Understanding the True Place of Faith in America’s Constitutional Framework Introduction: The Revolutionary Religious Landscape In the turbulent decades surrounding America’s founding—from the 1760s through the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791—the question of religion’s place in the new republic stood at the intersection of revolutionary fervor, Enlightenment philosophy, and deeply held Christian…
Category: Christianity
From Pelagius to Your Pastor: The Enduring Mystery of Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice
Sixteen Centuries of Faithful Disagreement: Finding Peace in the Free Will Conversation When you find yourself lying awake at night, troubled by seemingly irreconcilable biblical texts about God’s sovereignty and human responsibility—when sermon podcasts leave you more confused than comforted, when theological discussions on social media escalate into accusations of heresy from both sides—take heart….
The Chosen: A Theological Examination of Biblical Legitimacy
Introduction The phenomenon of The Chosen has swept through contemporary Christianity with unprecedented force. This multi-season television series, created by Dallas Jenkins and funded through the largest crowdfunding campaign in media history (over $40 million as of 2023), has reached more than 108 million viewers across 180 countries. As a Biblical scholar who has devoted…
Standing Firm: Jesus Christ and the Christmas Proclamation
The Courage to Speak Truth: Why “Jesus Is The Reason for the Season” Still Matters The college student’s words cut through the festive mall atmosphere like a blade: “That’s offensive. You can’t just assume everyone celebrates Christmas for religious reasons.” The ministry partner hesitated, the gospel tract trembling slightly in his hand. The colorful pamphlet…
The Great Commission: A Unified Call Beyond Theological Divisions
Introduction: The Mission That Transcends Our Debates For centuries, the church has grappled with one of theology’s most profound mysteries: the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. Reformed theologians have championed God’s absolute sovereignty in election, while Arminians and others have emphasized human free will and the universal offer of the gospel….
Repentance by J.C. Ryle: A Comprehensive Book Summary
Download the PDF to print at home (4 pages): Repentance Introduction: The Foundation of the Gospel Message J.C. Ryle’s classic work “Repentance” centers on the sobering words of Jesus Christ from Luke 13:3-5: “Except you repent, you will all likewise perish.” While these words may initially appear stern and severe, Ryle explains they emanate from…
Love Made Visible: Showing Christ This Christmas
The Gift of Kindness This Christmas The shepherds didn’t keep the good news to themselves. After encountering the Christ child, they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). Their joy overflowed into action—they told everyone what had happened. This Christmas, we’re called to do the same, not just…
A Glimpse of the King’s Return: A Comprehensive Sermon & Study of Luke 9:28-36
This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through Luke 9:28-36, “A Glimpse of the King’s Return.” Have you ever experienced a moment so profound, so overwhelming, that words failed you? A moment when heaven seemed to break through into your everyday reality? For three disciples on a mountain in first-century Judea, such a moment came…
The Transformation of Church Music: From Heartfelt Worship to Commercial Enterprise
An Examination of How Modern Worship Has Lost Its Way The scene unfolds in countless Baptist churches across America each Sunday morning. Congregants stand, holding hymnals or gazing at projection screens, as music fills the sanctuary. Yet something profound has changed. The older hymns possess singable melodies, logical harmonic progressions, and rhythmic patterns that invite…
The Biblical Legitimacy of Contemporary Worship Design: A Critical Theological Analysis
The relationship between form and substance in Christian worship has occupied theologians throughout church history. In recent decades, the rise of contemporary worship movements has introduced increasingly sophisticated approaches to worship planning, often drawing from entertainment, psychology, and emotional design principles. “The Ultimate Setlist Building Guide” (download at this link) from Worship Artistry represents a…