The rich are judged by how they treat the poor. Poverty is real, has real consequences, for real people, with real needs. Poor people in particular are targeted as the “have-nots” in American politics. Poverty seems always to be a “wedge issue” for debate. One party will tend to label the other as “the party … Read more
We will never forget. This essay is dedicated to all who were murdered in Las Vegas on the night of October 1st, 2017, all who suffer from their wounds (seen and unseen), the families who grieve loss, those who gave their lives for others, and those who helped in great or small ways. We stand … Read more
“That’s not the person I was talking about.” It was the greatest experience of my teaching life. I taught for over forty years in the poorest public schools in and around Indianapolis. My students came from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. I taught math. The most important aspect of education is relationship. Trust is … Read more
Bigotry is the seedbed of genocide. In the past year I have been both demeaned by a white, female, liberal professor for not saying enough (in her estimation [1]) against racism and disparaged by a white, male, nationalist for not defending my “blood kin,” my nationality, my skin color, my “whiteness.” The most recent incident … Read more
I was too poor to buy books. No, I didn’t steal them. Years ago, I was asked by a local group to give a talk about business ethics.Since my degrees focus on “ethics” but not “business” I decided I should visit a bookstore to see what business leaders were saying. Book stores were still plentiful … Read more
Everything is founded on faith. Three stories. A group of students and I discussed a question they had heard in class: “Why are humans always at war?” I asked what was said in class. The discussion centered on people needing to make a decision against violence, for peace. I asked if the professor gave a … Read more
Our problems originate inside. Our hope originates from outside. Over the last three days I have posted these statements on social media: “Racism” is not the direct result of history, nationality, ethnicity, nor privilege. Racism is the direct result of sin in our hearts. “Greed” is not a result of big business, banking institutions, … Read more
What should matter most? “What happened to the gospel?” This was his first question for me after the election. My brother Brian called on Saturday. We spoke of many things but primary to our conversation was what we together referred to as “cultural Christianity.” Brian and I mean by this phrase that we are concerned … Read more
“You can’t handle the truth!” “For the general public is being reduced to a state where people not only are unable to find out about the truth but also become unable even to search for the truth because they are satisfied with deception and trickery that have determined their convictions, satisfied with a fictitious realitycreated by design … Read more
The March for Life, 2017 The Washington Post finally reported on the pro-life event this year. Compare and contrast is one of my favorite teaching methods. Teaching the biblical basis for government I have had students read The American Declaration of Independence (1776) and The French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789). I … Read more