Reading this made my heart leap with a sort of Sarah-like laughter. May the Lord invigorate his people with an Isaac-like spirit… laughing at the days to come because our God does more than we can ask or imagine.
I appreciate the opening metaphor because I read this before another morning feeling doomed to fail as a middle school art teacher. My fear is I won’t bring glimpses of truth, beauty and love to them from my Alaskan outpost (I’m here because I too am weird). There’s something in this piece that brings me hope. It’s messy work getting to the point where the beauty of the bride can be beholden. But it’s worthy work.
As someone who has learned Gospel truth from a few different denominations, I nodded my head and took a deep breath along with this line: "I’m a theological nomad who tries his best to allow Jesus to take precedence over all my wonderful distinctions." Off-topic, but I recently listened to your episode over at The Deepest Cut podcast as well. I have a non-speaking autistic son, so I wept (sobbed in my minivan, waiting for my son to come out of OT) listening to "Words, 2006." I immediately shared with my husband. It resonated deeply for both of us. Thank you for creating art that addresses the experience of parenting a non-speaking child on the autism spectrum. We hear a lot from those in the autism community who have the ability to speak, which is helpful, but there is really no one to stand in the gap for non-speaking autistic individuals except parents. So grateful for your art and advocacy.
Beautifully said and poetically executed. I have enjoyed Sho’s thinking, writing, and art for nearly a decade now. I am encouraged both by CT’s decision to call him and his decision to say “yes.” It’s time for the next generation of artists and poets and image-bearers to take the torch deeper into the unexplored tunnels.
The bride has been through millenniums of "dress rehearsals" for the wedding of the ages. But now she is characterized as making herself ready. The Spirit and the bride say come. Ahhhmen selah...
I am here for all of this. I've been a fan of Sho Baraka's work since he was ratcheting up the volume of his life over beats with 116 an'em. His passion and compassionate art will serve CT well. I'm excited to witness this partnership and the fruit that it will bear.
How do I express how much I like this essay without using trite over-used terms like love, positive and inclusive? I want to read more of this exceptional writing style. From what CT considers a "marginal" denomination, yet believers in Christ as our Substitute and saved by His righteousness, we aren't included; so I am weird as well.
“Often, Black writers are expected to only write from their pain and trauma. I will not be here for crisis writing. I write at the speed of wisdom and not anxiety. I will write when compelled. I will exercise the tenth fruit of the Spirit, which is to “shut yo’ mouth” when I have nothing helpful to add.” is a whole word.
Welcome aboard. I'm all about most of that. I think Christianity Today has become too caught up in the social gospel by idolizing liberal values. I see that in yours too but I see your Christianity pop out through that so God bless. I'm only concerned about the marginalization thing. We're not really meant to focus on that. We're supposed to be one in Christ, not one and extra steps. Lifting people up to Christ lifts them up in everything and not just voice. I'm sure that's your point but I think lifting people's voices in themselves creates an idol of society and then there's obviously race stuff. Christ redeems anyone and in a sociological sense band-aids and fulfills from anything to goodness but when we focus on man-made things we end up putting a stumbling block there. That's my position. I subscribe to Romans 14 very strongly and don't pretend sanctification isn't a wonderful process that captures us all. I'm just unsure how fruitful it can be using those standards and Christ several times spoke against them.
In any case, the Lord has blessed us with a very Christian editorial director. May the holy spirit run through your works and may we continue this great commission. May we all sanctify and be lifted up through your works and may the merciful God keep us under him through Jesus Christ. Have a good one and God bless. 🙏
Thank you for your willingness to serve the Kingdom in this challenging but rewarding forum. Your essay offers a beautifully rendered call to focus on the expression of Beatitude fruit cultivated through the pivot point of humility—and desperately needed in our increasingly polarized society.
“I’m a theological nomad who tries his best to allow Jesus to take precedence over all my wonderful distinctions. I am the divergent tenets of Ecclesiastes in a soaked paper bag.”
These sentences made me laugh—and cry a little too. CT is lucky to have you.✨
Reading this made my heart leap with a sort of Sarah-like laughter. May the Lord invigorate his people with an Isaac-like spirit… laughing at the days to come because our God does more than we can ask or imagine.
