Month: November 2020

The QAnon Phenomenon

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Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash This article was originally published on Advocates for Truth. Introduction According to Google Trends, search terms related to QAnon have dramatically risen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic but especially in this past month of August. Several articles in prominent news outlets have shown how QAnon uses Bible verses and Christian beliefs in end times to back up its claims. This has resulted in many Evangelical Christians being drawn into the QAnon fold, becoming avid advocates on social media for many ideas in the QAnon universe. QAnon has gained enough followers that it is even leading to division among churches and to churches incorporating QAnon material into their services. In light of this growing prominence, how should Christians [Read more...]

Politics, the Platform, and the Pulpit

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Photo by Joshua Eckstein on Unsplash This article was originally at Advocates for Truth under the title "Politics and the Pulpit." Introduction As the election approaches, some churches may incorporate elements of politics, patriotism, or a discussion of voting. But is this appropriate to do in church? How should Christians and pastors think about this? Politics in the Church First, let’s clear away any misconceptions about what this article is and is not addressing. This article is not addressing the subject of whether individual Christians should be patriotic. There is a healthy patriotism that Christians can have. Neither is this article about separation of church and state. Churches and Christians have the freedom to address political issues in public and to let their [Read more...]

Romans 13 & When Churches Should Submit to Government

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Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash This article was originally published at Advocates for Truth under the title "When Should Churches Submit to Government." Introduction For several months, churches have undergone some kind of restrictions on corporate gathering and worship in order to slow the spread of Covid-19. These restrictions have either been implemented voluntarily at the request of state and county health officials or involuntarily through force of law. This has led to conflicts between churches and government officials over their ability to gather for corporate worship in a manner consistent with their beliefs. Many Christians and pastors are rightly wondering what the proper response is to these impositions. For Christians, the root of the debate revolves [Read more...]

Should Christians Be Patriotic?

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Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash This article was originally published at Advocates for Truth Introduction In recent years, people have questioned whether it is right to be patriotic, especially if one’s leader has policies or personal characteristics they vehemently disagree with. This has been especially true in the United States as our country has grown more politically polarized. Americans seem to have fewer values in common with one another, including whether or not to be patriotic. One example of this has been the controversy over athletes kneeling during the national anthem. While this article won’t address that particular controversy, it brings to light the various definitions of patriotism. What does patriotism mean? Should Christians be patriotic? Definition of [Read more...]

Is God Sovereign Over Elections?

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Originally published on Advocates for Truth as "Elections and God's Sovereignty." Introduction Scripture describes how God is sovereign over nations and those who lead them (Acts 17:26, Proverbs 21:1, Daniel 2:20-21, 4:32, 35). Depending on the results of our elections, Christians may be tempted to draw conclusions about God’s sovereignty or judgment on a nation. Some may be tempted to rejoice or lose hope depending on whether their preferred candidate was the winner or not. Christians may even want to say that if their preferred candidate won, then this displays God’s sovereignty, and if their preferred candidate did not win, then it can lead them to question God’s sovereignty. But is this right? What does the Bible say about elections and God’s sovereignty? How should we [Read more...]

Amy Coney Barrett and the Dogma of Faith

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Photo by Isabella and Louisa Fischer on Unsplash This article was originally published on Advocates for Truth. Introduction In 2017, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the 7th District Court of Appeals by the Senate. During her confirmation process, she was questioned by Senate Democrats about the role of her Catholic faith in her judging, inferring that it might unfairly bias or influence her to rule one way or the other. Later in the hearing, Senator Diane Feinstein said to her, Why is it that so many of us on this side have this very uncomfortable feeling that---you know---dogma and law are two different things. And I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma. The law is totally different. And I think in your case, professor, when we read your speeches, the [Read more...]

How Should Christians Think About Critical Theory?

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Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash This article was originally published on Advocates for Truth. Introduction The term “critical theory” is probably one that few Christians are familiar with. Yet, it is something that underlies much of what we hear and observe in modern society. Social sciences like “ethnic studies,” “feminist studies,” “queer studies,” “transgender studies,” and other similar fields all have connections to critical theory. Even subjects like mathematics are starting to be subjected to critical theory. Critical theory is especially prevalent in our modern dialogue surrounding race. If you have heard the terms "being woke," “social justice,” “white privilege,” “white fragility,” or “critical race theory,” then you may be more familiar with critical theory than [Read more...]