Theology Stories

Faith

Behold, the bridegroom comes

There are well over a hundred parables in the Bible, but the most beloved are the 30-plus parables Jesus shares with us. While he’s not the first to use this form of teaching, Jesus endows his parables with unparalleled originality and spiritual depth. Several of Jesus’ parables address the suddenness of his future return in glory.
Columnists

How to pray when you don’t feel like praying

After more than 3000 years of biblical instruction and over 100 years of psychological study, we still struggle with the motivation to pray. We sometimes fail because we lack spiritual maturity. Other times we struggle because of unconfessed sin. We also struggle in prayer because we have a demonic enemy who hates our prayer lives. So, the question is: How do we stay motivated to pray when we don’t feel like praying?
Faith

Lifeway Research: Churchgoers may be overconfident in Old Testament knowledge

If you ask someone at church to name their favorite story from the Old Testament, they may mention Moses or Noah, but they might also talk about Jesus or Paul. Some may even begin describing a story from outside the Bible. When asked about their favorite story from the Old Testament, around 4 in 5 U.S. Protestant churchgoers share one from the first section of the Bible, according to a Lifeway Research study. More than 1 in 10 (11%), however, offer a New Testament story or book, 7% say none and 3% don’t know.
Faith

His name is called the Word of God

In his Gospel account, John tells us of the person and work of Jesus as the Incarnate Word (John 1:1-18). He is eternal, divine, distinct from the Father and yet equal with him. He is the creator of everything. He added sinless humanity to his deity in the Incarnation and thus pitched his tent with sinful and fallen people. Though rejected by his own, he is the true source of light and life. And to those who trust in him, he grants the right to be God’s adopted children. He is God revealed in human flesh.
Columnists

FIRST-PERSON: Prayer and evangelism reinforce one another

Prayer and evangelism go together like chocolate and peanut butter. The two practices mutually reinforce one another and enhance the other spiritual disciplines. The dynamic happens like this: the more you pray, the more you attune your heart to God’s heart, and specifically, God’s heart for the lost. The more you seek to evangelize, the more you sense your need for the Holy Spirit’s divine enablement and long for his intervention. Prayer should lead to gospel proclamation, and gospel proclamation should intensify your prayers.
Columnists

Prayer and meditation

Christian leaders have correctly identified numerous problems with the wholesale endorsement of the meditation exercises promoted by both Hinduism and Buddhism. Still, according to Pew Research, a higher percentage of evangelicals than Hindus meditate in any given week in America. Where is the disconnect? Are Christians and Hindus talking about two different things? 
Faith

Battles stew in Louisiana, Oklahoma over Scripture mandates in schools

Parents and lawmakers are battling one another over religious mandates impacting public schools across Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Faith

Priscilla Shirer releases first book in five years, ‘I Surrender All’

“All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give … I surrender all.” The words of the old hymn are familiar to many, but do Christians today know what it means to live fully surrendered to Jesus? In her new book, Bible teacher, speaker and actor, Priscilla Shirer explores what surrender looks like in the life of regular people who want to follow Jesus with abandon in practical, everyday rhythms of their regular lives. Shirer’s first book in five years, “I Surrender All,” examines what it looks like for all of life to come underneath the rule and authority of Jesus Christ.
National

Throat cancer fails to loosen his grip on God’s sovereignty

“Don’t feel sorry for me,” Ernest Easley writes in a new book. A feeding tube is how he gets nourishment. He struggles to speak. Diagnosed with malignant throat cancer in 1998, severe side effects from 44 radiation treatments still afflict the longtime pastor.
Ethics

FIRST-PERSON: Finding freedom in Christ

I had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land in Israel in 2018. What an experience that was of learning, experiencing and walking where Jesus walked. I learned much about biblical sites which made the Bible come alive. But I also learned about the current Israeli culture. I will never forget the day our tour guide made this statement, “You Americans often talk about your freedom. We have no idea what that even means. We have never experienced freedom.” This is the only life they have ever known.
Faith

King of kings and Lord of lords

John’s vision of the returning Christ in Revelation 19:11-16 reveals marvelous truths about the Lord’s conquest of sin and his restoration of righteousness. John captures many details that show how Christ’s glorious return sets in motion his final battle with sin, thus paving the way for a restored Eden.
National

Personhood, believer’s baptism, and a defense of the senior pastor featured in Spring 2024 Midwestern Journal of Theology

From church governance to cultural engagement, the Spring 2024 edition of the Midwestern Journal of Theology addresses several relevant questions for the Church today. The new edition features contributions from scholars and pastors including Midwestern Seminary faculty and doctoral students.

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