Today in the United States we are honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., commemorating his extraordinary life and way he changed US society for the better. We have by no means realized the “dream” for which King is so famous, nor have we realized the beautiful community he envisioned, but because of the lingering power of…… Continue reading Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Calling
Category: Racism
Reflections on “Just Mercy”
The first year students at Gettysburg College are all reading Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson. Stevenson is a lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that works to defend those most in need of an advocate, especially those wrongfully convicted–including those on death row. It is a powerful…… Continue reading Reflections on “Just Mercy”
Emmett Till, in 2018
There’s a new podcast that I have started listening to called “This Day in History Class.” It’s from one of the hosts of “Stuff You Missed in History Class,” one of my favorite podcasts, and it has become kind of a stand-in for “The Writer’s Almanac”–that podcast was hosted by Garrison Keillor, and it was…… Continue reading Emmett Till, in 2018
James Cone: In Memoriam
James H. Cone passed away on Saturday, April 28th, at the age of 79. [Read a tribute here: James H. Cone dies]. Today, then, it is both a privilege and a pleasure to share some reflections in tribute. It is no exaggeration to say that Cone was one of the most significant theological voices of the…… Continue reading James Cone: In Memoriam
Shitholes, the Cross and the Flag
One of the things that anyone who is fortunate enough to have a sabbatical experiences [and believe me, I know how fortunate I am to have a sabbatical] is the pleasure of digging into “the stack.” You know what I mean–that tall stack of reading material that you have been putting off until ‘sometime’–Christmas break,…… Continue reading Shitholes, the Cross and the Flag
The “Wrong” Kind of Christian
Last week, one of my students brought to my attention a really interesting article from the Washington Post, titled “Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow: A tale of two Christians on their knees.” [Find it here: Tebow and Kaepernick]. It was written in light of the current practice of NFL players taking a knee during the…… Continue reading The “Wrong” Kind of Christian
3 Questions around Identity
Today has been another rich, full day in South Africa, and I absolutely must get to bed. So, instead of a full post, I thought I would just pose five of the questions that I have been wrestling with most today, in light of what we have seen and done. 1. We went to…… Continue reading 3 Questions around Identity
Lessons from Apartheid
Today was a rich, full day, with lots to learn and lots to process. We started the day at the Apartheid Museum, and three hours wasn’t enough to see it all. There was a great exhibit about Nelson Mandela–his life and history, and his role in ending apartheid; and then the museum itself had lots…… Continue reading Lessons from Apartheid
Allegiances, Kaepernick, and Taking a Knee
So, I love football–it’s hard to grow up in Denver & not love it; and after the Broncos’ Super Bowl win last season, I’m still in the post-victory glow. The season kicks off on Thursday–with a Bronco game (rematch of last year’s Super Bowl), and so I’m tuned back in to ESPN and other sports…… Continue reading Allegiances, Kaepernick, and Taking a Knee
