Faith, Current Events
Veritéetfeu
Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the ...

As one who has enjoyed content by both Allie Beth Stuckey and Melissa Dougherty, it was nice to see the two women chat it up during a recent episode of Stuckey’s podcast Relatable. In summary, the episode focused mostly on Dougherty’s new book, her journey from New Ageism to Christ and her take on the various false teachings that have crept into the Church. Yet, the episode took an interesting turn in its final ten minutes during a segment entitled, “Prosperity Gospel in the Black Church”. 

As Dougherty concluded her thoughts on the “little gods” doctrine, a false, word of faith teaching that ascribes innate divinity to all mankind, Stuckey inquired: 

“Can I ask something? It’s gonna be controversial,” she acknowledged. “This seems to be especially prevalent in majority Black churches.

“There’s a lot of prosperity preaching, but [also] a lot of…’You are divine. You are a queen…a goddess…something special.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about the roots of that, or why that is?”

Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”
Podcast Episode, Politics, Faith
Veritéetfeu
S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris

Host Veritéetfeu shares why she didn't vote for Kamala Harris and encourages fellow Christians to remain faithful to Christ no matter their candidate of choice.

S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris
Faith, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

In response to the May 11, 2022 Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified abortion nationwide, allowed abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and for which 49 out of 50 Senate Democrats voted in favor, Pastor Tom Buck tweeted the following:

“In light of today’s vote by Democrats to legalize abortion until the moment of birth, we are rapidly reaching the point that voting for a Democrat should be a matter or church discipline.” 

I believe Pastor Buck’s words were meant in jest, but some on his thread found them to be spot on and long overdue. 

“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”
Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

In 2018, I penned an article making a case against the social justice movement entitled, “Social Justice: Why Jesus Didn’t Pursue It + Why Christians Shouldn’t Fight for It”. It was a well-received piece, namely among my Christian conservative friends, and it served as a resource for those who discerned the burgeoning movement was problematic, but had trouble precisely articulating why this was so. Honestly, before writing that piece I, too, struggled with offering a precise, Biblical case for how something that, on the surface, sounded so good was ultimately quite evil. 

Years later, I’ve found myself similarly positioned regarding Christian Nationalism, the latest problematic movement seeking to take root in America and in the Church. 

Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends
Podcast Episode, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should ...

In this episode of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu examines the Scriptures to determine how the Body of Christ should address Christians who vote Democrat.  

S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be..."

What Your Single Friends REALLY Think About Your Engagement

What Your Single Friends REALLY Think About Your Engagement

It seems within weeks an engagement occurs, female friendships can begin to take a nasty, catty turn. According to my social media timelines, these cat fights rear their ugly heads because a single friend is now “hating” on the newly engaged friend. It's a sad state of affairs, people. So, this post is inspired by a lot of what I've seen play out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and much, much more.  I’m writing this in love, and in an effort to help you repair and maintain important relationships. I also seek to help others who have to watch this stuff play out in our newsfeed maintain our sanity - ladies, we honestly can't take another passive aggressive status update or meme.

So, engaged ladies, here are four things your single female friends are most likely thinking about your impending nuptials.

Jesus Said MUCH More Than You Think

Jesus Said MUCH More Than You Think

We know Jesus was born outside of Bethlehem and laid in a manger (Luke 21:4-7). He went missing in the Temple at age 12 (Luke 2:41-52). He began His Ministry at about age 30 (Luke 3:23). And we know He was was crucified around age 33. There are many gaps in the Biblical history of Jesus's life. Yet, what we do know about his ENTIRE LIFE is He did His Father's will to the letter (John 4:24; 6:38). He never stepped outside of God's will in action, nor did He speak on His own volition (John 8:28). And when He spoke, He constantly referred to what God had previously said in the Old Testament, including the things spoken through God's Prophets (Matthew 19:8; 21:16; 12:3, Mark 7:10; John 7:15..etc).

So, why are people so quick to attempt to justify their sins because, "Jesus didn't say it was a sin"? 

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God calls me "Female": A Few Strong Thoughts on Gender Identity

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God calls me "Female": A Few Strong Thoughts on Gender Identity

Cisgender: I literally JUST learned this term last week while reading an issue of Essence. In light of recent events, I've seen this term more often over the past few days. I've even used it a couple times in broader discussions on gender politics and social media debates.

But I don't self-identify with the term.

I am not “cisgender”.  I am not a "cisgender woman". I am not a "cisgender female". I am a woman. I am female. That's it.

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Christianity: The White Man's Religion...or Nah?

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Christianity: The White Man's Religion...or Nah?

Author and White Privilege Conference speaker, Paul Kivel recently argued that everything negative in American society can be traced back to Christianity – racism being chief among them.  I found it challenging to understand how he could rightly blame Christianity, in and of itself, for racism other than to characterize it as “the white man’s religion” and to bash the King James Bible as racist propaganda.  So, I sought to determine if Kivel's claims had any legitimacy.

Is Christianity the white man’s religion? And does it, through the Bible, support racism and the inhumane treatment of Blacks and other people of color? Here are my thoughts. 

 

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Questions from My Gay Friends: Part 2- What About Gay Christians?

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Questions from My Gay Friends: Part 2- What About Gay Christians?

