Continuing in this series on what makes for a robust program of Christian discipleship and learning, I now turn to a third, fundamental domain of sacred knowledge: the study of Church History. If there is one area of Christian study that has clearly been neglected in recent years, especially by Evangelicals, it is this one. The atrocious lack of knowledge of history in general, let alone Church History, is a glaring mark against the contemporary Church in America. If we... Read more
In this series, I am considering four main areas of Christian study: Theology, Apologetics, Church History and Spiritual Formation. In the first post, I discussed the the most important area of study for Christians: Theology. In the following three posts, I have broken down the study of Apologetics, or, the defense of Christian truth claims using arguments and evidence, into three subsets. The three subsets of Apologetics are: Philosophical, Historical and, here, Cultural Apologetics. Before I describe this final type... Read more
In the previous post in this series, I discussed the first category of Christian Apologetics: Philosophical Apologetics. Philosophical Apologetics can also be referred to as Natural Theology. Natural Theology is concerned with constructing arguments based in our observation of either the natural world or our reflections upon our selves as rational and moral creatures. However, there is also the discipline of Philosophical Theology. While Natural Theology overlaps significantly with Philosophical Theology, the latter is more restricted in scope. Philosophical Theology deals with... Read more
In this series, I am stepping back to look at the discipline of attaining Christian knowledge. This is a higher order consideration. It is not aimed at articulating or defending a particular theological doctrine or analyzing a distinct social or moral issue. Rather, it is aimed at the overall process of studying the Christian faith for the purpose of evangelism and discipleship. In the first post, I discussed the most central discipline of the Christian faith: the study of theology.... Read more
There are many specific areas of knowledge relevant to the study of God, God’s creation, and the Christian faith. Broadly speaking, however, there are four overarching domains of knowledge that Christians should pursue, if they desire a deeper knowledge of God, a greater love of His truth and a more effective ministry. Attaining knowledge, both in its propositional and personal modes, increases our capacity to fulfill our sacred mission, which is the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Further, knowledge brings... Read more
Never and nowhere has it been claimed that living an authentically Christian life will lead to feeling appreciated. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul summarizes the treatment one might expect, if one dedicates his or her life to the Gospel. In an unusually biographical passage, Paul recounts the treatment he has endured on account of Christ. In doing so, he contrasts himself with some other “super-apostles,” and argues for the authenticity of his claims: 16 I repeat: Let no... Read more
In this series, I have argued it is bad for committed Christian couples to intentionally refrain from having children. What prompted this series was a notification about some possible topics of theological discussion for the month of August. One of the topics had to do with a “holiday,” “International Childfree Day,” which is celebrated on August 1st. This “holiday” apparently celebrates couples, or singles, who intentionally choose not to procreate. I will say more about the day itself at the end... Read more
In my first post, I mentioned what inspired this series– me becoming aware of a “holiday” I never thought could exist. That “holiday” is the “International Childfree Day.” This day is dedicated to couples (or singles) who have the capacity to bear and raise children (not to be confused with “child-less” couples), yet who intentionally choose not to. To be honest, after reviewing the ICD website, it looks like this great day for celebrating doing nothing has not gained much... Read more
When this month’s “Topics To Write About” list for Patheos authors arrived in my inbox, I was overcome with disbelief, anger and disgust upon seeing the first topic. Not that the editors had done anything wrong, the suggested topic is well worth writing about (it is why I am doing just that). It was just that the first suggested topic for August had to do with a “holiday” I could not have imagined existed. Well, I suppose I could have... Read more
Too many white, evangelical leaders have bought into a lie. The lie being that Christian nationalism is in itself a bad thing. The idea of an identifiable nation-state grounded by and governed in accordance with Christian moral values and duties has become to many Evangelicals the equivalent of all things abjectly wicked: chattel slavery, the KKK, Hitler, the music of Vanilla Ice, etc. But, unfortunately, these people are stupid. In fact, one might say they are “useful idiots” of a certain... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In