If you’ve ever wondered where you would stand on human rights issues of the past if you had lived through them (I.e. American slavery, the Holocaust if you lived in Germany), or whether you would have stood up for what is right in a culture that was morally indifferent on a certain evil, you can get a pretty good idea of where you would land back then by examining where you stand on the mass murder of our day: Abortion.
Read MoreThe United States has been through the wringer in the past few weeks. This election has turned friends into enemies and tolerance seems to have all but died. But there is another side of this election that affects evangelism greatly. There have been many self-proclaimed prophets claiming that they had heard from God that Donald Trump would win the election, and they “prophesied” just that.
Read MoreJefferson Vann is working on a Bible translation project. But what would really help is having some other eyes to look at his work, ask questions, and give advice. That is where you come in. If you decide to bless him by reading this blog, would you consider being even more of a blessing by becoming a member of his informal translation committee?
Read MoreEveryday he knocks, rapping on my door.
“Come out my friend into the darkness, sin a little more!”
Cults such as Mormonism often take unclear passages of scripture and make more out of them than is justified by the context, original language, or, more importantly, the teaching of the rest of the Bible.
Read MoreToday is election day. And it is an unusually important one in the eyes of many. If you look to either end of the political spectrum, you will quickly hear that this election will determine if our democratic-republic stands or falls. Worse yet, many claim that the fate of our entire planet rests on this day and on who is elected as the next president of the United States of America. There are concerns of political unrest, and, in some places, threats have even been made against people who may vote for the “unfavorable” candidate.
Read MoreA funny thing can happen once we cast our ballot and the election is decided…
Read MoreChristianity has historically taken to the task to bring imaginative detail to the lacuna and difficulties of the biblical text. This imagination finds full and wonderful expression in the church’s art, homiletic tradition, and symbol. Rather than invest in the continuation and growth of such expressions, the new fad of a thinking Christianity is one at least obliquely initiated in the pursuits of historical criticism…
Read MoreEvery year, toward the end of October, the church experiences a difficult division amongst believers. Questions begin floating around the congregation: “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” “Is Halloween pagan?” and the like. There are so many different aspects to consider when tackling this topic, but we’ll just look at a couple.
Read MoreOver the last several months, it's felt like the Church in America is experiencing a reformation of sorts. As I've been thinking about what this reformation moment might be about, here's a ticket to my train of thought. Welcome aboard.
Read MoreWe are by nature worshipers. We worship with our mind, our emotions, our will and our words. These dynamics are in one sense working simultaneously and apply to false worship, as well as, to the worship that the living God calls us to give to him. Another way to look at worship is to speak of the levels of worship.
Read MoreI ask a lot of questions. I am a question asker. Sometimes, I voice those questions aloud. But, normally I’m quiet. Silent, and with a racing mind that is full of questions.
Read MoreI tend to overthink things. I think? And have the habit of regularly second-guessing myself. (Maybe.)
I say this in jest, but it is also true. (I've found no one ever really "jokes," it's usually an attempt at a "sideways truth," a way of saying what you actually think while hiding behind the safety of "humor.")
Read MoreSin is often and correctly seen to be disobedience and rebellion. Yet it is also idolatry; idolatry of the heart. As such, sin is binding and blinding. Sin is also foolish and stupid. My purpose is to get you to think about the issue so you will be better able to repent and humble yourself under God's gracious and mighty hand. Just do not think of idols as statues or icons. They are “no-gods,” for sure, nevertheless idols control our hearts as we foolishly give ourselves to them.
Read Morehere is a popular pastor in America who has been causing unnecessary heartache among the LGBT community and distorting people’s perception of the gospel: Steven Anderson…
Read More“Take and eat.” This simple statement conjures up a host of thoughts and feelings for most of us. The first thought that comes to my mind is food, obviously. I enjoy food. It is a wonderful gift from God. It is currently fall here in the North Country of New Hampshire and to me that means apples and pumpkins. Applesauce. Cider. Pie. Every fall these things bring a little extra joy to my life. And this joy should point us to our very good God.
Read MoreJust over one-third of the way through the fall a holiday makes its annual appearance. For some it is a night of masquerade, mystery and the thrill of trick-or-treat, or harmless pranks. For others it is a night of spiritual significance, both good and bad; and for still others it holds nothing at all. That holiday is Halloween, October 31st.
Read MoreIf you watch the History Channel, you’ve probably seen a documentary or two where a bunch of “historians” claim that the Bible had books other than the 66 you find in your leather-bound personal Bible…
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