Beck argues that the removal of the immediate presence of death during the industrial and technological age has not only instilled a heightened fear of death, but also inflamed the manifestations of anxiety in our daily lives. Through the changes in our food preparation and consumption, the popularity of funeral homes, and the availability of... Continue Reading

“America’s religious heritage also contributed to a sort of deification of the national enterprise. In recent years, this tendency, first seen during the American Revolution, has been tagged “civil religion.” Civil religion is the attributing of sacred character to the nation itself. Throughout history rulers had claimed divine sanction either by saying they themselves were... Continue Reading

Abortion remains a mystery to the legal world. Because abortion doctors won’t testify against something as barbaric as even Gosnell, people don’t really know what is normal in those clinics. Is it normal for abortion doctors to keep jars of feet on display? Is it normal for them to keep “fetal remains’ in jugs around... Continue Reading

Though Dreher does not use the term, his description of recent cultural warriors, those hostile to Christianity, fits the profile of the radical progressive movement. Here, then, we have the elements of what “culture wars” are in America. They are a clash between America’s traditional Christian culture and the non-theistic, man-centered world of secular radical... Continue Reading

“With these two volumes Boekestein, a minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America, has done us a service by providing accessible, popular pathways into Zwingli’s world, life, theology, piety, and practice and for that we are in his debt.”   Since this is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (October 31,... Continue Reading

“There is no such thing as digital-only discipleship. It’s all analog, because we are embodied people who long for real life community that goes beyond virtual hangouts. Furthermore, pursuing knowledge apart from relationship can become a vice instead of a virtue, the kind of knowledge that puffs up but does not edify.”   Is digital... Continue Reading

No, Anglicanism was not borne out of the marriages of Henry the Eighth and his break with Rome. The history of Anglicanism is longer than that and Anglicans need to know the rich history that has allowed itself to be steered between the Scylla of Rome and the Charybdis of Geneva, all the while retaining... Continue Reading

His book exhibits the hazards of abandoning historic orthodoxy. Orthodoxy isn’t our enemy. Rather, it helps us understand both what to believe and why to believe it. Believers around the world have given their lives to preserve the truths Bell subverts, among them being the truth that the Bible is more than an enlightening book,... Continue Reading

Raymond defines contentment as “the inward, gracious, quiet spirit that joyfully rests in God’s providence” (23). The first half of this definition is uncontroversial. After all, who wants an obnoxious, spiteful, loud spirit? But the second half is much harder. Raymond explains that a truly contented spirit rests in the overruling providence of God. This... Continue Reading

This is a great message, and yet it can be misconstrued. I don’t get the sense that Matt is saying holy living doesn’t matter — although some could go there if they wanted. And neither does he say that God’s grace does not produce righteousness in us either. But the law/Gospel distinction presented is refreshing,... Continue Reading