Here’s an email just in. I thought I’d throw it up here real quick (with permission, of course) and answer it. I just read your article about Francis Chan’s belief and teachings about hell. I feel that I must reply to your article. You are missing one important fact about Christians. They believe in God’s Word, and in the Word, God tells us about hell. God commanded his followers—Christians—to tell others about Him and His Word. His command for us... Read more
This is in response to an adult convert to Christianity who wrote to ask about the history and significance of the Christian sacrament of baptism. (more…) Read more
For about a year now I’ve been aware of the great work being done by Kathy Baldock, of Canyonwalker Connections. I recently invited Kathy to use this space to introduce herself to those of you who may not know her. Readers, meet Kathy. The rest are her words. (more…) Read more
The thing I like most about Christianity is how refreshingly, phenomenally uncomplicated it is. If you’re a Christian, the entirety of the Christian narrative for you boils down to these successive points: 1. God created you. 2. God gave you autonomy. (more…) Read more
Boys and girls! Meet: Captain Israel is a comic book illustrated and written by Arlen Schumer. Footing the bill for Captain Israel’s production is Stand With Us, an Israeli advocacy group. (more…) Read more
Here’s a letter I recently received: Dear John, I just found this blog and I am so excited! I did not know so many other people out there believe as I do. I grew up in an evangelical mega-church in Iowa, and was raised to know what I believed, and why I believed it. So for that reason I thank my crazy church, because when I got to college and actually met people who weren’t white or straight or Christian,... Read more
Though this is the last lesson, I hope that this primer on Islam has only made you more hungry to understand and engage this world religion. Ten years ago, after the tragic events of 9-11, I began to teach the beginnings of the material I’ve here shared with you. I hope you will find it useful. I find my own Christian faith strengthened as I try to understand the faith and thought world of Islam. It is in humility and... Read more
Lesson five is a combination of gaining insight into the faith-life of Muslims and some of the practical implications. It begins with a famous writing involving Muhammad, the “Hadith of Gabriel,” which is used as a traditional method of teaching or describing Islam. I find it useful for helping us to gain a feel for not only the different aspects of Islam, but for how Muslim traditions are passed on through such stories. The story also highlights the traditional mentoring... Read more
If you can come away from reading this still believing that it’s impossible for a person to be both fully gay and fully Christian, then all I can say is that I hope your lobotomy didn’t leave behind too unsightly a scar. Read more
The blood of those killed by Anders Breivik is on the hands of Anders Breivik, and no one else. That insane animal is no more a Christian than I am a Muslim. Less. There’s a lot about Islam that I get, that resonates with me; I can identify with what is happening in the heart and mind of a Muslim. The heart and mind of Anders Breivik is a broken, twisted, blood-soaked mess. I can no more identify with or... Read more
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