What Mumford has discovered, along with his masters at Universal, is that this goopy, self-serious emotionalism sells like crazy. And since he apparently has no interest in new musical ideas, you end up with a relentlessly monotonous body of work that amounts to more of a brand than an oeuvre.

Researchers from the University of Washington recently argued, based on an analysis of existing studies, that megachurch worship creates a spiritual "high" that draws participants back again and again. Interviews with 470 attendees at 12 churches revealed a common sense of euphoria; lights, video cameras, and projectors contributed to the experience.

Think about it: when Mr. or Ms. Gallup calls, are you really going to say that the last time you went to church was three years ago? Surely meaning to go must count for something. Of course, maybe a lot of these people had been fibbing for years about going to Woodstock, and eased their conscience by giving the pollsters a more reliable account about church.

“My dad was the most uncomplicated person I’ve ever known in the world. He believed the Bible from the front to the back. If the Bible said Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days then you know what? Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days. There was... Continue Reading

Pause and take a step back from your plans to fire your pastors and instead, consider how you might help them to become the faithful shepherds God has called them to be…. Before you take steps to fire your current pastor and then hire in a new one and treat him the same way …... Continue Reading

We are told that homosexual persons are just as psychologically healthy as heterosexuals, that sexual orientation is biologically determined at birth, that sexual orientation cannot be changed and that the attempt to change it is necessarily harmful, that homosexual relationships are equivalent to heterosexual ones in all important characteristics, and that personal identity is properly... Continue Reading

People aren’t stupid. If you can’t teach Biblical truth from the pulpit in such a way that your congregation knows the kinds of things to look for in a candidate then you’re doing it wrong. Remember, the part that makes this “pulpit freedom Sunday” is the actual endorsement of a particular candidate. Pastors are allowed... Continue Reading

During Calvin’s time in Geneva probably the single greatest area of controversy between the consistory and the people of Geneva revolved around a seemingly very trivial issue: names. It was required that all infants must be baptized with Biblical names.

We can, however, be sure of this: God is both just and merciful and always does what is right, no matter what–even when we have a hard time explaining it. This is true in the case of the salvation of infants, no matter who turns out to be right in the end.

Ms. Rinehart wasn’t putting down people who work hard and haven’t struck it rich. What she protests is people resenting honestly gained wealth as if some sort of crime against one’s fellow man had been committed. The lady knows where prosperity comes from and isn’t afraid to say so, even though demagogic politicians denounce her... Continue Reading