When I first received the invitation to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the law building at Mercer University, I did not anticipate that I would end up writing a story on Clarence Thomas. In fact, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but after hearing Supreme Court Justice Thomas speak, I felt compelled to share his story.  

Mercer University is a liberal arts college located in Macon, Ga.  Recently, they built a law building and invited Thomas to speak at its opening.

Thomas, who was born in rural Georgia, appeared to feel right at home at Mercer University. The crowd he was speaking to was mixed with familiar faces and fellow lawyers. 

In his speech, Thomas made it clear that not only does he love the law, but he also values his faith and people. Thomas specifically emphasized that his success was made possible only through the support of others; mainly his mother. According to Thomas, his mother still works every day even though she is in her 90s.

Thomas – who has recently spoken out against abortion – clearly explained that he was concerned about the lack of unity and civility in our current culture. Thomas even exhorted the audience to engage with people that you may not agree with and to engage intelligently. 

Although Judge Thomas’ speech was electrifying and to the point, it is what happens afterward that struck me. After the speech, I stayed in…

A LifeWay Research survey revealed conflicting views on whether Christians believe they need community for their faith.

According to the study from the Center for Church Revitalization at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 65 percent of respondents who attend Protestant or non-denominational churches at least once a month said they can have a relationship with God without other believers, CBN News reports. However, the survey also found that 75 percent said they need other believers for their faith.

“I believe this is primarily a discipleship issue,” said the Center’s Kenneth Priest, adding that there is a “spiritual apathy” in the church because of a “lack of pastors and spiritual leaders equipped to effectively preach and teach a text-driven life application of God’s Word.”

“The needing, yet not needing’ responses demonstrate an internal turmoil of individuals desiring community, but not seeing the church as the place to have those needs met,” Priest added.

Scott McConnell, of LifeWay Research, believes that Christians do need each other.

“Americans don’t like to admit they can’t do things themselves,” he said. “That is true of Christians as well. The biblical metaphor of the body illustrates that believers should both value and depend on each other.

“Solo Christianity is an inward desire to seek after…