Elevation’s recent hit has stirred a broader discussion on how to incorporate imprecatory language in worship without being triumphalist. “Spiritual Enemies to be Encountered,” one of the lesser-known texts written by Charles Wesley, urges the believer to persevere in the battle against “legions of dire malicious fiends” and “secret, sworn, eternal foes.” There’s talk of…
A tea date with a Middle Eastern stranger led to friendship with women from nearly 20 countries—and changed my perspective on the world. It’s 5 a.m. and my house is quiet, but the world is loud. Here in the US, we’re preparing for Thanksgiving, and against the glistening backdrop of what we think the holiday…
As a young mom, I tried to do everything right. The longer I parent, the less I seek “success” and the more I rely on God’s grace. We did everything right. As Christian parents, we scan the checklists of steps to bring up a child in the Lord. We teach them right from wrong. We…
The former COGIC leader and Oral Roberts mentee said he wore his “heretic” label “like a badge.” When Carlton Pearson was a teenager, he cast out a demon in church. He was the son and grandson of Church of God in Christ (COGIC) ministers and knew what to do. He looked at the girl in…
Christians have every reason to reduce light pollution. It’s hard not to be sentimental about a Northern Hemisphere December, with its snow (or in the American South, where I live, its relative cool), its coziness, and of course, the Christmas decorations. Twinkling lights transform city streets into galaxies, and an ornamented Christmas tree fills my…
Some see the holiday as the perfect time for outreach to North Korean defectors. Others aren’t so sure. Every Christmas, Lou Gallo dresses up as Santa Claus in Busan, South Korea. At the school for young North Korean defectors, Gallo and his wife, Lisa, bring gifts, teach children to decorate gingerbread houses, and talk about…
A decade later, I became a Christian. My upbringing and education were secular, with no serious consideration of religion. Although my family was nominally Anglican and my parents felt obliged to take us to Sunday school and have us christened, my mother told us she did not believe in God’s existence. Stories about arks and…
Even our angriest accusations are preferable to indifference. If you’re a Christian for long enough, you’ll notice that something sad starts to happen. A lot of the people who started the journey with you end up walking away. They leave for various reasons and go out different doors. Some leave loudly, announcing that they no…
When we cut out creative processes, we diminish what gives art its true value. This year, the ad agency Design Army created an entire campaign using only generative AI. In it, models seem to stand in surreal sci-fi landscapes. A world of impossible buildings, floating hats, and gigantic eyeballs announces the opening of a high-end…
Duterte tried a hardline policy. Marcos is prioritizing rehab. Christians point to Jesus. While running for office last year, Philippines president Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. promised to seek a new path to curb illegal drugs: Catch the “big fish” and rehabilitate drug users. “Let’s educate the younger ones,” Marcos said in a Taglish interview….
