Is the GOP About to have an (Asian American) Evangelical Problem?
Asian Americans are changing the political face of evangelical Christianity
Christians make up the largest Asian American religious group (42 percent according to the Pew survey) and Pew’s and other recent surveys suggest that about 15-20 percent of all Asian Americans consider themselves born again or evangelical Christians. By some measures, Asian American evangelicals are even more religiously devout than their white evangelical counterparts. Few... Continue Reading
What Cautions Do You Have for the New Reformed Movement?
Cautions from John Piper for the New Reformed/New Calvinist Movement
“The danger of the contemporary worship awakening is that we love loving God more than we love God.” That was very profound. And you might love thinking about God more than you love God. Or arguing for God more than you love God. Would there be any cautions that you would have for the... Continue Reading
The Hideous Cabinet
A lesson from replacing an old cabinet
How did the inside look so beautiful and the outside look so unsightly? Then I started laughing and decided right then that we would keep this “biblical object lesson cabinet”. God had shown me a Bible truth using the hideous cabinet: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The... Continue Reading
Farewell, Friend and Father, John W. Batchelor
A tribute to Ruling Elder John W. Batchelor, age 97, who died on August 1 in Pennsylvania
I have said little about John’s faith. Like all things personal, it was not something John talked about a lot. But his faith was real, strong, and true. He believed in God, in Christ, in salvation by grace through faith, and in the Bible, and he did not waver. When he spoke, others listened, just... Continue Reading
What Happened to My CCM?
Much has changed in a generation—the bands, the industry. Oh, and me.
I'm really happy to see new material from some of my favorite musicians, but I know that I'm not the same person I was when I started going to rock shows in church basements. I no longer put band stickers on my car or wear their buttons on my jacket. I no longer listen to Christian radio or buy my music from Bible bookstores. But these are some of the people who taught me what I know about faith, hope and love—and I'll be forking over some cash this year to hear them do it again.
PCUSA Pension Board insists dissenting pastor must stay in denomination pension plan
Dissenting congregations begin to file their opposition
"The session of FPCH objects in the strongest possible terms to the Board of Pensions providing benefits to same-sex partners. This is contrary to both Scripture and the confessions. We sent our first objections to this policy in a letter to the BOP after the [2010 General Assembly], and we continue to maintain these objections. The only possible recourse we see is a relief of conscience, but even then only if there is a clear demarcation of funds.”
‘A woman’s idea’ planted seed for First Presbyterian, Greenville, SC
Bailey’s Crossroads…was a far way to go to hear Calvinist doctrine.
In 1893 (they) began a college for young women. Their motivation for beginning Chicora College for Young Ladies may have been the establishment of Presbyterian College for men in 1890. While they were negotiating for land on River Street, Chicora classes began on McBee Avenue. After 1896, the school was controlled by Presbyteries of South Carolina and Georgia… After Chicora was established, it supported Second Presbyterian to minister to the students.
Few Americans use social media to connect with their faith communities
Evangelicals more likely than other religious groups to use social media for religious purposes
Ten percent of Americans report that they have used a cell phone to take pictures or record video during worship, and 7 percent say they have sent or read email during services.
The Christian Dilemma In Syria
Christians need to develop allies and push to ensure that their rights are respected and that they can live with dignity and respect
Given the perilous state of the Syrian economy, foreign investment will be critical to supporting and sustaining many businesses and key sectors. Again, this gives Christian groups and leaders and opportunity to reach out to their counterparts in the west and elsewhere by advocating for future foreign aid and investment to be linked to the protection of minority rights, including Christian rights in a post-Assad Syria.
Gabby Douglas vs. secular journalism
What do reporters know and when do they report it?
When I did a Nexis computerized search of “Gabby Douglas” and “Christian” in publications yesterday and today, only Agence France Presse came up: “Douglas, a devout Christian.” No major publication apparently quoted her “glory to God” remarks