With America’s Independence Day approaching, it’s a good time for Christians to consider this question. But the answer doesn’t just apply to believers in the US. For Christ followers around the world, there are plenty of biblical reasons to celebrate their countries. First, Scripture encourages us to celebrate the righteousness of our nations. According to […]
Is it Biblical to be Patriotic? Read Post »
To spank or not to spank? It’s a question debated by parents, with many concluding that the practice is unkind, unreasonable, and even unchristian. So it may surprise some to learn how often the Bible advocates spanking. Consider the following wisdom from Proverbs, where corporal punishment is referred to as “the rod”: “Whoever spares the
A Father’s Day Question Read Post »
James W. Hood—bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church during the Civil War—was the first black man in America to publish a book of sermons. Having spent most of his life in Pennsylvania, he moved to North Carolina near the end of the war to minister to freed slaves. Tensions ran high in the region,
Bishop J. W. Hood on How a Love for the Lord Makes Service Delightful Read Post »
Do you ever wonder why you often look down your nose at others who maybe don’t have it quite together as you do; who don’t dress like or talk like or associate with the people you do? Do you ever catch yourself and wonder, Why do I do that? Or possibly, do you always feel
Grace Changes What It Means to Be “In” and “Out” Read Post »
Charity and care for the poor are nearly synonymous with the tradition on which the West is built. In ancient Israel, God commanded that the corners of the fields remain unharvested so that the poor would have food (Leviticus. 19:9). And the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) is a defining image of charity. Likewise, the apostle
The Bible, Culture, and Care for the Poor Read Post »
How much church involvement does God really expect from Christians? It’s a relevant question for people who are busy with work and family commitments yet want to be faithful to their churches at the same time. After all, it can be tempting to skip small group Bible study, Sunday night services (if your church has
How Much Church Is Enough? Read Post »