To be in Christ is to search for the in-between...paradox.
Jesus is working miracles not only here and there, but especially in between. I feel familiar with Bo already.
I appreciate the opening metaphor because I read this before another morning feeling doomed to fail as a middle school art teacher. My fear is I won’t bring glimpses of truth, beauty and love to them from my Alaskan outpost (I’m here because I too am weird). There’s something in this piece that brings me hope. It’s messy work getting to the point where the beauty of the bride can be beholden. But it’s worthy work.
Fantastic addition! Well done CT!
As someone who has learned Gospel truth from a few different denominations, I nodded my head and took a deep breath along with this line: "I’m a theological nomad who tries his best to allow Jesus to take precedence over all my wonderful distinctions." Off-topic, but I recently listened to your episode over at The Deepest Cut podcast as well. I have a non-speaking autistic son, so I wept (sobbed in my minivan, waiting for my son to come out of OT) listening to "Words, 2006." I immediately shared with my husband. It resonated deeply for both of us. Thank you for creating art that addresses the experience of parenting a non-speaking child on the autism spectrum. We hear a lot from those in the autism community who have the ability to speak, which is helpful, but there is really no one to stand in the gap for non-speaking autistic individuals except parents. So grateful for your art and advocacy.
Beautifully said and poetically executed. I have enjoyed Sho’s thinking, writing, and art for nearly a decade now. I am encouraged both by CT’s decision to call him and his decision to say “yes.” It’s time for the next generation of artists and poets and image-bearers to take the torch deeper into the unexplored tunnels.
The bride has been through millenniums of "dress rehearsals" for the wedding of the ages. But now she is characterized as making herself ready. The Spirit and the bride say come. Ahhhmen selah...
I am here for all of this. I've been a fan of Sho Baraka's work since he was ratcheting up the volume of his life over beats with 116 an'em. His passion and compassionate art will serve CT well. I'm excited to witness this partnership and the fruit that it will bear.
How do I express how much I like this essay without using trite over-used terms like love, positive and inclusive? I want to read more of this exceptional writing style. From what CT considers a "marginal" denomination, yet believers in Christ as our Substitute and saved by His righteousness, we aren't included; so I am weird as well.
Let's go, Sho! So happy that you're in this new role, and thank you for these beautiful reflections.
“Often, Black writers are expected to only write from their pain and trauma. I will not be here for crisis writing. I write at the speed of wisdom and not anxiety. I will write when compelled. I will exercise the tenth fruit of the Spirit, which is to “shut yo’ mouth” when I have nothing helpful to add.” is a whole word.
Welcome aboard. I'm all about most of that. I think Christianity Today has become too caught up in the social gospel by idolizing liberal values. I see that in yours too but I see your Christianity pop out through that so God bless. I'm only concerned about the marginalization thing. We're not really meant to focus on that. We're supposed to be one in Christ, not one and extra steps. Lifting people up to Christ lifts them up in everything and not just voice. I'm sure that's your point but I think lifting people's voices in themselves creates an idol of society and then there's obviously race stuff. Christ redeems anyone and in a sociological sense band-aids and fulfills from anything to goodness but when we focus on man-made things we end up putting a stumbling block there. That's my position. I subscribe to Romans 14 very strongly and don't pretend sanctification isn't a wonderful process that captures us all. I'm just unsure how fruitful it can be using those standards and Christ several times spoke against them.
In any case, the Lord has blessed us with a very Christian editorial director. May the holy spirit run through your works and may we continue this great commission. May we all sanctify and be lifted up through your works and may the merciful God keep us under him through Jesus Christ. Have a good one and God bless. 🙏
And this is why I love Sho. We need you out here, mayne.
Thank you for your willingness to serve the Kingdom in this challenging but rewarding forum. Your essay offers a beautifully rendered call to focus on the expression of Beatitude fruit cultivated through the pivot point of humility—and desperately needed in our increasingly polarized society.
“I’m a theological nomad who tries his best to allow Jesus to take precedence over all my wonderful distinctions. I am the divergent tenets of Ecclesiastes in a soaked paper bag.”
These sentences made me laugh—and cry a little too. CT is lucky to have you.✨
Thank you, Sho. Your voice is needed and powerful. So grateful to have you in this role.