Ghosts are everywhere. They star in major motion pictures from “The Shining” to “Scary Movie 2.” Some ghosts are friendly (Casper) and some are frightening (Bloody Mary). Popular television shows like “Ghost Adventures” use the latest technologies to “prove” that spirits of the dead are all around us – and want to make their presence known. But is this true? The short answer is no. As Christians, we must gauge all truth claims by the Bible, the ultimate and unchanging measure of … [Read more...]
What young atheists can teach us
Larry Alex Taunton directs the Fixed Point Foundation, which seeks innovative ways to defend and proclaim the gospel. Recently, his organization reached out to college-age atheists nationwide in a unique campaign. As Taunton contacted leaders of Secular Student Alliances and Freethought Societies, he had one simple request: Tell us your journey to unbelief. Taunton did not dispute their stories or debate the merits of their views. He just listened. Many stepped forward – some reluctantly – … [Read more...]
Islam’s doctrine of deception
Like Christianity, Islam is monotheistic, yet it denies basic Christian doctrines like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, Jesus’ death and resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith. Muhammad’s encounters with heretical Christian sects, and the lack of a Bible in Arabic in his lifetime, no doubt contributed to his faulty understanding of the Christian faith. But two lesser-known teachings based on the Qur’an are equally disturbing. Christians should understand them in order to more … [Read more...]
When a Bible promise is not for you
This time of year Christians send and receive a variety of graduation gifts that feature Jer. 29:11 –“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It’s a wonderful biblical promise. The problem is … it’s not for graduates. As Christians in the U.S., we have a tendency to Westernize, personalize, and lift out of context many passages of Scripture so that they lose their original meaning – and worse, … [Read more...]
Which translation of the Bible should we use?
There is an alphabet soup of Bible translations available today, from the KJV to the NIV and the NASB to the HCSB. This has led some critics to conclude that because there is so much variation between translations, no one really knows what the Bible says. This attack on inerrancy is misplaced. Keep in mind that the Bible’s autographs, or original documents, are inerrant – not subsequent copies and translations. Even though there are dozens of English translations that differ in varying … [Read more...]
Are all world religions equal?
In Cholula, Mexico, stands the Church of Our Lady of Remedies. It sits atop the largest archaeological site in the Americas – a pyramid laced with catacombs and filled with artifacts from pre-colonial days. According to some accounts, the natives of Cholula refused to welcome Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes in the 16th century. So to teach them a lesson, Cortes massacred thousands and ordered the people to build 365 Catholic Churches, one for each day of the year. They never reached … [Read more...]
How one Missouri church is seeking partnership in Mexico
PUEBLA, Mexico – Jason Walters wants his church to carry out the Great Commission by identifying its Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. The student pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in St. Louis has taken mission teams to the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic, and his church already partners with other churches in Iowa and West Africa. But when Walters and senior pastor Daniel Carr heard about the vision being cast by 60 churches in the Puebla/Tlaxcala region of … [Read more...]
100: churches: Mexico-Missouri partnership has 2020 vision
PUEBLA, Mexico – Angel Gonzalez hopes to provide counseling, legal advice, and English as a Second Language to his neighbors in the community of La Luna. Abednego Tamariz has a heart for the indigenous Nahuas people of San Miguel and is sharing the love of Christ with many who are enslaved by alcoholism, drug addiction, and domestic violence. Mauro Lara is grieved over six communities within driving distance of his home in the city of Puebla that have little or no evangelistic … [Read more...]
‘Is homosexuality the worst sin?’
A few years ago I joined leaders of LifeWay Christian Resources in a meeting with executives of a Nashville TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to gays and lesbians. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV executives was a lesbian. She wanted to know why Christians couldn’t just accept her for who she is. It was the only time I recall speaking up, and I said something like this: “I accept you for who you are, if you accept me. We are both sinners who … [Read more...]
Pop Quiz: What do you know about Islam?
Islam is the youngest and fastest-growing major religion in the world. But how much do you know about the beliefs and practices that Muhammad and his followers began exporting from the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century? Here’s a chance to test your knowledge. The correct answers follow the quiz. 1. The Arabic word “Islam” means: a) Holy war; b) Allah saves; c) Submission; d) True religion 2. Muslims believe the final written authority from Allah is: a) The Bible; b) The Qur’an; c) The … [Read more...]
Missouri Cooperative Program giving off to fast start in January, February
Missouri Baptists are giving more to missions through the Cooperative Program (CP) so far in 2013, according to just-released figures from the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC). In January and February, CP giving from MBC churches totaled $2.527 million, compared with $2.423 million during the same two months in 2012. That’s an increase of more than 4 percent. In addition, CP giving in the first two months of the year is running nearly 5 percent ahead of budget. Several factors are … [Read more...]
Are religion and science closer than we think?
A Missouri pastor recently sent me a Huffington Post article in which MIT Astrophysicist Max Tegmark assures us that religion and science are much closer than one might suspect, as evidenced by the results of a new MIT Survey on Science, Religion and Origins. You can read the results and view the survey questions on MIT’s website (http://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/survey.html). Tegmark and his colleagues present a detailed survey of how different U.S. faith communities view the science of … [Read more...]