Locs, Heels, and the Bible

We live in a world where hatred is wielded as a political tool, leaders exploit fear for personal gain, and  those tasked with reflecting the image of Christ too often choose silence (or cowardice). The other day, Bishop Budde chose courage and invited Donald Trump into acts of decency. Since then, her prophetic challenge in the form of a call for mercy on behalf of the undocumented, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others targeted by sweeping hate policies has been met with the expected hatred and cowardly retaliatory death threats. The response she has received reflects the depth of polarization in this country and the frightening reality of a faith community that has often chosen power over principle. I shudder (literally) when I think that religious leaders have once again chosen either to err on the side of ignorance and hatred, or cowardice and power-grab.  What kind of preacher/pastor/priest/decent human being would truly support the actions of the Trump administration? It takes...

Is green the new Black?   The story of Wicked, as told through the lens of Elphaba, the so-called "Wicked Witch of the West," is a masterclass in exposing the prejudice, manipulation, and societal victimization that shape our perceptions of other people. At its core, Wicked forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about how easily systems of power manipulate narratives, perpetuate fear, and marginalize those who don’t conform. Truly, nothing is new under the sun, for we find similar stories as Elphaba’s in the Holy Writ of those judged unfairly, cast aside, or misrepresented because they didn’t fit societal norms or power structures. And Scripture’s call to “judge with right judgment” (John 7:24) is a loud “Come here!” to dismantle these false narratives and to look beyond appearances.   The Power of Prejudice I don’t mean to give spoilers. However, in order to share my thoughts, I must also share some scenes from the movie. Elphaba is born with green skin, a ...