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What's At Stake For The Church?
More is at stake in 2020 than public policy and political leadership. Recently, Decision spoke with Erwin Lutzer, author and pastor emeritus of The Moody Church, about what’s at stake for the church in a culture that seems ever more secular and opposed to biblical truth. Q: What issues does the church need to address this coming year? A: I believe that as the church enters 2020, many of the issues we’ve already seen are going to have to be confronted, and there is really no place to hide. Courage will be essential—the willingness to stand for truth against incredible … Read More >
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When The State Becomes God
When the State Becomes God: What to do when government invades your God-given freedoms To obey, or to disobey? History is filled with stories of conflict between the church and state. More often than not, these conflicts happen when the state overreaches its proper role and stifles its citizens’ freedom of conscience, freedom of worship, and the right to propagate one’s faith. Perhaps one of the most egregious examples of this happened in the first century when Christians who would not declare “Caesar is Lord” were ostracized or put to death. This was based on the accepted dictum that if … Read More >
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The Icon Of Tolerance
There’s One Thing Modern Tolerance Will Not Permit... To hear some people talk, you’d think that sin no longer exists in our society; but if there were one sin left, it would be intolerance. Once a person is branded intolerant, nothing else need be said. They are bigoted and need to be shunned. But let’s examine some of the definitions of this word tolerance closely. Legal tolerance is the basic right of everyone to believe whatever they choose to believe and say whatever they want to say. This kind of tolerance means we have freedom to worship or not worship, … Read More >
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The Flag And The Unraveling Of America
Dear Friend, When I entered the United States as a Canadian citizen back in 1970, I already had respect for the American flag—long before I became a US citizen. I can honestly say that despite the many faults of the United States—and there are many—I am unashamedly proud to be an America; I gladly say The Pledge of Allegiance and love “Old Glory.” The words in the Pledge, “the Flag of the United States of America,” were intended to make clear to immigrants that his was not the flag of their home country, but a flag intended to represent the … Read More >
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Race, Riots & Reconciliation
Due to recent events, we wanted to share an article that Pastor Lutzer wrote back in March of 2015 on "Race, Riots, and Reconciliation." In recent months, our nation has been torn apart by racial riots in cities such as Ferguson, New York City, and Baltimore. By the time this newsletter goes to press, perhaps another city will be under siege, subjected to riots that will heighten outrage and damage property. Unfortunately, the rioters assume guilt on the part of the police without the officers having the opportunity of due process. Perhaps the best example is Officer Darren Wilson of … Read More >
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The Cross Above Politics
The Controversial Issue of Christian Nationalism: Why the Cross Must Be Our Central Message During this election year, a phrase frequently discussed, with both pros and cons, is “Christian nationalism.” There are those who warn about its dangers, and others who tell us Christians should be involved in politics and that we need more of it. What do we make of this controversy? The phrase is variously defined with each definition having many different shades of meaning. In general, Christian nationalism means Christianity is so united with the state or political party that the Gospel is either completely eclipsed or, … Read More >
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We Need An Anchor
At Peace in the Midst of Our Political Storm We are not the first Christians who have had to endure unrest and fear that our nation might unravel politically, racially, and economically. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a young theologian, found himself living in a Germany rife with riots, finger pointing, and political strife, which brought widespread fear and conflict of every sort. Germany’s first attempt at democracy, the Weimar Republic established after World War I, was about to unravel. There was fear of communism, and with soup lines in Berlin and Munich, there was fear of starvation. Open fighting on the streets … Read More >
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No Reason To Hide
Standing for Christ in a Collapsing Culture Should the church be involved in politics? I’ve written a book, No Reason To Hide, with the intention of helping all of us think through how we should respond to the collapse of the basic moral and legal framework of the America we once knew. So, yes, this book deals with cultural and political issues. I’ve often been asked, “Should the church even be involved in politics?” The answer is yes because politics cannot be separated from morality, and morality cannot be separated from Christianity. And if the church has nothing to … Read More >
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A Forgotten God
“For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities; but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.”—Hosea 8:14 Hosea 8:14 is the voice of Jehovah speaking to His people and ringing down through the centuries to each of us. I believe that what I have to say, in the name of the Lord, has something for everyone of us. I have lived for over four years in this country now—a very short time compared with most of you—yet long enough to feel its pulse, to love … Read More >
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Terrorism, Refugees, And Our Security
The war is raging. Months ago on television, when I saw the body of a two-year-old boy washed up on a shore, the victim of a capsized boat filled with refugees fleeing the horrors of ISIS, I wanted compassion to win. This precious child represented tens of thousands of refugees who are dying of hunger, lack protection from the weather, and are just plain exhausted. With incredulity and sorrow, we watch the hordes of weary immigrants march across rugged terrain, and pray that they can find a new life. In response to the crisis, several European countries have welcomed these … Read More >
