received definition of “tolerance” can only refer to) ... /2

1. The archetypal case of ethnic division upon which the notion of (racial) “reconciliation” in Scripture is based (Jew and Gentile) involved interpersonal “hostility” but NOT the systematic subjugation and corporate abuse that characterizes America’s white/black racial history. 2. In this regard, the theological category of “reconciliation” and its emphasis on personal relationship, though critical to achieving interethnic redemptive unity, by itself may be insufficient for the healing of America’s—and the American church’s—racial wounds.

1. On the use of “animals” to describe MS-13 gang members: 2. As many have already observed, speaking in this manner, particularly via authoritative statement or the mantle of public office — even in reference to violent criminals — diminishes the Imago Dei and dishonors God himself (Jas 3:9; Matt 5:22). “Animals” literally de-humanizes.

Advocates of equity and (biblical) social justice are commonly accused of being proponents of “Cultural Marxism.” On this 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth (May 5, 1818), and in the interest of promoting better dialogue in the church, let me try to explain what CM means: The term “Cultural Marxism” itself was first used by sociologist Trent Schroyer in his The Critique of Domination (1973). It traces its origins to the economic theory developed by Karl Marx and, more specifically, the neo-Marxist Frankfurt School.

•The dominant approach to Scripture by younger professing Christians today can be described as a full-throttled “hermeneutic of suspicion.” /1 Haunted by the Church’s past interpretative failures (e.g., slavery), they reflexively distrust—and only know how to unmask the folly of—“traditional” readings of scripture. /2

I deeply appreciated @AndrewPeterson's tearful apology for the lack of racial diversity in the music video for his moving new song, "Is He Worthy?" (bit.ly/2G4zF0V). He humbly asked for the forgiveness of those whom the video caused "grief" and "pain." /1 Yes, the omission was "ironic," perhaps even "painfully ironic" for some, considering how Revelation 5, on which his lyrics were based, includes one of the grandest heavenly portraits of the pan-ethnicity of Christ's redeemed Bride (v. 9). /2

Some affirmations of singles and singleness based on 1 Corinthians 7: 1. Singleness is inherently good, a station in life of equal intrinsic value as marriage (vv 7, 8). Singleness is not second-class or second best; after all, Jesus himself was unmarried and the fulfillment of complete and true humanity (e.g. Heb 2:17; 4:15).

There appear to be some points of intersection between the #ChurchToo and #QuietExodus critique of conservative evangelical churches/institutions. Some common tendencies in the way sexual abuse and racial sin/injustice are sometimes handled in such places: 1. Misconstrued and misapplied theologies of forgiveness, grace, and God’s sovereignty that undercut biblical requirements of repentance, discipline, and moral responsibility.

Reasons why 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 should not be used by churches as a basis for refusing to cooperate with criminal procedure/investigations: 1) The apostle is addressing matters pertaining to civil law (personal lawsuits between two parties) rather than criminal law. Principles of conduct derived from this passage may have some relevance to the latter, but that was not its originally intended sphere of application.

Last night at my church, I had the opportunity to teach a workshop called, "How to Read and Study Your Bible," on principles/methods of biblical interpretation. I've come to believe this is one of the most important things I can do as a pastor. Why? /1 We are in a state of near crisis in the American Church concerning the trustworthiness (and therefore functional authority) of Scripture. (I said in the Church, not in the world.) /2

It is good and right for American Christians to give thanks today, indeed, everyday (Ps 9:1; Phil 1:3). But, as I have grown in fellowship with Native Christians, Wampanoags in particular, my feelings about our civic celebrations of Thanksgiving have evolved. /1 I’ve become increasingly uncomfortable with Thanksgiving celebrations that portray “Pilgrims” and “Indians” feasting together harmoniously, knowing the violence towards and dispossession of Natives that would soon follow. /2