Hope that Sustains
American teenagers are more depressed than ever and are struggling with resulting mental and physical health challenges. A recent secular article summarizing these issues concluded lost hope about the future was a major determining factor in this development. The Bible describes a situation like some are facing today: “We were completely overwhelmed – beyond our […]
An Easy Answer
A recent headline in a major national news source blared “Child sex images are booming online. Congress wants to know why.” Finally, a public policy question with an easy answer. People are evil. For the most part, thought leaders, educators, psychologists, and similar professional today believe people are basically good. They think people, when left […]
The Name Game
Renaming something, including coining a new word to describe something, is common today. When people do this, they seem to be trying to accomplish one of several outcomes. First, they may be trying to make something old sound new. Second, they may be trying to convince us of a new angle on something old. Third, […]
Fidelity Matters
Despite the claims of many, younger generations (in fact, all generations) still value fidelity in romantic relationships. Free love, open relationships, friends with benefits, and multiple partner relationships might make for titillating television but they are not what people are looking for in real life. As an example, testing fidelity is big business, driven by […]
New Definers of Christian Community
Some years ago, I opined the defining issues establishing Christian community in the future would be marriage and morality. Specifically, how a church or denomination defines marriage and interprets biblical morality will position it relative to historic, orthodox Christian beliefs – more than past confessional statements or doctrinal creeds. A Christian’s position on these issues […]
Massacre
On Christmas Eve and Day, more than 200 Christians were massacred in Nigeria by Muslim Fulani herdsmen, along with other terrorist/criminal attackers. In 2022, Nigeria was a killing field for Christians with more than 5,014 documented deaths. The numbers for 2023 will be just as alarming. To put that in perspective, that’s almost five times […]
Hope for the New Year
The longer you lead, the more susceptible you may be to discouragement, cynicism, and bitterness. Losing in the ministry battle hurts. It’s hard when evil prevails. No matter how hard we preach, teach, and counsel – some people still make horrible choices that destroy relationships, families, and churches. No matter how much we strategize, sinful […]
The Christmas Couple: Joseph
Character matters. God wants us to develop and demonstrate qualities which reveal our values and convictions. Character counts as the sustaining force which enables us to make an impact over the long haul – more than intelligence, skills, or education. When God selected the Christmas couple – Mary and Joseph – he chose two people […]
The Christmas Couple: Mary
Character matters. God wants us to develop and demonstrate qualities which reveal our values and convictions. Character counts as the sustaining force which enables us to make an impact over the long haul – more than intelligence, skills, or education. When God selected the Christmas couple – Mary and Joseph – he chose two people […]
California Partners
Gateway Seminary is a national entity owned by the Southern Baptist Convention. Yet, because of our primary location since our founding almost 80 years ago, we are closely connected to state partners in California. Those partnerships are a profound asset as we work together to support each other and fulfill both our respective missions and […]