If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase, "I'm spiritual, but not religious," I'd be a wealthy woman. It's a popular -- and prideful -- sentiment these days.     Another favorite is, "I'm a Christian, but I don't have to prove it by going to church."   (Silly me...here I thought church was about celebrating my beautiful Savior and hearing the word of God proclaimed, in community with other believers, because that's what I love to do.)   I suppose people mean they can exercise the spiritual dimension of their lives without the help of a Continue Reading

Remember the "Emergent conversation?" You know, the plethora of books and articles a few years ago telling Christians how to stop being jerks? Perhaps you read those authors, too. Perhaps you realized that, yes, Christians have developed some bad habits.   Habits like telling people what to believe instead of listening to their story, or trying to force John 3:16 into every conversation.   Habits like being judgmental, formulaic and phony.   In other words, we figured out our approach to sharing our faith was often annoying.   Along came voices like Brian Continue Reading

How should we handle same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage? This is the issue of the day. Christians with well-known names have taken positions on both sides of the issue. Emotions abound.   This is not an easy topic for anyone. Many gays have expressed being treated with disdain, if not outright hostility, by the Church.   We have been abysmal in our treatment of our fellow man on this issue. I mean, carrying signs that vilify gays, claiming that God hates them? Really?   Excommunicating parents because they choose to continue a relationship with their gay Continue Reading

Have you heard this view lately? All religions are basically the same. It doesn't matter if you pick Jesus or Buddha or you worship trees, it's all good. In fact, you can pick a little of each, if you like.     Religion du jur has become the menu specialty of the day, but the fact that it has a wide appeal doesn't mean it actually works.   Prevailing worldviews have significant differences in their notions about God, the afterlife, the value of human beings, the meaning of person-hood, and so on.   Hinduism teaches there are many versions of Continue Reading