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Albania’s Hope Is the Gospel
Many young Albanians lack hope. Their country is reeling from the effects of communism, jobs are scarce, and their prospects for a prosperous future, even with a college education, are slim. But there is always hope in the Gospel.
The Bible and Homosexuality (Video)
There are many different opinions on this divisive topic in the Church today. So what does the Bible say?
How to Answer the Harshest Critic You'll Ever Face - Mentoring Letter October 2014
You can answer the harshest critic you’ll ever face. October 1, 2014 Let me tell you why every church needs to care about apologetics—about defending the faith—other than that Scripture commands it, Jesus and the apostles practiced it, and it works. (I’ll set those points aside for now.)
Devotion, Not Quiet Time
Devotion (in the sense I’m using the word) is different from “devotions.” My goal isn’t to squeeze a sense of well-being out of the encounter, but to focus entirely on Him, worshipping Him, thanking Him and devoting myself to His purposes for the day. I know that nourishing our relationship with God is an important part of guarding the treasure entrusted to us. But one way of pursuing that—having a daily “quiet time”—has always been difficult for me. Maybe it’s been hard for you, too.
A French Atheist Surprised by Christ - Mentoring Letter August 2014
If you are courteous and offer something of substance, sometimes even hardcore atheists will take notice. August 1, 2014 Last fall I had an unforgettable conversation with a former French atheist named Guillaume who told me how God found him and what got his attention. One particular detail of his story offers an insight you might find helpful as you engage others with the claims of Christ. Let’s just call it the “surprise factor.”
How to Get Out of a Corner
The Christian gets pigeon-holed as the judgmental one, but everyone else is judging, too. It’s an inescapable consequence of believing in morality. I have a friend who is a deeply committed Christian woman and whose boss is a lesbian. That in itself isn’t a problem. My friend has the maturity to know you can’t expect non-Christians to live like Christians. But her boss posed a difficult question to her, and talking about it with you might help expand your horizons on how to get out of a tough situation.
How to Get Out of a Corner
The Christian gets pigeon-holed as the judgmental one, but everyone else is judging, too. It’s an inescapable consequence of believing in morality. I have a friend who is a deeply committed Christian woman and whose boss is a lesbian. That in itself isn’t a problem. My friend has the maturity to know you can’t expect non-Christians to live like Christians. But her boss posed a difficult question to her, and talking about it with you might help expand your horizons on how to get out of a tough situation.
When Your Argument Lacks Impact
The Christian message simply doesn’t make sense to everyone, or it raises questions or counter-examples that make it difficult to even countenance Christianity until those issues are addressed. I like arguments. Not fights; arguments. They’re different. Fights—angry quarrels, silly squabbles—are not productive. They generate heat, not light.
What Does It Mean to Have Conversational Character? (Video)
Alan explains what it means to have good character when engaging in conversations regarding ethics, faith, and values.
Christianity Worth Thinking About
Even with the popularity of the so-called “new atheists” – Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins— it’s clear to me that it’s no leap of faith to believe in God. I noticed something stunning a few years back while paging through Frederick Coppleston’s landmark work, A History of Philosophy, for a class. Virtually every major thinker in the history of western civilization since Aristotle was a deeply committed Christian theist.