July 20, 2023
Thirty years ago, Tom Claibourne posed several "what if" questions from the Bible. Examples: What if Mordecai had bowed down to Haman? What if Paul's tent business had taken precedence over his ministry? . . .
November 1, 2022
By Tina Wilson, Guest Columnist The landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision from 1973 was overturned in June. For many, this was an answer to decades of prayer. For some, this was a repeal of freedom. For Christians, this should be a call to action. Proper response, though, demands proper understanding of what happened. Prior to 1973, abortion was a felony in most states, except in a few that had relaxed abortion restrictions in the years shortly preceding the ruling. “Jane Roe”—a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey—challenged Texas state law on abortion. To expedite the case’s hearing in the Supreme
June 25, 2022
With the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday, the church has a lot to consider. How will we love people with whom we disagree? How can we say we love babies and we love women? How can we share Jesus? How can we best serve our communities?
January 2, 2020
By Halee Wood Hatred . . . Love. Despair . . . Hope. Rejection . . . Acceptance. Contradictory emotions filled me as I stood face-to-face with a child molester. Despite having been abused by a much older boyresulting in pregnancy and abortion by age 14God had provided me with a story of redemption that sparks emotion and hope, especially among those who share a similar history and for those living with a spouse who shares my experiences. When I share my testimony publicly, it is not uncommon for someone to discreetly wait around until the room is all but
December 2, 2019
By Clayton Hentzel Ministry is tough; that’s why it’s not for everyone. We minister to people who lie, overpromise, and underdeliver. It seems every time we leave the 99 to go after the one, the one says thanks, but doesn’t serve or give, and the 99 complain we didn’t visit their uncle in the hospital, even though no one told us he was there. Ministry can be especially tough in our post-Christian culture. Society is changing. Extracurricular activities are increasing while frequency of attendance is declining. Political chaos abounds. Abortion has become mainstream and people march in favor of it.
August 29, 2019
Here’s a heartfelt, first-person essay that undoubtedly was the best-read and most-talked-about piece from the August 19, 1979, issue of Christian Standard. _ _ _ My Experience as an Unwed Mother By a Minister’s WifeAug. 19, 1979; p. 7 The article in your magazine about unwed mothers (March 18, “The Unwed Mother—A Dilemma”) prompted me finally to write of my experiences as an unwed mother. I was much more lucky than those described in the article. I was eighteen, had just graduated from high school, worked at a good job as a secretary, and was going to attend a Christian
January 3, 2019
Why a Quietistic Approach Is Biblically Insufficient By Andrew Kaake Abortion is the intentional killing of a human being before birth, usually in extremely violent fashion. It is a sin that harms mothers, fathers, and children. This month marks 46 years since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy in all 50 states. Though there is a clear biblical and philosophical basis for opposing abortion, most Christians (at best) passively fight abortion through voting, and many (at worst) ignore the testimony of God’s biblical and natural revelation that abortion
March 1, 2018
By Bob Russell A popular Christian blogger recently suggested ministers should avoid preaching “anything political” because that’s an automatic turnoff to most seekers. He pointed out that when preachers take a position on contentious cultural issues they minimize opportunities for evangelism—especially with millennials. He applauded one of the leading ministers in America who recently announced he would no longer preach about homosexuality because it was such a polarizing subject. WHY CONFRONT CONTROVERSIAL POLITICAL ISSUES? That may sound like good counsel because, after all, our ultimate hope isn’t in politics but in Jesus Christ. But think about the many hot-button
February 11, 2017
By Chris Moon Imagine the following scenario: You are sitting in the bleachers at your child”s soccer game on a Saturday morning. It”s a beautiful day, and you strike up a conversation with another parent whom you have seen at several games. You find you have a lot of things in common””but not everything. When your new friend asks what you”ll be doing the following day, you casually explain that you”ll be at church in the morning. Then you remember your pastor”s encouragement, and you offer the invitation: “You are more than welcome to come with us. We could do
January 5, 2017
By Michael C. Mack Sunday, January 15, is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Here are five ways to serve moms and the unborn: 1. Pray. “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.” “”J. Sidlow Baxter “¢Â Pray that women who have suffered abortion will come in contact with people who understand their pain and are able to minister forgiveness and healing. “¢Â Pray that churches and individual Christians will take a stand on this issue. “¢Â Pray for repentance for our nation. “¢Â Pray we will be committed to
January 21, 2016
By Rubel Shelly Abortion is seriously and objectively wrong. This isn”t a political statement and has nothing to do with being a Democrat or Republican. It isn”t racist, antifeminist, or a bigoted judgment against people who have chosen to have an abortion. It is neither religious nor antireligious. It is the simple, straightforward assertion of an ethical position that squares with all we know about procreation, biology, and being human. Stated most simply, abortion is wrong because what is killed is human. If a developing, living collection of fetal cells is removed from a womb at, say, 8, 14, or
June 7, 2015
By Matt Johnson Is your church liberal or conservative? The question is a land mine, often meant to act as a test of fellowship. Christians who wish to honor God with their hearts as well as their minds see this question as a false choice. For this audience, Adam Hamilton has written Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics (Abington Press, 2008). Radical Center Hamilton divides his book into three parts. First he lays a foundation for what he calls the “radical center.” His goal is not to arrive at tepid, middle-of-the-road
June 26, 2014
By Brett Andrews “I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error.” “”President James A. Garfield My father-in-law died of cancer a few short weeks after being diagnosed. Until diagnosed, he worked, hunted, and enjoyed his grandchildren to the fullest. Although slowed by lower energy levels, he still worked. Although bothered by nagging back pains, he still felt he had many good years left to enjoy working, hunting, and time with his grandchildren. Then he dared see a doctor. The doctor dared to be honest about what he saw. And my father-in-law didn”t like what
September 24, 2013
By Mark A. Taylor The September 20 issue of The Wall Street Journal quoted from a 12,000-word interview Pope Francis had given to the Italian Jesuit journal Civiltá Cattolica. “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage, and the use of contraceptive methods,” he said. While affirming that the teachings of the church are clear about these matters, he added, “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time. We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards.” While
September 20, 2013
By Brian Mavis Three groups, one mission, a new day for efforts to lift up the message of life. Joe Baker was visiting his local Apple Store when a woman grabbed him, spun him around, and passionately pleaded, “Who is killing the storks?” “What?” Baker asked, still gathering his thoughts. “Your shirt.” This woman noticed Baker”s graphic T-shirt with an image of the mythological baby-carrying stork and the corresponding message, “Save the Storks.” “Oh, yeah. It”s a big problem,” Baker said, leading her on. “Especially in North Dakota right now. Guys just go and shoot them right out of the
July 25, 2013
Frank Smith challenges the church to lead in community transformation and asserts, “Pro-life means more than being anti-abortion.” Click here to see the interview with CHRISTIAN STANDARD Editor Mark Taylor filmed at the North American Christian Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in July.
September 5, 2011
By Kelly Boyd The alignment of Christians with political conservatism is a recent phenomenon rarely questioned these days. Conservatism, it seems, simply is understood as the biblical position, but the results have been mixed at best, from a cultural standpoint. In fact, it can be predicted with confidence that gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states in our lifetime. How can this be, when Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? I propose that it”s time for a cease-fire in the culture war and a closer examination of the church”s calling
October 8, 2006
As Christians gain influence in elections and public debates, what happens to the church’s witness? Darrel Rowland warns against partisan entanglement and urges believers to separate political preferences from matters of faith.
October 8, 2006
Three church leaders describe different approaches to social and political engagement—from public advocacy to community action—sharing risks, church reactions, and practical counsel for Christians seeking to speak up wisely.
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