We believe what we do not completely understand or feel. Because of this, we are tempted to establish more "certain" criteria to evaluate our spiritual state. Through a preoccupation with legalism, mysticism, or ascetism, we lose focus on Christ... and become proud, self-centered, and exclusive. »more
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We believe what we do not completely understand or feel. Because of this, we are tempted to establish more "certain" criteria to evaluate our spiritual state. Through a preoccupation with legalism, mysticism, or ascetism, we lose focus on Christ... and become proud, self-centered, and exclusive. »more
The current craze in contemporary spiritual literature is to embrace a Churchless Christianity. I realize that this is often done out of frustration. But the church that Christ loves is not a supermodel, but rather, a flawed and broken bride. Like Christ, we must regain a love for the church as it really is - warts and all - and not as we imagine it should be. »more
According to the Christian tradition, the greatest sin is that of spiritual pride. Spiritual pride mimics righteousness but its fruit is evil - hatred, intolerance, and division - and leads us to look down on others and hold them in contempt. We must be ever mindful of the danger of spiritual pride, especially in the midst of our greatest spiritual advances. »more
During his sophomore year at Brown University, Kevin Roose transferred to Liberty University in order to gain first-hand experience of Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp." In order to fully immerse himself in the experience, he freely chose to conform to the forty-six-page code of conduct called "The Liberty Way." Find out what he learned. »more
In our litigious society, warning labels are affixed to most products in order to reveal possible negative consequences of using a product. Some warning labels are humorous and unnecessary. But not all are. Jesus believed that religion should come with a warning label. Jesus' warning can be reduced to one word: Warning - hypocrisy! »more
Pop mysticisms veer from the traditions they steal from by advocating their system as a means of manipulating reality for personal benefit. True spiritual transformation - whether it is christlikeness, enlightenment, cosmic consciousness, etc. - is not about enhancing your golf game, or making life more comfortable. »more
Belief in a creator God is an invitation to view all reality through the lens of faith. It gives meaning to the whole of human existence. Though we cannot possibly comprehend the magnitude and meaning of it all, we can rest assured that, in the divine mind, the universe "makes sense" and is not "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." »more
It is not Eckhart Tolle's desire for an authentic spirituality that I find troubling. Rather, it is the way his system inhibits true human flourishing. The human person cannot flourish when humanity, personality, and all that this encompasses - thinking, acting, feeling, etc. - are brushed aside as irrelevant, and even worse, a deceptive pathological delusion! »more
The study of the origin or
evolution of religion usually attracts those who are antagonistic to religion. For such individuals, no matter what the evidence reveals, the
existence of God is rejected. If the religions studied are in conflict, then
they must all be wrong. If they are similar, then they must merely be human
inventions. »more
Agnostic A. J. Jacobs writes of his attempt to live the ultimate biblical life - to follow the Bible as literally as possible for one year. He quickly recognizes that it is impossible to follow the Bible with consistent literalism. He discovers that “when it comes to the Bible, there is always—but always—some level of interpretation, even on the most seemingly basic rules.” »more
Truth is knowable. Truth is do-able. Truth is proclaim-able. Thus, the Christian finds herself at odds with radical pluralists who claim that all truth-claims are equal, with postmodernists who question whether truth is knowable, and fundamentalists who reduce truth to propositional truth-claims. »more
By the age of 22, George Harrison had everything the world could offer. And yet, it left him empty. Thus began his search for something more. It is possible to gain the world and lose our soul. Unlike most of us, George truly possessed all the world had to offer – but it was not enough. He recognized that life is ultimately empty apart from God. »more
A personal God is an offense to most people. Why? A personal God possesses a will and desires us to align our wills with God's will. A personal God makes claims on our lives and invites our response of respect, surrender, faith, and love. Most people prefer an impersonal energy that makes no demands. »more
Professor Richard Dawkins teaches that religion is “the root of all evil.” Christopher Hitchens believes religion is deadly, poisoning everything it touches. Sam Harris argues that commitment to religion at any level – from fundamentalist to liberal expressions – is
