In 1889, Jane Addams founded Hull House, a Chicago charity that prided itself in the absence of religious affiliation. This product of Social Universalism became the inspiration of governmental social work programs of the 1930s and community action programs of the 1960s. The nation’s first major political attempt at a
Horace Greeley was America’s leading journalist of the 19th century. A Universalist, Greeley believed that people were naturally good and that every person has a right to both eternal salvation and temporal prosperity. While Greeley considered himself a Christian, he rejected the biblical idea that a man’s sinful nature leads
It has been said that cultures build systems of charity in the image of the God they worship. In other words, the foundational belief systems of a society will inevitably determine the culture of that society, which, in turn, will shape its institutions and programs—including those dedicated to poverty fighting.
The Apostle Peter, in his first epistle, writes to the persecuted church, believers suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ at the hands of Roman authorities and the pagan world. Peter acknowledges that suffering and instructs them how to deal with it in a redemptive way. The Apostle Paul, in
Martin Luther King Jr., in his famous “I Have a Dream Speech,” given August 28, 1963, spoke to hundreds of thousands gathered on the Washington Mall. But he actually addressed all Americans and the world. Like William Wilberforce in a previous generation, who called the world to consciousness of the
(This post, originally published November 23, 2017, remains very relevant today.) Thanksgiving Day is every day. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Marilyn and I recently had a couple of interesting experiences related to Thanksgiving Day. She
In the midst of the Covid pandemic, as countries respond with different regulations, it’s hard to know how people and governments should react. Some countries lifted restrictions in areas of low infection rates, and increased them in the cities with high rates of infection. Restrictions include social distancing, wearing face
In the days of the Coronavirus, our lives have been changed suddenly and forever. A few weeks ago, people all over the world were settled in the routines of a new year: children in school, parents at work, Christians gathering on Sundays for worship. But for several weeks, something had
Genesis 21 records Jacob wrestling with a “man” until his opponent agreed to bless him. At daybreak, the adversary relented and blessed Jacob, changing his name to Israel. Dennis Prager says Israel means to struggle with God. “God assumes—even expects—those who believe in Him to struggle with Him.”[3] This is
Self-isolated at home during the Coronavirus storm I have plenty of time to ponder what will come of this, one of the most profound events in my lifetime. I find the isolation difficult; I want to see my grandkids and be with my family. It is also a time many
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