The church has often done a very bad job of understanding and responding to transgender issues – and the consequences have been disastrous. This matters because we're not just talking about issues, we're talking about people. By failing to respond to transgender issues with truth and grace, we have caused great harm and damage in people's… Continue reading Christians Need To Understand Gender Dysphoria Better
Tag: Christianity
Hey Christian, Don’t Be On The Wrong Side Of History
“Hey Christian, don't be on the wrong side of history.” It’s a common warning nowadays, especially around topics like same-sex marriage and transgender issues. Don’t get stuck in the past! Stop holding on to your archaic views on marriage and gender. Get with the times, history is progressing, and you don’t want to get left… Continue reading Hey Christian, Don’t Be On The Wrong Side Of History
The World Has Changed – Should We Still Be Sending Missionaries?
The world has changed a lot in the last hundred years. A lot of things that used to make sense no longer do. A lot of people ask the question: is overseas missions one of those things? Should we still be sending missionaries overseas? That's a legitimate question, and there are many reasons people raise… Continue reading The World Has Changed – Should We Still Be Sending Missionaries?
Isn’t It Too Dangerous To Go?
There are many reasons someone might give for why we should NOT go to another country to share the gospel. One of those reasons is that it is often dangerous, especially in some parts of the world where Christianity is strongly opposed. Isn't it foolish to risk our lives like that? Why not share the gospel… Continue reading Isn’t It Too Dangerous To Go?
Does Christianity Breed Arrogance?
One of the many things that puts people off about Christianity is that they see Christians as arrogant. Christians think they are morally superior to those around them, they think that they are righteous, part of God's "in-crowd." In fact, some go further: it's not that just some Christians happen to be arrogant. Rather, Christianity by… Continue reading Does Christianity Breed Arrogance?
The Age of Netflix: Lying on the Couch to the Glory of God
We live in the age of Netflix. We have unprecedented access to media on demand, not just in our living rooms but in our pockets as well. This is (potentially) a good thing, and it comes with many opportunities. But it also comes with many dangers. So how do we think through our approach to… Continue reading The Age of Netflix: Lying on the Couch to the Glory of God
Burning Widows: A Case Study Against Cultural Relativism
What right does a person in one culture have to tell someone else that their cultural practices are 'wrong'? In our modern Western society, anyone who tries to do so would surely be shouted down as arrogant and ethnocentric. This is because of a popular idea called 'cultural relativism', which says each culture should be… Continue reading Burning Widows: A Case Study Against Cultural Relativism
40,000 Denominations Worldwide – Christianity Divided?
Some critics of Christianity are keen to point out that, according to best estimates, there are roughly 40,000 Christian denominations worldwide. This is an astoundingly large figure, and some see it as evidence that Christianity is divided. If Christians can't even agree among themselves, how can they make exclusive claims about absolute truth? After a quick search… Continue reading 40,000 Denominations Worldwide – Christianity Divided?
What does it mean to ‘pray in the Spirit’?
My church recently finished off our Ephesians series, and in our concluding sermon we came across the exhortation from Paul for us to 'pray in the Spirit'. But what does that mean? Is it some special kind of prayer? If so, certainly it must be some kind of extra-spiritual prayer... but how do we know… Continue reading What does it mean to ‘pray in the Spirit’?
Is the Gospel offensive, or are we?
I just recently read an article written in response to the close defeat of a bill to legalise same-sex marriage in New South Wales. I was surprised to find that the article had pretty much nothing to do with same-sex marriage at all, but was instead a vitriolic tirade against Christianity. The author criticised the… Continue reading Is the Gospel offensive, or are we?