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

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about shaken baby syndrome? Or daycare malpractice?     If you're anything like me, your first response is outrage.   That's so wrong! You may fume. How do people get away with this stuff?   There's nothing wrong with getting upset at evil. Some things are just wrong. Babies shaken to the point of brain damage. Toddlers mistreated and even killed. Such things ought not to be.   There's nothing wrong with rising up against evil -- but there is something very wrong with the sin we often commit in the Continue Reading