Theology

Contrary to popular opinion, seminary can actually leave many believers worse off than when they started.

Not underestimating this strange phenomenon, the leaders at Desiring God ministry created a new series titled “How to Stay Christian at Seminary,” hoping to do exactly that – keep potential pastors and “serious students of the Bible” Christian.

The first of the seven ways seminary students could accomplish this was published on Tuesday: “Know Your Value of Values.” more >>

Theories abound about what, if anything, will happen on Dec. 21, 2012. One documentary seeks to examine not only the natural cataclysms that threaten the planet, but also what the Bible has to say about the end times – as the oft-cited Mayan date could potentially be used to deceive Christians.

Dec. 21, 2012, marks the end of the Mayan calendar, and has stirred much discussion and debate about what that might signify. Some fear the end of the calendar might mark the time of the end of all life; others predict it will be the dawn of a new era. However, André van Heerden, the writer and director of “2012: PROPHECY OR PANIC?” believes it is wise for Christians to be prepared for anything regardless of what actually may happen on that day.

Van Heerden, who is also an executive producer at Cloud Ten Pictures, the production company behind the movie, has worked on a number of Christian-themed films in the past, such as "Left Behind" (2000) and "Revelation" (1999). more >>

A new Bible study curriculum by LifeWay Christian Resources seeks to show how every story, every theological concept and missional truth in the Bible points to Jesus.

Slated for preorder in June, “The Gospel Project” Bible study has been prepared by writers and editors who had a singular focus – to draw attention to Jesus, Tennessee-based LifeWay said in a statement Thursday.

“The Gospel Project is more than curriculum,” the project’s managing editor Trevin Wax said. “The church is God’s Gospel project; we are His project.” more >>

Donations from Christian churches to charities affiliated with other faiths, such as Islam, have led some to wonder how far Christians should involve themselves in non-Christian charities and to what extent should they aid non-Christian religious groups.

In December of last year, Collegiate Church Corporation, a Christian charity located in New York, gave a much needed $100,000 donation to The Muslim Women's Institute for Research and Development, which oversees multiple food pantries that serve the needs of approximately 2,500 people.

Regarding whether Christians should aid non-Christian religious charities, Dr. Darrell L Bock, research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, told The Christian Post that “strictly humanitarian aid” would be “appropriate.” more >>

Though Jefferson Bethke’s “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” video may have been intended for good, it might be doing the exact opposite – giving people the wrong impression of who Jesus is and what he actually loves.

Readdressing the issue examined by the spoken word poet in his video, which has gone viral within days of its posting, two pastors – Kevin DeYoung and Jared Wilson – hope to explain why Bethke’s message might not be the most accurate picture of the Jesus they know in the Bible.

While both preachers admired the young Washington resident’s passion for God and found some truth in his words, there was much they found misleading and unhelpful to nonbelievers and believers alike. more >>

“Sexperiment” Pastor Ed Young and wife, Lisa, have spent 24 hours on their Grapevine, Texas church roof – in bed – an initiative to bring “the bed back into the church.” According to the couple, the live-streamed event from Fellowship Church was a push for marital peace, with Young emphasizing that “sex is not ‘x’ rated, it’s God created.”

The couple's book, Sexperiment: 7 Days to Lasting Intimacy with Your Spouse, was released Jan. 10 and is about understanding and healing. Sexperiment also deals with intimacy and sex, challenging “everyone to understand that God wants us to begin a sexual revolution,” the Youngs shared Friday.

“It’s vital that we put on relational sunblock. We have to expose ourselves to the right relationships,” Pastor Young stated. “Even in marriage. If we don’t block out those harmful rays we could get relational melanoma.” more >>