The False Promise of the Sigma Male
A recent column in the Guardian explored the rise of self-described “Sigma males.” The columnist opens with this description: You are a lone wolf. You are an independent thinker who makes his own rules. You are confident and competent. Women are drawn to you, but you don’t really care about them. Your day begins at 4:30 a.m. with […]
The Limits of Secularity
In his recent analysis of fresh survey data from the General Social Survey, respected American political scientist and sociologist Ryan Burge noticed that the steady rise in non-religious Americans has plateaued. This cluster includes “nones,” who claim no religious affiliation, combined with atheists and agnostics. Between 2008 and 2013, the number of non-religious Americans rose nine percent, from 21 […]
The Dark Underbelly of Sports Betting
Recently Saturday Night Live featured a sketch spoofing the explosion of sports betting. It not-so-subtly punctured the false promises of the gambling industry: The satisfaction of placing a bet and watching it hit big. The exhilaration of an upset only you saw coming. With betting apps right on your phone, it’s easier than ever to turn your passion for […]
Conservatives Canceled in Brussels
After being turned down by two other venues, the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels, Belgium, found itself being confronted by police who refused to let any more guests enter the building and also stopped food and beverage deliveries. This was to enforce an order delivered by the socialist mayor of the Saint-Josse-ten-Noode district where the […]
Criticizing Critical Race Theory—and Its Critics
Last year I joined a group of Christian leaders, Black and white, on a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture located in Washington, DC. Even though I’ve read quite a bit about slavery and Jim Crow, I was still physically and emotionally disturbed by the visual depictions of the systemic […]
The hidden social justice issue
Let’s do a thought experiment. Let’s imagine you are a young Christian burdened by the state of the world. You want to make a difference. Let’s get more specific. You see documented in headline after headline, rising crime, addiction, and deaths of despair. You believe God has called you to be a small part of […]
Dads at the center
Last week the world watched a grown man cry. Not just any grown man, but a big tough offensive lineman Jason Kelce. The 13-year NFL veteran, six-time All Pro, and Super Bowl champion announced his retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles. The bearded brother of the more well-known Travis Kelce, Jason struggled through a tear-filled but […]
When Grief like Sea Billows Roll Through Your Holidays
When my mother passed away last winter, I discovered the gift of grief. In the span of a single year, my mother went from a vibrant, constant presence in my life—through phone calls, texts, and when we could, in-person visits—to a swift decline in mental and physical health. The first sign, for me, was an […]
How Pastors Can Prepare Their People for an Election
The calendar has turned over, and we are now in the thick of a political season in a presidential election year. Pastors around the country understand the gravity of this moment and want to lead their people well. So, what does that look like? Every church and every context is going to be a little […]
Anthony Edwards and his troubling decisions
Anthony Edwards is one of the best basketball players on the planet. The shooting guard was a first-round pick in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves out of the University of Georgia. Edwards has already taken the NBA by storm, voted as a member of the NBA all-rookie team and selected to play for the United […]