Evangelicalism, Large Cities, and the ‘Other’ Christians
Some evangelicals write as if they are the only Christians doing God’s work in the world.
In 2010, journalist Tony Carnes launched a fantastic project covering the various religions in New York City and from his work the most accurate description of New York City is “post-secular.” In fact, one could argue that it is because of New York City’s religious pluralism that newly-arriving evangelicals even have a context in which to thrive.... Continue Reading
Preaching Like Peter?
Lessons from Peter's Pentecost sermon
Today, there is much understandable concern about how to communicate biblical truth to an increasingly post-Christian, post-modern, post-everything culture. There is profound appreciation of the chasms that often lie between Western and non-Western cultures. But, of course, much the same could be said of the first century. In the face of these daunting challenges, the... Continue Reading
Don’t Tell Me Your Kid’s Sins
When parents retell our children's sins, we often leave the impression that we are the ones who have been wronged
Perhaps one of the most popular examples of telling children’s sin is the viral Tumblr “Reasons My Son Is Crying.” The site was launched by Greg Pembroke, who posted photos of his children in distress because of seemingly insignificant events. The captions describe tantrum-inducing moments like “I broke his cheese in half” and “the neighbor’s... Continue Reading
Creationists Win Second Opinion on Texas Textbook
What Texas decides could affect textbook selection nationally because the state is so large that many books prepared for publication there also are marketed elsewhere around the country
Publishers submitted proposed textbooks this summer. Committees of Texas volunteer reviewers raised objections about the Pearson text, some arguing for creationism, others objecting to the portrayal of climate change as a settled scientific fact. Other concerns included differences of opinion on how long it took the earth to cool, interpretation of the fossil record, and... Continue Reading
“The Christian Spring” or “Brink of Extinction”
The spiritual climate is really bleak in the UK, and the US is only 5-10 years behind.
If Christians are to have any hope for the future, it has to be grounded exclusively in God. If there’s any verse that our generation needs to hear it’s “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of” (Isaiah 2:22 KJV). What does that look like... Continue Reading
Why Is It So Critical That We Sing Together?
Something unique happens when we sing together. The word of Christ dwells in us richly.
And music does this in a way that preaching can’t. In songs phrases are repeated and tied to music. This makes them more memorable. Singing is a way of meditating on God’s word. It’s mulling it over. It’s chewing on it, rolling it over, chewing some more. The word of Christ dwelling richly. Music is... Continue Reading
Large Differences in “Hookup Culture” Between Catholic/Secular College Students and Evangelical Ones
Why such strong differences between evangelicals and Catholics?
I would also just like to point out, by way of encouragement, to evangelical parents a major implication of her research. Biblical Christianity works. To a significant degree, spiritual discipline and diligence by parents and churches in inculcating Christian teaching and practice among their youth is used by God to produce greater purity (and happiness). ... Continue Reading
The Mission of Worship: An Assessment of the Missional Church Movement’s Impact Upon Evangelical Worship Philosophy and Practice
The missional church movement has significantly altered discourse about evangelism and worship
In the past twenty years a new movement has emerged in evangelical Christianity that has reshaped the conversation in subtle yet profound ways by suggesting that these two priorities of a church are not separate but in fact essentially connected, subsumed under the umbrella of the mission of God. This missional church movement has significantly... Continue Reading
PCUSA Presbytery Finds Teaching Elder Not Guilty of Violating Ordination Vows Following His Same-Gender Wedding
Presbyterian Church USA minister found not guilty by his Presbytery of violating his ordination vows for marrying his same-gender partner
“…Bill and I were wed a third time. This time it was a legal marriage, recognized by the state of Connecticut and officiated by two faithful Christian ministers. And it was Presbyterian. The liturgy was Presbyterian. The witnesses were Presbyterian. The two grooms were Presbyterian (Bill became a new member and deacon of our church... Continue Reading
A Transformed Community
A quick guide to corporate maturity.
You can’t think of the Christian life in purely individualistic terms. We are part of a new family and that family is to nurture one another as we all grow up into the likeness of our elder brother, Jesus. Hebrews states explicitly that this kind of growth happens in the context of redemptive, mutually edifying... Continue Reading