The Christian Response to Persecution

As American society transitions to being a post-Christian culture, it is inevitable that Christians will experience increasing levels of persecution. America has never been a Christian nation. However, as American values drift even further away from Christian values, and as explicit rejection of Christian faith increases, the fact that America is not a Christian nation … Read more

Christian Ethics and Indirect Participation in Sin

Christians are called to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-15). Although our citizenship has been transferred from the kingdoms of this world to being citizens of heaven, we still live within the kingdoms of this world. Although we have been sanctified and set apart from the world for God’s use, … Read more

Proclaiming the Gospel in the Age of Show Business

Over thirty years ago, educator Neil Postman warned of the detrimental effects of television on society in his insightful book, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business.[1]Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business (Viking Penguin, 1985). Postman convincingly argued that the medium of … Read more

Proclaiming the Gospel in a Post-Christian Society

The earliest Christians were sent out to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in a pre-Christian society. Their message about the crucified and resurrected Messiah of Israel being Lord and Savior of the whole world was entirely novel and strange in the ears of the pagan Roman society they were trying to convert. Because their … Read more

Should Infants Be Baptized?

For centuries, the validity of infant baptism has been a hotly contested theological issue within the Church. Today, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, and various other Christian traditions practice infant baptism. However, Anabaptists, Baptists, and various other Protestant groups reject the practice, arguing that only those who are old enough to make a decision … Read more

Christianity and Anarchism

Anarchism is a political philosophy and movement that is opposed to the coercive authority of governments and nation states.  Anarchists believe that replacing the coercive power of governments with free, voluntary associations will lead to greater human flourishing. There is much diversity among anarchists, and many different types of anarchism. But they are all united … Read more

The Theology of Supernatural

The hit television series Supernatural follows the exploits of brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they hunt monsters, ghosts, demons, and other supernatural threats. As the show progresses, the stakes become higher and higher, as the Winchesters tangle with angels, Death, and, eventually, God Himself. After watching all 15 seasons of the series, I thought … Read more

On Annihilationism

This entry is part 6 of 6 in the series Salvation and Damnation

In the traditional view of Hell, Hell is a place of eternal conscious torment (ECT), in which the damned will continue to exist forever in a state of suffering.  Recently, an alternative view of Hell, known as annihilationism, has become increasingly popular.  According to annihilationism, the damned will be annihilated and completely cease to exist.  … Read more

The Salvation of Deceased Infants

This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series Salvation and Damnation

According to Christian theology, the only way for a human being to be saved is for them to repent of their sins, believe in Jesus, and choose to follow Him as His disciple.  It is difficult to know how to apply this theological idea to infants.  Infants do not have any beliefs, nor are they … Read more