simply, Christian

the day the Just War tradition died

generations of ethical thought overthrown with a single tweet

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Traditionally, the United States has followed (or at least aimed to follow) the principles of the Just War tradition. We have used these guiding principles to bring focus and restraint to our warfighting through the years. Of course, there are specific instances of when we have failed to follow them--firebombing German cities, dropping . . .

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January 07, 2020

Luther on righteous government

theology quote of the week

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Since the beginning of the world it has been true, and it remains true, that spiritual and temporal authority are more often given to the Pilates, Herods, Annases, and Caiaphases than to godly men such as Peter, Paul, and others. There are always more evil men than godly ones in the government as in all other estates. Moreover, . . .

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November 07, 2018

Evangelicals, transgender, war, and sin

we're barking up the wrong tree

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Today the President tweeted that "the United States Government will not accept or allow… Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.” As expected, response from Evangelical Christians has been swift and overwhelmingly supportive. Our fixation with sexual sins continues to take the forefront of almost . . .

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July 26, 2017

Trump's inauguration: his call for jihad

the perpetuation of unChristian American exceptionalism

Along with much of the world, I watched this morning as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. We watched with baited breath, wondering what he would say and how he would act after such a divisive and vitriolic election. We wondered if he would seek to unite America and be a harbinger of peace to the world or if . . .

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January 20, 2017

peaceful transition: election perspective

thoughts on how amazing this tumultuous nation really is

From the reaction of friends, family, co-workers, and social media, much of America and the world woke up in shock at the results of our Presidential election. I freely admit, I was one of many who didn’t think Donald Trump had a snowball’s chance of winning the election. I’m not excited about his Presidency. I admit that I supported neither . . .

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Posted in: politics

November 09, 2016

our illegal was against ISIS

why Congress and the President need to take accountability

As a chaplain, I’m a theologian, not a lawyer. But as a commissioned officer, I’m also trained in military strategy, political science, and the ins-and-outs of making war. I have master’s degrees in both theology and military science but not law. Clearly, I am more interested in the philosophy of war—especially the notion of a just war—than I . . .

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September 06, 2016

the cross as misfortune

"Suffering" is not a very popular word in the vernacular of contemporary American Christianity. Oh sure, we talk about 'suffering' and 'persecution' from time-to-time, even in our own cultural context, but can be we honest for a minute and admit that such things have really no part our American Christian experience? . . .

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July 25, 2016

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