Silencing the American Pulpit
Earlier this year, a number of my friends complained when a prominent church leader shared her views on why she was supporting a particular presidential candidate. Despite the fact that she and her husband had assembled a team of leaders who have virtually transformed the modern church culture into one that has powerfully impacted the world, many of these friends were ready to unfriend and unfollow her. One person summarized her feelings this way: “I don’t go to…
Transparency: The Painful Truth and How We Must Be Healed
There are many people who have a need to talk about some ugly things from their past. Not to wallow in self-pity but to receive healing from the terrible things they’ve endured and to receive affirmation from us that they are not outcasts or freaks. “A despairing person should have kindness from his friend, said Job, “lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NASB). Job recognized, as only a person in…
Denominational Differences – Deception or a Divine Diamond?
Many well-meaning leaders today are promoting the idea that we should be cautious when associating with Christians from other churches or denominations. Cautious – because there are deceivers in our midst, who would devour us – or so we are told. I won’t dispute that there are people in the body of Christ who are deceived. I won’t even dispute that I might be one of them. What I believe today is different from what…
The Problem of Christian Sub-Cultures
I had the following dream in which I was an observer. The dream featured two friends; Phil Drysdale and Steve Harmon, who were engaged in activities that were highly visible to the public. They appeared to serve as ambassadors that represented different nations. Throughout the dream, they spoke to me and others about different things that were on their minds. Their agendas and motives appeared to be perfectly legitimate. I could not detect any selfishness…
Honor and Heresy
I have some acquaintances that I correspond with on occasion. They present a challenge to me. They often post passages of scripture after making a comment on something I’ve said. It’s rare for these brothers and sisters to make any comment without some kind of reference to the bible. They frequently request others to provide ‘chapter and verse’ when they make statements having to do with spiritual life. I’ve become increasingly concerned with this behavior…