Faith’s Benefits – Societal
Racism and Religion: Sanctified bigotry, or unity and diversity solutions? Derek Chauvin’s conviction for killing George Floyd has returned race issues to public discourse’s center stage. In a world rocked by racial turmoil and demands for justice and equality, some view the Christian church as part of the problem – white supremacy, discrimination, apathy. Consider one faith movement’s efforts to become part of the solution. (Short op-ed)
Changing Racist Hearts: Can it be done? George Floyd’s horrifying death while pinned down by a white policeman has sparked global rage and anti-racism protests. Racial disparity is widespread and ominous. Can a racist’s heart be changed? Consider these powerful examples. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Changing Racist Hearts: Police brutality. George Floyd’s hideous death under a white policeman’s knee ignited worldwide protests against racism and police brutality. The ongoing conflict prompted me to reflect on South Africa’s once-state-enforced racial oppression. That apartheid regime’s top cop participated in the racist brutality, including bombings and attempted murder. Yet his contrition and reconciliation efforts have been remarkable. Lessons for today’s turmoil? (Short op-ed)
Changing Racist Hearts: My own. Anti-racism has become a global obsession, and rightfully so. Racism and racial oppression are repulsive. And, BTW, I don’t have a racist bone in my body. Or so I thought. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Changing Racist Hearts: ‘Amazing Grace’ hymnwriter’s racist past. You’ve likely heard the famous hymn, Amazing Grace. Were you aware of its writer’s racist past? I thought I knew his real story, but I didn’t. It holds valuable lessons for today’s racial turmoil. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Changing Racist Hearts: Abolishing the slave trade. Few examples of systemic racism are more glaring than the African slave trade. British parliamentarian William Wilberforce led a grueling twenty-year struggle to outlaw it. Inspired by a former slave trader, he became a model that current anti-racism activists could do well to emulate. (Short op-ed)
1917 movie: Risking all to save a life. What risks would you take to save a life? What risks would you want someone else to take to save your life? This highly acclaimed, Oscar®-winning World War 1 drama vividly portrays the emotions, commitment and struggles facing one who chooses to value another’s life as greater than his/her own. (Short op-ed)
Harriet movie: Courage, freedom, faith. Antebellum abolitionist Harriet Tubman had convictions and courage that helped free herself and many others from slavery’s scourge. She’s inspired modern activists and academics, schoolchildren and senators. What drove her risk-taking and sustained her struggles? A new film dramatically portrays this heroine’s exploits. (Short op-ed)
Emanuel: Steph Curry movie documents Charleston church shooting forgiveness. Some members of Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shocked observers by appearing in court two days after Dylann Roof massacred their family members at a 2015 Bible study session, and telling him they forgave him. Would I do that? Would you? (Short op-ed)
CNN’s Redemption Project: Could you forgive your loved-one’s killer? When someone offends you, do you get even? Ignore? Seek to reconcile? Suppose their offense were killing your loved one or maiming them – or you – for life. Would you meet with the perpetrator and talk it out? Van Jones presents compelling, moving, true stories of offenders encountering the offended. (Short op-ed)
Woodlawn movie: racial strife, football, faith. A nation too-often tarnished by racial conflict could use an inspiring film like this. The poignant story of NFL star Tony Nathan and how football plus faith helped bring harmony among racial enemies during his high school years in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are executive producers. (Short op-ed)
WW II movie drama: Christian students hiding Jews from Nazis. As the world commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Return to the Hiding Place dramatically portrays a forgotten story of dedicated Dutch students’ vital role in rescuing hundreds of Jews from Nazi persecution. Driven by faith, love and conviction, they endured great hardship and risked their lives to protect the oppressed from Hitler’s terror. (Short op-ed)
