(Originally printed in the Fall 2004 Issue of the MCOI Journal ) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Authoritarian
(Originally printed in the Winter 2004 Issue of the MCOI Journal beginning on page 8 ) Introduction The International Churches of Christ, popularly known as the Boston Movement, has been one of America’s fastest growing religious groups for two decades. Leader Kip McKean’s version of discipleship provides the structure for the movement at every level and spreads a simple heresy to hundreds of thousands of people. Boston Discipleship is an extra-biblical practice that has brought … Continue reading
Why do you believe what you believe? Why do you behave the way you behave? Peer pressure has a dramatic impact on social conformity. Human beings are quite susceptible to “group behavior,” and have an almost overwhelming desire to imitate the group they are a part of without even questioning why. As I watched the above video this week, I was reminded through this demonstration of the great power of conformity. A young woman … Continue reading
Russell Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said in a Washington Post op-ed recently: “The word “evangelical” has become almost meaningless this year, and in many ways the word itself is at the moment subverting the gospel of Jesus Christ.” He’s started calling himself a “gospel Christian” which is, I suppose, is just as good as “Christ Follower” which is popular. It seems the term “Evangelical” has developed more … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2002 edition of the MCOI Journal beginning page 8) In Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll’s sequel to Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, Alice meets Humpty Dumpty and begins a rather frustrating conversation with him over the correct meaning of words. During their conversation, Humpty Dumpty uses the word glory in a way that has no relationship to its dictionary definition. When challenged by Alice on his misuse of this … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the Summer/Fall 2001 edition of the MCOI Journal, Beginning on page 8) Back in the late 1980s, Joy and I were discussing a personal issue and felt the need to get some solid spiritual advice. We thought the input of a godly Christian professional would be helpful, so we asked our senior pastor for the name of a good Christian counselor outside the church. He referred us to Bill Fields, president … Continue reading