In an increasingly interconnected world, Christians regularly encounter Muslims in workplaces, neighborhoods, and public spaces. Yet many believers remain unfamiliar with Islamic teachings, creating missed opportunities for meaningful dialogue and gospel witness. Understanding Islam’s core beliefs doesn’t compromise Christian faith—it equips us to engage thoughtfully, respond biblically, and share Christ effectively. Why Biblical Literacy Demands…
Category: Christianity
Happy New Year, beloved friends in Christ!
Dear E.V.I.C. Church Family: As we step into 2026, I’m grateful for how the Lord has grown us together this past year. Whether through Sunday gatherings, midweek studies, or conversations over coffee, we’ve been shaped by His Word and strengthened by one another’s faith. There’s something beautiful about learning alongside people who are genuinely seeking…
Four Critical Doctrinal Differences Between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity
The relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and traditional Christianity remains one of the most debated topics in comparative religion. While members of the LDS Church increasingly identify as Christian—particularly since the heightened public visibility during Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign—significant theological differences persist that warrant careful examination. This analysis…
Emmanuel: The Promise That Changed Everything
A Christmas Bible Study on Isaiah 7:14 Introduction: The Tapestry of Prophecy Fulfilled During Pastor Joey’s Christmas sermon today, “Emmanuel, God With Us,” he referenced Isaiah 7:14—that profound prophecy declaring, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” As…
I Asked AI to write a Christmas Hymn
Here is the original prompt: Write a 5-stanza XAXA rhyming scheme quatrain, 4 lines each, of original lyrics for a Christmas hymn based on Luke 2:1-20. Claude AI responds: Here’s an original Christmas hymn based on Luke 2:1-20: The Bethlehem Star A decree went forth from Caesar’s throne, That all the world be counted there,…
Celebrating God’s Gifts: A Biblical and Historical Response to Jehovah’s Witnesses on Birthdays and Christmas
The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ prohibition against celebrating birthdays and Christmas represents one of their most distinctive—and most problematic—departures from historic Christianity. While their arguments may initially appear to have biblical merit, a thorough examination reveals that their position rests on flawed exegesis, selective historical analysis, and theological presuppositions that contradict the very gospel they claim to…
Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
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…
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…