America’s baby bust
A new study reveals the number of U.S. women giving birth has reached its lowest point ever recorded
Many factors contribute to declining fertility, including a lack of hope in the future and a culture that discourages people from taking on the hard work of rearing children. “Modernity has turned us into a deeply unserious people,” Last said. The overall U.S. birthrate fell in 2011 to its lowest level ever... Continue Reading
Radicalizing the Middle Class
We seem to have a lot more middle class church members than we do rich ones, and it is not just your money that I seek.
We need a generalized radical attitude among ordinary Christians. We need whole congregations who desire to include the poor among their ranks. We need middle class churches willing to share their budgets with inner city congregations; not to give them pretty curtains, but help to feel the needy among them. We need tutors, we need... Continue Reading
Some Thoughts on the State of Christian Publishing
After the Bible, the Spirit, and the body of Christ, has anything been more important in the history of the church than the printed page
Personally, I’d like to see a deeply theological book about the nature of church unity. I’d like to see more careful “first principles” kind of thinking on politics and the relationship between church and state. I’d like to see someone publish (at a popular level) that go-to book on the doctrine of Scripture. I think... Continue Reading
Libertarianism, Calvinism and Young Evangelicals
"Postmoderns love Libertarianism because it often implies there is no “accepted moral truth.”
This postmodern stance resonates with a certain vision of some Calvinist theology, which presumes that those outside of faith are outside of God’s redemptive rule and are “vessels of wrath.” Walker countered that God does not “create any person to break His laws.” Today IRD was graced by a visit from our board member Graham... Continue Reading
‘Ana is with Jesus’
A portrait of one family affected by Friday’s mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., as they prepare for their daughter’s funeral
“Ana loved her God, loved to read the Bible, and loved to sing and dance as acts of worship. We ask that you pray for the legions of people who are left behind to cherish memories of her.” Ana and Isaiah attended Linden Christian School in Winnipeg. The funerals have begun. On Monday, the... Continue Reading
Who Owns “Evangelicalism” in America?
We evangelicals can confess that we believe moving Leftward is more dangerous (theologically and soteriologically) than moving Rightward.
“The only time I heard from Christians themselves was in the political realm. Two issues defined them — abortion and gay marriage — leading secular folks like me to believe that Christians wake up thinking only about babies in the womb and gay people at the altar. That perception changed when I moved to a... Continue Reading
Newtown: Evil is a part of life
Whatever we find out about the thinking, habits and sickness of Adam Lanza, it was the evil one who sent him to kill those children.
President Obama should have a Nixon-to-China moment. If he tells Hollywood it has made America sicker, Hollywood will be forced to listen. It won’t be so easy for them to turn away. If the president had strong, clear, uncompromising words—if he made an address aimed only at them, a clear and unsparing one that told... Continue Reading
Your Pastoral Calling: The Destiny Hermeneutic
Human beings don't live life based on the facts of their existence, but based on their interpretations of the facts
Pastor, you must live with a preparation mentality and teach those under your care to do the same. The trials, injustices, and hardships of today do two things for you and me. Every day they remind us that this isn’t our final destination. But there’s another thing… They drive us to the end of ourselves.... Continue Reading
France Devises Plan to Treat “Religious Pathology”
The latest effort to emphasize France’s adherence to secularism and prevent violent outbursts of extremist religion
France’s official position of secularism has sought to keep faith out of the public sphere, causing tension between religious groups who want to maintain a more visible religious identity and left-wing secularists who posit that religion should be a private matter. French officials announced a new surveillance policy earlier this week to monitor... Continue Reading
The Human Heart is the Problem, Not Guns or Gun Laws
When violence strikes among us, the real issue is the heart
We fool ourselves into thinking that with the stroke of a pen, our Congress and President can make the world a safer place, as if the laws already on the books were not enough. Congress cannot help because they do not have the power to do so. Remember, Cain murdered Abel without an AK-47. There... Continue Reading