We who are in the church, especially pastors and denominational executives, have a vested interest in maintaining the church as it currently exists. Of course we’d like our church and/or denomination to grow, but what we mean is that we would like more of what it already is, more of the same kind of people, more resources, etc. What we really want is a better status quo, churches like the ones we have, but bigger. But is that what God wants or what God is doing at this time in history? It doesn’t seem to be. The church plural is in crisis. I don’t have a magic solution for this problem, but it is worth discussing, worth facing up to some harsh realities, and taking stock. Which is better: harsh realities or false hope? …
Christians are also called to stand against what the Authorized Version calls spiritual wickedness (πονηρία), and the English Standard Version calls spiritual forces of evil. Again, note that we are […]
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. –Ephesians 5:11 Paul’s solution to the sin problem is exposure to the light of Christ. The Authorized […]