Red Letter Christians

No Treaty with the Darkness

RLC Editor — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 10:00:01 +0000

Most of us have a deep-rooted instinct for the middle ground. When two sides are shouting at each other, we assume the truth probably lies somewhere in between, and it often does. In a marriage, on a church board, or in a city council budget fight, the person who finds common ground is usually the wisest in the room. Compromise is one of the ordinary graces that keeps a society from tearing itself…

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Preparing for War Jesus’ Way

RLC Editor — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 11:00:42 +0000

The world is in turmoil with numerous wars and increasing insecurity. The USA is increasing its defense sending, and pressuring European nations to increase their defense spending to at least 5% of its GDP. Many Western nations are sending weapons to Ukraine, to Israel, and elsewhere– and are themselves preparing for war. The defense industry is booming. How do we as Jesus followers position…

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Global Uprisings & Rejecting “Non-Violence” for the Way of the Cross

RLC Editor — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:00:11 +0000

Editor’s Notes: This piece was previously published on Transfiguring Power with Jarrod McKenna on October 20, 2026. Photo Credit: “A protester holds a cross with ‘Love will triumph’ written on it, as he stands next to a pump during the demonstration at Place de la République in Paris.” Photograph: Kiran Ridley/AFP/Getty Images) Global Uprisings & Rejecting “Non-Violence” for the Way of the…

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When Dialogue Becomes Avoidance

RLC Editor — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:30:46 +0000

For years, I have sat in dialogue rooms across from people whose politics, experiences, and understanding of the place we both call home were very different from mine. I shared my story, listened attentively to theirs, and tried to stay open even when it was painful. I believed in those rooms, and I think a part of me still does. Somewhere along the way, though, I got tired.

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In Response to President Trump’s Threats to Annihilate Iran, Religious and Faith Leaders Should Demand An Immediate End to the Iran War and Call on US Military Personnel to Refuse Orders to Further Attack Iran

RLC Editor — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:00:10 +0000

There has been widespread condemnation of the immoral and illegal US and Israeli war against Iran by religious, faith, political, human rights leaders and many others, and urgent calls for peace. However, immediate conscientious action, including calling on soldiers to refuse to participate in this war in any capacity, is needed now to end the war and avert a catastrophe in light of the Trump…

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After religious pushback, Trump says Pentagon won’t livestream execution

RLC Editor — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:00:52 +0000

Editor’s Note: Previously published on Religion News Service on October 15, 2026. (RNS) — President Donald Trump announced Thursday (Oct. 15) that the Pentagon will not livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter, backing away from a proposal that triggered widespread pushback from prominent religious leaders. In a statement published to Truth Social, Trump said livestreaming the…

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Under a Fig Tree

RLC Editor — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:30:38 +0000

This summer on our family vacation to Jamaica, I saw a fig tree for the first time. They are large trees with a broad canopy and leaves over a foot in diameter, perfect for a little shade on a hot day. I learned that some species of fig trees actually live up to 300 years! That’s a lot of years of figs. I thought about that fig tree this past Sunday in church when we read an otherwise very…

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Advent Unhurried: daily devotions for a season of wonder and stillness, an excerpt

RLC Editor — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:00:41 +0000

I am a big fan of Mary— as in the mother of God. I’m not unique. After all, much of this world is devoted to Mary, whether their devotion is an admiration or a full-fledged rosary habit. For this Protestant ex-evangelical from Texas, my attachment to the mother of Jesus began the first time I dressed as her and held a baby doll for the church photographer in my preschool Sunday school class.

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One Nation Under God: Christian Nationalism in the United States

RLC Editor — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:00:38 +0000

In many ways I’m grateful I’m an American. There are many opportunities, freedoms, and comforts that are afforded to me because I am. Though I have a sense of gratitude for the country of which I am a citizen, I must also speak to the fact that it is not all good. Many American Christians believe that America is God’s nation. As scholar Lanta Davis puts it, this belief transforms Jesus Christ…

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Catholic, evangelical leaders condemn public execution plan of Fort Hood gunman

RLC Editor — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 22:22:48 +0000

Editor’s Note: Previously published on Religion News Service on October 9, 2026. Soldiers hold a candlelight vigil at Fort Hood, Texas, Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, after a mass shooting event that killed 13 people at Fort Hood. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (RNS) — Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is joining evangelical faith leaders and…

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