Competing Christian visions of America

I have been writing in this blog space for over seven years, and a very small number of people have faithfully and lovingly followed much of what I’ve said over that time. I write for many reasons, but primarily it’s one of the few ways you can really get to know someone short of having […]

Racism and Christianity

A Southern, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant male in his mid-thirties writes about racism – a lot could go wrong here. Racism was never a topic I was interested in while growing up. I didn’t hate anyone, so – WASP that I am – why would it have been? But a funny thing happens when one is […]

The disconnect with Christians on sexuality, Part I

What’s really missing in society is the ability for people who disagree to understand and empathize with each other. We vilify. We see this happening not only at the interpersonal level but at the corporate, political and international levels, as well. We identify an enemy and we attack, frankly because it’s the easiest thing to […]

It’s personal

We will soon be addressing some emotionally-charged issues. I want to share what I hope is some wisdom about discussing such matters. I am a passionate guy. I have strong opinions and am no stranger to emotional arguments. I understand what it feels like to be discussing a topic that is personal with someone who […]

Legislating morality?

Specific issues, here we come. As inadequate as it is, I think I’ve done the best I could to provide a preliminary foundation in order to optimally discuss several important current affairs. In a circuitous route we’ve discussed the culture that forms us; what it means to have knowledge or know something; how we are […]

The wrong side of history?

Why do we find society’s narrative of morality, meaning, and human identity compelling? I think there are two primary reasons. The first is that it encourages one of our basest temptations – selfishness, which speaks to us in a deep way. If you doubt this is the core of the narrative, think of what so […]

Forming our loves

This is obvious on one hand, but on the other we typically don’t appreciate its truth: we come to love the things we do through a process. I wasn’t born with an innate love of “Star Wars” – I came to love it for a variety of reasons unique to my story as a person. […]