The Necessity of the Cross
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus explained to two disciples that the crucifixion of the Christ was not an unexpected problem, it was something that “ought” to have happened (Luke 24:25-26). Among many other elements about the cross that we need to think about more carefully, we need to understand more deeply that our salvation […]
Investigate the Church of Christ
The church of Christ is composed of those who are being saved. It is not a denomination. When a person hears the gospel of Christ, believes it with all sincerity, soberly repents of his sins, confesses Christ as the Son of God, and is baptized (immersed in water) by the authority of Christ, God forgives […]
Millennials Consider Themselves Seekers of Truth?
“Millennials,” 20-year-olds to 30-somethings, are leaving their churches in droves. How could this be? Every gimmick imaginable has been tried by the big money denominations and mega-churches to snag the millennials’ interest and involvement. And it is not just the soft-to-nonexistent gospel these churches offer. There are Starbucks-style coffee bars in church foyers to caffeinate […]
“Full of Grace and Truth”
John declared, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). What a profound statement the apostle makes when he records this marvelous description of Christ as being full of grace and full […]
Young People and Church Disconnect
On October 25, 2021, Clare Ansberry wrote in The Wall Street Journal about how young people are more disconnected than ever from religion and churches. Several religious groups have seen memberships fall in recent years, including among young adults and teens. About 23% of young people said they attend religious services nearly every week or more, […]
Jesus Had a Wife?
A Harvard historian revealed a faded, fourth-century scrap of papyrus she calls “The Gospel of Jesus’s Wife.” One line of the torn fragment of text purportedly reads: “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife …’” The following line states, “she will be able to be my disciple.” The finding was announced to the public on September […]
The Beginning of the Deerfield Church
In March 1827, five or six couples formed “a society for the investigation of Scripture subjects.” They were Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and noncommunicants. They wrote, “We assumed that the Christian religion, in its fullness and perfectness, was recorded in the New Testament. We also assumed that this was an intelligible document, for, if not adapted […]
The “Cowboy Church”
The “cowboy church” is a relatively recent innovation that has seen an explosion in growth. “Cowboy churches” are based upon the Western, cowboy culture. They are also denominational in nature. For example, the AFCC (American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches) models itself after the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Their culture and heritage show when they […]
“In Season and Out of Season”
Paul, writing in 2 Timothy 4:2-4, clearly indicates that there are times when gospel preaching is “in season, out of season.” History indicates that in the first century in most places it was in season; in the middle ages it was out of season. There was a great season for the gospel in America in […]
Ashamed of the Gospel
Pragmatism is the notion that meaning or worth is determined by practical consequences. To a pragmatist, if a technique or course of action has the desired effect, it is good. If it does not work, it must be wrong. But biblical truth is not determined by testing what “works” and what does not. Churches today […]