Articles by Bruce Barron
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Dominion theology has deep roots and it has led to some despicable actions in the name of Christian faith. In a similar way today, under the guise of Christian nationalism, too many Christians today call for domination without competence. As Christians, we have uniquely valuable spiritual and practical wisdom to offer, but we should not tarnish it by pretending to be experts in areas where we are not. -
Christians being salt and light via the arts to positively influence culture
To influence a secular culture, Christian business-as-usual won't cut it. We need bold creativity, tireless determination, and gracious respectfulness. In the USA, media leader Mark Rodgers is a great example of leading in this way. In this article, Bruce Barron interviews Mark about his thoughts on the matter. -
Can a European evangelical statement change the world?
Few statements from Evangelicals make a wide impact, but the latest from the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) promises to help people everywhere understand who Evangelicals are, contrary to the caricature created from the media's experience of evangelicals in the USA. Here is an introduction to the helpful EEA statement about Evangelicals in public life. -
Nepal's uncertain but hopeful future
It is widely understood that Nepal has a rapidly growing Christian population. As it starts to stabilize and mature, the Church in Nepal is seeking official status and protections for their many congregations. The Nepal Christian Grand Trust now provides a pathway for official recognition, while theological, spiritual, and practical leadership development remains an urgent need. -
Among all crises the climate is our biggest existential threat
In an interview with writer Bruce Barron, Katharine Hayhoe, professor of public policy and public law at Texas Tech University and climate ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, shares an important message for Christian climate advocates, and for skeptics: climate action is a loving expression of living out our faith in today’s world. -
Spiritual formation must precede social action
If Christians simply act out of a felt need to “do something,” their resulting actions could be unhelpful or even counterproductive, like Simon Peter’s pointless, rash aggression in removing the ear of a servant. Wes Granberg-Michaelson's Soulwork of Justice provides much wisdom for Christian social activists. Lent is a perfect time to contemplate it. -
An insider perspective on being a celibate gay Christian
"One of the most surprising aspects of evangelical discourse on LGBTQ issues has been the insistence by some believers that same-sex attraction is a sin even if one doesn’t act on it", says commentator Bruce Baron. Gregory Coles has a different opinion and shares that with Bruce in this opinion piece. -
A call to debate your enemies, not shoot them
Conservatives and liberals in the United States (and increasingly elsewhere in the world) are accusing each other of creating an environment that contributes to political violence. We need to be very careful about making cause-effect connections. However, if we legitimize violence as a way to solve problems, we should not be surprised if others turn to violence also. If we sow the wind, we should not be surprised about reaping the whirlwind. -
Is medical assistance to die really compassionate?
Compassion is unquestionably a Christian virtue. But sometimes, good words like compassion get hijacked by not-so-good ideas—euthanasia is a case in point. "Medical assistance in dying" is becoming increasingly accepted in the Western world under the guise of compassion (and other euphemisms) informed by radical ideologies of individual autonomy. Followers of Jesus have a very different perspective.
