Should Christians Kiss Before Marriage?

Most people remember their first kiss. And chances are, that first kiss took place a long time before an exchange of wedding vows. In many cases, that first kiss was shared with someone who is now a distant memory of the past. Clearly, our society holds a very cavalier attitude toward kissing. In the modern…

Christians and Gambling: Is It a Sin?

From sports betting to card games, gambling is more popular and more widely accepted than ever. This became very clear to me recently while watching TV. During a single (2 minute) commercial break, I observed advertisements for three distinct gambling apps. How should Christians respond to the growing acceptance of gambling in our culture? Should…

How Christians Explain Dinosaurs

Children and adults alike are fascinated by dinosaurs. From action movies to toys to trips to the natural history museum, dinosaurs capture and keep our attention. But what about all of the science of dinosaurs that we learned as children? If dinosaurs are millions of years old and have evolved into modern species of birds…

16 Bible Descriptions of Jesus

Ask a room full of people to describe Jesus, and you’re sure to get a room full of varied answers. Some would be quick to describe him as a compassionate friend. Others see him first as a wise teacher. And a few might envision Jesus as a divine king, preparing to rerun in a display…

Do Christians have Godparents?

From Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather to the Fairy Godmother of Cinderella, literature and cinema have given us a panoramic view of godparents. No matter our frame of reference, we have come to understand godparents as protectors, benefactors, and sympathizers who care for their charges as they would for their own children. But are…

Why Gay People Can Be Christians

No issue has brought more conflict and division into the 21st-century Western church than the issue of homosexuality. Families, congregations, and whole denominations have been fractured by irreconcilable differences and disagreement over this one topic alone. As society’s views toward homosexuality have relaxed since the late 20th-century, the church has increasingly felt the pressure of…

Should Christians Believe in Aliens?

Since the early 20th century, the idea of alien life has captured our imagination. Since HG Wells first stoked our fascination with extraterrestrials with The War of the Worlds, people have continued to create stories about all manner of aliens. Some are grotesque, others appear human. Some are hostile, while others are endearing. But to…

Should Christians Smoke or Vape?

Smoking has been popular for centuries. And throughout its history, perspectives on smoking have been quite varied. Smoking has been embraced as an aristocratic luxury, glorified by entertainment icons, and modernized by the vape market. But it has also been chastised as a habit of delinquents and derelicts and condemned as a health risk. With…

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

In your church experience, you may have participated in observances or services that celebrate the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Perhaps you’ve wondered why this particular event has earned its own day on the church calendar. What makes Jesus’ presentation in the Temple such a big deal? The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple…

Parenting For Christians: 11 Vital Steps Parents Must Know

No single human endeavor raises more questions than the duties of parenting. Books, workshops, blogs, and seminars abound on all aspects of parenting. Whether we seek to deal with particular topics such as special needs or step-families, or we simply want some guidance on the basics of raising children, there is no shortage of advice…