The Now Old “Young Evangelicals” *Note to would-be commenters: Please keep comments/questions brief and to the point. Do not include links or pictures. Do not express opinions here that arise out of absolutely contrary worldviews; this is a blog for the expression of my opinions and discussion with other evangelicals (broadly defined) and to explain evangelical Christianity to those who are genuinely interested in learning about it. It is also about Arminianism, a “flavor” of evangelical Christianity. I will not... Read more

*Note to would-be commenters: This is not a discussion board; it is a place for me to express my evangelical opinions and have civil conversations with evangelicals (whether they call themselves that or not) and answer questions from non-evangelicals. If you choose to comment, keep it relatively brief, to the point, constructive for dialogue, respectful and civil. Argumentative comments/questions will not be posted. Do not include any links or pictures in your comment. Know that I speak here only for... Read more

How Far Should Christians Go in Bowing to the Demands of Secular Culture? *Note to would-be commenters: If you choose to comment, keep it brief and to the point. Do not post your own essay here. Do not post any links or pictures. If you comment, keep it calm and civil; hostile or argumentative comments will not be approved. This is not a discussion board; it is a place for me to express my opinions and, as I see fit,... Read more

Why I Am a Socialist: Because I Am a Christian *Note: I do not speak for anyone but myself. Respond only if you have something helpful and constructive to say. This blog is a place for me to express my opinions and engage in dialogue with readers. I moderate this blog and do not approve comments that are hostile or that misrepresent what I wrote.* The word “socialist” scares people. Often only because people misunderstand it. It does have many... Read more

*Note to would-be commenters: Be a responsible citizen here. Do not post comments that are argumentative, hostile, or uncivil. This blog is for evangelical Christians; others are welcome to ask questions to understand evangelical Christianity. But this is not a discussion board; do not use it to post your own views unless they are directly related to what I have written. Keep your comments brief and to the point. Do not post any links or pictures. Do not quote extensively... Read more

On Not Throwing the Baby out with the Bathwater 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 A few years ago I must have said “We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater” once too often because when I said it the whole class burst out laughing. That’s okay; one thing I know about myself is I’m funniest when I’m not trying to be. I confess it.  I do like that rustic saying—”Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”  It very well describes... Read more

*Note to would-be commenters: Don’t expect your comment to be published here if it is argumentative or hostile. Keep it calm and dialogical—open to discussion as opposed to argument* Should Polygamy Be De-criminalized? This morning I watched a documentary on Youtube about a teenage boy who fled his family, church and community and is not able to see any of his relatives or friends, including his father and siblings. He was born into and raised in a “fundamentalist Mormon” church... Read more

What Is “Christianity?” An Addendum to the Preceding Post… Before I add to my immediately preceding blog post to clarify my meaning of “Christianity,” allow me to remind potential commenters about the “rules of the road” here. First of all, this is not a discussion board; it is a safe place for evangelical Christians to discuss what it means to be an evangelical Christian and it is intended as a place for me to express my opinions, answer questions, and... Read more

Why Traditional Religion Is Dwindling in America I have often wondered why church attendance in America is decreasing and why so many Americans seem not to feel any need of traditional Christianity. Throughout much of the twentieth century the majority of Americans were “God-fearing, Bible-believing, church-attending” Christians even if they didn’t live out true Christianity in their everyday lives. But a large segment of Americans seemed to believe they needed salvation and they turned out to hear evangelists like Billy... Read more

Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Matter? I have argued here several times that doctrine matters because God cares what we think and say about him. This is contrary to what some American Christians think. They (some) think a doctrine doesn’t matter unless it has some practical application. Over my many years of studying and teaching Christian theology I have heard numerous times, from Christians, that the doctrine of the Trinity does not matter. How well I remember on colleague... Read more