“__ is the greatest threat to the gospel.” We say this a lot in church circles. We insert our favorite pet concern into the blank and attack from there. Just in the last 50 years, in one form or another, evangelical presses, conferences, and speakers insist that the gospel is threatened by forces external toContinue reading “The Next Threat to the Gospel”
Category Archives: Church
What Is Happening to Our Christian Colleges
I have been a faculty member of three Christian universities (one was called a “college” when I taught there) in succession over the past almost forty years. I have held tenured positions at two of them and now have held a named chair at one for several years. I have spoken at numerous American ChristianContinue reading “What Is Happening to Our Christian Colleges”
Cracks in the Wall
The longer I live the less I know for sure. That sounds like 50% heresy . . . but it’s 100% honesty. In my younger years I had a lot more answers than I do now. Things were absolutely black and white, right or wrong, yes or no, in or out, but a lot of that is beginning toContinue reading “Cracks in the Wall”
Sermons That Taste Good
The popular cook book and Netflix series “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” explores key elements in developing flavorful dishes. Rather than mass producing fast food lacking in nourishment, a skilled and experienced chef focuses on crafting meals which are an experience unto themselves. In the same way, pulpit ministry ought not be filled with pre-wrapped outlinesContinue reading “Sermons That Taste Good”
The Real Reason They Left Your Church
“I’m not getting fed.” It’s one of the most common complaints of church members looking for excuses to leave a church. The gripe is that the pastor’s sermons are not providing the person adequate spiritual growth. And most of the time it’s baloney. Sure, there are a few pastors who preach borderline heretical sermons. AndContinue reading “The Real Reason They Left Your Church”
Powerless Sermons and Prayerless Churches
The term “Achilles’ heel” refers to an area of weakness and vulnerability. The American church today has an Achilles’ heel—a lack of prayer and powerful preaching. Both are vitally important to spiritual health. Sadly, many Christian leaders focus on image rather than intimacy with Christ, being woke instead of waking up from their spiritual slumber,Continue reading “Powerless Sermons and Prayerless Churches”
Do I Have to Go to Church?
Many people have an improper or unbiblical understanding of church attendance. Some people’s feeling about church attendance borders on legalism—they must attend every time there is any kind of service or meeting, or they risk God’s wrath. Some people experience guilty feelings whenever they miss a Sunday morning service for any reason. Sadly, some churchesContinue reading “Do I Have to Go to Church?”
What Is High Church and Low Church?
Any study of denominationalism or church history is sure to lead, sooner or later, to the terms High Church and Low Church. Originally, these terms defined movements within the Anglican Church, but the meanings have broadened to apply to non-Anglican churches, as well. The terms have to do with worship procedures, specifically, the use ofContinue reading “What Is High Church and Low Church?”
What This About a Visible and Invisible Church:
The Bible never uses the term visible church or invisible church. But the idea of the visible church versus the invisible church is a natural result of a biblical understanding of the doctrine of salvation. The visible church is the expression of Christianity that people can see: the gathering and practices of the individuals inContinue reading “What This About a Visible and Invisible Church:”
Is There Only One Church?
The word translated “church” in the New Testament is ekklesia, which means literally “those who are called out.” In one sense, the church is the group of people that God has called unto Himself from everywhere and from all time. In this sense, there is only one church—one body of believers that God has calledContinue reading “Is There Only One Church?”
