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By Kathryn Post
(RNS) — ‘The biggest lesson I had to learn is that God’s lack of an answer to my prayers to change me was an answer, because there was…
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A Psalm of Lament for Gun Violence in America
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published on May 4, 2023 on the Chasing Justice blog, A Psalm of Lament for Gun Violence in America A Psalm of Lament for…
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Loving: A Poem on Interracial Marriage in America
I grew up in the United States as a biracial (Asian/white) kid in a loving Thai-American family. It was not until my 30’s that I realized how recently my parents’…
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Statement on the Church of Uganda’s support for Anti-Homosexuality Act | The Archbishop of Canterbury
Recently Uganda has passed legislation known as “The Anti-Homosexuality Act,” that penalizes same sex relationships. It was already a crime to be gay in Uganda, but this new law extends…
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Searching for Jesus During Pride Month
In a season of sharp partisan division, much of it centered on sensationalized depictions of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly transgender people and drag performers, June 1 marked the beginning of…
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Why Stay Christian: A Pride Month Pondering
For various reasons, it may come as a shock to you that a church would choose to spend a whole six-week series exploring the question Why Stay Christian. But for…
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An Oldie But a Goodie – Paying America’s Debt on the Backs of the Poor
By Bill Mefford
With talks over raising the debt ceiling at loggerheads, Republicans have turned to a long-time favorite practice of theirs: blaming the poor. One of their demands to pay the country’s…
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It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month
It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month, so it’s time for Christians to turn off social media, ignore the news stories, and further entrench themselves in the beliefs they’ve been told. Or maybe…
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Gun Violence Prevention Month: The Work of RAWtools
By Mike Martin
According to the Gun Violence Archive, over 44,000 people died by firearm in 2022. That’s 120 people per day. Gun Violence is now the leading cause of death for kids…
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RAWTOOLS Guns to Garden Tools Livestream Blacksmith Marathon
By RLC Editor
RAWTOOLS NATIONAL 44K EVENT – MAY 31- JUNE 30 Guns to Garden Tools Livestream Blacksmith Marathon in Remembrance of Over 44,000 Individuals Lost to Gun Violence in 2022 Throughout Gun…
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INVITATION: Faithful America Sermon Drive Against Christian Nationalism
Preach and Pray to Confront Christian Nationalism Faithful America is organizing a sermon drive against Christian nationalism for next Sunday, June 11 — the week of Flag Day. We’re calling it “Preach…
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Enemy Love
Excerpt from Lancelot Schaubert’s, Least of these Least, published 2023. Used by permission. The gospel would be easier if it existed just for my buddies, but I’m not that kind…
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Why Christianity is on the Decline in America
Christianity has a problem. In America, the number of people who claim to be Christian has been rapidly declining over at least the past decade or so. At the same…
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It’s Time To Change the Abortion Debate in America
Editor’s Note: Reprinted by permission of NCR Publishing Company www.NCROnline.org Originally published: It’s time to change the abortion debate in America | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org) Photo: A pro-choice and an anti-abortion demonstrator confront…
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White Christian Nationalism isn’t Christian at All: Part 2
The rise of Cotton Mather, Puritan justice, and slavery. To many, July 4, 1776 is the official date of the creation of the United States of America. Colonists, though, had…
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White Christian Nationalism isn’t Christian at All: Part 1
White Christian Nationalism isn’t Christian at all. As we remember the events of January 6, 2021, I want to reflect on the deep story that informs white Christian nationalism and…
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Excerpt from “He Called Me Sister: A True Story of Finding Humanity on Death Row”
I hadn’t even realized that, although we had visited in various combinations at random times, we had not all four been there together for a while. He counted the minutes…
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On Mother’s Day: Faith leaders call to end gun violence
By RLC Editor
Editor’s Note: This press release first appeared on Religion News Service on May 2, 2023. Over 550 faith leaders call for Mother’s Day to be declared a national day of…
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How Our Naivete Keeps Us From Doing Justice (and what to do about it)
For way too long, I went through life second-guessing people who told me about different types of mistreatment they experienced, witnessed, or heard about. I doubted that what they were…
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Excerpt from “More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew”
By John Blake
Excerpted from MORE THAN I IMAGINED © 2023 by John Blake. Published by Convergent, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. No part of this…
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Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport!
