In a world of extremes and competing priorities, finding balance in Christian faith is a challenge. Balanced Christianity is not lukewarm or a compromise of truth; it embraces the fullness of Christ’s call, integrating spiritual life, personal well-being, and engagement with the world. Balanced Christianity avoids two extremes. This balance requires intentionality and awareness of…
The prosperity gospel, with its appealing promises of health and wealth, draws many adherents. However, a significant concern for biblical scholars and church leaders is its distinctive method of interpreting Scripture. Rather than a holistic and contextual reading, the prosperity gospel frequently relies on a selective interpretation of Scripture, often extracting verses from their intended…
The allure of the “health and wealth” gospel is undeniably powerful. In a world fraught with uncertainty, illness, and financial strain, a message promising divine favor, material blessings, and perfect health can sound like a beacon of hope. Yet, this comforting narrative often taps into profound human vulnerabilities, ultimately deceiving rather than delivering genuine spiritual…
The Lausanne Movement has helpfully defined the prosperity gospel in these words: “We define prosperity gospel as the teaching that believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the ‘sowing of seeds’ through the faithful payments of tithes and…
In every generation, the church is called to examine the message it is living and proclaiming. One challenge that quietly creeps into Christian life today is the prosperity gospel—also described as over-realized eschatology. This teaching suggests that God’s chief desire is to make us healthy, wealthy, and comfortable. While God indeed blesses His people, Scripture…
What a joyful day we had at our church BBQ! The sun tried its best to shine down through some rain and wind as our community gathered together for an afternoon filled with laughter, fellowship, and plenty of delicious food. From the smell of the grills to the sound of children playing, and children playing…
Reflection on Luke 15:1–10 Luke 15 opens with an astonishing reality: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him” (v.1). Those considered outcasts and moral failures were irresistibly attracted to Jesus. In contrast, the Pharisees and scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (v.2). Their criticism…
The Nicene Creed is an authoritative, carefully worded summary of biblical truth that the Church recites to confess its foundational doctrines and to remind believers that they belong to something far greater than themselves. Spoken slowly, reverently and meanigfully, it shapes and strengthens Christian faith because, in a real sense, our lives depend on the…
What is baptism? Baptism is the initiation ceremony into the Christian faith. It is an initiatory sign through which you enter into the community of believers, through which you are called a child of God, and engrafted into Christ. Through baptism, you are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. You go down…
The word Paraclete—a Greek term used in the New Testament—means “Helper,” “Comforter,” “Advocate,” or “Counselor.” It is the name Jesus gives to the Holy Spirit in John 14 as he prepares his disciples for his departure: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate (παρακλητος, paraklētos), to be with you…