By Joel A Hess –
Please don’t get me wrong. The outcome of elections does matter to the poor, the middle class, the unborn, and the young ladies often put under pressure to abort. It matters to the protection of the innocent and the punishment of wrongdoers. It matters to the establishment of good order in our society. So vote, get involved in your community, and serve your neighbor.
By Graham Glover –
There are millions of Americans who hate abortion. I’m one of them.
There are millions of Americans who wish most abortions were illegal. I too am one of them.
By Joel A. Hess –
Although it has died down since the Donald took office, many prominent Christians and Christian organizations have been on a crusade to preserve the First Amendment in this country. No doubt, it has been under assault over the last 10 years as Hollywood and despotic judges have been on a Marxist-like campaign to force businesses, individuals and even churches to conform to their new puritanical morality concerning same-sex relationships, abortion, contraception, etc. Recently, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod established an office in Washington to join their much bigger cousin’s campaign.
By Tim Winterstein –
From February 2–9, the Spokane International Film Festival celebrated its twentieth year, holding screenings of documentary and narrative features, as well as shorts blocks from around the world, including a Best of the Northwest program featuring local filmmakers. The festival opened with Benny and Joon, a 1993 film that was set and made in Spokane, which—I’m somewhat ashamed to admit—I had never seen.
By Graham Glover –
Worthless.
Broken.
Corrupt.
These are just a few of the words I’ve heard over the last few days to describe the city where I live. Not that it’s entirely different at other times, but people don’t feel too great about the recent shenanigans going on in Washington, D.C.
By Graham Glover –
Wait, what? A reformation with non-Christians? Wasn’t the whole point of the Reformation to reform the Christian faith? How can we talk about a reformation with faiths that deny the most important belief of Christianity, namely, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?
By Joel A. Hess –
Initially, I completely disagreed with those taking a knee during the national anthem. I certainly thought it was disrespectful to the men and women who gave their life for us to pay athletes millions of dollars. But then I asked myself if there would be a time when I would take a knee.
By Graham Glover –
At some point next month, Congress will begin putting together a budget (or at least a continuing resolution. They don’t seem keen on passing actual budgets these days). As that conversation gets started, there will likely be a lively debate on taxes. Specifically, how much the Federal Government should tax individual and business incomes, profits, etc. I look forward to that debate and hope there is some meaningful dialogue on whether tax rates should be adjusted, and if so, how and why.
By Graham Glover –
That’s right, with authors currently in Florida, California, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, and Arkansas, and readers located around the world, the Jagged Word will soon be represented in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.!
By Graham Glover –
I live in a strange world. It’s a world that on the surface makes little sense. A world that without context seems theologically problematic.
In my world, I do the things of the church without a church.
By Graham Glover –
Universal healthcare. The mere mention of the idea is enough to bring a smile to a liberal and a scowl to a conservative.
Outside of the immigration debate, I don’t think there is an issue that divides the electorate more than whether the United States federal government should provide healthcare to all its citizens. Obama won two elections because of his promise to provide universal healthcare. One could argue that Trump won an election because of his promise to repeal it.
By Graham Glover –
Are we on the brink of war?
Chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Cruise missiles fired in response. North Korea flexing its muscles. Carriers and submarines in route to the Pacific. China. Russia. Iran. And let’s not forget ISIS, Afghanistan, Iraq, and about a dozen or so other volatile regions of the world.
By Graham Glover –
The United States of America has become our idol. It has become our god. Our worship of it, or at least what we think it should be, consumes us. I dare say it defines us. We talk about what it means to be a good American all the time. Our devotion to living out what we perceive to be the “American Dream” is the benchmark of our success – its fulfillment is what we strive to every day.
We may claim to put God first. We talk often about the importance of family and friends. But nothing beats the U.S. of A. It is our priority. In everything.
By Graham Glover –
God doesn’t care. Not one bit.
Democrat? Yawn. Republican? Yawn. Socialist? Libertarian? Liberal? Conservative? One big giant yawn from the Lord.
By Joel Krogen –
Are Christians spiritually and intellectually lazy? Do they understand what the Scripture actually teaches about life, in particular, life in the public square?
By Graham Glover –
I love my country. Although imperfect, the American republic is the greatest country in the world. No matter what candidates proclaim, protestors lament, or dissidents believe, there is little doubt that the American experiment reflects the best political model ever envisioned by humanity.
Do you like long walks on the beach, puppies, hummus, the color light tan? Then you will absolutely hate Ringside! The preachers pour some light on some hot traxx! Topics: preaching in the age of Trump aint so easy, Why do Roman Catholics often receive only the host during communion? What’s the unforgivable sin exactly? Is Facebook dead? When can we revolt!? Is there a Christian dress-code? MLK’s awesome Street Sweeper speech! and more!!!
By Graham Glover –
It’s sad, but true.
Conservative Christians, a group I consider myself to be a part of, have come to love politics more than theology. Recently, their political euphoria is utterly palpable. Theology? Eh, who cares about that…
By Joel A. Hess –
While it’s been coming for some time, we have finally become a nation that reacts to everything with hysteria, much like a toddler. Instead of waiting for all the facts, carefully digesting them all, and considering for a moment that an event or person is not 100% evil, we like to jump out the window with inflamed accusations, speeches, and marches!
By Graham Glover –
After 2 months in theological and political hibernation, The Emperor’s Chair is reopening!
While still interested in all things religious and political, my intent now is to focus all my writing efforts on only two topics of conversation:
