I am a Christian. I am a husband, father, son, and friend. I am a pastor. I am an American. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the source of my feelings on a particular issue because I am complex. We all are. Because I am a Christian, I strive every day to make sure that I have a Biblical worldview, that is to say, a view of life that is entirely seen through the lens of God’s Word. This is not always an easy task. Why? Well, because as I mentioned I am a husband, a father, a son…etc… there are so many things that make up who I am. Plus, I am just straight opinionated.

Last night it was announced that one of the most evil men of recent history was killed. Is there an appropriate way to feel when you find out an evil man has been killed? The reason for my question is pretty straightforward. The responses to the news on Twitter and Facebook seemed mixed within Christian circles. Granted I would say that nearly 80 per cent …

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Living life with a Biblical worldview can sometimes be uncomfortable when conversations with certain people reach a point of contention. Such a moment occurred with me the other day when I was asked, very frankly, by a self proclaimed atheist if I believed in a literal hell. My answer apparently enraged her. She considers the notion of hell to be a contrived means of manipulating weak minded people into following a bunch of made up rules so that organized religion can manipulate people to eventually drain them of all their money, intelligence, and free-will. (or something like that) Though it is not a very original argument, I was enjoying the conversation.

She told me that I can only compel others by fear because of the prospect of hell. This brings up an interesting point. Can we effectively preach the gospel without preaching hell?

A couple of points to ponder.

1. Jesus clearly taught on hell.

Matthew 8:11-12, Mark 9:42-48, Luke 16:19-31

2. Since God is omnipresent, hell is the presence of God in His full judgment and wrath.

3. Hell is just because God is just.

4. Hell is …

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American culture is changing at this moment faster than I ever witnessed in my lifetime. Political and religious stereotypes are meshing into something that is nearly indistinguishable.  I don’t often use German philosophy to illustrate spiritual truths, but Hegel’s concepts of thesis (truth), anti-thesis (the opposite of that truth), and synthesis (a blending, or new idea from both) to me is applicable right now in our society because something new is being created.

I am concerned because I do believe in truth and I believe the ever quoted John 14:6speaks of that kind of Truth. “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. No eisegesis here, simply pointing out the fact that Christ is inseparable from His Word. Jesus then in John 16:13 promised of the Holy Spirit that we would receive after His ascension, “Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. “ John 8:31-32 corroborates. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Truth is becoming a philosophical conversation rather than an absolute in our world.

It is …

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I recently had a telephone conversation that affected me deeply. As a parent, I have been humbled many times by the truths I have discovered through the honesty of my children. (Apparently I look scary with a beard and “Mommy and Daddy shows” are not fair…good points.). I don’t mind learning from others, even if they are much younger than I am. A few days ago I came across the work of Lila Rose, a 20 year old student at UCLA. Ms. Rose is a pro-life activist and the president of Live Action Films, a youth led human rights movement dedicated to the respect and protection of all human life including the unborn. She began this type of work as an assignment in high school, and she continues it with her organization. Ms. Rose has made many headlines in recent years because of her undercover investigative journalism which has exposed many flaws in the system, specifically with Planned Parenthood. In her most recent video, Ms. Rose shows the willingness of a Planned Parenthood employee to ignore state laws which require the …

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The recent attacks in Mumbai have left over 155 dead, 327 injured, (at the time of this blog) and left me thinking about a subject that I can’t get out of my mind. Justice.

I think often of the defenseless and the abused…those that have no chance. What happens to the ”bad guys” that prey on the weak and vulnerable?

From a theological standpoint the subject of justice has a few sides. On the spiritual side, I do not want justice because…I would fry. Yet grace seems to nullify justice through the sacrifice of Christ in our stead. We do not get what we deserve. Jesus makes it very clear in John 14:6 that He has provided the way to God, a Way that circumvents the punishment that all men deserve because of our transgressions against Him.

Clearly those without Christ are not so fortunate.

Psalms 10:13-14

13        Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ”He won’t call me to account”?

14        But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.  The victim commits himself to …

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