The Mission Statement

Is it more important to “be the gospel” to others, or to “preach the gospel”? To our surprise, sixty-nine percent of the Christians we polled sided with the idea of being the gospel. On this broadcast the hosts continue to interact with the results from our recent survey of Christians at a conservative Evangelical convention, […]

On this edition of the program the hosts introduce their new theme for 2011: The Great Commission. In this important mission statement, Jesus does not begin with the imperative, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” Rather, he first tells his disciples that, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to […]

There is a lot of talk these days about “living the gospel” or “being the gospel,” as if we ourselves are the good news. Some even say that the church is an extension of Christ’s incarnation, as if Jesus came to provide the moral example or template for us to complete. There is only one […]

The kingdom of God can only be defined by attending closely to its unfolding in history. The reign of God takes different forms in this history, but its goal is nothing less than God’s dwelling in the midst of his people in righteousness, peace, and justice. But how does the Kingdom of God advance? What […]

Starting with Matthew’s Gospel is like walking into the middle of a movie. We have to go back to the Old Testament in order to see the unfolding plot of which Jesus Christ is the main character. On this program the hosts will explore the themes of exile, exodus and conquest showing how they each […]

According to a recent Pew study, 70% of Americans agreed with the idea that “many religions can lead to eternal life.” What’s more striking is that when this same question was put to self identified evangelical Christians, 57% agreed. So is this view correct, or is faith in Christ the only way to heaven? That’s […]

What is the relationship between Christianity and other “Abrahamic faith traditions?” Is Abraham really the father of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and if so, does this mean that each of these religions are legitimate ways to God? What are we to do with Abraham himself and the other Old Testament patriarchs? Since they didn’t have […]

In the Great Commission, Jesus did not merely tell his followers to “go into all the world,” but he also gave us specific instructions for the mission of the church. He said we are to preach, baptize and make disciples. Sounds pretty simple, but are these elements high on the priority of the average Christian […]

Jesus tells his followers to “make disciples of all nations.” But what does it mean to become a disciple, and what are today’s churches doing to fulfill this mission? Is this something for new converts only, or is it also something that we all participate in and pass on to our children? On this edition […]

Take a visit to your local Christian bookstore and you’re likely to find numerous books on discipleship that encourage spiritual disciplines such as journaling, solitude, silence, or fasting. You’re also likely to find books that focus on discipleship at home, or work, in financial decision making or in the area of personal relationships. But you […]

It was a brisk November evening in 2022. Winter’s chill had settled in, wrapping the world in clouds that promised a cold night ahead. But the air was filled with the laughter of children clutching bright plastic shovels, their excitement lighting up the gathering.

In a recent church small group, in which I was the youngest participant by several decades, I witnessed a surprising display of emotion. Older women—saints in the church who have nurtured and fed me literally and spiritually—tearfully sharing painful memories from their middle school years.

When orthodoxy is quietly displaced, institutions may continue to function administratively, yet they no longer recognize their purpose. They become like cathedrals built without load-bearing walls: they may stand for a time, but their structural integrity is already compromised.

In 2022, Ligonier and Lifeway published “The State of Theology,” where Evangelicals were surveyed about various theological claims. The results were startling to say the least. For example, 55% of surveyed Evangelicals agreed that “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.” […]