Throughout the impeachment hearings, House Democrats argued that the nation was in “clear and present danger” by allowing Trump to stay in office and that they must—for the sake of national security—act quickly to impeach. Now that they have approved two articles of impeachment, instead of moving forward with the constitutionally prescribed process, Speaker Nancy … Continue reading Real Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress
What About “Whataboutism”? Or, Are you a Russian Spy?
“Of all the things in the world that stink in the nostrils of men, hypocrisy is the worst.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon) After the Mueller probe into Russian collusion began in the spring of 2017, everyone seemed to want in on the act. It was as if the mainstream media and the Democratic Party had turned into … Continue reading What About “Whataboutism”? Or, Are you a Russian Spy?
Progressive Moral Equivalency (squared)
When President Trump condemned evil “on both sides” in Charlottesville, he was excoriated as a vile racist. That he dared to suggest a moral equivalency between white nationalists and Antifa was beyond the pale. House Democrats have fallen into a moral equivalency trap of their own. Instead of condemning the anti-Semitic rhetoric of Rep. Ilhan … Continue reading Progressive Moral Equivalency (squared)
A Little Cracker, Two Corinthians, and the Apostles’ Creed: The Art of Progressive “Faith Shaming”
The Bush family welcomed President Trump to the recent memorial service in the Washington Cathedral and expressed desire for a non-divisive tone. Their desire was not honored, however, at least not by the media. Reporters could not resist treating the funeral like a TMZ production commenting on hand shakes and rebuffed looks. Andrea Mitchell even … Continue reading A Little Cracker, Two Corinthians, and the Apostles’ Creed: The Art of Progressive “Faith Shaming”
History and Social Justice Activism
I recently traveled with ten undergraduate students to the Conference on Faith and History (CFH) held at Calvin College, Grand Rapids Michigan. This was an exciting and enriching trip for our students. They, along with other history students from across the country, presented research papers at the undergraduate portion of the conference. For the past … Continue reading History and Social Justice Activism
Brett Kavanaugh, Originalism, and Real Social Justice
Every thinking person voting in the last election knew that the next President, especially if he or she served eight years, would have the power to shape the future of the Supreme Court for the next generation. For many decades the court has more-or-less legislated from the bench with an ever-growing disregard for the Constitution’s … Continue reading Brett Kavanaugh, Originalism, and Real Social Justice
Spiritualizing Politics
As a Fundamentalist, I once believed that professing Christians who did not hold to certain political positions were probably less than truly Christian. If they were “saved” they were at best weak in theology and at worst not “right with God.” Judging the veracity of Christian commitment is almost second nature to those caught up … Continue reading Spiritualizing Politics
The Great “Awokening”
Much of my academic research has been on The First Great Awakening, an eighteenth-century revival movement that played a major role in shaping the religious and social landscape of early America. Today, we are witnessing another revival of sorts, one that has the potential of being a “game changer” as much or more than the … Continue reading The Great “Awokening”
My Cousin Leila
Last week my wife and I drove from Virginia to Georgia to attend the funeral of my first cousin, Leila Wilbanks McDowell. Leila suffered many hardships, including a prolonged struggle with cancer that eventually took her life. Her youngest brother Tim noted in his powerful eulogy that even during the toughest of times he never … Continue reading My Cousin Leila
John McCain and the Way of Death
I have always been interested in how we remember the departed. With the recent passing of Republican Senator John McCain, friends and foes alike wrote glowing tweet eulogies praising him as a war hero, straight talking politician, and a reach-across-the-isle Republican. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer even advocated from the Senate floor for the renaming of … Continue reading John McCain and the Way of Death
A Cautious Enthusiasm 