In the fitness world today, yoga is big business. Classes are popping up all over, and some are even marketed as “Christian yoga.” But at the same time, there has been opposition to the way yoga is being sold. Some Hindus argue that yoga is intrinsically religious and...
Best of Breakpoint: What Music Is For in Corporate Worship
Today, January 13, we remember the Hussites who, on this day in 1501, published the first hymnal in history written in the language of the common people. The descendants of the Hussites are known as the Moravian Brethren, who carry on the rich tradition of hymns and...
Advent through the Ages: The O Antiphons
As Christmas approaches, I always find myself connecting to the past, both my family’s history and beyond that to the more distant history of the church through the ages. Perhaps I do that because the theme of Advent (the season of the church year that begins four...
A Brief Introduction to Fasting
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that was practiced by Jesus and early Christians and that today is practiced in many places around the world today where the Gospel is growing most rapidly. Yet in the Western church, it is largely ignored. Our culture, which is built...
The Believer’s Three Callings, Part 1
When evangelical Christians think about God’s purpose for the church and for their lives, they often think almost entirely in terms of evangelism. Growing in personal integrity and holiness of life also fits in, but sharing the Gospel is frequently seen as the single...
The Believer’s Three Callings, Part 2
In the previous article, I argued that a fully-formed biblical worldview recognizes three callings on the life of the believer: the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, and the Cultural Mandate. Of these, the Great Commandment is the most important, and the other...
The Believer’s Three Callings, Part 3
Dominion in Proper Context In the previous articles in this series, I discussed the Great Commandment and the Great Commission and argued that these were two of the three things God has called us to do. The Great Commandment, with a focus on loving our neighbor, means...
Biblical Theology and the Arts: Music and the Bible
Music is, or should be, a vital part of the Christian life. I suspect most Christians have never considered how big a role music plays in Scripture. Our ideas of “Christian music” tend to focus in on the particular genres of music that we like, whether classical...
Advent Devotional: December 23
December 23: These are based on the O Antiphons, traditionally said during church services from December 17 to December 23; they are also the basis for the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emanuel." Read the Antiphon to understand what it is saying, then spend some time reading...
Advent Devotional: December 22
December 22: These are based on the O Antiphons, traditionally said during church services from December 17 to December 23; they are also the basis for the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emanuel." Read the Antiphon to understand what it is saying, then spend some time reading...