Discipleship: Balancing Solitude and Service

The life of Jesus, as presented in the Gospels, demonstrates a rhythm of prayer/spiritual retreat and worldly engagement that, I think, is a key to a healthy, holistic, transformational spiritual life. The pattern of discipleship that Jesus modeled was a pattern of...

The Bible’s More Than an Answer Manual

I received an e-mail from Paula (not really her name; I want to protect the guilty) with SONday Distributors. They had a special deal “for churches only” on “a great Bible.” For just $10 each (regular $40 value) we could get a shipment of...

Converting Christians to the Way of Jesus

In “It’s Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian,” author Samir Selmanovic tells about an experience he had on the morning of Sept. 11, 2002. One of the Christian family radio networks had lined him up for an interview....

Infant Religion: Threat to Common Good

The Talmud tells of a rabbi who hosted a great celebration in his home, inviting all of his friends, family and followers. A friend inquired about all the singing and dancing when there had been no new birth or marriage. The rabbi explained: “Yesterday, I was...

Two Approaches to Christian Evangelism

There are two vastly different Christian approaches to evangelism being practiced today. One can be described as inclusive and invitational; the other is dualistic and confrontational. The one that is inclusive and invitational is based on the theology that all people...