Our nation has gone through a great deal since its founding. Particularly around the issue of racism. We started as a nation built on the backs of slaves stolen from…
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Introduction to Christianity & Critical Race Theory
Content taken from Christianity and Critical Race Theory | Baker Academic by Robert Chao Romero and Jeff M. Liou, ©2023. Used by permission of Baker Academic www.bakeracademic.com. I first came…
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Why the US Senate Needs to Affirm Equal Rights for All Citizens
Editor’s Note: Previously published on RNS on April 27, 2023. It is time to abolish the myth of ‘differently equal’ once and for all. (RNS) — “As pernicious as the…
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INHERIT YOUR CALLING TO JUSTICE
By Ross Murray
I held my fortieth birthday party at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Yes, the same Stonewall Inn where in 1969 a three-day riot—led by transgender women, drag queens,…
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Opening the Door to Women’s Ordination
Editor’s Note: Published on April 29, 2023 on WomensOrdination.org blog, The Table. Sitting behind the cantor podium in a candlelit chapel adorned with poinsettia and pine, I was first struck…
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What Does It Really Mean to Be Pro-Life?
Editor’s Note: Originally published on Stefan Weathers’ blog on April 6, 2023. With Women’s History Month ending last week and this week being Holy Week, the week leading up to…
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Why Do We Drink?
When I meet with a recovery coaching client for the first time, I ask for a brief history of their relationship with alcohol. I listen for the narratives inside a…
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Fault Lines in the Faith
By Sue Fulmore
A small gap, poised to shift, turns deadly. A fault line holds the potential of an earthquake— a catastrophe waiting to happen. Life near a geological fault requires a suspension…
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Capitalizing on Panic
I saw a story in The Washington Post where a man named Kevin Thomas started making pop-up safe rooms for schools – kind of like the panic rooms that became a status symbol…
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60 Years Ago: MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail – A Reading
By RLC Editor
60 years ago today, Dr. King wrote his letter from the Birmingham jail. It speaks to the moment we are living in right now. A few years ago @RedLetterXians faith…
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Recovering Rest, Recovering Humanity
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published on the Church Anew Blog on March 8, 2023. Republished here by permission. One summer in high school I painted barns with “Uncle Billy” Cook and…
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“TELL THE REST” an excerpt
Excerpt from Tell the Rest, by Lucy Jane Bledsoe In this excerpt from a much longer scene, Delia returns to the church and office of the pastor who’d sent her…
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“for small activism” & “for seeing color”
for small activism O You Who Plant Trees from Mustard Seeds, When my daughter becomes despairing over the state of the world —which she will— when she realizes that her…
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Struggles of Faith in the Journey of Peacemaking, Part 2
By Peggy Gish
Part II As we continued to work alongside many creative and courageous Iraqi human rights workers, we became more conscious about rooting out aspects of colonialist attitudes or patterns of…
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Struggles of Faith in the Journey of Peacemaking, Part 1
By Peggy Gish
Part I It was 5:35 in the morning, March 20, 2003—in Baghdad—when I woke to the sound of the first explosions. The dreaded war had begun. I had been in…
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Trump’s “Unholy” Week: Theology and Politics Take Center Stage
Editor’s Note: This piece first appeared on Diana Butler Bass’ blog, The Cottage on March 30, 2023 and is used here with permission. Donald Trump was indicted this afternoon. We…
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Crucifixion Complex
By Brian Kaylor
Editor’s Note: originally published at Word & Way, A Public Witness, by Brian Kaylor, President & Editor-in-Chief, Word & Way and is reprinted here with permission. Over the weekend, former…
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Palm Sunday Reflection
Here’s a little reflection on the subversive anti-imperial meaning of Palm Sunday. (originally posted to Facebook on March 28, 2021). https://www.facebook.com/ShaneClaiborne/videos/276427290741332
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Christ, Not Guns: A Reflection on the Nashville Shooting
It happened again. This time, 6 people were killed, three of them 9-year-old children. Gun violence has hit nearly every community in our country – from small towns like Hesston, KS to…
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Prison Profiteering and Princeton Theological Seminary
Prison profiteering is a serious justice issue occurring in the United States. Anywhere from commissary items, clothes, phone calls, and even housing has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Incarcerated people and…
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The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series: Herman Lindsey – The Forgotten
By RLC Editor
The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series Death Penalty Action, in conjunction with Red Letter Christians and The Wonder Brothers, has been working for over a year to fund…
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The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series: Ron McAndrew – The Warden
