This summer, Phillips served on a Presbyterian Church in America denominational committee that helped approve an overture apologizing for racism in the denomination’s history. “This is Christian love in action,” he says. “Why would we not want to say we are appalled these things happened and we’re sorry for that? Why would we not repudiate... Continue Reading

“This does not mean Christians should have no concern to follow God’s law. Christ frees us to obey it. Jesus’ disciples are called to a genuine love of God and neighbor (22:37–40; see 7:21). This is a lofty calling, but Jesus Himself embodied it throughout His life.”   Matthew 5:17–18 is a key text for... Continue Reading

Most of what we experience as conflict in day-to-day life is the result of someone pricking our pride. We loathe feeling less-than or wrong. Our instinct is often to react in defensiveness rather than to accept that someone else could be right or have a better idea. But God’s Word says that kind of behavior... Continue Reading

“Jesus Christ also experienced the best of days and worst of days. Great joy was found as he grew in wisdom, statutory, favor with God and man. He was thrilled as disciples were found, made, and matured. Yet, he suffered much and was afflicted; he endured much physical, mental, relational, financial, professional, political, and ecclesistical sorrows.”... Continue Reading

“We need to always be about kingdom growth. To do that, we need healthy churches of all sizes – always getting stronger, healthier and contributing to the growth of the kingdom of God. But it’s hard for smaller churches and their pastors to feel like they’re making that contribution when they’re treated like failures if... Continue Reading

“The quest of the Inner Ring will break your hearts unless you break it. But if you break it, a surprising result will follow. If in your working hours you make the work your end, you will presently find yourself all unawares inside the only circle in your profession that really matters.”   May I... Continue Reading

“As we try to understand science’s startling decline over the last half century, so shortly after reaching its pinnacle in the first half of the twentieth century, we might look to Rousseau’s influence for insight.”   When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface in 1969, it marked the end of perhaps... Continue Reading

“Adoption remains rare, and over the past decade, has been on the decline. In 2002, only 600,000 women age 18-44 (1.1 percent) had ever adopted a child. That rate dropped in half, to about 300,000 (0.61 percent), between 2011 and 2013.”   Each year in November, the President of the United States issues a proclamation... Continue Reading

From hallway conversations to Facebook and Twitter exchanges, we look at one another and ask, “How could you, as an evangelical, possibly support your candidate?” In times like these, we tend to imagine the worst in one another.   Donald Trump is now the president-elect. This fact is deeply discouraging for some evangelical Christians. Many... Continue Reading

“The people of God relived the cycle of relapse, retribution, repentance, and rescue over and over again throughout biblical history. And, dare I say, the church has seen a similar cycle over the past two thousand years as well. But we have a tendency to think such things cannot happen in the life of the... Continue Reading