Living as an Authentic Christian in a Non-Christian World
There isn't any question that American culture is in a transition from a dominantly Christian culture to a dominantly secular culture.
In his book, UnChristian, David Kinnaman cites a Barna Research study that asked non-Christians whether they viewed the role of Christians in American society in a favorable or unfavorable way. In 1996, 85% viewed Christians favorably. Ten years later, that approval rating had dropped to just 15%. After the election, I published an article... Continue Reading
5 not so great things about America
PhD or a DMin is no guarantee that you can handle the Bible or that you are that bright.
People were so kind and hospitable and they couldn't be warmer in their welcome. The only thing I can possibly complain about is the amount of cushions you find on your bed. By the time you've moved them off the bed it's nearly time to get up! I nearly put my back out a couple of times lifting them off.
The Church & Violence Against Women
An abusive man is not an over-enthusiastic complementarian. He is not a complementarian at all.
Male violence against women is a real problem in our culture, one the church must address. Our responsibility here is not simply at the level of social justice but at the level of ecclesical justice as well.
Of Cardboard Boxes and Moving Vans
A Review of Rebecca VanDoodewaard’s 'Uprooted''
VanDoodewaard’s tone is gracious, but she is not tentative in pointing out the sins that often accompany homesickness: grumbling, laziness, bitterness, discontent. And, in a refreshingly counter-cultural perspective, she admonishes readers to “exert yourself in controlling your emotions” (p. 45,) freely acknowledging that how we feel is our responsibility.
Seven Notes from “Lincoln”
Seeing how (Lincoln) brought to pass the 13th amendment felt a little like a punch in the gut.
All thinking, godly men and women know that it is sinful to own another person and mistreat them for one's own advantage. Yet I think that with God's guidance a better solution could have been found than to purchase "freedom" with 700,000 souls.
The new Archbishop of Canterbury’s father – a man of mystery
A secret wife, an affair with a Kennedy and defaming a Labour Cabinet Minister
So much of this astonishing life was hidden from his son, who was moved by the story the Sunday Telegraph was able to share with him. Bishop Welby did not know, for example, that his father had Jewish ancestry, or an older sister called Peggy. He continues to wonder whether he has secret brothers or sisters.
In SC: As Episcopalians move toward split, questions and painful decisions remain
An analysis from both sides of the story from Columbia, SC major daily
Lawrence said there is no turning back, but there is still one huge non-theological elephant in the room: the valuable Lowcountry church properties that dot the landscape. Lawrence has said the congregations that want to leave the diocese are free to leave with properties intact.
One More Response on Reconstructionism
The debate on the definition and extent of Reconstructionism continues
Mr. Tuininga sadly appears to compare us to militant radicals. Christian Reconstructionism has always promoted a “bottom-up” motif for the expansion of the Kingdom – not a “top-down” motif. It is through the preaching of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit that hearts will be changed and converts will then become desirous... Continue Reading
Egyptian Churches Give Up on Helping to Create New Constitution
Orthodox, Protestants, and Catholics jointly withdraw, saying assembly marginalizes non-Islamists
A primary complaint is over the role of shari’ah. Article Two of Egypt’s 1971 constitution, as well as the current draft of the new constitution, enshrines the “principles” of shari’ah to be the primary source of legislation. Pope Tawadros does not dispute the article as currently defined—including its designation of Islam as the religion of... Continue Reading
Should We Believe the Intellectuals? A Review of ‘The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age’
Should it be: “Secular intellectuals say it, I believe it, and that settles it.”
If Stephens and Giberson’s book is supposed to encourage us evangelicals to become more intellectual and engage the ideas of our secular culture, I suspect that in most cases it will backfire. For many evangelicals the book will serve as an object lesson in the dangers of compromising with “secular knowledge.” It might make them... Continue Reading