Tag: Christian
LGBT Group Can’t Handle St. Louis Cardinals Inviting Christian to Speak at Christian Family Day
Posted on July 5, 2017 in Religious Freedom, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Because of these comments, which Pride St. Louis calls “divisive and demeaning,” they are asking the St. Louis Cardinals to disinvite Berkmen from speaking at the Christian Family Day.
Let’s put a little perspective on this.
The Cardinals are hosting “Christian Family Day” during which they will invite Christian families to come to the ballpark and enjoy a game together. After the game, they will invite all those that want to stay to hear Berkman speak about the roll his Christian faith played in his life as a major league ball player. There’s a couple of notable things to consider here.
Are Taxes Immoral? Should Christians Pay Taxes?
Posted on June 28, 2017 in Money, Public Policy, Theology by Nathan Cherry
The question that arose in conversation is whether taxes are appropriate or whether they are theft. Some subsequent conversation is whether Christians should stand against taxes and oppose any form of taxation or dutifully pay our taxes.
There’s one perspective that says: the Bible says theft is sin, taxes are theft, and therefore taxes are sinful.
Though this is a simplification of the position, it is a good summary and starting point for the discussion. This position says that God never ordains taxes and never gives the government authority to impose taxes. Because all authority is derived from God and God never gives explicit authority to impose taxes, taxation is theft. And since theft is a violation of God’s moral law (10 Commandments), any government imposition of taxes is theft and should be opposed.
Will Christians Continue to Support Bernie Sanders After His Attack on Faith?
Posted on June 27, 2017 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
Vought is an evangelical Christian. As such he dares to hold the audacious view that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Though this is the “enlightened” 21st century, Vought is so “narrow-minded” and “intolerant” as to believe what the Bible says about salvation and what 2000 years of Christians have continued to believe: Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. He even made this mind-blowing statement:
Why Bill Nye’s New Show Isn’t for Kids. Or Adults
Posted on May 17, 2017 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
But Nye, for all his criticism of people refusing to accept “proven” science on climate change (and apparently transgenderism is now on the list), is the one pushing a dangerous political agenda over any sound science. This is why it’s not a good idea to get your scientific information from a pseudo-scientist. Just because he’s a cable celebrity with a Netflix series doesn’t mean he has any clue what he’s talking about. (Here’s a fun clip of Nye getting schooled by a real scientist concerning climate change.)
If You Plan to Live by Your Faith – Read This
Posted on March 1, 2017 in Marriage, Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
In a stunning case of injustice, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled against Barronelle Stutzman, a florist that has been a pillar in her community for decades. Her crime: living out her Christian faith in public.
As the owner of Arlene’s Flowers, Stutzman served everyone in her community. She served people without prejudice and built relationships with the people she served, including homosexuals. When one of her long-time customers asked her to create floral art for his same-sex wedding, Stutzman politely declined, saying it would violate her religious convictions. Stutzman did exactly the same thing as designer Theallat, she refused to associate with something she found to be wrong.
Why I’m a Reformed Christian (Part 3)
Posted on December 15, 2016 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
One of the things I’ve appreciated about reformed churches and theology is their willingness to keep “the main things the main thing.” They do not argue over non-essentials. They focus on the Gospel and its power to change people’s lives and allow freedom on non-essentials. That’s precisely what the scriptures call us to. We are not to tout “the traditions of man as though they are doctrine” (Matt. 7:7-13) as the Pharisees did. And this group, unlike any other I’ve known, emphasizes and lives this out. The Baptist churches I’ve known are so legalistic that if you disagree on a non-essential you are labeled a heretic of sorts. “How dare you not adhere to a pre-millennial, pre-tribulation view of the rapture. You’re wrong!” Well, the truth is that regardless of what you believe about the rapture, it doesn’t change whether you are a Christian. So, in truth, it doesn’t matter. Sure, it’s good to know what you believe and understand it. But having a “proper” view of the rapture doesn’t save you, or un-save you. So if someone wants to believe that there’s no literal 7-year tribulation, that’s ok, we are still brothers in Christ and can fellowship and worship under the same roof.
Why I’m a Reformed Christian (Part 2)
Posted on December 14, 2016 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
The articles I read criticizing reformed theology badly misrepresents those that adhere to this biblically based theological understanding. There is so much misinformation, and disinformation that it shows a clear lack of understanding of reformed theology and the people that claim it. It also does nothing to further the Gospel. It propagates false myths about Calvinism and creates division rather than unity around Christ. As Christians, we must be about creating unity around Christ and the Gospel over our personal differences over non-essential issues. It’s interesting to me that there is an abundance of articles by Baptists that “warn” people about Calvinism/Reformed Theology but you would be hard pressed to find a single article by a Calvinist warning people about Baptists. I find this curious as I consider keeping the main thing the main thing. Do I believe Baptists are wrong on some things, even important things? Yes. Am I going to denigrate them or warn people about them? Nope. Because I know that Baptists get the Gospel right, and that’s the main thing. So I can let go of the non-essentials and support Baptists in sharing the Gospel.
How Do You Define Parent and Family?
Posted on November 23, 2016 in Family, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
But this is what happens when you remove the clear definition of what a family is and is not. While the secular culture would quickly say that the definition of family is a “man-made” construct that can be altered. Christians would confess that God established the family and the definition of what construes a family is not alterable, similar to the definition of marriage. Yet man, is his defiance and rebellion against God is seeking to reverse and undo all that God has established. But by doing so, man will create greater trouble, confusion, and harm to people.
Resources for Christian Parents Seeking to Raise Kids in a Sinful World
Posted on October 25, 2016 in Family, Theology by Nathan Cherry
As a parent that is deeply committee to imparting my faith to my children, I am always looking for resources to help. I am often overwhelmed by the task of sharing my faith with my kids, teaching them, and training them. I fail daily and need the wise counsel of those who have gone before me.
With that in mind, the following list is some helpful resources for everything from praying for your kids to taking them to church. There’s insight on answering kids’ biblical questions and tips for raising Godly kids. And, at the end is a list of books and other resources that can provide further support in your task as a parent of bringing the Gospel to your children. I hope this is a helpful list of resources that provide encouragement and support for you, mom and dad.
Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They’re Good?
“Here are at least three reasons why Christian parents should require their small children (regenerate or unregenerate) to behave in ways that conform externally to God’s revealed will. I say “small children” because as a child gets older, there are certain external conformities to God’s revealed will that should be required and others that should not. It seems to me, for example, while parents should require drug-free, respectful decency from a 15-year-old, it would do little good to require an unbelieving and indifferent 15-year-old to read his Bible every day. But it would be wise to require that of a 6-year-old, while doing all we can to help him enjoy it and see the benefit in it.”