Sikhs, who follow teachings passed down by a series of gurus, or spiritual guides, are defined both by appearance and belief in a single god. Rituals are forbidden, as are cutting and shaving hair. They don’t fast, have no worship attendance requirements, have no clergy, and disavow “superstition.” They also shun intoxicants, alcohol and tobacco.

In his exposition of Acts, Thomas points to evidence of the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. He applies biblical truth in contemporary context as he presents lessons for missions, church growth, and Christians’ engagement with postmodernity.

What 20-year-old David Mikesell said is that he’s looking for is a balance. He grew up worshiping at College Park Baptist in Orlando and has come to love the organ in worship. But he also likes the energetic praise-and-worship style at the student services he attends at Florida State University.

In 1968 [he became] pastor of the Calvary Presbyterian Church (BPC).  He joined the PCA immediately after its formation in 1973; his church came in a few years later. In 1974, Phil organized the area’s first presbytery (Pacific Presbytery); he later became chairman of the Mission to North America Committee and then served as MNA... Continue Reading

During the 10 years I have lived in the Carolinas I have had the opportunity to preach in many rural churches. Instead of finding many “traditional” Baptist churches, to my dismay I have encountered numerous churches with practically no theological moorings at all. Many historic churches have had pastors who held to a low view of biblical authority with few doctrinal commitments, and the results have been very damaging.

How do we know that gay marriage is a positive social arrangement? In fact, one objection to this change in law is that we have no idea what the consequences — positive or negative — of such a change to millenia of legal arrangements and cultural expectations will be. Though we do have some data from social scientists on the benefits of regular marriage

I'm not saying we're not sinners. We're all sinners. We're born in sin," Charles Wilson said. "But you're not born to hate. No child is born to hate. You have to be taught to hate. When you say come to the church, are the same people that put us out of church still there? How have they changed?"

It is a bad, dangerous, and devious encroachment on constitutional liberty, and could undermine one of the greatest pillars of American national success. The balance between faith and reason is for the determination of each individual, and of the people as a whole, not of unauthorized government officials uttering impious humbug as they arbitrarily try to define that balance.

And, while referring to a particular group as evangelical may be more accurate than simply calling them Christian, the increasingly varied shades of evangelicalism make even that term insufficient. For example, are we referring to the ultra-conservative televangelist and one-time Republican presidential hopeful, Pat Robertson? Or, do we see Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners and vocal Obama supporter as the quintessential evangelical?

I know, I know—you really don’t like the term “culture war.” The mission of the church is not to “reclaim” America. The growth of the church does not rely on political victories or societal approval. And we don’t want the people we are trying to reach to think we are at war with them. I... Continue Reading