If we would remember the sheep in cases of doctrinal discipline of teaching elders, we would be much less likely to take things personally, and we would be much more diligent about following through, because of the terrible consequences of allowing sheep to be poisoned. Instead, people who are concerned about the sheep tend to... Continue Reading

But the gravest threat to religious liberty for Christians is antidiscrimination law, which deprives Christian institutions of their ability to function on a Christian basis, requiring the hiring and retention of persons who do not comply with Christian doctrine and morality. Most commonly this pertains to homosexuality, but can concern any area of Christianity with... Continue Reading

When we call people to do mercy ministry, we must call them to do it for biblical reasons, and not for worldly ones.  Certainly, Christians should not do mercy ministry to earn favor with God; our favor with God is secured by the finished work of Christ.  We should not do mercy ministry just because... Continue Reading

You didn’t just “happen” to meet your husband or wife. You didn’t just “happen” to wind up living where you live. You didn’t just “happen” to join your church. God has been directing your every step. And life isn’t just “happening” to you. You may work under a miserable boss. You may be going through... Continue Reading

A word to ministers. We hear much today, and rightly so, of churches committed to simple means of grace. I suggest that if your ministry does not include systematic family visitation, you are neglecting an important means of grace. I challenge you to rethink your ministerial philosophy.    Editors’ Note: This is the second of... Continue Reading

There is a sad misconception today that because Calvin believed in predestination, he was not evangelistic. The persistent myth is that he did not have a passion to reach lost souls for Christ. Nothing could be further from the truth. Calvin possessed a great passion to reach lost souls. For that reason, he preached the... Continue Reading

But since when does the government need to make home visits to kids who don’t make good grades (and by the way, who decides what “low achievement” is for a particular child?) How many of us were born to young moms, and are just fine, thank you? What about Dad enjoying an occasional cigar on the back... Continue Reading

If we don’t believe that the Bible is perfect and without error, we will set ourselves up as critics above the Bible rather than students under the Bible. By highlighting the Bible’s so-called “problems” we will weaken confidence in the Bible. If we believe the Bible is inerrant, then we will stick with the Bible... Continue Reading

Relevant Magazine’s rant illustrates all the stereotypes and assumptions about pro-life Christians commonly parroted in secular publications. I expect this from a culture that accepts abortion as a given and emphasizes personal choice and autonomy as sacred values, thus can’t understand that there is any substance to pro-life beliefs beyond moralistic power grabs. But Christians... Continue Reading

When you get to church to find out that the preacher is in the third of a 10-sermon series on “10 steps to cure depression” get up and run out of there as fast as your depressed legs can take you. It’s self-help, not the gospel. Chalk it up to a well meaning preacher who... Continue Reading