I came across a video recently in my social media feed of a preacher making a claim that the church should be about entertainment. Is that true? Let's unpack it. Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church, in Grapevine, Texas, sparked controversy in a recent sermon. Young drove onto the stage in an expensive car. Specifically he drove a Rolls-Royce, which typically costs around $200,000 to $600,000. (It's possible he may have rented the car, which can also be pretty expensive.) The

We love hearing stories about God's grace working powerfully upon a human heart. Specifically, I mean that we love hearing testimonies of dramatic life change. We love radical salvation stories: God's powerful grace, sinners pursued and saved, and sin left behind for holiness. These things are good. I rejoice in God when I hear stories such as these! But—I'm afraid that sometimes we lift these radical stories up so high that it can cause a sad, troubling effect. Many ask them

Type of Doctrine: Typically Secondary or Tertiary "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV throughout) Why Does It Matter? Church offering declarations are used by some churches—especially those with leanings towards the Word of Faith and prosperity “gospel” beliefs. What are they? Are they biblical? When did churches begin using them? Although worship liturgy is typically

Ok, let's get straight to the point: Over the past 4 years or so, I have heard of cases where Matthew 18:15-17 is interpreted in many bizarre and harmful ways. In this section of Scripture, Jesus gives some principles for handling conflict when a person sins against another. Some apply this Scripture to all cases of disagreement and conflict (including marital, parenting, friendships, workplace, church relationships, leadership, staff issues, etc.). Some apply it to particula

We Americans are pragmatic people. In many ways, pragmatism was built into the fabric of our society due to necessity. When people moved to North America about four hundred years ago, they had to figure out how to survive. They needed to grow food, build homes, develop businesses, and build a society. There were many immediate needs. Learning needed to produce something. As time went by, pragmatism developed into a philosophical movement. According to Merriam-Webster, pragmat

Type of Doctrine: Tertiary " . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . ." -Romans 3:23 ESV Why Does It Matter? You might hear the message in teaching, preaching, music, or casual conversation: Every sin is the same to God. It is often meant as an encouragement. But is this message true? Are all sins the same to God? This article will explore two views and cover some key Scriptures. Though aspects of the doctrine of sin are undoubtedly primary or seconda

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." -Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV throughout) Christian leaders should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. That statement shouldn't be controversial. However, in our day, sometimes it is—or at least it can be controversial to expect a Christian leader to embody the fruit of the Spirit consistently, even if imperfectly at times. Here

Type of Doctrine: Typically Tertiary "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." -Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV Why Does It Matter? Some pastors and Christian teachers emphasize the true biblical teaching that we shouldn't waste our lives, but it is often applied in a way that leads to chaotic, busy lives. On the other end, some past

"17 He (Jesus) said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'" -John 21:17 (ESV throughout) In our day, we often see a striking overemphasis in churches on either evangelism or shepherding. It seems like one of the two, evangelism or shepherding, is pursued wholeheartedly wh

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” -Colossians 3:1-2 ESV Last week I found out that one of my seminary professors, Lee Eclov, had passed away. I was shocked. The same day he had commented on a friend's post on Facebook, and I happened to see it. It seemed so sudden. When I heard the sad news, a flood of his pastor

“It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” -Romans 4:24a-25 (ESV throughout; emphasis mine) In Romans 3, Paul claims that no one is righteous (Rom. 3:10). Everyone has sinned . Everyone has fallen short . There is no human being that has lived righteously . C. S. Lewis has said, “Christ takes it for granted that men are bad. Until we really feel this assump

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” -Psalm 139:7-10 ESV Some moments, as a Christian, are powerful . We sense that God is with us. By the Spirit, we can discern his presence in the room. It feels like God i

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." -Zephaniah 3:17 ESV A few weeks ago the Puritan John Owen blew me away as he was talking about God's love which rests because he is satisfied with us. (I will give the full quote later.) He was commenting on Zephaniah 3:17, which is a powerful verse demonstrating God's joyful love for his people. Bef

Why do we push past God-ordained limits? Many of us live what appears to be a limitless life (though no one can truly live in a limitless manner!). We try to do too much in an hour, day, week, year, and lifetime. We willingly take on unnecessary debt and live beyond our financial limits. We often stack so much on our schedules that we can't rest. Why? It seems like churches would challenge us on this practice. It seems like they would call us back to sanity. It seems like the

(For a more thorough treatment of the latest claims on this topic and what the Bible says about UFOs/UAPs, please read my article titled: " What Does the Bible Say About Aliens and UFOs/UAPs?" ) The topic of UFOs (often referred to as UAPs now) is gaining steam once again. Here is the rundown. First, former President Obama announced in an interview that aliens are real . Then, President Trump accused the former president of revealing classified information and gave the direct

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." -Proverbs 15:3 ESV Sometimes just thinking of how much God is beyond us almost shuts our brains down. We truly cannot fathom it. Undoubtedly, that is true when we consider God's knowledge. In Proverbs we are told, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Prov. 15:3, ESV throughout). He sees all things. He understands all things. He knows all things. We

Type of Doctrine: Debated “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers . . .” -Ephesians 4:11 ESV Why Does It Matter? New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a phrase that is tossed around in theological circles today. What is it? This article will explore the definition, the complexity of defining it, the concerning beliefs from NAR, and some concluding observations. Regarding theological triage, this topic is debated. While there are many

Type of Doctrine: Typically Tertiary "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glor

(For a foundation on this topic, if you haven't already read them, I would recommend starting with the following two articles before reading this one: " Narcissism & the Church " and " Narcissism & the Church | Checking for Red Flags ".) If you find yourself in a narcissistic church, how do you respond? Here are a few thoughts. First , God will use this difficult time . He uses everything, working it together for your good and his glory (Rom. 8:28). I know it can be difficult

A narcissistic church leader is toxic . A narcissistic system is toxic . A narcissistic church is toxic . Sadly, many people within these environments will end up wounded. Surely, it grieves the heart of God to see people injured by the very people who are representing him. Surely, it grieves the heart of God to see people injured by the very people who are representing him. Some may suspect that they are in a narcissistic church in environment with a narcissistic church lead