This series of posts is designed to move you quickly to the crux of the matter in apologetics issues. Prior post: Is Christianity a Historic Oppressor? The problem of suffering and evil alongside a good, all-powerful God who could presumably eliminate suffering and evil — but apparently doesn’t — is an ancient and complex issue. Of many responses that could …

    I’m looking forward to reading York Moore’s new book! It’s written for non-church people who have a notion for the good and the beautiful but need to experience the fullness of these qualities through Jesus. York is a national evangelist for InterVarsity and a friend of mine. His own improbable life story is featured in my recently released Faith …

In my prior post I offered suggestions on the question of religious pluralism. The present post is a short “notepad” response to the charge that Christianity is guilty of oppressing women and people of color for centuries. My response:    1. Acknowledge wrong: When Western Christians have imposed themselves on native peoples, held slaves, or held women back from full …

  This series of posts will give you immediate direction for apologetic conversations. Remember that “apologetics” is the discipline of defending a position, in this case Christianity. First issue: Religious Pluralism Objection to Christianity: Christianity has no monopoly on the truth. Other religions are just as valid. My response:      1. Affirm what I can. What’s true in Islam? Mormonism? …

On vacation earlier this year in Phoenix, I bumped into Charles Ramirez at his church. He gave me a warm hug and introduced me to his lovely family. I felt as though I already knew Charles pretty well, even though I’d spent only two hours of my life with him. That’s because a year ago I interviewed him in Phoenix …

How can the church prevent its young people from leaving the faith? I don’t know, exactly. But perhaps the current exodus from the church is at least partially our fault. Recently I encountered  a now-adult atheist who grew up in the church but became disillusioned with God in his teen years because God didn’t perform as advertised. God didn’t answer …

A few years ago when I read the famous book pictured at left, it changed the way I approach the Bible. Robert Alter taught me to pay closer attention to the story of Scripture, that is, to the author’s intended literary elements, such as: “the minute choice of words and reported details, the pace of narration, the small movements of dialogue, …

In his fine book Reimagining Evangelism, Prof. Rick Richardson of Wheaton College and the Billy Graham Center reminds us of the power of story: “Jesus taught truth by telling stories and his stories still reverberate in our souls centuries later: the prodigal son, the sower, the parables of the kingdom. Jesus knew how to lodge truth not just in our heads but …