Author Archives: Steph E

The Gospel as an antidote to white fragility

When it comes to talking about race, white people often feel defensive, angry, and afraid. White people can completely shut down because conversations about race or privilege are so uncomfortable. A researcher named Robin DeAngelo calls this “white fragility“. In a conversation with Sam Adler-Bell, she describes why white people completely shut down: For white people,Continue reading “The Gospel as an antidote to white fragility”

Neither Poverty nor Riches (book Summary)

In part one, I gave a picture of how stuff is distributed in our world. I wanted to do that because after reading this book, the biggest take away is as people who follow Jesus we should be very concerned about economic inequality. In the book (aptly titled Neither Poverty Nor Riches, by Craig Blomberg )Continue reading “Neither Poverty nor Riches (book Summary)”

Some facts about the stuff in the world

I’m going to be sharing what I’ve learned about God’s view of stuff from this book I’ve been reading, but first I want to lay some ground work so we’re all talking about the same thing. Before we start talking about God’s view of stuff, it is helpful to get some facts about all theContinue reading “Some facts about the stuff in the world”

Reading Fiction as a form of Freedom Fighting

Author Julia Alvarez, who escaped the dictatorship in the Dominican Republic and came to America when she was ten years old, has said: “I would go as far as to say that by reading books, entering other realities, and then taking those adventures back into our own lives, we are freedom fighters. One of theContinue reading “Reading Fiction as a form of Freedom Fighting”

Just Mercy

David arrive home cheerily on Friday night to find the house dark, no supper cooking, and me sitting in a chair crying, clutching my phone. “What’s going on?” he asked, suddenly worried. It looked like I had just received news that someone had died. Someone did die. That’s why I was crying. I’m part ofContinue reading “Just Mercy”

Scariness and Suffering pt 2

The previous post talked about introducing your kids to scary topics, and helping them build resilience. This post will talk more about building compassion in the face of suffering and injustice. While I grew up with a lot of childhood fear—and I think, did a pretty good job of battling against it—I’ve always had aContinue reading “Scariness and Suffering pt 2”

Scariness and Suffering: Should I take my 5 year old to an anti-sex-trafficking event?

Actually, this post is not going to outright answer whether you should take your five year old to an anti-sex-trafficking rally, but it is going to try and look at the underlying assumption: how sheltered should I keep my children? Should I be telling them about the harsh realities of life- slavery, racism, crime, war,Continue reading “Scariness and Suffering: Should I take my 5 year old to an anti-sex-trafficking event?”

Easter Sunday (or,Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)

We are back again. This time it’s very early, and the sun is rising. And the kindly looking bishop takes the pulpit. “Our scripture reading for today comes from the gospel according to John: “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voiceContinue reading “Easter Sunday (or,Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)”

Holy Saturday, the day of waiting (or, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)

Christ is dead in the tomb. Everything is suspended.The congregation is silent, sitting and mourning the death of Prince, a black youth murdered by a police officer (or all of us), and the death of Christ, murdered by jealous rivals (or all of us). Miroslav Volf steps to the front and speaks in a slightlyContinue reading “Holy Saturday, the day of waiting (or, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)”