Three authors weigh the merits of observing Lent. Steven R. Harmon, author of Ecumenism Means You, Too, Frederica Mathewes-Green, the author of The Jesus Prayer, and Michael Horton, author of The Gospel-Driven Life, suggest why Christians should care about Lent. To Take Up the Cross Steven R. Harmon In central Texas, where I grew up, …
But only after I went to Japan in search of his life story. I couldn’t believe it when I opened my email. Inside my inbox was an invitation to the 120th anniversary celebration of a church in Osaka—a church founded by my great-grandfather, a 19th-century Presbyterian missionary. The minister had Googled my great-grandfather’s name, and …
Chuck Smith’s successor says he is expanding founder’s vision. Other leaders say he’s diluting it. What would Chuck Smith do? Three years after the Calvary Chapel founder’s death, church leaders continue to look to his legacy to defend competing views of the movement’s future. Smith’s son-in-law and successor at California flagship Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, …
The Oscar favorite’s portrayal of black, gay experience is at odds with a biblical sexual ethic—but for some, it might be worth the discomfort. In a few days at the Oscars, we’re likely to see director Barry Jenkins’s acclaimed film Moonlight up for numerous awards, including Best Picture. It will also likely bring home many …
Why I was wrong—and what the ABC comedy reveals about conviction and forgiveness. When I first saw the trailer for ABC’s Speechless, it was shortly after my son was diagnosed with autism, and I was prepared to self-righteously hate it. It conjured the first and only memory I have of my child being mocked: As …
Canadian pastors debate whether Trump baggage will hurt local outreach efforts. Compared to Franklin Graham’s evangelistic rallies in far-off countries, his upcoming event in Vancouver is relatively close to home. But the diverse, mostly secular Canadian city is culturally a world away from the Bible Belt. That’s partly why a group of fellow evangelicals has …
Ed Stetzer discusses the tensions of denominational giving, who speaks for the SBC, and the impact of the 2016 election. Last week, two-time Southern Baptist Convention president Jack Graham announced that his church would withhold its donation to the denomination’s Cooperative Program (CP). Southern Baptist churches decide individually whether to donate a percentage of their …
Why this ‘new spirituality’ is really just old-fashioned syncretism. After waking up in the middle of the night to the high-pitched cries of my sweet daughter, I rolled out of bed to warm a bottle. With her snuggled closely in my arms, I reached for my iPhone and noticed that I had received a text …
The leading Christian scholar on gender dysphoria defines the terms—and gives the church a way forward. I still recall one of my first meetings with Sara. Sara is a Christian who was born male and named Sawyer by her parents. As an adult, Sawyer transitioned to female. Sara would say transitioning—adopting a cross-gender identity—took 25 …
Why CCCU schools are split on claiming one of their legal rights. Editor’s note: On February 22, 2017, the Trump administration revoked the Obama administration’s guidance that Title IX required public schools to accommodate transgender students in restrooms and lockerrooms. What was intended as a “list of shame” for Christian colleges may instead become a …