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Nevertheless, the saucy British writer made the pious vociferously angry. Between 1941 and 1944, C. S. Lewis gave a series of BBC radio talks, eventually published as Mere Christianity, that are the stuff of legend. Less well known today is a series of BBC broadcasts during the same era written by Dorothy L. Sayers: aContinue reading “Dorothy Sayers Did Not Want to Be a Prophet”

The infamous pyramid was never an accurate description of how people act, let alone a guide to discipleship. You may have been told once or twice: “People can’t hear the gospel if they’re hungry.” I’ve read it dozens of times in statements from pastors in the United States. But where, exactly, does the idea comeContinue reading “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Is Not a Ministry Guide”

My hardest lesson as a social worker? God wants me to be close to the brokenhearted as much as he wants me to save them. Twenty-four years old, conscious of my lack of preparedness and certain I would choke on my words, I stood on a dusty country road with a heroin addict whom IContinue reading “Re-thinking My Savior Complex”

Scholar John Goldingay wants readers to rediscover the original feel of the Old Testament in his new translation. Many people struggle with Bible reading and engagement in general, but this is particularly true with the first part of the Bible. We know that those who do read tend to spend more time in the NewContinue reading “Interview: Will the ‘First Testament’ Grab Your Attention?”

The 45-year-old pastor and SBC presidential candidate wants to unite and rejuvenate the denomination by prioritizing evangelism. J. D. Greear falls somewhere between two of his heroes, Martin Luther and Nicolas Cage. The North Carolina pastor strives for the famous reformer’s gospel convictions and allegiance to Scripture, as expected for a missions-minded Southern Baptist. It’sContinue reading “J. D. Greear Transformed His Church Through Missions. Can He Do the Same for the Southern Baptist Convention?”

Understanding the relationship between gospel and culture is vital for evangelism Christians believe that the gospel is universal and normative for all peoples at all times and in all places. But we often forget that the gospel is not acultural, as if it hovers above culture and is devoid of any culture. Instead, the gospelContinue reading “Why You Can’t Just ‘Give Them the Gospel’”

It may sound weird, but knowing we have an enemy is encouraging. The gospel is full of odd comforts. Discovering I’m afflicted with depravity brings the relief of the doctor’s diagnosis: “There is something wrong with me. It’s not all in my head.” More importantly, it provides the good news that in Christ there’s aContinue reading “Good News, Satan Wants to Destroy You!”

Christian men helped me end a violent marriage. Their voices matter now more than ever. A few weeks ago, Paige Patterson’s comments on domestic violence went public, setting off a Twitterstorm of condemnation and support. Thousands of Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) women have since called for his resignation. For the many women who were willingContinue reading “How Southern Baptist Leaders Aided My Escape from Abuse”

The same Spirit that descended on the disciples at Pentecost empowers our devotion to God. My grandmother was part of a Holiness Pentecostal church. That meant—among many wonderful things—that they believed in entire sanctification. It was thought that in this life Christians could reach a level of personal holiness in which they could stop sinning.Continue reading “How the Spirit Sets Us Up for Holiness”

I couldn’t not share of this great love I had just encountered because I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else feeling like I had. “That’s why Scripture exclaims, ‘A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!’ But not everybody is ready for this, readyContinue reading “Compelled to Share: Do You Have a Urgency to See Others Know the Love of Jesus?”