By John McKinley
May. 17, 2012 11:02 a.m.
Theology,
Spiritual Formation
I heard recently that the Jewish and (East) Indian mentalities expect life to be full of difficulties 
and pain as a matter of course. The American mentality expects the opposite: a happy life overall, and usually an improvement over the previous generation. Americanism includes the idea that we may, through hard work, ingenuity, and divine blessing, avoid pain and lack that others suffer. Some American Christians have even preached that material prosperity in this life, including healing of all physical ills, is God’s will for His people. Reality, however, counts against the so-called prosperity gospel.
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By Nell Sunukjian
May. 16, 2012 8:21 a.m.
Biblical Exposition,
Culture,
Ethics,
Marriage and Family,
New Testament,
Spiritual Formation
How does one raise a daughter? What does a young girl need from her parents? What does she need from her mom?
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By Uche Anizor
May. 15, 2012 8:46 p.m.
Theology,
Biblical Exposition
After a semester of teaching an undergrad course on Scripture and Tradition, a number of things emerged in our discussions that might be worth reflecting on regarding the Bible and its interpretation.
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By Gary McIntosh
May. 15, 2012 4:05 p.m.
Church Life,
Evangelism,
Ministry and Leadership
Pastors and church leaders have experienced the frustration of seeing someone make a personal decision for Christ and then quickly disconnect from church. Why is it that people connect with Christ but not a local church? How can local churches be more effective in keeping new believers?
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By Michelle Lee-Barnewall
May. 14, 2012 3:37 p.m.
Biblical Exposition,
New Testament,
Spiritual Formation
Last year a well-known auto insurance company ran a creative commercial warning drivers about the importance of having good car insurance (especially theirs). An actor starring as “Mayhem” rides on the left panel outside a woman’s car, right where her blind spot would be. He introduces himself to the viewers by saying, “I’m your blind spot. And my job is easy. Hide big things.” As the woman checks her left side to see if it is safe to switch lanes on the freeway, Mayhem mischievously tells her, “You’re good!” and gives her the thumbs up while simultaneously blocking her view. Of course, there is a truck in the next lane, and the woman gets into an accident as a result of his bad advice. The commercial ends with Mayhem urging the viewers to buy insurance from the sponsor so they can be protected from situations like the one he just created.
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By Dave Talley
May. 14, 2012 9:58 a.m.
Church Life,
Ministry and Leadership
Many books hit the market regularly, and we are bombarded by the “latest” trend and the “best” resources and the “proven” strategies, all with the promise of making us more successful in our ministries or in life. I highly recommend a book that is powerfully simple and biblical: The Trellis and the Vine, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, published by Matthias Media (2009). It is an easy read with only 12 chapters and 196 pages.
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By Ken Berding
May. 9, 2012 5:56 p.m.
Church Life,
Ministry and Leadership,
Spiritual Formation
I recently led a seminar for students at Biola who are studying to become church worship leaders entitled: “Hidden Agendas in Worship Leading.” I had them break into groups and discuss what sorts of hidden motivations sometimes lie under the surface in the process of planning and implementing times of worship. When we came back together we drew up a list on the white board. Here are some of the elements that made it onto that list...
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