The day after the “Triumphal Entry” or “Palm Sunday” Jesus again enters Jerusalem in the morning, but this time he is walking. There is no ceremony, no joyful cheers, just a fig tree that will serve as a living parable. It is early and Jesus is hungry (Matt. 21:18-22). Upon investigating the tree, Jesus sees that the tree had not produced figs and he curses it. Since it was common knowledge that fig trees would not produce edible figs for about six more weeks, this action of Jesus seems bizarre. Everyone knew that the fig tree would not produce edible figs at this time of the year. The edible figs would not ripen until late in May. These figs …

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I find lists that seek to synthesize large periods of time (such as end-of-year lists) helpful in providing a birds-eye view of cultural development. While it could be said that lists such as this have more in common with the particular author’s viewpoint or bias, I would venture to affirm that a magazine such as Christianity Today holds a larger degree of impartiality.

The reason that I am citing this particular end-of-year list is that the majority of the top issues directly related to an exercise of authority. Only #2 and #6 move away from this distinction. This should come as no surprise to anyone. The issue of what gives a person or a group of …

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Stand To Reason reporting on a new study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

Where Have All The Christians Gone?
Moses vs. Jesus – Who is America’s Prophet?

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The documentary COLLISION pits leading atheist, political journalist and author Christopher Hitchens (“God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything”) against fellow author and evangelical theologian Pastor Douglas Wilson on a debate tour arguing the topic “Is Religion Good For The World?”. Lives and worldviews collide as Hitchens and Wilson wittily and passionately argue the timeless question, proving to be perfectly matched intellectual, philosophical, and cinematic rivals.

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The following is an except from an update by Kris King (Coordinator for Missions) and Kevin Maner (Director of Missions) regarding our team in Panama.

This morning we headed to the Baha’i Temple in Panama City. There are only 7 Baha’i Temples in the world! The Baha’i believe that the world’s major religions are part of a single process for God to reveal His will to humanity. That we are all equal and will one day be a unified single race. The Baha’i’ community runs 10 schools in the region where they otherwise would not exist. These schools are only accessible by horseback or on foot. Our team went to the temple today to …

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From philosophy professor James Spiegel:
1. Augustine (5th century): Remember that you are a citizen of another kingdom.
2. Martin Luther (16th century): Expect politicians to be corrupt.
3. Thomas Aquinas (13th century): God has made himself known in nature.
4. John Calvin (16th century): God is sovereign over all, including our suffering.
5. Jonathan Edwards (18th century): God is beautiful, and all beauty is divine.
6. Thomas a’Kempis (15th century): Practice self-denial with a passion.
7. John Wesley (18th century): Be disciplined and make the best use of your time.
8. Fyodor Dostoevsky (19th century): God’s grace can reach anyone.
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If the title of this blog surprised you (that true and sincere followers of Christ can have homosexual desires) than you my friend need to wake up. Paul places the act of homosexuality right alongside of “everyday” sins giving us a strong reminder that this is not some ultra-sin.

9 …do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of

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I recently wrote a blog-post called How To Express Your Faith Without Losing Your Friend in which I tried to find the edges in various ways people (“Red” and “Blue” people) can legitimately express the Gospel in different ways without compromising the message. I’m a big fan of realizing that being different does not necessarily mean being wrong. In this blog, I use Rick Warren and a speech he gave to Muslims as an example. Although I didn’t endorse his comments and thought he needed to be very careful in his trajectory; I did think maybe he is still on solid ground just trying to create a dialogue that I don’t realize since the reference point …

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It’s one of the hardest things to do – explain your faith without losing a friend. I want you to consider something; the gut reaction you had as you read this statement placed you on a particular side of the issue I want to address. Allow me to explain, if you felt immediate concern for how this statement sounds – a prelude to compromising the Gospel, I would label you a “red” christian. If you’re first gut-reaction was a feeling of excitement or curiosity to know how to express the Gospel without offending someone; I would label you a “blue” christian.

This is where it gets tricky. Both “red” and “blue” Christians have valid feelings …

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Twice in the last week I’ve found myself giving this advice to people: “Doubt your doubts.” It comes from C. S. Lewis and I have found it helpful over the years to apply it with resolve.

Neither your strongest beliefs nor your shakiest doubts are infallible. Often, something we take as absolutely guaranteed turned out to be less certain than we thought. The same goes for our fears and doubts.

It’s easy to think of all the doubts that point toward bad news as rock-solid, and the reasons you have for hope to be just wishful thinking. But when you’re in that state of uncertainty, it’s best to just confess the one thing you can be sure about: “I don’t

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