Category Archives: The Modern Church

Do Not Resuscitate

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Matt

Can Liberal Christianity Be Saved? Better question:  why would we want to?  So-called Liberal Christianity (which is a theological category, not a political one) is a massive tragedy.  But nobody is doing anyone any favors by trying to help this … Continue reading →

Posted in The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism | Leave a comment

Peer Pressure by Design

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Matt

Peer pressure is generally considered a bad thing.  We usually hear about it as some mysterious force that makes kids want to have premarital sex, do drugs, and so forth.  It was certainly placarded as a major villain back when … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, The Modern Church | 1 Comment

The Ten Commandments of Reaching Younger Generations

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Matt

The other day, my alma mater posed a question on Facebook:  “How can the Church more effectively reach out to younger generations?”  Many Christians are asking this as church membership in America declines, and there are a lot of bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Youth, The Modern Church | Leave a comment

Abusing Sola Scriptura

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Matt

“The Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong, so I can do it if I want to.” Unfortunately, this is a common refrain among protestants and Lutherans looking for some kind of license.  We can see this very clearly when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Law, The Modern Church, Theology | Leave a comment

You got religion in my Jesus! You got Jesus in my religion!

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Matt

Another excellent video from Rev. Fisk, addressing a pro-jesus/anti-religion video that’s making the rounds. People who claim to love Jesus but hate organized religion and the institutional  church must keep their faith shallow and ignorant for the simple reason that … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Christian Youth, Culture, The Modern Church | Leave a comment

Suffering or Settling?

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Matt

The suffering and persecution of Christians for the sake of Christ and the Gospel is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament.  God gave no pretense that the Christian life is one of worldly success but one of glory in … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theology | Leave a comment

Which is Witch? Discerning Halloween

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Matt

As Halloween comes around once again, it has inspired the usual debate over whether it is appropriate for Christians to take part in such a distinctly pagan festival.  Inasmuch as Halloween celebrates communion with dark powers, Christians are obviously obligated … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, The Modern Church, Tradition | 1 Comment

No Such Thing as a Non-Institutional Church

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Matt

When religion in general and Christianity in particular catch flak from the culture, everyone other than hardcore atheists generally make exceptions for personal spirituality. The problem, we hear, is really organized religion–the institutional church–not religion or church as such. Many … Continue reading →

Posted in The Modern Church, Theology, Tradition | Leave a comment

“But I Could Be Wrong”

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Matt

Those are the five words that this contributor to Fox News thinks will save the Church, and it seems to be a fairly common sentiment among the Emergent crowd. Different theological and moral beliefs are a frequent source of friction, … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual But Not Religious, The Modern Church, Theology | Leave a comment

Creativity and the Worship Wars

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Matt

When I was a young child, my grandparents has an old electric organ in their basement, which I would periodically play when I visited. I remember one day turning on one of the organ’s beat tracks and playing “Beautiful Savior” … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Youth, The Modern Church, Tradition | Tagged | Leave a comment