Jesus’ Last Words: “Feed” and “Give”

Last updated on: October 10, 2019 at 6:42 pm By Guest Contributor

By Matthew Myer Boulton At the very outset of the New Testament, Jesus’ public teaching begins in earnest with the Sermon on the Mount, the lovely “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Matthew 5:3). But some twenty chapters later, after countless parables and maxims, healings and disputes, Jesus gathers his disciples for one more session, one last lesson before he turns toward the cross. The moment demands a closing summary, an iconic “what’s-it-all-about” distillation of his teaching, a final argument... Read more

A String of Suicides Among High Profile Pastors: How Do We Make Sense of It?

Last updated on: September 18, 2019 at 1:54 pm By Guest Contributor

The death of Jarrid Wilson, a pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in California, makes clear once again that Christians are not immune to mental health difficulties; and clergypersons and their spouses are significantly more susceptible to depression and anxiety that the normal population. Read more

Is it Biblical for Christians to Get Tattoos?

Last updated on: August 28, 2019 at 2:11 pm By Lesli White

The short answer is nothing definitive is said about tattoos in the Bible. Scripture makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Read more

7 Common Christian Beliefs That Aren’t in the Bible

Last updated on: August 28, 2019 at 2:05 pm By Stephanie Hertzenberg

Christians have been reading and reciting the Bible for as long as it has existed. The teachings found within its pages form the bedrock of Christianity. That said, certain beliefs have wormed their way into Christianity that are not found in the Bible despite the fact that many Christians believe they are upheld by the Good Book. Here are seven common Christian beliefs that are not in the Bible. Satan Was Once Lucifer The fall of Satan from heaven has... Read more

Can Christians Drink Socially?

Last updated on: August 28, 2019 at 1:56 pm By Guest Contributor

Is it OK for us believers to drink socially, or is it a sin? Read more

I Remember When: A Look Back at 30 Years of Harvest Crusades

Last updated on: August 23, 2019 at 1:59 pm By Guest Contributor

After 30 years of Harvest Crusades in Southern California, there are a few things I look back on and smile. Read more

The El Paso Shooter and the Futility of Salvation by Works

Last updated on: August 15, 2019 at 2:03 pm By Guest Contributor

The horror of the mass shooting in El Paso is a particularly vivid illustration of what happens when salvation by works is attempted—it fails. Salvation by works doesn’t work, no matter who tries it, and can prove especially dangerous in the hands of the troubled and misinformed. Read more

Has the Church Allowed the Gospel to be Tainted by Nationalism?

Last updated on: August 6, 2019 at 3:56 pm By Guest Contributor

I would contend that we as a Church have an ill view of the Father’s heart regarding righteousness and justice. I would contend that we have allowed our Gospel narrative to be seasoned with a peppering of nationalism, coated with a glaze of party politics, simmered in the humanized liberal agenda. I would contend that we are not being true to the Gospel when we forsake justice and forget righteousness. The Church must correct its course. The Church must cleave... Read more

When a Story is Better than a Sermon

Last updated on: July 11, 2019 at 6:54 pm By Guest Contributor

About ten years ago, an imam walked into my office at Fairfax Presbyterian Church with a Christmas present. He was the leader of the nearby Turkish mosque, a man with a big smile and a warm spirit. He and I became friends and went on to lead two clergy trips to Turkey, a country with a rich history of interfaith relations. When the rulers of Spain expelled its Jews in 1492, Turkey welcomed them. And while there have been interfaith... Read more

CityServe Co-Founder Dave Donaldson on Church-Based Compassion and Key Issues Facing the Church Today

Last updated on: May 10, 2019 at 1:01 pm By Guest Contributor

Dave Donaldson, co-editor of CityServe and co-founder of CityServe international is tackling an important mission. Last year, in response to the growing spiritual, mental and social needs in communities across the country, Donaldson teamed up with a group of Christian leaders to launch a powerful initiative, CityServe International. The goal is to provide faith-based solutions and community outreach initiatives to transform local communities. Through the local church, business and government, CityServe served more than one million people in 2018, along... Read more