By Andy Hale We are so busy, and our world is ever-changing. And yet, right outside my window are trees that have gone through their annual process of shedding their leaves, standing barren and withstanding the cold for several months before they will bud new leaves.   Why is paying attention to everyday experience key to … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale At the height of the #MeToo Movement, many were astonished to hear stories of #ChurchToo. However, for those who were victims of sexual abuse through the church, the uncovering of these horrific matters was long overdue.   The theology of the church plays a significant role in creating the culture for this abuse … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale This might be a shot across the bow at my tribe. Still, there is this general notion among woke progressive ministers that we have differentiated ourselves from our non-woke white people, listening to our black brothers and sisters and coming to a more open and generous understanding of the quote black experience.  … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale Christianity has a power problem. We have been in power for so long. Well, more specifically, White Christian men have been in power for so long that the notion of humility seems like an irrelevant conversation for most of the faithful.   Even if Jesus calls us to practice meekness, are we willing … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale Do we have a theological crisis within American Christianity where the Jesus most people believe in has been entirely shaped by consumeristic and ego-centric ideals?  “Choosing to believe in God is not a transactional decision. Choosing to believe in God is not a promise of ease, comfort, security, or station. In fact, … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale Ephesians is one of those books of the Bible used by certain Christian traditions to reinforce the idea of women’s inferiority. After all, Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is where you get those peculiar passages about wives submitting to their husbands right after he said to submit to each other, some wonky … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale The church has some significant issues that are finally coming to light as many people who have been victimized by it for years are finally being heard, whether political idolatry or marginalization, racism or misogyny. There is a direct connection to these matters and why many are leaving the church: around 12% … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale Has there been a shift to achievement and results-based parenting rather than instilling values and character in our children? How does that affect our children’s ability to see themselves and others in the way God sees them?   “Our family is committed to seeing others the way God sees them: as precious and … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale Everyone seems to want justice these days. Everyone also feels that their cause is righteously justified. So, what is justice?   As people of faith, we turn to the Scriptures. Except the same people using the Bible to justify their cause may, in fact, be committing acts of injustice.   Defining biblical justice isn’t … Continue reading →

By Andy Hale Have you ever considered that we have a theology of bodies? Now consider our views of people who look differently than we do and are affected by our theology of the body.   Passed down to us from colonialization, Antebellum, and post-Civil War, we have inherited misconceptions and ableism, specifically about black bodies, … Continue reading →