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In Praise of Evangelical Identity

From First Thoughts

Of all the back-and-forth that came from the World Vision imbroglio this week, there’s at least one other reason to be encouraged about their reversing course, aside from their board taking the necessary steps to correct a gravely wrong error.World Vision says something about evangelical . . . . Continue Reading »

Holding the Ropes

From First Thoughts

Before embarking on his missionary journey to India, William Carey famously told Andrew Fuller, “I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the ropes.” Most people remember Carey as one of the fathers of the modern missionary movement. But fewer remember Fuller as the man who organized, . . . . Continue Reading »

Of Consciences and Cakes

From First Thoughts

Political columnist Kirsten Powers has earned the respect of the Evangelical community. The story of her conversion was an unambiguous home run. She’s also responsible for helping raise attention about the atrocity of the Kermit Gosnell case.She’s a sharp, intellectually honest thinker . . . . Continue Reading »

Making Phil Moral

From First Thoughts

Whatever one thinks of Duck Commander Phil Robertson’s recent remarks (and let’s be honest, his references to human anatomy could have used some nuance and his comments on race were rashly insensitive), there’s at least one element in this hubbub that’s going . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Necessity of Theological Courage in the Public Square

From Web Exclusives

On the subject of religious controversy, 2013 started off with a bang, not a whimper. Hobby Lobby, the craft chain owned by a Christian couple, chose to defy the odious HHS mandate pioneered by the administration of President Barack Obama. This edict seeks to bring religious groups to heel by requiring all employers to cover contraception and abortifacients in their health-care plans. For its defiance, Hobby Lobby faces atmospheric fines of $1.3 million dollars per day… . Continue Reading »

Jesus is a Warrior, But Not a Cagefighter

From First Thoughts

? Son of God. Prince of Peace. Son of Man. Cagefighter? While the first three masculine titles given to our Lord Jesus are biblical and sufficient enough to express the wonder of Jesus, the last title seems to be ever-more increasingly projected onto Jesus by evangelical churches which have long . . . . Continue Reading »