How Many Christians Are There in China?
Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word: A Model of Faith and Thought, by Douglas A. Sweeney, sheds light not only on early American Christianity, but also on the nature of true faith. The author traces Edwards’ life, ministry, and thought, placing him in the context of New England Puritanism and drawing out lessons for us today. continued »
Review of Brown's Biography of Augustine of Hippo
I first read Peter Brown’s magnificent Augustine of Hippo: A Biography in 1974, while preparing to write my dissertation on Augustine’s sermons on John’s Gospel. Like everyone else, I was struck, even stunned, by the sheer brilliance of this detailed “life and times” of Augustine. Leaving virtually no stone unturned, Brown presented to us a truly great man whose life was bound up with the tumultuous events of the late Roman Empire, and whose career – especially his writings – both transformed that world and laid the foundation for Western civilization. continued »
A Theology for House Churches
Over the past sixty years, the Protestant church in China has grown exponentially. Most of this increase in numbers has taken place in what are often called “house churches,” which take their name from the practice of meeting in believers’ homes. Even today, when many of these congregations meet in large buildings, they are often called “house churches.” Therefore, there is a debate going on about whether it is better to meet in smaller groups in the homes of believers, or to join together as a large group in a larger venue. In the West, also, a growing house church movement has begun to challenge the traditional church-based model of doing church, and millions are meeting in homes instead. continued »
Home Meetings: The Key to Lasting Church Growth
At a time when unregistered churches in China are moving more and more towards the “cathedral” model, sometimes in direct conflict with the government, the implications of this article for the church in China are obvious. continued »
Requirements for Baptism
You might be interested in a letter which I wrote to a young Chinese person who wants to be baptized and asked what she should do next. continued »
Should Believers Marry Non-believers?
Should Believers Marry Non-believers? This difficult question comes up repeatedly, particularly from Christian women who are feeling pressure – internal or external – to marry a non-believer. continued »
Family Ministry: The Key to the Future of the Church
As always, the latest issue of the ChinaSource Journal comes packed with authoritative, insightful articles. All deserve reading, but our focus will be on Li Sha’s most helpful survey of three family ministry models prevalent in Chinese churches today. As you will see, her essay brings a message to churches outside of China as well. continued »
Love and Respect: Keys to a happier marriage
Emerson Eggerichs has given us one of the best books on marriage that I have ever read. His simple diagnosis and practical prescription for building happier marriages should prove extremely helpful to anyone who takes the time to read and apply the principles he presents. continued »
Review of Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion
Maybe it’s because I don’t get it the first couple of times. I think Longing for God might become one of those favorite books that I enjoy re-reading. Why? First, it speaks to my situation, which I am guessing is not unique. Amidst a busy life, with much activity, I increasingly feel the need to slow down and get to know God better. continued »
New Testament Reference Works in Chinese
One of the signs of the growing maturity of worldwide Chinese Christianity is the explosion of solid Chinese biblical scholarship, especially outside of mainland China. These works are not generally known or available in China, but can be easily obtained in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the West. continued »
The Way Home: Faith for the 21st Century - Lecture Four: Faith and Life
Other religions do offer some guidance on how to live, and contain some truth. But is there anyone else like Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, who carries us home to our heavenly Father? continued »
The Way Home: Faith for the 21st Century - Lecture Three: Faith and Truth
When Jesus said, “For this reason I was born and came into the world, that I may bear witness to the truth,” the Roman governor Pontius Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” Pilate questioned, “What is truth?” continued »
The Way Home: Faith for the 21st Century - Lecture Two: The Way of Faith
Faith is not just a set of beliefs – which we shall talk about in the next lecture – but also a way of life. In fact all belief systems present us with a way of life. In a faith for the 21st century, this way of life must be seen as conforming to a pattern which is beyond culture; an absolute standard grounded in the way of the universe and in the fundamental nature of every man. This entire subject is called “ethics” in classical Western philosophy. continued »
The Way Home: Faith for the 21st Century - Lecture One: Requirements for a 21st Century Faith
Surely, there is a worldwide crisis of faith as we begin the 21st century. Today we are going to think about what sort of faith can give our lives direction, meaning, and hope. continued »
"The Good" - God’s Original Plan for Marriage
Why is marriage important? Why is this relationship so special, and deserving of far more concentrated thought and effort than we usually devote to it? continued »
The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful: A Short Handbook to Marriage
My plan calls for looking at God’s original plan for marriage – “ the good ‘ - then at some of the causes of conflict, confusion, and collapse – “the bad” – and finally at what God can do with those married people who love, trust, and follow him – “the beautiful.” continued »
“LOVE” – And Other Dangerous Addictions
Romantic love, like other forms of mental illness, causes you to lose control over your mind. You abandon common sense and indulge in fantasy, ignoring warning signs which a reasonable person would heed. Brushing off suggestions from friends or perhaps your own conscience, you convince yourself that your case is different... continued »
Helpful, But Misleading: A Review of 20th-Century Theology: God & the World in a Transitional Age
This widely-used textbook on 20th century theology contains much useful information about some influential theologians of the past century, and is therefore somewhat helpful. On the other hand, anyone interested in a balanced treatment of modern theology will have to look elsewhere, for 20th-Century Theology is fatally marred by omissions and distortions. continued »
How To Resolve 7 Deadly Stresses: A Health Manual for All Nations.
