As I went around the room with my students, I asked what their home churches had taught about the ultimate things: heaven, hell, kingdom, and so on. Most of them said their churches were reluctant to say much at all, beyond generalities. Many of their churches, it seems, were fearful to talk much about eschatology... Continue Reading

For the medieval church as for many Christians today, it was tempting to think that Jesus had made salvation possible for those who do their part. In that scheme Jesus was not so much a savior as a facilitator. In such a scheme he is reduced to a cosmic doorman, who allows us to enter the presence... Continue Reading

You may have checked off all previous seven tips and you may still feel like it was a complete waste of time; like nothing got through to your child. It’s at that point that you must remember the first two rules: They retain more than you think they do. They understand more than you think... Continue Reading

What’s the cure for envy? Charles Spurgeon said: “The cure for envy lies in living under a constant sense of the divine presence, worshiping God and communing with Him all the day long, however long the day may seem. True religion lifts the soul into a higher region, where the judgment becomes more clear and... Continue Reading

The principal flash point was Gordon College’s code of conduct, which forbids its students and faculty from engaging in sexual activity except in a heterosexual marriage. The day after the letter, the city of Salem announced that it was canceling a contract Gordon has to use Salem’s Old Town Hall. Salem cannot work with “an... Continue Reading

His letter listed three reasons for his resignation. “The ongoing narrative from the president’s office presents interpretations of facts that differ significantly and regularly from what I believe to be true,” Phillips wrote. “Second, I do not believe I could contribute anything substantive to the board that would be heard. … Third, the president indicated... Continue Reading

There are few opportunities on this side of eternity where we get a taste of this experience with beauty. But I believe Christian marriage is one of them. It comes from a sacrificial, sanctifying love through the years. It comes through moving past the youthful, original attributes that attracted us to one another, to a... Continue Reading

Is such parenting becoming rarer? I recently heard of a college administrator who met with a student and her mother regarding plagiarism charges. Much to the administrator’s surprise, the mother calmly explained that the daughter should not be punished because … wait for it … it was the mother who had plagiarized when she did... Continue Reading

Utah’s defense of its right to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman is continuing on two fronts — in the historic Kitchen v. Herbert case that toppled the state’s ban on same-sex unions in December and in a newer suit, Evans v. Utah, in which several gay and lesbian couples... Continue Reading

At times, the illusion appears to be so true. It seems difficult to deny. We are a nation of great wealth. Indeed, for most Americans “Life is good.” However, like Babel, the kingdoms of man will fail. The nature of man does not change. Original sin still reigns in the hearts of mankind. A handsome... Continue Reading