The Role & Importance of Christian Music Whether you prefer a traditional church choir accompanied by piano and organ, a rock band backed by guitars and drums, a bluegrass group featuring banjos, or a Gregorian chant, music plays an important role in worship services. Beloved old hymns and today’s best contemporary Christian music can touch your soul. The best music has power and meaning. Power to quiet your chaotic mind and help you focus or energize your tired body. Power... Read more
Thousands of words have been written about the recent Republican caucuses in Iowa. I’m not going to add my thoughts to the mix, but the news did make me think about several questions that have confounded me since the 2016 election. The main ones are these: Why would millions of white evangelical Christians vote for Donald Trump in 2016? And why would Christians trade Christ for Trump, as many have, since 2016? In writing this article, I didn’t want to... Read more
As Many Pastors Consider Leaving the Ministry, We Must Ask Now What? There is a crisis in the clergy. America is experiencing a significant increase in the number of pastors who have considered or are now contemplating a career change. Two research organization estimate that more than half of American pastors are thinking about quitting – and that’s a serious problem. So, why are more pastors wanting to leave now? What problems are they facing? And what can be done?... Read more
God help us! God help the victims of abuse by so-called “Christian” leaders, God help their families and God help the Christian religion. The fact is that Christians are killing Christianity one horrible sin at a time. The allegations against T.B. Joshua are the latest in a long line of scandals involving sexual misconduct, financial crimes or worse in Christ’s church. Here’s a breakdown: A number of American televangelists were accused of sexual abuse and financial crimes in widely publicized... Read more
What Jayden Daniels, Bryce Young & Tim Tebow Can Teach Us College football is a religion where I live, as it may be in your area. Churches have Sundays. College football has Saturdays. Churches have holidays. Football has bowl games and national championships. Christians worship Christ. Football fans worship the “gods” of football. It isn’t a stretch to imagine that such hero worship seduces even the best young men. Yet, some don’t succumb. Heisman winners Jayden Daniels of LSU (2023),... Read more
Are you up for a challenge? Then, keep reading to see how many Bible Trivia Quiz questions you can answer. The quiz consists of three parts. There are 10 multiple choice questions in each section, and they become progressively harder – at least they seem increasingly more difficult to me. The questions in Round 1 are worth 5 points for each correct answer. Questions in Round 2 earn you 10 points for each correct answer, and Round 3 questions are... Read more
Christian nationalists gained access to Americans’ bedrooms when the Supreme Court reversed Roe vs. Wade in 2023. Flushed with victory, some far-right conservatives are now attempting to gain power over something that’s even more private – our religious beliefs and relationships with God. I’m thoroughly Christian, but I reject twisted Christian nationalists’ views about God and the Bible. And as I thought about religion in America in preparation for this post, I wondered what ordinary Americans like you and... Read more
White European settlers came to North America for several reasons, one of which was religious freedom. These Europeans opposed government-supported state churches because such an arrangement… Came between them and their Maker Dictated how they worshipped Used their tax money. They wanted religious freedom to worship as they pleased or reject religion altogether without government interference. The desire was so strong in their descendants that America’s founding fathers included religious freedom in the Bill of Rights. And those... Read more
When I decided to write about 9 actors who played religious figures best, I immediately thought of two names, which I’ll share in a minute. Before I analyze all 9 performances, let me admit to a couple of prejudices. First, I don’t particularly enjoy biblical epics in which actors strut around in period costumes and make dramatic pronouncements like stone statues that have come to life. The other prejudice is my dislike of some of the newer faith-based, miracle-of-the-week movies.... Read more
America’s first ladies may use their time in the White House in whatever way they wish (within reason, of course). Their husbands hold a constitutional office with specific job requirements, but they do not. These women continue to enjoy that freedom of choice after leaving Washington. Some former first ladies have done little, while others – such as Rosalynn Carter – accomplished a great deal. In Carter’s case, the accomplishments were rooted in a deep and genuine faith. Carter... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In