Blog
MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATION
Anxiety and depression affects people of various beliefs from atheists to pastors. Some believe that these problems are only spiritual and thus need to be addressed through the reading of the Word and prayer. However, others suggest that these are physical issues that can, and often should, be addressed with medicine. What does the Bible say about anxiety and depression?
THE POPE AND CIVIL UNIONS
Over the past few months, statements made by Pope Francis have lead to confusion and division in the Catholic church regarding same-sex civil unions and the seriousness of the Bible’s prohibition on homosexuality. How can Christians love others, promote unity in the church, and hold fast to truth in the wake of the Pope’s statements?
ELECTIONS AND GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
Depending on the results of our elections, Christians may be tempted to draw conclusions about God’s sovereignty or judgment on a nation. Some may be tempted to rejoice or lose hope depending on whether their preferred candidate was the winner or not. But is this right? What does the Bible say about elections and God’s sovereignty? How should we respond?
POLITICS AND THE PULPIT
As the election approaches, some churches may incorporate elements of politics, patriotism, or a discussion of voting. Christians are encouraged to vote their faith, but is discussion of politics or candidates appropriate to do during a church service? How should Christians and pastors think about this?
DOES THE BIBLE SEPARATE CHURCH AND STATE?
The phrase “separation of Church and State” has been a frequent source of contention in the United States. How does religion fit into the public square? In the previous article, we addressed the history of the phrase separation of Church and State. In this article, we will be looking at whether separation of Church and State is a biblical principle and to what degree our faith should inform our politics.
THE HISTORY OF “SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE”
The phrase “separation of Church and State” has been a frequent source of contention in the United States over the nature of religion in government and the public square. However, what does this phrase actually mean? Where did it come from? What is the proper relationship between the Church and the State, especially in the United States?
RETIREMENT
Retirement is a huge financial responsibility for many as they plan the latter years of their lives. The concept of retirement often goes unquestioned in western society. However, is retirement biblical? And if so, what does biblical retirement look like?
AMY CONEY BARRETT AND THE DOGMA OF FAITH
In 2017, Amy Coney Barrett was pressed by Senate Democrats for her Catholic faith, saying to her that “the dogma lives loudly within you.” She assured them that she “would never impose my own personal convictions upon the law.” But is this correct? Should a judge’s faith be allowed to inform their decisions?
HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE CHURCH
A majority of U.S. Christians now say that homosexuality should be accepted. What does the Bible say about this? Can a Christian truly practice homosexuality and be in line with the Bible?
SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE COLORBLIND?
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t see race. I’m colorblind.”? In a time when our country is dealing with increasing racial tensions, how Christians view the issue of race, color, and ethnicity is continuing to grow in importance. While identifying as colorblind is usually well-intended by those who use that label, is this the best way for a Christian to view these things, or does colorblindness have drawbacks?
IS ALLAH THE SAME AS YAHWEH?
Many people have asserted that the god of the Quran and the God of the Bible are two different perspectives of one God. Even the Quran itself can be interpreted to assert this. It states that the “people of the book” and Muslims are the same (Surah 29.46). In addition to this, there are multiple overlapping narratives throughout the Quran and the Bible. From the creation of Adam and Eve to the Exodus and even the virgin birth, the stories told about the God of the Bible and the god of the Quran are very similar.
RNC v DNC PLATFORMS
The full RNC and DNC platforms provide details regarding their principles on taxation, trade policy, homeownership, minimum wage, and many other issues. Many of these issues are not necessarily moral issues and rely on discernment to find solutions. This article, however, focuses on those issues that pertain to a biblical worldview and helps think through the best way to steward their vote in 2020.
VOTER GUIDE TO 2020 CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS
The 2020 election season is upon us, and as Christians, we have a responsibility to steward our political opportunities well. For voters in California, they will also have the opportunity to vote on twelve different statewide propositions, ranging on issues from stem-cell research to criminal justice reform. From a Biblical perspective, Christians should pay special attention to Propositions 14, 16, 20, 22, 23, and 25.
BORDER WALL
In 2017, Nancy Pelosi (a self-proclaimed Catholic) made the broad claim that the border wall is not only expensive and unwise, but also immoral. While it is easy to recognize that a wall in and of itself is neither moral nor immoral, one must address if Christians are loving foreigners well in requiring the use of ports of entry.
BIBLICAL MARRIAGE
Is marriage simply about companionship and romance? Christians often claim that non-Christians are attempting to “redefine” marriage. This charge often comes as a result of defining alternative practices as marriage including same sex marriage, polygamy, polyamory and others. However, in order to object to the redefinition of marriage, we must first be confident in our understanding of what marriage truly is.
DEBT AND HOME OWNERSHIP
Debt is a point of concern for many Christians. While Christians may seek to glorify God in their finances, because of what the Bible says about debt, they may wonder if this excludes them from ever being able to purchase a home short of a 100% down payment. Most home purchases are assumed to be paid with a loan, but it is important to examine how the Bible addresses this issue.
ABORTION AND THE BIBLE
The abortion debate in America is often characterized by emotion and passion. From both sides, it is not uncommon to hear aggressive rhetoric calling one side murderers and the other side misogynists. While this is a difficult debate, it is best to analyze the Scriptures calmly and clearly with love for those on both sides of the debate. The Bible does not speak directly to the abortion procedure; however, it does reveal abundant teachings about whether the fetus should be valued as a human or as a clump of cells.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE PATRIOTIC?
In recent years, people have questioned whether it is right to be patriotic, especially if one’s leader has policies or personal characteristics they vehemently disagree with. This has been especially true in the United States as our country has grown more politically polarized. Americans seem to have fewer values in common with one another, including whether or not to be patriotic. What does patriotism mean? Should Christians be patriotic?
BALLOT HARVESTING
As a result of the upcoming presidential election, ballot harvesting has resurfaced as a topic of discussion. Ballot harvesting is a practice in which volunteers collect absentee ballots and turn them in to the election office. The laws concerning ballot collection by mail and for absentee voters vary by state. In states that have adopted or seek to adopt more progressive forms of ballot collection, some have raised concerns about the security of the election.
HOW CAN GOD SEND PEOPLE TO HELL?
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers once stated, “I don’t know how you can believe in a God who wants to condemn most of the planet to a fiery hell. What type of loving, sensitive, omnipresent, omnipotent being wants to condemn his beautiful creation to a fiery hell at the end of all this?” Many agree and have rejected the biblical doctrine of hell, labeling it ‘unjust’ and ‘unloving.’