As homosexuality and same-sex marriage are embraced in the mainstream, the question is decreasingly whether either is wrong. Instead, there is growing concern over when Christians will finally, en masse, get with the times and open the Church’s doors to same-sex wedding ceremonies and gay pastors.

In a previous post ,“Questions from my Gay Friends: Do You Eat Shellfish”, I attempted to answer one of the most most prevalent, albeit scornful, questions posed by those seeking to challenge the Christian belief that homosexuality is a sin. Thus, as a Christian AND a loud, proud shellfish connoisseur, I felt it my duty - nay, my OBLIGATION - to address that question with the utmost urgency!

I honestly enjoyed writing that piece and believe, by the grace of God, I was able to offer a thoughtful answer to one of the most infamous trump cards used in the "Homosexuality vs Christianity" debate.

But I'm also aware that some questions truly do come from a sincere place, and I believe those inquiries deserve to be directly addressed. There are LGBT-identifying Christian men and women who may feel overlooked as each side attempts to trump the other with its ideologies. I’ve decided to dedicate this post to them.

 

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I Love Le'Andria Johnson. BUT...

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I Love Le'Andria Johnson. BUT...

The much-anticipated Oxygen series, Preachers of Atlanta aired last night and judging from the Twittersphere, it was quite a roller coaster ride.  Unfortunately, I’ve not yet had the opportunity to watch it, which is ironic because I did so much cheerleading for Pastor Canton Jones, whom I interviewed in preparation for the series premiere.

But I did watch this video last night. I stumbled upon it as I was conducting research on Pastor Le’Andria Johnson. Le’Andria, of all of the Pastors from the cast, seemed to be the subject of most people’s ire. I couldn’t help but be intrigued. 

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EXCLUSIVE: Canton Jones talks faith, family and following his calling to become a 'Preacher of Atlanta'

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EXCLUSIVE: Canton Jones talks faith, family and following his calling to become a 'Preacher of Atlanta'

A few weeks ago, I was minding someone else’s business on Facebook when I stumbled upon the trailer for Oxygen’s new series, Preachers of Atlanta.  I was immediately intrigued because I watched Preachers of LA (seasons 1 AND 2) and, for the most part, I actually enjoyed the show. But, if I’m honest, some aspects of it left me a little rattled. While the rattling didn't shake my faith, I did wonder if it did more harm than good to those who might not already be believers.  If nothing else, the comments section in the blogosphere and the sentiments expressed by major faith figures like Kirk Franklin and T.D. Jakes proved that at least some in the Christian community frankly weren’t feeling 'the Preachers'.   

But my jaw dropped as one of my long-time favorite Christian hip-hop artists, Canton Jones, appeared in the trailer for Atlanta's edition. For a moment I asked Jesus to take the wheel, be a fence and hold my mule! “No! Not Canton,” I screamed internally.  “Noooo JEEBUSSSSS!” (*Cue dramatic faint*)

 

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 2 (God, Jesus + Heaven)

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 2 (God, Jesus + Heaven)

As I noted in Part I of this series, I chose to engage this discussion after discerning the exercise would help offer atheists a better understanding of people of Faith. I certainly received more clarity on what atheism is and isn't. Yet, I noticed that as our conversation transitioned from debating science to my imparting more spiritual truths, my atheist friends seemed to back off. By the time we began speaking not only about the existence of God, but about Jesus Christ and the concept of eternity, I was down to only about two attentive "opponents", whom I gathered were actually more interested in what I was sharing than a desire to prove it wrong.  

Here are the remaining top questions posed by my atheist friends. 

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 1 (God, Science + Hell)

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 1 (God, Science + Hell)

Recently, I somehow found myself in the midst of a theological debate with some "umpteen" atheists, most of whom I gathered were intellectuals.  They seemed to enjoy whittling God down to merely an “imaginary friend” and more than a few of them called me everything but a child of God (pun intended).

Perhaps I should have just ignored them. Perhaps I shouldn’t have even given them the satisfaction of a response.

But as mature as I’d like to think I am, I’m still a teeeeeeeeeeennnny weeeeeeennny bit PETTY! (I’m working on that.)

Since I was rather intrigued by the exchange, I collected some of their best questions and statements...and I've decided to expound on my responses in a two part series for your ease of reading. This part covers questions about God, Science and Hell. Part II (not yet published) will cover questions about God, Jesus Christ and Heaven.  

God certainly helped me wade my way through this experience, so please feel free to shelve some of this theological goodness. Who knows? Maybe one day you, too, will find yourself in the midst of a random Twitter battle with umpteen non-believers. Enjoy!

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Ayesha Curry: The Accidental Threat to THOTs Everywhere

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Ayesha Curry: The Accidental Threat to THOTs Everywhere

Tried as I might to find the intelligence and validity in the arguments of those who took issue with her words, I’ve now settled in my heart that the points they raised aren’t worthy of any further cerebral activity.

Nope!  Not one more precious brain cell will be used to intellectualize an argument that is so clearly rooted in tom-foolery!

In my opinion, their issue with her has nothing to do with feminism or women’s rights and very much to do with the fact that Ayesha’s sentiments are a threat to what I call the “THOT life”.