Should Students at Christian Colleges go to Church?

(This is a repost of an article I wrote for the Good Book Blog in 2011.) “It really doesn’t matter whether I go to church. I have Christian friends, Bible classes, and chapels at Biola; why do I need a church?” I’ve heard some version of this statement at least three times during the past week. Although … Continue reading Should Students at Christian Colleges go to Church?

A Different Kind of Love Song: A Reflection on Marriage and Mission

This summer, Trudi and I are celebrating 40 years of marriage. Forty years ago, I vowed faithfulness, friendship, and my entire future to Trudi Lynn Wilson. Apart from following Christ, it was the best decision I ever made. Trudi has shown more love, compassion, and grace than I could have ever hoped for, and far more than … Continue reading A Different Kind of Love Song: A Reflection on Marriage and Mission

Seven Things to Do to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare

Do you want to be ready when you face spiritual warfare? Do you want to be prepared when you encounter attacks from Satan and his host of demons? The Bible tells us to get ready (Eph 6:10-14a). How can you prepare for spiritual warfare? Here are seven things you can do to get ready. These … Continue reading Seven Things to Do to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare

Join Me in Suffering

Many American Christians think that Christians who suffer for Jesus live somewhere else—in nations where Christians endure imprisonments, beatings, and martyrdom for their testimony. But how can this be the only kind of suffering that the apostle Paul has in mind if he invites Timothy to join him in suffering? Physical persecution is something that … Continue reading Join Me in Suffering

Jesus is Coming Soon

Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? This was one of the rallying cries of the Jesus People Movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But, you know, it’s been a while since I’ve heard anyone say it, much less boldly proclaim it. Some things, however, are worth repeating—as Paul once quipped, “To write … Continue reading Jesus is Coming Soon

How a Band Called “Love Song” Did Apologetics

I grew up listening to a Christian rock group called Love Song. I listened to their music all the time. I even got to meet one of their founding members when I was in my youth. Love Song has sometimes been described as The Beatles of contemporary Christian music because of the oversized influence they … Continue reading How a Band Called “Love Song” Did Apologetics

Lessons from the Melbourne Revival (1902): An Interview with Rob Nyhuis

Ken Berding (KB): Thanks for being willing to be interviewed about your recent book, Global Revival: How a City’s Mission Catalysed a Worldwide Awakening. In a few sentences, what is your book about? Rob Nyhuis (RN): Global Revival describes the largely untold story of a four-week mission conducted in 1902 in Melbourne, Australia, by three … Continue reading Lessons from the Melbourne Revival (1902): An Interview with Rob Nyhuis

The Unimportance of Cool

I’m not cool. Even the title of this post is uncool. At least I could have used a strong noun in my title like insignificance, or triviality, or inconsequentiality instead of unimportance! I’m really not cool. I frequently ask my college students to let me know if I’m acting in a truly uncool manner, mostly … Continue reading The Unimportance of Cool

What Would Happen if You Became a Christian? A Thought Experiment

Let me invite you into a thought experiment. What if you became a Christian? What would change? I’m talking about an actual disciple of Jesus, not a Christian in name only. What would be different if you became a Christian?[1] If you became a Christian, you would automatically become a spiritual brother or sister with … Continue reading What Would Happen if You Became a Christian? A Thought Experiment

Rekindling Passion for Prayer: Lessons from John Brainerd’s 1759 Journal

Sometime during my upper teen years, I read the journal of David Brainerd (1718-1747), and like so many people before me was deeply influenced by David Brainerd’s passion for God, commitment to prayer, and missionary zeal. What I didn’t know was that David Brainerd had a missionary-pastor brother, John Brainerd (1720-1781), who took over David’s … Continue reading Rekindling Passion for Prayer: Lessons from John Brainerd’s 1759 Journal