While very evangelistic, the book is also a polemic of sorts against the shift in evangelical thinking on hell. He confronts the books that have been written to suggest hell doesn’t exist, the prosperity pastors who promote a “non-judgmental Santa-god,” as well as those who may just be too embarrassed to bring up the whole... Continue Reading

Soon after, I watched Ben-Hur (the one with Charleton Heston) and basically expected to see Gladiator again. I was shocked by how liberally Gladiator borrowed from Ben-Hur, and so I thought I could predict the film’s formulaic ending, but was again disturbed when I realized this was a film that dwelt on the brokenness of its protagonist and dissatisfaction with the revenge that... Continue Reading

The U.K.-based publication Christian Today quotes research as saying attacks on Christians have increased in the last twenty years because local Christian mission groups have been helping the poor people – Dalits and Tribals – with social needs. The research shows these groups have been empowered by Christians through the gospel, education and social support, and have... Continue Reading

These tensions are real. However, this isn’t because Christianity is schizophrenic. These are good and necessary tensions; and they shouldn’t lead to discouragement, despair, hopelessness, or depression. If you are experiencing these tensions of the Christian life, there is a reason: you are a pilgrim on the way. In fact, you are only a sojourner... Continue Reading

Pastor Tchividjian emphasizes the parable as a condemning, first use of the Law kind of story. I think this is a legitimate understanding of the story, and he’s right to point to the kind of righteousness that would be required to be justified: perfect righteousness. Only Jesus has that, and in that sense it is... Continue Reading

The same LORD who knighted Moses on Horeb was about to kill him at the Motel 6. The only thing that saved the savior, was the quick worship of his wife, Zipporah. Obediently, she did what her husband should have done years ago. She circumcised her son, saved her husband’s life, and let Moses know... Continue Reading

The media is hailing Seeger as a “social-justice” crusading “progressive,” a voice for the poor, the downtrodden, the working man, and the environment. He’s also being portrayed as a victim of wild-eyed McCarthyites who maniacally searched for a red under every bed. Well, the full story is a little different.   Editor’s note: A shorter... Continue Reading

Ten of the 11 most religious states in 2013 are in the South. The exception is Utah, a majority of whose residents identify as Mormons — the most religious of any major religious group in the country. The 10 least religious states in 2013 are from two areas — New England and the West —... Continue Reading

While affirming the place of the gospel as the boundary of fellowship, we want to insist that the whole counsel of God is the center of fellowship, and that pursuit of this center is of irreplaceably great value for worship, fellowship, and devotion. Further, this center is not merely doctrinal: the center of Christianity includes... Continue Reading

This is good advice for those of us who use the expression “God opened (or closed) the door.”  When choosing to speak this way, let us keep an eye on our deceitful hearts which are all too quick to hijack an otherwise fine expression for self-centered or self-acquitting reasons.   We’ve all heard someone say... Continue Reading