Steps to Rebuild a Marriage
Even though an affair is a devastating trial, it can be used by God to redeem a marriage and move it to a place that is far better than either partner imagined
The problems in the marriage did not cause the affair and this in no way justifies the adultery. Yet it can still be a place where both people grow. Both can admit their own failures, sins and weaknesses and make new commitments to the marriage. This happens more effectively when the spouse who has committed... Continue Reading
5 Questions to Ask to See If Your Church Is Dying
A dying church is a congregation that will close its doors within 20 years if it continues its current trajectory
1. Has worship attendance declined in at least seven of the past ten years? 2. Has budget giving declined in at least seven of the past ten years? 3. Does my church look more like the community or less like the community than ten years ago? 4. Are church conflicts significantly more frequent today than... Continue Reading
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
Is there a Scripture that is so versatile that it is able to meet and greet you in every one of life’s events?
Paul could have had every theological degree known to man, yet I am convinced that he would have been regularly undone and moved to tears listening to a 3-year-old sing, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Let’s find ourselves at home with this truth. Lean and rest against these walls... Continue Reading
A Sad Walk Through An ELCA Seminary
A very sad day walking through Luther Seminary
Upon entering the main building a sign was up promoting a new book at Luther’s Bookstore, “Pastrix” by ELCA Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. She was a favorite speaker at the ELCA Youth Assembly and a few months ago spoke at the historic Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis—using the “f” word in her speech. I flipped... Continue Reading
To Stave Off Decline, Churches Attract New Members With Beer
With mainline religious congregations dwindling across America, some churches seek to attract new members by creating Christian community around craft beer
The Christian Church Disciples of Christ — a small mainline Protestant denomination — has experienced a steep drop in membership in recent decades. Beer & Hymns is one attempt to attract new people, in this hip, beer-loving city, while keeping a safe distance away from stained-glass windows. Rodney Page is optimistic. The 78-year-old is a... Continue Reading
The Sign of the Rainbow
The rainbow represents more than a meteorological phenomenon; it speaks to the promise of the Creator God Himself
Every time we see a rainbow, we should think of God’s judgment in the days of Noah and his mercy through His provision of the ark. The rainbow is a sign of judgment deferred. It speaks to the promise of God, a word as certain as God Himself. A promise of life to all who... Continue Reading
Seminary President: Genesis Text Is Not About ‘Male and Female’ but Instead ‘Human Isolation’
Is Genesis 2 about male-female relationships or is it more about any gender relationship to have beside you?
Doesn’t Genesis 2 seem to address this dilemma? It is not good for the human being to be alone. It seems to be that is the much greater take-away that speaks to the human condition … indeed in these life-giving partnerships with those who we recognize as flesh of our flesh and bone of our... Continue Reading
Obamacare, N.T. Wright, and the “Via Media”
N.T. Wright likes to position himself as the healthy middle ground in almost any debate. Is that always successful?
But, I have to confess that I am not always convinced by his via media methodology. In particular, I think Wright often ends up with a view that is neither new nor middle of the road. This is particularly evident in Wright’s regular commentary on U.S. politics (most of which is negative). In an interview... Continue Reading
‘Sola Scriptura’ Radicalized and Abandoned
"Scripture alone" doesn't mean "me alone
Second, tradition is not a second infallible source of divine revelation alongside Scripture; nevertheless, where it is consistent with Scripture it can and does act as a ministerial authority. The historic creeds and confessions are a case in point. While the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian Creed are not to be considered infallible sources divine... Continue Reading
Age of Intolerance: The War on Religion
Things may be worse now for more Christians than at any time in history, including under the Roman Empire
Secularists also tend to think of Christians as the oppressor, not the oppressed. When they picture persecution, they turn to history: the crusades, the Inquisition, Europe’s savage 17th century religious wars, and colonial exploitation. But, as John Allen observes: ”Today we do not live on the pages of a Dan Brown potboiler, in which Christians... Continue Reading