Category: politics

Planet of the Apes & Politicians

January 22, 2026

I’m not prophesying the imminent downfall of the political establishment or the nation as a whole. I am offering a timeless warning that reckless, animal-like behavior and a lack of “humanity” in places of power and influence can set in motion a slow downward spiral into self-destructive chaos—personal and societal. Exchanging “the mind of a man for the mind of an animal” is, after all, Paul’s diagnosis of sin-infected humanity in his great letter to the Christians in the capital city of Rome. Where does this lead? Read on. … More Planet of the Apes & Politicians

Drinking the Kool-Aid

January 21, 2026

I reject dismissively labeling a fellow Christian as “woke” or “brainwashed by mainstream media” or a “lefty” just because they may critique the Right or fall left of center on certain issues. Why? Because many like me have come to hold their views by virtue of being a faithful Bible-believing, Evangelical Protestant upholding the conservative value of standing on the ancient text and testing (and often changing!) one’s views in light of the teachings of Jesus. … More Drinking the Kool-Aid

A Timely Word

January 20, 2026

My wife and I moved to the Twin Cities 20 years ago. It’s the place where we’ve lived the longest, where we’ve raised our kids, where I have taught theology and pastored churches and grown rich in friendships. People sometimes ask me: Do you ever want to move back to Texas? Get out of that Minnesota weather? I always answer the same way (with no offense to my Texas roots). … More A Timely Word

The Least of These Are Crying Out

January 15, 2026

Over the weekend dozens of refugee families in Minnesota who have fled war, violence and religious persecution were cruelly and unjustly detained. U.S. federal immigration agents, some in plain clothes, deceitfully lured them — including children — from their homes. They were placed in detention, many transported to holding facilities out of state. Every one of these families used legal pathways under the Refugee Act of 1980, completing one of the world’s most rigorous vetting processes. … More The Least of These Are Crying Out

This Is Why We Pray

January 14, 2026

A trusted ministry partner of the Northwest Conference and MainStreet Covenant, Transform MN, has put words to this moment in which we find ourselves in the following essay, “This is Why We Pray.” Mission Friends, let’s seek the Lord together in our time of need … urgently, fervently, continuously, desperately. … More This Is Why We Pray

Beware of ICEy Conditions

December 18, 2025

I’m a pastor in a multiethnic denomination of immigrants, where my brothers and sisters are being terrorized by ICE raids and growing hostility and fear caused by this administration’s rhetoric and tactics. Our immigrant churches are half empty on Sundays, as families are afraid to leave their homes. No presents are under the tree, and cupboards are growing bare as they are afraid to go shopping. … More Beware of ICEy Conditions

Nazification and the Church (Russell Moore)

November 6, 2025

The controversy surrounding Tucker Carlson’s platforming of neo-Nazi apologist Nick Fuentes has revealed concerning ideologies among young evangelical leaders. Critics argue that the normalization of such views undermines the church’s moral authority and complicates the interpretation of key Christian principles. This poses a significant threat to the church’s future and its core beliefs. … More Nazification and the Church (Russell Moore)

1.6 Million Deaths

June 5, 2025

On The Joe Rogan Experience last week, songwriter Bono laid out for Rogan the very human results of the Trump administration’s drastic spending cuts that will put an end to one government program that has actually worked: that of saving people in Africa from dying with AIDS. Rogan seemed convinced—even concerned. … More 1.6 Million Deaths

A Woke Pope?

May 30, 2025

The election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, and getting to hear the pope speak into our politically idolatrous Christian landscape in plain English, is going to be revealing. I dare say “apocalyptic” in the literal sense of deeply revealing. He’s not going to line up on Team Blue or Team Red. He will speak for Team Jesus, and be labelled Woke for following the historic social teachings of the Catholic church. … More A Woke Pope?

Babylon in America

May 19, 2025

This sober undressing of some of the hidden realities behind our nation may offend, and if it rattles our bones to see this earthly nation critiqued by the Bible, that might indicate we have made it an idol. Revelation is an ‘apocalypse,’ and that word means to pull back the curtain on the uglier realities that prefer to stay hidden behind the shiny surface. Revelation is an invitation to political resistance, not End Times speculation. … More Babylon in America

Unmasking Babylon

May 8, 2025

Revelation is not a key to unlock some future prophecy timeline; it’s a key to understanding our current times, unmasking true allegiances and calling Christians to follow the Way of the Lamb while resisting the ways of Babylon. Today, my teacher, Scot McKnight, posted chapter 5 of his timely book, “Revelation for the Rest of Us”, on his Substack. Read. If. You. Dare. … More Unmasking Babylon

The First 100 Days

May 6, 2025

This week’s featured conversation is from “The Good Faith Podcast.” Host Curtis Chang is joined by David French and Russell Moore to unpack what Trump’s agenda and executive actions demand from people of faith. From foreign policy chaos and attacks on democratic institutions to political fatigue and Christian witness, this conversation gets real about the cost of following Jesus in a divided America. … More The First 100 Days

David Brooks: Rupture, Repair & Societal Change

April 28, 2025

David Brooks is one of my go-to sources for reasoned political commentary and analysis. Give 14 minutes to consider his speech at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. Brooks’ speech is challenging and thought provoking, calling for us to reassess what we think cultural renewal looks like and to reconnect to our spiritual roots. … More David Brooks: Rupture, Repair & Societal Change

We Still Choose Barabbas

April 15, 2025

There is nothing Christian about Christian Nationalism. It’s a capitulation to the Way of Barabbas over the Way of Jesus. It’s waving palm branches for Judas “The Hammer” Maccabeus on his warhorse over Jesus on a donkey. We are faced with the same question as the crowd that first Holy Week: Who do we want to go free and to follow, and who do we want to send to the cross to be rid of? … More We Still Choose Barabbas

VIDEO: A Christian View of Foreign Aid

March 3, 2025

Musk and Trump have taken a chainsaw to foreign aid—literally. But before you cheer or condemn, let’s talk about what foreign aid really is. Is it American generosity? Christian charity? Evangelical thought leader, Skye Jethani, provides some historical perspective, suggesting foreign aid has always been about power, wealth, and self-interest. Cutting it might sound good in a MAGA speech, but it could backfire hard—on America. … More VIDEO: A Christian View of Foreign Aid

Response to a Friend’s Political Question

February 21, 2025

A friend seeks advice on how to navigate a relationship with someone whose politics deeply alarm them. His answer warns against falling into two different (opposite) “ditches” – the ditch of fusion with erroneous political ideas and the ditch of “cutting off” relationship with people you have deep disagreements with. … More Response to a Friend’s Political Question

Jesus, Not Nationalism

February 3, 2025

Beth Felker Jones discusses the challenge Christians face in the U.S. amidst current political turmoil. It paraphrases the Barmen Declaration to emphasize the need for the church to uphold its identity in Christ against nationalism and false doctrines. It calls for unity, faithful leadership, and a rejection of ideologies that compromise the gospel. … More Jesus, Not Nationalism

Jesus is Our Counter Narrative

October 29, 2024

Scot McKnight reviews Drew Strait’s book advocating for a Christocentric hermeneutic to counter Christian nationalism in the U.S. Strait argues that many Christians misinterpret the Bible for ideological support, advocating instead for a Jesus-centered lens that emphasizes love and peace. This approach resists the spirals of violence pervasive in current narratives. … More Jesus is Our Counter Narrative