The term “non-religious” is so broad as to be almost meaningless. The words secular, agnostic, atheistic, humanistic, irreligious, or non-religious are not synonyms. This is not some nit-picky pedantry. For the billion plus people in the world who are one particular type of atheist, the difference matters.   It is widely thought that there are... Continue Reading

We do not have many family trees—a Baptist tree, a Pentecostal tree, a Calvinist tree, and so on. We have one tree. Saints of old sit at its base while younger ones grow from its branches.   Shortly before the end of last year I found myself at Bunhill Fields Cemetery, the resting place of... Continue Reading

The issue was and still is one of how Scripture is to be interpreted. At the end of the day the question is always the same, “Does the Bible gives us a comprehensive and clear teaching on whether or not women should preach or be ordained to the office of elder and pastor? And if... Continue Reading

The reality of higher stress and conflict for ministers in the negative world is here. That’s why understanding that the times have changed is so important. Each person who pursues a call to pastoral ministry will need to find a path to finding the mental and emotional resiliency to stand fast in the midst of... Continue Reading

I don’t always pick up on the providential designs beneath my daily encounters. But some days they’re simply on full display. Almost as if providence is showing off.   Most of my prayer walks in the bazaar are an exercise in being alone with God while being surrounded by other people. Strange as it may... Continue Reading

Don’t believe the lie that porn use among committed couples is an acceptable sin. It’s a sin that will harm your relationship today and lead you to hell tomorrow.    The Story A recent poll shows pornography is affecting relationships between men and women—and reveals how indulging in porn is becoming an acceptable sin. The... Continue Reading

Bearing burdens, eschewing meanness, and setting an example of noble generosity is not just a saner and more effective way to live; it is the way of the cross. For the manly virtue of magnanimity is the way of the One who accomplished great things by defeating His foes, even while crying out, “Father forgive... Continue Reading

Our 21st century historical, philosophical, and theological context is very different from that of the 16th and 17th centuries. If we are not aware that there are differences, it can be very easy to read our contemporary context back into the writings of those centuries.   Most Christians understand the importance of context for properly... Continue Reading

In a fallen world, only Jesus is 100% good. Everyone else is a fallen and selfish sinner. So that means we must decide what is true and false on things other than just who is saying it.   One quite good thing that has developed over the past two years is that so many folks... Continue Reading

We must resist the temptation of thinking we can stand in our own strength. We must depend on the grace of the One who said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). If we fall, we must go to Christ, confessing our sin and hoping in His mercy.    Bernard of Clairvaux once... Continue Reading