By RLC Editor
The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series Death Penalty Action, in conjunction with Red Letter Christians and The Wonder Brothers, has been working for over a year to fund…
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The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series: Derrick Jamison – The Innocent
By RLC Editor
The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series Death Penalty Action, in conjunction with Red Letter Christians and The Wonder Brothers, has been working for over a year to fund…
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The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series: SueZann Bosler – The Daughter
By RLC Editor
The People vs. The Death Penalty Film Series Death Penalty Action, in conjunction with Red Letter Christians and The Wonder Brothers, has been working for over a year to fund…
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The Malnourished
Excerpt from Lancelot Schaubert’s, Least of these Least, published 2023. Used by permission. St. Paul said if a man does not work he will not eat. Yet Jesus fed the…
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White Jesus, Black Stories
The following article is adapted from KTF Press’ new book, Faith Unleavened by Tamice Spencer-Helms. You may also listen to the podcast episode of Shake the Dust to hear Tamice…
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20-year Anniversary of the “Shock and Awe” Bombing
By RLC Editor
Shane Claiborne and Diana Oestreich in an impromptu and powerful revisiting of the events of the Iraqi bombing from 20 years ago. https://www.facebook.com/redletterchristians/videos/20-year-anniversary-of-the-shock-and-awe-bombing/770310827614867/
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Rest in Power: My Final Conversation with Arthur Brown, Jr. (Immediately Before His Execution)
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published by Jeff Hood at Patheos and is published here with permission. *This is my account of the final conversation I had with Arthur…
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“Let anyone who is without sin…” : On Serving as Arthur Brown Jr.’s Spiritual Advisor During his Execution
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published by Jeff Hood at Patheos and is published here with permission. I used to think that God was everywhere…but God don’t live in…
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Kairos Center Prophetic Voices In The Public Square featuring Shane Claiborne
By RLC Editor
Prophetic Voices in the Public Square, a collaboration between Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice and University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Social Equity & Community, focuses attention on the life and…
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What is Resistance?
Resistance always begins with curiosity, with questions. We often do not ask our questions, not because we are afraid of the answer, but because there might not be a clear…
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Love Small
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of…
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Deconstruction, Fear, and the Sermon on the Mount
When I was thirteen, I had a green faux leather Living Bible with illustrations of a very 70s Jesus. For whatever reason, I flipped to the beginning of the New…
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Making Room for Opposing the Death Penalty on the Evangelical Agenda
By Sam Heath
Until speaking with Columbus megachurch pastor Rich Nathan, I never knew about the “gloomiest city in America” list. I live in Charlottesville, VA, which regularly makes the “happiest city in…
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How to Love God
By Jon Canas
An extract from the essay of the same name from the recently published book, Religion, Politics, and Reclaiming the Soul of Christianity: A Spiritual Imperative for Our Time and Our…
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Abide in Me: Excerpt from Lent Reflection
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. –…
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A Prayer for Those Experiencing Trauma
Gracious and Eternal God: You are the God and Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. Lord God, I thank You for Your grace and Your mercies; And…
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I’ve Been Praying for You
It all started with an article in my local newspaper. The article stated over the next 13 months Tennessee would carry out 11 executions! It had been over a decade…
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On Longing and the Asbury Revival
Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared on The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Shared with permission. As I write this, I have a YouTube livestream open and playing in the background, listening to…
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Why students at a Kentucky Christian school are praying and singing round the clock
By RLC Editor
Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared in Religion News Service. Students have packed the chapel and overflow spaces at Asbury University for nearly a week, holding round-the-clock prayer and worship. Last Wednesday (Feb.…
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Bless Their Hearts: A Southerner’s Response to Christian Nationalism and other “Ordinary Radicals”
I have lived in the south, specifically Georgia, for my whole life. My family is from the mountains of Appalachia, the stickiness of Macon, the giant KFC robot chicken in…
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An Excerpt from “Reparations: A Plan For Churches”
Introduction Six years ago, Georgetown University acknowledged that in 1838 it sold 272 enslaved people of African descent to prop up its failing finances. The university followed that acknowledgment with…
