Yesterday, I posted Christian Smith and Michael O. Emerson’s conclusions about why Americans don’t give. Now, here are six facts they discovered in their research about American giving. At least one out of five American Christians – 20% of all…
Christian Smith on Why Americans Give So Little Financially
Christian Smith, who coined the term “moralistic therapeutic deism,” is one of the foremost sociologists in the world. In a book he wrote with Michael Emerson and Patricia Snell, Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money,…
Jesus’ Ethic Not So Much Ascetic as Athletic
The oft quotable F.D. Bruner interacting with Matthew 6:19-21 in Matthew: A Commentary. Volume 1: The Christbook, Matthew 1-12 writes (page 321): Jesus does not quash ambition; he elevates it. The Christian is to be ambitious, passionate, acquisitive, enterprising —…
Should Christians Be Motivated by Rewards?
Tim Challies: The Bible tells me I am to store up treasures in heaven. It tells me there are eternal rewards for decisions I make in this life and it tells me I should desire these rewards and act accordingly.…
The Shocking Truth About Student Debt
HT: David Murray
Rockford Register Star Column: Learn from the Ladies of the Red Brick Church
I was recently reminded of this guest column I wrote for the Rockford Register Star: Government leaders who face the brutal task of making decisions about budget cuts are looking for answers. In this column, my proposal is that they…
What Should Excite You About Going to Church
John MacArthur with an excellent thought about what should excite us about going to church. When you think about coming to church, what aspect do you look forward to the most? For the sake of this discussion, let’s assume your…
Student Debt is Unsustainable
With a daughter going to college, and 3 more children right behind her, this video is very relevant. So far, our approach has been to (1) Save, save, save. (2) Take AP classes. (3) Take community college classes in the…
The Coming Meltdown in College Education
Mark Cuban: Remember the housing meltdown ? Tough to forget isn’t it. The formula for the housing boom and bust was simple. A lot of easy money being lent to buyers who couldn’t afford the money they were borrowing. That…
Should Christians tithe?
Andy Naselli summarizes an answer to this question from theologian Thomas Schreiner.