In Defense of Partisanship and Parties
Jesus preached what all Scripture declares, that our primary loyalties are to God
Not all Christians have similar earthly vocations, and not all Christians are called to intense political involvements. But thankfully God has called some, whose labors make our political process function. Although all are called to prayerful concern about the state and to good citizenship, most are not called directly to political activism Liberal... Continue Reading
The Reverend Rants
The NCAA could do with a little two-kingdoms or even sphere-sovereignty theology.
According to Tim Bayly: “As I’ve pointed out many times and will continue to point out, those weddings you attend or officiate that do not include the wife’s vow to obey or submit to her husband are not Biblical weddings.” Father (as in patriarchy), forgive us. Rebellion against Nature. I have read that... Continue Reading
The Faith to Doubt Christianity
A gospel-shaped apologetic starts not with telling people what to believe, but by showing them their real problem.
If there’s no God, everything is permitted. Without God we’re left with no basis for all that is most important to our lives: human dignity, compassion, justice. We have a problem Believing has both a head and a heart aspect, so while some non-Christians will need more help with one than the other,... Continue Reading
Why are Christian athletes still being crucified by sports media?
"A virgin, a Christian, and a Tebow fan – to the secular left, three strikes against her."
An athlete can lead an unsavory life or even be a criminal and win a pass from the media (just Google “NFL police blotter”). But outspoken Christian athletes face a media blitz against their faith.
Challenge to Clergy Tax Break Clears Hurdle
Lawmakers responded in 2002 with the Clergy Housing Allowance Clarification Act to protect the parish exemption but limit it to the fair market rental value of a home.
A ministerial housing allowance provision that saves U.S. ministers an estimated $1.2 billion annually in tax exemptions is unfair to other taxpayers not entitled to the same benefit, according to a 2011 lawsuit by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. A Wisconsin judge has given a green light to a lawsuit challenging a federal... Continue Reading
Welcomed by Christ’s ‘Hospitality’
Reciprocity, Mutuality, Philoxenos, Hospitality
Apart from Jesus, we were separated, excluded foreigners, without hope and without God in the world (see Ephesians 2:11-18). But, the energy of Christ’s work on the cross empowers the Spirit to bring us near – to God and each other. What good news – if we like adventure! When five candidates for... Continue Reading
Questions for Our Pro-Abortion Friends, Church Leaders, and Politicians
What shall we call the unborn in the womb?
Where in the progression does our humanity begin and end? Where does life become valuable? When are we worth something? When do human rights become our rights? What if Dr. Seuss was right and a person’s a person no matter how small? What shall we call the unborn in the womb? If the entity... Continue Reading
An Open Letter to Stay-At-Home Christians
Some questions and an exhortation to professing believers regarding their life in the visible church.
The following open letter is addressed to the growing demographic of self-professing Christians who prefer to worship at home than publicly in a fellowship of other Christian believers at church. Dear Eugene, I want to thank you for the kind email that you wrote me recently after we met by God’s providence at... Continue Reading
The Silence of Bill and Hillary Clinton
Bill and Hillary Clinton have been vigorous defenders of religious freedom, President Obama has been a foe
Where are the Clintons now as President Obama continues to stubbornly enforce his HHS mandate requiring all Americans, of every religious belief and denomination, to forcibly fund abortion drugs? Have these fighters for religious freedom said anything at all to the president? Have they voiced even a slight objection? To the contrary, in his glowing... Continue Reading
Lutherans Latest to Reject New NIV Bible Over Gender Language
Allegation: The inclusive language in NIV 2011 raises questions about the particularity of biblical revelation and undermines the saving revelation of Christ as the promised Savior of humankind.
The New International Version is reported to be the world’s leading contemporary English Bible translation as it is known for being easy to understand. It was announced in 2009 by global ministry Biblica that the popular translation would be revised for the first time in 25 years. The updated NIV was released in 2011 and... Continue Reading