Why We Cannot Be "Uncontroversial" Christians
We need a theology of being labeled controversial, and a theology of helping each other through the professional, reputational and personal fallout that comes with that label.

We need a theology of being labeled controversial, and a theology of helping each other through the professional, reputational and personal fallout that comes with that label.
This week marks the death of Columbanus, a Christ-follower used by God to nurture education and establish the Christian foundations of Europe.
Rather than falsely maligning that first Thanksgiving, we should look at it as a model of how things should have been and by God's grace one day will be. This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. Listen to his interview with the Strong Women podcasters about the women of Plymouth, or hear how Thanksgiving was declared a holiday ....
Tough conversations on controversial topics don't have to be a disaster, even if had over holiday visits and meals. The key to civil and productive conversations is to ask good questions.
Our society largely fails to cultivate young men, to teach them about their fallen natures, and to morally form them to choose love over hate and courage over violence. Thus, the epidemics of addiction, aimlessness, depression, irresponsibility, perversion, selfishness, victimhood, and low expectations continue.
The sexual revolution promised women liberation, but men were the real beneficiaries. Children paid the price for that too.
This week marks the anniversary of both the birth (Nov. 29) and the death (Nov. 22) of C.S. Lewis, one of the most remarkable Christians of the last century.
Fanny Crosby, the "Blind Poetess," wrote hymns such as "Blessed Assurance" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" that remain beloved today.
Young people need parents who will have the difficult but thoughtful and gracious conversations with them.
The Respect for Marriage Act is one step away from passage. John and Maria discuss the consequences very few politicians are admitting. And have you considered your motives when you engage on social media?
Our lives are a performance, but only for an audience of One, who indwells us and makes our obedience possible. Paul's advice to " aspire to live quietly " still applies in this age of social media.
If life's purpose is found in the goodness of creation and the ultimate purposes of God's kingdom, dating has a context, as does marriage, work, sex, friendship, procreation, and yes, singleness.
Because a child is more than a "product," procreation without relationship robs children of the right to know their parents.
In a culture that advances state-sponsored death, people granted the "right to die" soon sense it is their duty to die. Ideas have consequences, and bad ideas have victims.
The best stories, Tolkien wrote, acknowledge the seriousness of evil, but give us "a fleeting glimpse of joy… beyond the walls of the world."
There is no "silver bullet" when it comes to navigating tough conversations, changing someone else's mind, or helping those struggling with gender dysphoria. At the same time, to avoid the topic is to not help people at all, which is simply not an option for followers of Christ. Focus on the Family has compiled a list of resources on gender identity and transgender ideology, and the Restored Hope Network also has compiled a helpful list of books, articles, and other resources. And remember, God ...
Despite the fact the vast majority of OB-GYNs do not perform abortions, the message from the American College of Nurse-Midwives is "embrace the culture of death, or choose another career." AAPLOG is constantly confronting actual misinformation about abortion. Learn more about them at www.aaplog.org .
The "Respect for Marriage Act" would firmly root marriage in the United States in nothing more than abstract desires, redefining it from the institution that offered a bedrock for civilization to thrive. People of faith and conscience must act. The best next step with the short amount of time we have on our hands is to call your senators, especially if they are Republicans, especially if they have not been clear on where they stand on the Respect for Marriage Act. If you are in a state with Sens...
Killing inconvenient babies has long been framed as an issue of "rights," not what is right.
Today, November 14, marks the 306th anniversary of the death of Gottfried von Leibniz, a German polymath, committed Lutheran, and one of the most wide-ranging intellects in all of history.
John and Maria examine how the expected "red wave" fizzled and why the pro-life position in the abortion debate is losing at the cultural level.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has officially appointed Putin the country's "Chief Exorcist" and claims that Ukraine is full of hundreds of sects of the Church of Satan.
The tradition in the West for tolerating dissent and demanding free speech came from the hard realization that none of us is fit to hold absolute power... even on Twitter.
Recently, music icon, multi-millionaire, and U2 lead singer Bono said that the key to beating extreme poverty is "entrepreneurial capitalism."
In a sense, we've loaded politics with all the expectations of a worldview. But politics cannot bring salvation, determine morality, provide ultimate meaning, or secure our relationships.
China's repression of Hong Kong has led to an explosion of growth for Chinese churches in the U.K.
Parents have the right to protect their children from harm, such as being inducted or indoctrinated against their will into a harmful ideology. The state has no business interfering with parents protecting their children from an ideology younger than smartphones.
Recently the Women's March organization tweeted , "We're not just pro-choice. We are proudly, unapologetically, pro-abortion." It's a shocking stance but not surprising, given that just days after that first Women's March, organizers announced that pro-life women were unwelcome at all future events.
75% of young adults don't know their purpose in life and that's why almost half feel hopeless. Dr. Jeff Myers reminds us that truth exists and can be known because Jesus is truth and he has revealed himself to us.
This is what our "Cruciform witness" will look like today: faithful devotion to Christ leading to a loving engagement with a watching world. Recently, Glen Scrivener was a guest on the Upstream podcast. You can listen to his interview with my colleague Shane Morris wherever you get your podcasts. And please, go vote today.