(OPINION) Two years since the terror attacks launched by Hamas on Israel, there appears to be a persistent moral ambiguity on how the world has responded to Israel’s plight. Should they be faulted at all for their call to get Israeli hostages back and to demand the disarmament of Hamas to finally end the war in Gaza?
Read More(OPINION) I went to sleep this past Saturday night with a heavy heart. Just before saying goodnight to my family, I had picked up my phone and saw an Instagram post stating that Russell M. Nelson, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had passed away just hours before. He had recently turned 101, so his passing was not wholly unexpected, but I felt a wash of grief hit me nonetheless.
Read More(OPINION) Greek Orthodox churches throughout the United States often host an annual event known as “The Greek Festival.” Depending on the venue, this festival will primarily consist of some of the best homemade food you’ll ever eat, as well as dancing and church tours.
Read More(OPINION) When people think about online misogyny, they probably envision forums and video game chat rooms filled with young men using lewd language, promoting sexist stereotypes and longing for the good old days when women “knew” their place. Arguably the most popular anti-feminist content today, though, is produced by women: tradwives.
Read More(OPINION) Like many, I sat in disbelief hearing the news of the vile acts committed over these last few weeks.
Read More(OPINION) America is dangerously polarized. We are split into camps with different facts, values and even realities. Kirk often stepped into that arena as a kind of devil’s advocate — lobbing provocative challenges and daring opponents to prove him wrong. If his death teaches us anything, it may be that endless condemnation cannot heal us.
Read More(OPINION) When I read or listen to the news, I often think: What is God calling us, specifically as Christians, to say and do in response to this moment?It is so effortless for me to take pre-existing political talking points — they are waiting for me like TV dinners, ready to heat up and serve — to sprinkle the salt of a couple of Biblical proof texts on top of them and to call that my response. Maybe you share this facile temptation with me.But I reckon that God expects something more robust of us than that.
Read MoreAt first Zori Opanasevych thought her ministry to serve Ukrainian refugees might last a few months. But more than three years later, she’s still at it — leading the nonprofit arm of a Pentecostal church that helped more than 1,300 people fleeing the war resettle in Alaska.
Read More(OPINION) As an evangelical Christian, I was taught God told Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that he would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. This was further identified with Israel in Numbers 24:1-9. So, my support for Israel was something I believed I should do as a Christian in order to be blessed personally and nationally. This included people and land.
Read More(OPINION) Back in 2023, I wrote that I was “both frustrated and mesmerized” by the first season of this docuseries. “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” was a behind-the-scenes story of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their children, the stars of the TLC hit television series “19 and Counting” and a number of spin-offs.
Read MoreWeekend Plug-in columnist Bobby Ross Jr. reflects on his 35 years in full-time journalism. It started with the editor of a small-town Oklahoma newspaper taking a chance on him.
Read More(OPINION) A professor explained that “art” was short for “artifice.” Art was an interpretation, a cleverly designed facsimile crafted to produce a particular insight or reaction. It evoked the essence of a real thing, but it was in fact not the thing. You had to keep your audience in mind.
Read More(OPINION) If you are a regular reader of MinistryWatch, and you appreciate our approach to the news, you should know about Bob Case. In fact, if you read WORLD Magazine, or Christianity Today, or The Dispatch, or any of dozens of other news outlets, you have — whether you know it or not — been influenced by Bob Case.
Read More(OPINION) Gambling is immoral and out of character with Biblical teaching. The very nature of the predatory gambling industry (the lottery, video coin-operated machines, sports betting, casinos and parimutuel betting) is antithetical to living a Biblical worldview.
Read More(OPINION) St. Francis of Assisi, like so many young people today, had experienced the ravages of war, spent time as a prisoner and came out of that trauma seeking something deeper in his life. He hungered for God and had the courage to step out boldly in his search. Heaping extraneous mumbo-jumbo on him really does a disservice.
Read More(OPINION) I admit I never actually saw Jesus in Gary’s coffee shop. But Gary saw him — or felt his presence or heard his quiet voice — pretty much constantly. And I saw an image of Jesus refracted through Gary.
Read MoreWhen a high-profile religious leader dies, it’s always fascinating to see what words various news organizations choose to encapsulate that person. Such is the case with this week’s passing of the Rev. John MacArthur — after his hospitalization for pneumonia — at age 86.
Read More(OPINION) As someone who works with Catholic religious communities, I hear things. Up until recently, what I’ve heard has been a hopeful message that includes how much God loves each and every one of us. In recent months, though, even what I hear from the various vowed religious women with whom I interact has become somewhat ominous.
Read More(OPINION) There’s been much academic and journalistic attention paid in recent years to the documentable benefits of treating a host of mental disorders with psychedelics. “This Is Your Priest on Drugs” looks at a published study in which researchers administered psilocybin to clergy from various religious traditions.
Read More(OPINION) When was the last time you laughed in order to cope with some personal or social situation? 10 minutes ago? Today? Yesterday? Laughter can be a most effective coping medicine. In that way, laughter is an important spirituality tool. In many cultures, it always has been.
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