I did a sermon last Sunday (at bottom) that looked at how to apply the many biblical texts about oppression and injustice to a 2017 American context. At Crossroads, we are making intentional steps to become a multi-ethnic church. I’ve been immersed in the multi-ethnic and racial reconciliation conversation since 2008 (when I first read Divided […]
Diffusing the White Privilege Conversation
Discussing white privilege in an effort to bring unity and reconciliation is like walking on a high wire coated with random landmines. You say the wrong thing, the wrong trigger word, and BOOM: end of conversation. I’m going to try my best to navigate this wire, please bear with me with grace. Why this is […]
Dear Refugee, Immigrant, Muslim & African-American (From a White American Christian)
Dear Refugee, (Documented and Undocumented) Immigrant, Muslim & African-American: This is a letter to tell you you are loved. I love you and many others do as well. Recently some have spewed hate in your direction. They’ve scrawled it on bathroom walls, spray-painted it on dugouts and have told you to go back to “where […]
Interview with World Relief’s Matthew Soerens on a biblical response to illegal immigration and Muslim refugees (with poetry by Jacob Mau)
You can listen to Noah’s interview with Matthew Soerens below via the Podbean Player or you can subscribe to all “The Flip Side” episodes on iTunes Matthew Soerens is the US Director of Church Mobilization for World Relief. Noah Filipiak interview Matthew about a biblical response to undocumented immigrants, the Mexican border, Syrian and other […]
4 Reasons to Disdain the Political Election Season
Seeing throngs of people bowing down and worshiping a candidate like they are the 2nd coming of Jesus. If the person you worshiped 4 years ago didn’t bring the world into utopia, this person won’t either. Stop frothing at the mouth about them. How politics makes enemies of friends. Man, do people get angry about […]
The Idol of Politics
Food can be an idol. A spouse can be an idol. Television can be an idol. Sports can be an idol. Alcohol can be an idol. Politics can be an idol. My purpose in posting yesterday about the way Christians post on Facebook about politics was meant to show how subtly and easily we can […]