A shadow is rising in the East. Actually, it’s the West. It’s rising in the West. But it did rise east of here over seventy years ago. Continue reading
Category Archives: Faith
Jesus is Lord, and Neither Party Acts Like It
At first glance, it could not be any more clear.
Recently, Kamala Harris told Christians in her audience “you’re at the wrong rally,” when they declared “Jesus is Lord,” and J.D. Vance declared “Jesus is Lord” to a host of cheers and applause. If you believe Jesus is Lord, you should obviously side with the guy who says that, especially since your only other viable option is the woman who would kick you out for saying that. Continue reading
On the Unfolding/Continuing Israel-Palestine Conflict
A couple Sundays ago my 11-year-old told me that he learned about the war happening in Israel and how he wanted to pray for them.
Then he said, “And God will always take Israel’s side, right?” Continue reading
Why I Can’t Stop Thinking About the Roman Empire
It’s true, I think about the Roman empire a lot. There are a few reasons.
I’m a male.
I’m American.
I’m Christian.
But one of these things makes me think about the Roman empire in a very different way than the other two.
Treasures in Heaven: What We Get Wrong and Why it Matters
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In one of the most oft-repeated memory verses, we are told not to be obsessed with earthly treasure, but heavenly treasure instead. And while it is as true as can be, how we often see and interpret it sometimes misses the very point it makes. Continue reading
5 Tracks in American Christianity: Expanding on Joel Singleton’s Article in Renew
Recently I read a terrific article in Renew.org by Joel Singleton.
4 Tracks in American Christianity: A Tool for Cutting Through the Smoke and Heat
I highly suggest you read it, as I’m going to take this post to talk about it.
Singleton puts forward a basic way of understanding the difference in church philosophies in America, and he cautions that this is just a tool for understanding, not a surefire way to just group churches into categories.
(the above image is supplied by Renew.org)
Weird Al, The Christian
With a new satirical biopic now out, Weird Al is once again in our hearts and minds with his silly novelty music.
An American treasure since the 80’s, Alfred has taken a very specific brand of music making and created something we will always need in hard times—a laugh. I fell in love with his stuff in middle school, and it wasn’t long after that I learned something else special about Al. He’s a practicing Christian. Continue reading
Enjoy the Latest Satire Posts
The past couple weeks have been prolific, particularly in satire.
Slackjaw published my piece, Jeff Bezos’s ‘Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power’ Show Notes
And now that I’m a writer for Backyard Church, here’s my two latest articles there:
We’re A Church Who Loves the Idea of Racial Diversity
and
Don’t Look Up: A Christian Apologetic?
I know what you’re thinking: Don’t go there. The Netflix hit Don’t Look Up is a political satire and an allegory for climate change. There is no Christian subtext.
Ok, the movie obviously wasn’t written by a baptist studio, an evangelical media startup, or Kirk Cameron. It was written by a liberal comedian. And the idea of a random comet hitting earth and destroying all human life for no reason contrasts with the end-times beliefs of most Christians, not to mention the disbelief in climate change by many—but not all—evangelicals.
8 Reason A Christmas Carol is Not As Individualist As You May Think
While one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time, Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol sometimes comes under criticism for weakly addressing the problem of poverty. The complaint goes like this: Ebenezer Scrooge is but one person who learns an individual lesson, and that lesson is for private individuals to be a bit more charitable. One day a year. Thus, the Dickens classic tosses a breadcrumb to the poor, but doesn’t do a thing to address serious social ills. A sentimental tale, but a moral flop. Continue reading
CALEB COY 