Category: History
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Faith, Genocide, and Silence
This evening, I had the opportunity to attend a powerful Zoom session hosted by Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell, pastor of Collective Liberation Church here in Charlotte, North Carolina. The featured speaker was Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, who many in our community may remember from his sermon during Black History Month at our own church, Caldwell…
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Frederick Douglass on White Evangelicals
Multiple Christian denominations have notable and lamentable histories of “getting it wrong, BIG TIME” when it comes to interpreting and applying the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. This is an outstanding article in Christianity Today, and an important history lesson to consider today on Juneteenth, as many profess a false gospel of “Christian Nationalism,” which…
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Lessons from North Carolina
To “heal our culture,” we need to understand our culture. A few weeks ago, I bought a paper copy of “Lessons from North Carolina: Race, Religion, Tribe, and the Future of America” by Gene Nichol. Nichol is a lawyer and academic by trade, he has written several books, and this is my first time to…
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Cast a Truth Spell
Walter Rhein observes and contends, “Truth is a healing spell.” Walter is correct. Our very words can be powerful. Like the spells of Hogwarts students in Slytherin House or Gryffindor, we have the power to curse or bless with our words. When spoken, those blessings or curses not only affect others, but they affect and…
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Racial Healing Through Digital Storytelling
This past Monday on January 19, 2025, a remarkable community worship service was held at First Baptist Church of Elkin, North Carolina. During the 80 minute service, pastors, priests, and lay leaders from multiple church congregations around and outside of Elkin participated, sharing their experiences and perspectives, as well as leading different sections of the…
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Elections and God’s Will
This is a slightly edited transcript of a video recorded for Wes Fryer’s “Wisdom with Wes” series. Following the contentious election in the United States earlier this week, these thoughts seem appropriate to share as part of the “Heal Our Culture” project. The full video description is: In this episode of ‘Wisdom with Wes,’ Wes…
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Robert F. Williams
I am continuing to read Imani Perry’s outstanding book, “South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation.” This was the summer 2023 recommended faculty book read by our school DEI team. It is an excellent book for many reasons, and I highly recommend it. Thanks to a reference near…