Carefully reading and then applying the principles in this book would prevent a great deal of disease and even bring healing to those already afflicted with major illnesses. continued »
Should You Get A Divorce? (2)
When we are tempted to consider divorce, we need to reflect anew on what the Bible teaches. In particular, we must understand God's plan for marriage, so that we can understand His opposition to divorce. From the beginning, he... continued »
Recipe for Spiritual Health
All true Christians want to be spiritually healthy. We also hope to grow in grace, and bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. We know that Peter’s admonition to add one virtue to another (2 Peter 1:5-7) applies to all those who eagerly long for spiritual fruitfulness and solid assurance of salvation. continued »
Evangelical Slander
Now, we may treat those with whom we differ courteously to their face, but in our own “in-house” communications, and even in public, we engaged in what amounts to “evangelical slander.” continued »
N.T. Wright, What Saint Paul Really Said
Though often brilliantly biting, elegantly enlightening, and powerfully persuasive, it finally fails to fulfill the promise of the title, to tell us “What Saint Paul Really Said.” continued »
The Old Religion in a New World: The History of North American Christianity
Noll states at the outset that “the burden of The Old Religion in a New World is to highlight aspects of North American Christianity that set it apart from patterns of religious experience and organization more common in historic European Christendom.” continued »
Territorial Spirits and World Evangelization?
Though he studied at a noted charismatic school (Oral Roberts University), the author has transcended the limits of that perspective to give us a careful analysis and critique of the very popular “strategic level spiritual warfare.” continued »
Questions for Skeptics, Doubters, Agnostics, Atheists, and other Unbelievers
Those who reject the Christian faith often do so because they say they have unanswered questions. They thus put Christians on defensive, challenging them to defend what they believe. continued »
His Needs, Her Needs
We all know that marriages are in trouble. What we need to know is how to improve our own marriages, prepare for marriage, or help others who are having marital difficulty. Thankfully, many good books on marriage contain valuable insights that, if acted upon, will transform couples from enemies to friends " even lovers! " again, or at least make such a change conceivable. continued »
D.A. Carson on the New Perspective
D. A. Carson was invited by Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte) to give a set of lectures on the New Perspective on Paul, a controversial theological movement that has gained in importance in Reformed circles. continued »
The Case for Christ
Veteran criminal reporter Lee Strobel has provided the church with a powerful case for the claims of Christ in this fascinating and hard-hitting book. continued »
Some thoughts on “Gone with the Wind” – Lessons for married people
Because Rhett and Scarlet did not express their love for each other at the right time, their marriage was swept away by a vortex of misunderstanding. continued »
United We Stand: Unity and Spiritual Warfare
The term “spiritual warfare” has occupied the forefront of much Evangelical teaching and missiological thought. But what does it mean? continued »
A Christian Looks at the US Presidential Election
The entire world watched the recent American presidential election with both fear and hope. continued »
Dealing with Depression
Depression ravages the minds and emotions of millions around the world, especially in developed countries. Despite modern advances in technology, no one seems to have invented a medicine that will prevent, much less cure, depression. continued »
Prosperity and the Gospel
“We preach prosperity here!… God does not want us to be poor, or sick…” Those words from a pastor in a church we attended recently have set off a lively debate about the merits of Prosperity Teaching. continued »
Abiding in Christ
All who have committed ourselves to cross-cultural ministry seek to “bear much fruit.” We know that Jesus is not here talking primarily about the “fruit” of new converts (as Paul apparently was in Romans 1:13), but the obedience that consists mostly in loving as He loved. continued »
Remarriage After Divorce: Another Look
Perhaps no topic is more controversial among Evangelical Christians today than the question of whether, or under what circumstances, those who have been divorced may marry again. continued »
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