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Being Jesus’ Instruments For Life, Justice, and Amplifying The Voices of Those In The Margins
By Curt Martin
As Christ-followers, we are to live as Paul states in Galatians 2:20a. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in…
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Launching TODAY! Shane Claiborne’s “Rethinking Life”
Chapter 1: Life Is Good Our goal is to develop a comprehensive, all-encompassing ethic of life that compels us to be champions of life, to cherish life, and to defend…
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What Black History Means to Me as a White Woman
By Emily Jones
At a time of increasing backlash to the teaching of America’s racial history, one might ask, “What does Black history mean to America?” and, “What does Black history mean to White…
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Launching Next Week! Shane Claiborne’s “Rethinking Life”
By RLC Editor
Introduction An Invitation to Love Life I grew up in the heart of the Bible Belt, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. I fell in love with Jesus there.…
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A Pastoral Word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (Episcopal Church) on the Death of Tyre Nichols
By RLC Editor
Editor’s Note: Originally published on the Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs website on January 28, 2023. Shared with permission. Sense cannot be made of the murder of a young…
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White Privilege from a White Male Perspective
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in TRENDS in Global Grassroots Organizing, December 2022 issue. These days the expression ‘white privilege’ is becoming more prevalent. Unfortunately, it is used…
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Gandhi and Coretta Scott King: A Short Tribute for Two Heroes
75 years ago today, Gandhi was assassinated. Gandhi was assassinated on Jan. 30, 1948 Coretta Scott King died on Jan. 30, 2006. Grateful for both of them today… and every…
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Tyre Nichols. Tyre Nichols. Tyre Nichols. Say His Name!
By RLC Editor
Say his name… #TyreNichols His life matters. It more than matters – his life was, and is, precious. He should still be alive. RLC Editor’s Note: The post and video…
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What Is an Orphaned Believer?
By Sara Billups
God loves the sojourner. Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you.” When I talk about orphaned believers,…
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John Francis O’Mara’s “Kill the Dreamer” and Dr. Martin Luther King: The Story of the Song
Back in 2003, singer/songwriter/musician and activist John Francis O’Mara was inspired to write a song, “Kill the Dreamer”, that only grows in intensity and meaning every day. Like the dream…
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It’s Time for a Franciscan Renaissance
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in TRENDS in Global Grassroots Organizing, December 2022 issue. We live in a time of conflict and polarization — in the church in…
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Shane Claiborne, Co-Director of Red Letter Christians, Honored with the 2023 Beloved Community Social Justice Award from The King Center
By RLC Editor
Annually, The King Center leads the observance of the national holiday commemorating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Beloved Community Awards is one of the marquee programs…
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As We Enter Black History Month, ‘Do Not De-Radicalize King’
Editor’s Note: Originally published on the RLC Blog January 31, 2018. Editor’s Note: As we move towards the month where we celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther…
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Philadelphia Activist Shane Claiborne to be honored at The King Center’s 2023 Beloved Community Awards
By RLC Editor
Author, Activist, & Co-Founder of Red Letter Christians to be honored alongside Dolly Parton For immediate release Press Contact: Mary Grace Puszka January 9, 2023 | Philadelphia, PA – Shane Claiborne,…
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To the Christian Nationalists Who Attacked the Capitol in Jesus’ Name
Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared in Religion News Service. In the New Testament’s Letter of Paul to the Galatians, the apostle Paul wrote, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting…
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January 6 Shows Us the Path to Religious Freedom is Not Christian Nationalism
Political pundits will fine tooth comb the January 6 committee’s highly anticipated report. As faith leaders, that is not our job. Our work is to reach into the moral conscience…
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Becoming a New Person
By Morf Morford
The new year, in every calendar and every tradition, is usually both a time of reflection and a time of renewal. In most, if not all traditions, it is an…
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Say ‘No’ to Christian Nationalism: Condemning Christian Nationalism’s Role in the January 6th Insurrection
By RLC Editor
Evangelical Leaders Statement Condemning Christian Nationalism’s Role in the January 6 Insurrection As leaders in the broad evangelical community, we recognize and condemn the role Christian Nationalism played in the violent,…
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Hundreds of Organizations Urge President, AG to Halt Federal & Military Death Penalty
By RLC Editor
Editor’s Note: Please consider this call to action from one of our co-conspirators. For Immediate Release January 2, 2023 Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action abe@deathpenaltyaction.org 561-371-5204 Hundreds of Organizations Urge…
