Identifying the signs is not always obvious—sometimes they are subtle and mixed with a lot of truth. Progressive Christianity can be persuasive and enticing, but carried out to its logical end, it is an assault on the foundational framework of Christianity, leaving it disarmed of its saving power.   Several years ago, my husband and... Continue Reading

Pastors should ‘not indulge themselves in loose, extemporary harangues, nor serve God with that which costs them naught.’ In other words, pastors should not act like angry jerks nor simply play to the gallery.  Rather, they should be guided by the content, tone, balance, and emphases of the Word of God.  Persuasive preaching is neither... Continue Reading

It is as though God will not let him be released from his duty to preach. There is nothing else he can do but pursue this inner drive to preach. Necessity is laid upon him, and he must preach regardless of what others may say. He must minister the Word, no matter what obstacles must... Continue Reading

Unfortunately, for some of us who are students of God’s word and think we have all our theological ducks in a row, our response can be heavy on examination and light on reception. Rather than being like the Bereans, who took what they were taught and gladly held it up to God’s word to verify... Continue Reading

One apartment burned significantly. The apartment above that one has damaged but much of it was spared from what I can tell at a distant look from the backside. The other two apartments were separated by a brick wall and only smell like smoke but there’s no apparent damage in those.   Brad Beier, pastor... Continue Reading

But what difference does the inerrancy of Scripture make? Why does it matter? There are many ways in which it matters a great deal. However, ultimately, the inerrancy of Scripture is not a doctrine about a book. The issue is the person and work of Christ.   Does it matter whether the Bible is errant or inerrant, fallible or infallible,... Continue Reading

It’s a gospel-driven, gracious message that saves people and brings true change, especially in how we love our wives as Christ does the church. The pastor, too, must submit to that message, knowing that such a calling takes away his own control over the people, as it’s meant to do. Then the ministry is really... Continue Reading

Conflicts over pastoral appointments have led other conservative congregations to leave the UMC, which is waiting on a delayed vote to split the denomination over LGBT issues. Though the UMC officially does not permit same-sex marriages or clergy in same-sex relationships, the position has not been enforced in its regional conferences, and conservative churches are... Continue Reading

I won’t go so far as to say that the breadth of God’s love (or any other dimension in particular) refers specifically to His plan to pour out His grace upon the Gentiles. Nevertheless, the expansiveness of the love of God is manifested in the expansiveness of the Gospel to all nations.   Much ink... Continue Reading

When 25,000 people are leaving through death and only 5,000 are being replaced through children who stick around  – the end is near. I don’t think that it’s an exaggeration at all to believe that the Episcopalians will no longer exist by 2040…can a denomination continue when it has money but no people? That’s the... Continue Reading