There was a time when sociologists expressed concern about the overpopulation of the planet. But the tide has turned. Instead of a population boom, there is a fear of a population bust. Almost every country in the developed world now has a fertility rate below the 2.1 children per woman needed to sustain the population. Japan lost almost 450,000 … [Read more...]
The Church’s True Situation
It is easy for followers of Jesus in our day to be unsettled by the advances of a secular culture. Our freedoms are eroding. We find those who hold to a biblical standard of marriage and sexuality are portrayed as oppressive bigots. But when we are tempted to be depressed or defensive, we should remember what Jesus said about the true situation of … [Read more...]
Thinking Like a Missionary
The Christmas season provides many natural opportunities to talk about Jesus with co-workers, neighbors, classmates, friends and family. But how can we do this effectively? Lesslie Newbigin was a British theologian who spent the bulk of his ministry as a missionary in India. Below is an adapted list of his suggested ingredients for an effective … [Read more...]
The Dark Side of Advent
We generally prepare for Christmas by decorating our homes, attending parties, eating too much, and opening gifts. We entertain pleasant thoughts of a placid baby in an idyllic rural setting on a calm night. But for John the Baptist, Jesus’ coming triggered an radically different response. He called people to repent. He said, “…after me comes one … [Read more...]
In the World But Not of It
Have you ever struggled to know how to live out your faith in an environment that is increasingly hostile to the Christian faith? On the one hand, you don’t want to capitulate to the culture. But on the other hand, you don’t want to isolate yourself from the culture. We have been called to share the good news with the world. If we become just like … [Read more...]