Does God’s Love Make You Want to Give? Some current social scientific research suggests it might. Intriguing survey results, and an inspiring story of Auntie Anne, the pretzel lady. (Short op-ed)
Human Trafficking Movie Grabs Hearts. Annika, a delicate young girl, has been unwittingly handed into virtual slavery by her homeless father. Sweatshop labor and sex-for-sale portend a bleak future, unless someone intervenes. Caden, a spoiled, rich, 20-year-old Southern California student, determines to be that someone. Their inspiring saga in the feature film Not Today might grab your heart, too. (Short op-ed)
Les Misérables film: Mercy Triumphs. Could receiving a healthy dose of kindness and mercy help transform a person’s life? Victor Hugo thought so. The 19th Century French social reformer wove his famous novel Les Misérables around the theme of grace trumping legalism. A new film based on the successful musical opens Christmas Day. (Short op-ed)
Evangelicals’ Image Problem. God should have sued Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for defamation, says New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. “Few words conjure as much distaste in liberal circles as ‘evangelical Christian,’” he writes. So why does he sing evangelicals’ praises? (Short op-ed)
Gay Mayor, Christians in Surprising Alliance. Portland, Oregon, mayor Sam Adams gets “calls from mayors of liberal cities all across the United States asking me if I’ve been abducted by aliens.” He tells them the churches and the city really do cooperate in social services and that “we’re better for it.” (Short op-ed)
Atlanta Volunteers Change Lives. Want a dose of inspiration and motivation? Take a look at these fine folks who are getting “out of their seats and into the streets” to help meet Atlanta’s physical, psychological and spiritual needs. (Short op-ed)
Tony Blair’s God Thing. By Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi. When Blair was British Prime Minister, his press secretary once explained to reporters, “We don’t do God.” Today, Blair promotes God and faith freely. What’s he up to? (Short op-ed)
When Ted Kennedy Met Jerry Falwell. When the lion of liberalism met the Moral Majority founder, some surprising, humorous, and positive things happened. Insights on bridge building that could well inform today’s rancorous debates. (Short op-ed)
Church’s intolerant past not a true representation of Christianity. Does Christianity promote racism? Is it just for whites? How could the faith whose founder told people to “love one another” be associated with racial oppression? (Short op-ed)
Christianity and Racism: Does Christianity promote racism? Is it a “white person’s religion?” A biblical perspective on these controversial questions. (Probe radio series transcript.)
Amazing Grace Movie: Lessons for Today’s Politicians. Can God and politics mix? Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but inspiring twenty-year struggle to outlaw the slave trade. (Short op-ed)
William Wilberforce and Abolishing the Slave Trade. A profound change led this famous British parliamentarian on a path that some say cost him the prime ministership, but helped rescue an oppressed people and a nation’s character. An inspiring story with lasting social and personal implications. (Probe radio series transcript.)
Amazing Grace in John Newton. This slave-trader-turned-pastor significantly impacted the eighteenth century British campaign to abolish the African slave trade. You’ve likely heard his classic song. Perhaps you think you know his inspiring story. You may discover that you don’t! (Probe radio series transcript)
West Africans to African-Americans: “We Apologize for Slavery”. Africans make poignant apology to African Americans for their ancestors’ complicity in the slave trade. (Short op-ed)
Atheist Recommends God. By Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi. A prominent British political observer and journalist says, “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.” What did he encounter that “confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God”? (Short op-ed) French
Responding to Poverty. Why does poverty exist? How does it destroy minds as well as bodies? What is a biblical perspective on poverty? And what should we do about it? Facts and colorful stories illustrate needs and potential remedies. (Probe radio series transcript.)
