The Christian life is not to be withdrawn. We have lives to live for Christ, work to do, ministry to perform, and a witness to bear. Our Savior expects and commands us to be fully engaged in this world for His glory. But we are mere men – “handfuls of animated dust” – and there... Continue Reading

The heart of the issue is not whether homosexual practice is sinful; the key issue is whether homosexual attraction is itself a sin and if the heinousness of this sin is such that it disqualifies a man from holding ordained office. The letter’s failure to mention the widespread concern surrounding SSA anywhere in the body... Continue Reading

Yes, your feelings show you are alive. Congrats—you exist just like everyone else. But your thoughtful, considered actions prove you are living. Your obituary will list the things you have done, the relationships you have built, not the emotions you have felt.   A few weeks ago, a teacher at my kid’s school shared a bit... Continue Reading

There’s another possibility to consider—one that rejects any hint of pride on our part while not ignoring our responsibility to remain faithful and true to God’s divine revelation.  While the LGBTQ crowd and others celebrate pride and immoral sexual orientation/behaviors, we might consider June an appropriate and opportune time to pursue holiness as a call... Continue Reading

We see this in the Communion of Saints: There are these different ways of living out masculinity — think St. Francis de Sales and his gentleness. And then there are other male saints who are much more strident. And the same with the female saints: You’ve got Catherine of Siena, Joan of Arc, as well... Continue Reading

Reviewing early church history reveals that it was truth-telling that brought Christianity into conflict with its culture, but on the other hand, it was truth telling that resulted in hundreds coming to Christ. In those days, it was not looking socially respectable that drew people to Christ, it was being faithful to the truth they... Continue Reading

Most people were too busy laughing to notice; as with many sitcoms, people who morally opposed much of the behavior unfolding onscreen found themselves rooting for illicit hookups, divorces, and laughing at predatory sexual behavior (Joey Tribbiani: “She’s needy, she’s vulnerable—I’m thinking—cha-ching!”) And when religious people consumed the same entertainment as everybody else, it created... Continue Reading

Do your hips and hands hurt? Likely. Are you overlooked in ministry for younger men and women? Usually. Has your energy and creativity waned? Probably. Is God finished with you? Absolutely not! Older saints, please press on. You have walked the path of faith longer than us newbies, and although sin still sways your ways... Continue Reading

Though we know what happens in Genesis 3, suppose Adam had obeyed God. Suppose he did not eat of this tree, what then? Adam would have inherited eternal life.  This is a necessary inference of the text itself. If Adam disobeys, he dies. Therefore, what happens if he obeys? He does not surely die. Or, put... Continue Reading

True praise in worship doesn’t come cheaply. Praise is not: “1,2,3 let’s go” as the band jams for twenty minutes. Praise is not created by a hip worship band and leader up front manipulating emotions to bring people into an ecstatic state as the congregation watches, mostly in silence, the great performance. People who live... Continue Reading