The Path To Prosperity Or Bankruptcy? Staggering Facts On America’s Rising Debt
Recovering true prosperity requires making real, significant cuts in government spending a top priority
The bottom line is that we are correct to be concerned with the fiscal situation facing the federal government. The larger the percentage of a nation’s economy absorbed by government spending, the slower their economic expansion because real economic expansion is the product of wise entrepreneurs using capital that is funded by real savings. ... Continue Reading
Narcissism Was A Bad Thing, Until We Started Calling It “Self-Esteem”
Self-esteem is, after all, just a code word for self-delusion
I’m not saying we ought to hate ourselves, although, honestly, I think we’re better erring on that side than the other. And I’m not saying we should have “low self-esteem.” I’m saying we should forget about our self-esteem altogether. Whether your self-esteem is “low” or “high,” whether you love yourself or are merely “working on... Continue Reading
Cuban Church Leaders Publish Joint Declaration on Religious Freedom
Statement indicates that freedom of religion or belief is not respected in Cuba
The declaration and questions outline the most pressing concerns raised by the group. CSW said they include the government’s continued refusal to extend official recognition to newer religious groups, the approval or denial of legal rights to registered groups based on perceived political support and cooperation, and the sweeping authority over religious organizations and activities... Continue Reading
From Zeus to Zilch: Evangelism and Post-Christian Culture
How to engage the pagan culture, people living in areas that are becoming increasingly post-Christian
Increasingly, you will find that your unbelieving friends will not have a background rooted in a Judeo-Christian outlook…. drive the conversation toward God as Creator of all things. What might a Creator require of his creation? What would be the obligations of a creature to his Creator? What do the common human experiences of provision,... Continue Reading
A Theology-Driven Life
There are essentially three approaches to life and ministry
The third approach is a theology-driven life where theological exposition of God’s Word has a tangible impact on how you live your life. God reveals biblical truth for the purpose of not merely engaging the mind, but also engaging the heart and will so that we are challenged, changed, and conformed into the image of... Continue Reading
The PCUSA Hymnal Controversy Around The Doctrine Of The Atonement Part 3: Scripture And Substitutionary Amends
“…it would do a disservice to [the committee’s] educational mission to perpetuate … the view that the cross is primarily about God’s need to assuage God’s anger.”
Some have played off the meaning of “(means/place of) expiation” against the meaning “(means/place of) propitiation” (expiation refers to the wiping away of sins, propitiation to the assuaging of someone’s wrath). This misses the point that in Scripture amends is made for sin (expiation) and to God (propitiation). It is not a case of either-or... Continue Reading
Transgender Theology Professor Asked to Leave California’s Azusa Pacific University After Coming Out
A professor who was once its chair of theology and philosophy to leave Azusa Pacific after he came out as transgender
“I tried to conform to Christian womanhood as best I could,” he wrote, posting pictures of his engagement portrait, the night before his wedding (described as “the last night as myself”) and as a pregnant mother. His first marriage ended, and during his second marriage, he said he was told by spiritual directors, spiritual support... Continue Reading
From Crystal to Christ: A Once and Future Cathedral
Building on the self-actualization theories of Abraham Maslow, Schuller rode the crest of the human potential movement in the fifties and sixties
The implosion of the Crystal Cathedral can be explained in many ways—dysfunctional family dynamics, financial hard times, lack of wise leadership, and a changing religious climate. Moreover, today’s digital generation has no time for a whole “hour” of power from anyone—two minutes on YouTube is enough! But long before the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy,... Continue Reading
We Could Do With a Good Dose of Disillusionment
It's a part of our nature – we like stories with happy endings
We often preach a church triumphant, but that is not what people usually see or sense. Usually people see the little failures that make up the average Christian’s life. The message of grace that comes out of our pulpits, out of our seminaries, and out of our family worship times needs to be one by... Continue Reading
Redeemer Theological Seminary, Dallas, Granted Accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools
Initial accreditation has been granted by the Association of Theological Schools
Steven Vanderhill, President of Redeemer, commented on the seminary being granted accreditation, “We are glad to receive the recognition of ATS that Redeemer Theological Seminary has demonstrated our program meets accreditation standards, but most important to us is our faithfulness to our institutional mission which is to be a learning community dedicated to supporting the... Continue Reading