Throughout the hellish week that was Election Week, some Christians relied on numerous platitudes to help navigate the various emotions and tensions they struggled with. One common platitude, mentioned by Christians across the political and theological spectrum, focused on God’s sovereignty. I saw numerous Facebook posts, Instagram memes, and tweets expressing a variation of “No … Continue reading God is In Control is Not an Excuse for Inaction
Why White Evangelicals Are Uniquely Susceptible to Personality Cults
For many progressives, it is tempting to dismiss white Evangelicals as racist, homophobic, and selfish hypocrites. And some of them are. But I must always remind myself that they were trained to be that way. They were trained by their white Evangelical religious leaders who have three major goals. Protect their church from outside threats … Continue reading Why White Evangelicals Are Uniquely Susceptible to Personality Cults
Dear Pastors, Unity Will Not Erase Your Complicity
Dear Pastors and Preachers, Many of you (us) have been taught a falsity about unity. We have been taught that to lead is to make equal space for all people, regardless of political difference and to find our unity in Jesus. This has been framed as a noble thing. But before we address our churches, … Continue reading Dear Pastors, Unity Will Not Erase Your Complicity
To the Men in Church Authority who Spiritually Abused Me
This is a letter to the men who called themselves my “authorities” before I left the church. For the longest time you’ve claimed to be my protector. You’ve claimed to be the mouth of God to me. You’ve claimed to be the leaders, by birthright, that stand in strength to care for your women and … Continue reading To the Men in Church Authority who Spiritually Abused Me
Voting for the Kingdom of God
Recently, I remembered a conversation from 4 years ago, with a white friend. We were a few weeks from the 2016 presidential elections and taking the scenic route through southern Minnesota. The 2.5-hour drive through the Minnesota River Valley is beautiful (especially in the fall). But I was silently counting the number of Trump signs … Continue reading Voting for the Kingdom of God
Christian Unity Doesn’t Mean Avoiding Political Realities
As November 3rd draws nearer, I hear not only an increase in the bitter and divisive political rhetoric as Biden and Trump vie for the presidency, but also pleas on the part of some Christian leaders to focus on “Christian unity.” To be honest, I don’t blame pastors and other leaders for wanting to provide … Continue reading Christian Unity Doesn’t Mean Avoiding Political Realities