“Jesus died for your sins,” makes Jesus’ death your fault. This is spiritually abusive and manipulative. Is there a better understanding? “Jesus’ Death Was Your Fault” I remember the elementary school children gathered around their Sunday school teacher who held up a picture of Jesus on the cross, with blood gushing down. “Do you know why they killed Jesus?” she asked. “Well, Jesus died to take your place. You see, every one of you is a sinner. Each of... Read more
For an alternative to Jason Aldean’s veiled racism in his new song, “Try That in a Small Town,” I suggest Home Free’s “So Long, Dixie.” Two Different Southern Attitudes As a country boy from the rural American South, I’m all about heritage. I grew up with the Southern values common to the region–church every Sunday, cornbread and biscuits, shooting guns, and saying, “Ma’am” and “Sir.” I’m proud of that heritage, and I smile when I notice that some of my... Read more
Is it possible to find Christ in another religion? The author of Hebrews says the answer is YES! There’s a whole chapter dedicated to it. In my last article, “Is It Ok to Be Friends with People of Other Faiths?” I stress the importance of interfaith friendships. Some warn against relationships with people of other religions, suggesting that their influence may rub off. But Jesus admired people of other religions and even enjoyed their company. Christ in... Read more
Many Christians want to know, is it okay to be friends with people of other faiths? The answer is YES! For International Friendship Day (July 30), let’s see why interfaith friendships can be so important. The Importance of Interfaith Friendships My parents taught me the importance of interfaith friendships when I was young. I remember visiting with our friends from Sri Lanka, and marveling at the Buddha statues in their home. When a Jewish friend who was a struggling... Read more
Will Christians receive crowns in heaven? What does the Bible say about spiritual rewards? The answer may be different than you think. Will There Be Any Stars? Growing up in a Baptist church, I heard lots of talk about receiving a crown in heaven. We even sang “Will There Be Any Stars?” by E.E. Hewitt. I imagined a literal crown full of stars as I sang the lyrics: 1 I am thinking today of that beautiful land I shall reach... Read more
Without meaning to, the Church often excludes intersex people. Here’s what one hurting commenter said the Church should do to include them. Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ FOLKS In my article, “How to Decide When Jesus’ Teachings are Silent,” I discussed how following the Holy Spirit’s still small voice can help Christians decide things that Jesus never explicitly mentioned. One paragraph in this article addresses marginalized communities that Jesus didn’t specifically affirm. I wrote: Even red-letter Christians would like to think... Read more
Countless scriptures adjure believers to pray for one another. But if painful and pleasant come to all, you may ask, “Why Pray?” If People Struggle Anyway, Why Pray? In my last article, “When Prayers of Protection and Healing Fail,” I addressed the crisis of faith that many feel when they pray for others, and disaster happens anyway. These experiences lead many to believe that there is no purpose in prayer. If people struggle anyway, why pray? Author C.S. Lewis... Read more
If people still have accidents, sickness, and other tragedies even when we pray for them, why pray? Recently, a friend asked me about prayers for divine healing and protection. In their own health journey, and in light of a recent neighborhood tragedy, they found themselves wrestling with how to pray. Here’s my response: Those of us who grew up in church learned from an early age to pray for protection and healing for those we love. We took for... Read more
Have you heard about the forgotten martyrs in the Bible? Our Bible heroes murdered these men, women, and children because of their faith. A History of Violence Religious history recounts stories of violence and persecution against Jewish and Christian people. While these stories are well known, we must reflect on the narratives of those whom we ourselves have martyred. The Bible itself presents instances where individuals were killed for their faith, often perpetuated by religious leaders. When we get honest... Read more
Is the debate between a paper or digital Bible merely a preference? Is there a proper way to honor a paper Bible? Does the format matter? People of the Book To honor their Christian brothers and sisters, Muslims call followers of Jesus “people of the book.” This is a respectful title for those who follow God as interpreted through the Scriptures. But many Christians turn the Bible into an idol. I have known Christians to so honor the physical book... Read more
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