How to Surprise your Mayor. When you’re the mayor, people who talk to you very often want something from you. Luis Palau asked Portland’s mayor how churches could help the city. The result: massive – and inspiring – mobilization to tackle homelessness, poverty, hunger, healthcare, and more. (Short op-ed)
A Famous Revolutionary’s Surprising Past. Spiritual roots of a radical leader you’ve heard of. (Short op-ed)
Tiananmen Leader’s Divine Cause. Chinese student Chai Ling helped lead the massive 1989 demonstrations in Tiananmen Square that drew the world’s praise and her government’s wrath. Twice nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, today this Harvard MBA is a successful businesswoman who still risks persecution to bring reform toChina. Her current activities might surprise you. (Short op-ed)
Faith-Based Initiatives Worth Considering. Do faith-based social programs really work? A look at a model prison initiative in Texas that is making headlines with encouraging results. (Short op-ed)
Could Church Involvement Improve Kid’s Grades? Recent studies suggest it might play a part. (Short op-ed)
Animal House Revisited: Fraternity Fosters Faith. College fraternities sometimes make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Here’s a group that encourages members to develop the spiritual side of life. (Short op-ed)
Leftist Jewish Journalist Survives Evangelical Beat. What do you get when you take one leftist Jewish journalist, assign him to the evangelical Christian beat for major newspapers on both US coasts, sprinkle in some fiery sermons and politically conservative speeches, mix thoroughly, and bake with the heat of fiercely contested national elections? Important lessons from a peculiar and unlikely journey. (Short op-ed)
John Rhys-Davies: Veteran actor with heart and conviction. When I interviewed veteran actor John Rhys-Davies at a film premiere recently, I already knew we had several things in common. We both understand some Swahili, studied at UK universities, and married older women. But I was not aware of his deep concerns about two significant social issues – slavery and anti-Semitism – that also ignite my passions. (Short op-ed)
Jonah movie: Whom would you like God to punish? So, if there is a God, and he punishes evildoers, whom would you especially like him to judge? And if he gave that person(s) a second chance – to follow him – would you be pleased or disappointed? Maybe you can identify with Jonah, the biblical prophet. A new movie musical tells his dramatic and entertaining story. (Short op-ed)
Dunkirk movie: WW2 mayhem and miracles. When your back’s against the wall, and the enemy’s closing in fast, and all hope appears lost, it might be a good time to consider praying. That’s what faced England in May 1940. Hitler’s war machine had pinned nearly 400,000 Allied troops by the English Channel. Surrender or annihilation seemed imminent. The ensuing drama inspired millions and significantly influenced the war’s outcome. Warner Bros. brings this epic story to the big screen. (Short op-ed)
Same Kind of Different movie: An inspiring odd couple. Not always in sync with your spouse or partner? Try befriending a homeless ex-con who shuns you. Maybe some miracles will happen. Homeless drifter Denver Moore became a catalyst that transformed Ron and Deborah Hall’s lives and jumpstarted a major community service movement. Paramount and PureFlix bring the bestselling book Same Kind of Different as Me to the big screen. (Short op-ed)
Best of Enemies movie: Klan leader, black activist; race, religion, reconciliation. What happens when you assign a Ku Klux Klan president and a Black civil rights activist – in the racially charged 1971 U.S. South – to collaborate on school desegregation? Shouting? Threats? Violence? Murder? Fasten your seatbelts for a wild ride that few back then could have predicted. (Short op-ed) Chinese
Amazing Grace movie: recording Aretha Franklin’s best-selling album. After the Queen of Soul’s 2018 death, her family released the long-mothballed 1972 documentary about recording her bestselling album at a Los Angeles church. Mick Jagger was in Aretha’s church audience. Critics are raving. What’s it all about? (Short op-ed)
Jesus Revolution movie: ’60s turmoil, radical responses. “Is God Dead?” a 1966 Time magazine cover asked. A 1971 Time cover heralded “The Jesus Revolution.” What caused this cultural shift in the radical 1960s that still impacts us today? Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) stars in a new film that tells part of the story: how a hippie, a drugged-out teenager and a straight-laced California pastor linked up to bring hope to millions. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Cultivating Civility: Braver Angels aims at depolarization. It’s no secret that we live in a polarized world. Even if you ignore politics (good luck trying that), you’d also have to ignore entertainment news (exes or coworkers squabbling), sports news (rivals or teammates bickering), and social media (dislikes, trolls, goofs gone viral) to escape polarization. But one impressive group is trying to ratchet down fiery rhetoric by helping people have conversations. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version. MSN.com version
Reagan movie: 40th U.S. president’s roots, relationships, revolution. Hailed by many as a history-altering savior responsible for communism’s decline. Scorned by others as a clueless, intellectually unsophisticated actor out of touch with both common folks and the real world. Ronald Reagan made a lasting global impact. A new film explores the roots of his confidence, the relationships that nurtured it, and the revolution he inspired. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Average Joe movie: Supreme Court, praying football coach backstory. When Coach Joe Kennedy knelt to pray at the 50-yard line after a high school football game, he had no idea of the seismic legal transformation he was triggering. A new film explores his backstory and the U.S. Supreme Court decision his actions prompted. He’s an unlikely protagonist for such a momentous development. (Short op-ed; published by Washington Examiner)