dangerous to society. Are these men right? Or is there more to the story? »more
Results tagged “Religion”
We believe what we do not completely understand or feel. Because of this, we are tempted to establish more "certain" criteria to evaluate our spiritual state. Through a preoccupation with legalism, mysticism, or ascetism, we lose focus on Christ... and become proud, self-centered, and exclusive. »more
The current craze in contemporary spiritual literature is to embrace a Churchless Christianity. I realize that this is often done out of frustration. But the church that Christ loves is not a supermodel, but rather, a flawed and broken bride. Like Christ, we must regain a love for the church as it really is - warts and all - and not as we imagine it should be. »more
According to the Christian tradition, the greatest sin is that of spiritual pride. Spiritual pride mimics righteousness but its fruit is evil - hatred, intolerance, and division - and leads us to look down on others and hold them in contempt. We must be ever mindful of the danger of spiritual pride, especially in the midst of our greatest spiritual advances. »more
During his sophomore year at Brown University, Kevin Roose transferred to Liberty University in order to gain first-hand experience of Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp." In order to fully immerse himself in the experience, he freely chose to conform to the forty-six-page code of conduct called "The Liberty Way." Find out what he learned. »more
In our litigious society, warning labels are affixed to most products in order to reveal possible negative consequences of using a product. Some warning labels are humorous and unnecessary. But not all are. Jesus believed that religion should come with a warning label. Jesus' warning can be reduced to one word: Warning - hypocrisy! »more
Pop mysticisms veer from the traditions they steal from by advocating their system as a means of manipulating reality for personal benefit. True spiritual transformation - whether it is christlikeness, enlightenment, cosmic consciousness, etc. - is not about enhancing your golf game, or making life more comfortable. »more
Belief in a creator God is an invitation to view all reality through the lens of faith. It gives meaning to the whole of human existence. Though we cannot possibly comprehend the magnitude and meaning of it all, we can rest assured that, in the divine mind, the universe "makes sense" and is not "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." »more
It is not Eckhart Tolle's desire for an authentic spirituality that I find troubling. Rather, it is the way his system inhibits true human flourishing. The human person cannot flourish when humanity, personality, and all that this encompasses - thinking, acting, feeling, etc. - are brushed aside as irrelevant, and even worse, a deceptive pathological delusion! »more
The study of the origin or
evolution of religion usually attracts those who are antagonistic to religion. For such individuals, no matter what the evidence reveals, the
existence of God is rejected. If the religions studied are in conflict, then
they must all be wrong. If they are similar, then they must merely be human
inventions. »more
Agnostic A. J. Jacobs writes of his attempt to live the ultimate biblical life - to follow the Bible as literally as possible for one year. He quickly recognizes that it is impossible to follow the Bible with consistent literalism. He discovers that “when it comes to the Bible, there is always—but always—some level of interpretation, even on the most seemingly basic rules.” »more
Truth is knowable. Truth is do-able. Truth is proclaim-able. Thus, the Christian finds herself at odds with radical pluralists who claim that all truth-claims are equal, with postmodernists who question whether truth is knowable, and fundamentalists who reduce truth to propositional truth-claims. »more
By the age of 22, George Harrison had everything the world could offer. And yet, it left him empty. Thus began his search for something more. It is possible to gain the world and lose our soul. Unlike most of us, George truly possessed all the world had to offer – but it was not enough. He recognized that life is ultimately empty apart from God. »more
A personal God is an offense to most people. Why? A personal God possesses a will and desires us to align our wills with God's will. A personal God makes claims on our lives and invites our response of respect, surrender, faith, and love. Most people prefer an impersonal energy that makes no demands. »more
Professor Richard Dawkins teaches that religion is “the root of all evil.” Christopher Hitchens believes religion is deadly, poisoning everything it touches. Sam Harris argues that commitment to religion at any level – from fundamentalist to liberal expressions – is
dangerous to society. Are these men right? Or is there more to the story? »more