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Basic Instructions for Seeing What’s True, an Excerpt from “Start With Hello”
Our ability to relate with others is largely tied to our exposure. Because of systems put into place across time immemorial, most of us live sequestered from the wisdom and…
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Greeting the Prince of Peace 10 Years After Sandy Hook
Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared in Religion News Service. The Christmas season makes room for commemorations of violence done against the innocent. It’s now been 10 years since the shooting at Sandy…
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Racism: My Upward Climb
Editor’s Note: This article begins with a description of racialized violence that may upset some readers. I watched the video of George Floyd’s murder from the comfort of my cozy…
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Amanda Tyler Speaks to Congress on Christians Against Christian Nationalism
Editor’s note: Red Letter Christians is a supporter of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. If you haven’t already signed the statement of principles, we encourage you to do so. Amanda Tyler,…
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The Shooting in Buffalo Happened within a Context of Complicity with White Supremacy
By Jemar Tisby
Editor’s note: this piece first appeared on the RLC blog on May 16, 2022. On Saturday, May 14, 2022 a young man entered a grocery store in predominantly Black neighborhood…
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The Shooting in Buffalo Happened within a Context of Complicity with White Supremacy
By Jemar Tisby
On Saturday, May 14, 2022 a young man entered a grocery store in predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York and opened fire. By the time he surrendered a short time…
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An Interview with Charles Keith, Impacted Communities Liaison of Death Penalty Action
By RLC Editor
Charles Keith is the brother of Kevin Keith and Impacted Communities Liaison of Death Penalty Action. This Advent, Red Letter Christians is highlighting how God shows up for us at…
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Waiting in a Right Now World
We live in a time of instant mashed potatoes and overnight shipping. No longer do I have to go with our family to Blockbuster to pick a movie, which took…
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Magnificat: The Mothers of Advent
Mary didn’t fight; Mary sang. She stood in the tradition of Deborah, wise judge and mighty warrior, singer of the oldest song in scripture. She channeled the canticles of Hannah…
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Red Letter Christians’ 2021-2022 Annual Report Now Available
We’re thrilled to share Red Letter Christian’s 2021-2022 Annual Report. The report outlines our priorities, showcases direct actions we took together, and provides transparent financial information to our growing network of…
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It’s been a week since the Club Q shooting. Let’s not move on.
Note: This piece originally appeared in Religion News Service. The LGBTQ community continues to bear a disproportionate amount of hateful gun violence in America. It has been a week since the…
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Do Not Worry: A Communal Approach
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ -Jesus (Matthew 6:31) Don’t worry about what you’ll eat. Don’t worry…
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On Thanksgiving: An Honest Home in the Uncomfortable ‘Both’
But this little plot of land, where my son swings from oak branches beside the bayou . . . where we make mashed potatoes for three instead of twenty-three .…
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On Thanksgiving: An Honest Home in the Uncomfortable ‘Both’
For many (most? all?) of us here in America, today is a lot of things. It’s odd, different, bizarre, quaint, lonely, dull, sad, triggering, exhausting, celebratory, energizing, or uncomfortable. This…
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On Thanksgiving: An Honest Home in the Uncomfortable ‘Both’
Editor’s note: this piece first appeared on the RLC blog in Nov. 2020. For many (most? all?) of us here in America, today is a lot of things. It’s odd,…
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Let’s Uproot the Bias that Holds Us Back
Book excerpt taken from Color-Courageous Discipleship: Follow Jesus, Dismantle Racism, and Build Beloved Community. (Waterbrook, November 2022) Permission available upon request. Like the ancient Greeks, we tend to envision ourselves…
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Cross > Sword, an Excerpt from “Everyday Activism”
By J.W. Buck
A few years ago, I read a groundbreaking book called Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. In this book, two political scientists named Erica Chenoweth and…
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A White Person’s Guide to Racial Justice and Reconciliation
As a white person, speaking into the racial justice and reconciliation space can often feel like a loaded deliverable. Questions about the validity of my voice and how it should…
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Make the vision plain on November 8. Vote to save our democracy.
How should we respond when our democracy is being torn asunder in the name of our Christian faith? Recently I answered the call of Faithful America and local clergy to…
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Gethsemane Standoff: Resisting the Temptation to Justify Violence (Even in Ukraine)
By Bob Ekblad
The conflict in Ukraine has been rapidly escalating, drawing Western nations deeper into war with Russia– with increasing and grave risks of a nuclear confrontation. Followers of Jesus are inclined…