Christian Knowledge and Action
There are two misconceptions about knowledge and action, the first is that raw knowledge produces action while the second misconception focuses on applicability of truth to the exclusion of knowledge
“Some people pursue personal, spiritual growth through fact acquisition, amassing large–even encyclopedic–amounts of knowledge, storing it in their functioning but dis-shelved mental filing system. The thought here is that adequate preparation will prompt decisive action as if large munitions could make up for the lack of a battle plan.” You’d think Pavlov invented it,... Continue Reading
Eschatology The Last Days Have Begun
The last days began already with the work of Jesus Christ in his death, resurrection and ascension
“The death and resurrection of Christ marked an eschatological event in advance of the end of all things. So, for the New Testament it is not as if the kingdom was offered only to be postponed. A postponed kingdom or eschatology is false according to Scripture.” I want to start this little essay by... Continue Reading
The Man Behind Ben Carson’s “Secular Progressive” Fixation
Carson has sounded the alarm of secular progressivism throughout his campaign
“Let me tell you,” Carson continued, “our nation’s survival as the pinnacle nation in the world…is rooted in our values system, the values and principles that made us into a great nation. And the real question is: Are we willing to stand up for those values and principles? Or will we allow ourselves to be... Continue Reading
The Nativity and Its Pro-Life Message
I was rereading the narrative in the Gospel according to Luke yesterday and was stuck with its contemporary significance relative to the abortion debate
“Think with me about how different Mary was from many in the Pro-Choice movement. Mary embraced God’s authority over her life. In her thinking it was normal and permissible for God to reorder events according to his plan. This reordering should be embraced even if it was different than her own.” I was rereading... Continue Reading
Star Wars and the Ancient Religion
The appearance of a new episode of the Star Wars film series is an important moment for Christian witness
I believe there are good reasons for viewing this film. We can certainly respect its artistic and entertainment value. Galactic battle scenes and human drama are entertaining. But also, by seeing this movie, Christians can sharpen their understanding of both contemporary culture and their appreciation of the Christian faith, allowing them to see in antithetical... Continue Reading
Editorial: The Wheaton Tiff: Christianity, Islam and — Surprise — Remarkable Tolerance
Wheaton, an evangelical Christian school, responded that while Islam and Christianity are both monotheistic, the two faiths shouldn't be conflated.
The college wants to protect its expression of its beliefs — how it carries itself in the world. Wheaton’s desire to consistently project its Christian message isn’t therefore contemptuous of Islam. Unlike those who merely espouse a faith, Wheaton wants to live it. And Hawkins? She seems to understand this, hence her statement of support:... Continue Reading
The Uniqueness of Christian Parenting
Here are some of the things that make Christian parenting a unique thing in this fallen world
There is something wonderfully unique about Christian parents. Christian parents seek to maintain a counter-cultural flavor even as we seek to prepare our children for entrance into that culture as fully-functioning adults. They seek to prepare their children for life on earth at the same time as they are seeking to prepare them for life... Continue Reading
Snow White and the Abortion Queen
The original story was about a queen and her daughter, not a step-mother/daughter combination
It is as this point that my sixth graders were in absolute revulsion against the queen, as they should be. “How could she kill her own daughter over looks?” These sixth graders know the truth. What the queen wants to do is an abomination. What is lost on them is that they have clearer moral... Continue Reading
Jesus And Allah: Do Christians And Muslims Worship The Same God?
Protestant Reformers rejected the notion that Allah, as understood in Islam is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Not only does Islam deny the deity of Christ and reduce him to an inferior precursor of Mohammad, it denies that he died on the cross—Muslims hold either the swoon theory or assert the Simon the Cyrene was crucified in Jesus’ place. Therefore, they deny the resurrection. In other words, as we consider the basic... Continue Reading
Globally, Religious Persecution is Christian Persecution
“This is all because we’re Christians. There is no other reason.”
A diverse set of motives drives the persecution. In much of the Middle East and parts of Africa, it’s Islamic radicalism; in India, it’s Hindu fundamentalism; in China and North Korea, it’s police states protecting their hegemony, and in Latin America, it’s often vested interests threatened by Christians standing up for peace and justice. The... Continue Reading