14 Problems with Humility

There are multiple problems with humility. Here are 14, in no particular order: Problem #1: Humility is difficult to write and talk about because the moment someone starts talking (or writing…) about the need for humility, that person’s own pride begins to appear—like I’m facing right now as I write. I wonder if this is … Continue reading 14 Problems with Humility

Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation

I just finished reading Collin Hansen’s book, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. Keller went to be with the Lord on May 19, as many of you know. Hansen’s book about Tim Keller was released only a couple months prior to Keller’s passing. I appreciated this book and received extra benefit from it because … Continue reading Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation

One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence

Did you hear what happened to Erica Marsh, the rage-baiting leftist political commentator who had 130,000 followers on Twitter? The answer is nothing, since Erica Marsh probably never existed, and her Twitter account was likely faked. Prepare yourself. With the proliferation of AI (Artificial Intelligence), you’re going to hear a lot more stories about fake … Continue reading One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence

Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?

I was serving as a part-time worship pastor in a church in one of New York City’s suburbs when the attacks of September 11, 2001 were launched. Soon after the attacks, a small contingent of vocal church members began to demand that we start to sing American patriotic songs during our worship services. That suggestion … Continue reading Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?

Is Jazz Music Christian?

I just finished reading A Supreme Love: The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel, by William Edgar. I enjoyed this book. It has a good chance of making my top-seven list for 2023 when I post my favorite Christian books at the end of the year. (Like this, this, this, this, and … Continue reading Is Jazz Music Christian?

“Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss”? (Q&A)

Four times the Apostle Paul instructs his readers to greet each other with a holy kiss (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; cf. 1 Peter 5:14). Let’s work through a few questions related to these verses’ social background and address the question of whether we should bring back the practice … Continue reading “Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss”? (Q&A)

Gossip: The Inside Scoop

Can I tell you a secret? You have to promise not to tell anyone. I know some details about Gossip that you might find interesting. I’m sure, though, that Gossip wouldn’t want you to know these things, since he’s probably afraid that if you learned about him, it might remove some of his influence. Personally, … Continue reading Gossip: The Inside Scoop

Dramatic Drop in Bible Reading: Why?

In 2011, the percentage of Americans who “used the Bible at least 3-4 times on their own, outside of a church setting” was around 50%. Again in 2012—around 50%. Then again in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Always around 50%. But according to the American Bible Society, in 2022, that … Continue reading Dramatic Drop in Bible Reading: Why?

What is Christian Revival? Three Resources to Help You Understand Revival

A Christian revival is a moment in history when 1) the hearts of many of God’s people are awakened to greater love and commitment to Christ, 2) many who consider themselves Christians (but are not) get converted, and 3) many people who have never known Christ are drawn to faith in Christ through what God … Continue reading What is Christian Revival? Three Resources to Help You Understand Revival

“Based”

Last semester a young college friend challenged me (dared me?) to try to use the contemporary slang word “based” during one of my college class lectures. Honestly, it was a bit tricky, since I first had to figure out what my twenty-something-year-old students meant when they used this word. But once I got a basic … Continue reading “Based”