How many of us have heard—perhaps even used—some of these common responses to the Gospel? “That might be true for you, but not me.” “That’s your opinion, but are you saying people of other religions are wrong?” “Whatever helps you live a good life, that’s what matters.” All these clichés that permeate our conversations are … Continue reading ‘Jesus, That’s Just True for You’
Letter to a Jehovah’s Witness
Earlier this week, I encountered an acquaintance of mine at the gym. It wasn't long until this man, a Jehovah's Witness, and I found ourselves entangled in a conversation about who Jesus is, how to be assured of your salvation, and the origin of the doctrine of the Trinity. As I tried to take him … Continue reading Letter to a Jehovah’s Witness
5 Marks of a Faithful Sending Church
Not everyone is called to be a cross-cultural missionary who takes the gospel to unreached places. So what does Scripture say to those who stay behind? It is just as much a church’s responsibility to send as it is a missionary’s responsibility to go. One of the greatest missionary rally-cry passages in the Bible, Romans … Continue reading 5 Marks of a Faithful Sending Church
Giving Teens the Full Gospel
Have you ever struggled to explain your faith? Could you explain it to a 5th grader? What about five of them in a circle? Talking about our faith can be daunting. Sometimes we’re so afraid to say the wrong thing that we don’t say much at all. It’s harder if students can’t define “sin,” “salvation,” … Continue reading Giving Teens the Full Gospel
7 Thoughtful Questions from a Humanist
The world is asking Christians some big questions. At least, that’s what I’ve found lately. Whereas most evangelicals have been trained to one degree or another to answer questions like “How can I have eternal life?” or “Who is Jesus?” I’ve found that much of the unbelieving world has a far more bulky set … Continue reading 7 Thoughtful Questions from a Humanist
4 Ways Jesus ‘Celebrated’ Halloween
Halloween means a lot of different things to people—jack-o-lanterns, creepy costumes, haunted maize fields, and candy by the bucket, to name a few. Did Jesus celebrate Halloween? Well, no. But he did do some familiar things that are worth celebrating today. 1. Jesus moved into the neighborhood wearing a disguise. Two thousand years ago, God himself … Continue reading 4 Ways Jesus ‘Celebrated’ Halloween
4 Undying Myths About Mortality
If it were possible to boil down many of the problems in American Christianity into a single theological point, it might be that many of modern evangelicals functionally worship a “dead” Savior, not a true living Lord. Each year, Easter Sundays remind believers of Christ’s triumph over death, hell, and sin, freeing us from God’s wrath … Continue reading 4 Undying Myths About Mortality
Why God Gave You the Holy Spirit
If you have been cleansed from sin through Christ's death, you are a vessel of God's very own Holy Spirit—the same Spirit who enjoyed eternal fellowship with the Father and the Son for all eternity past. That's an incredible thought. But amid all our seeking the gifts of the Spirit, discussing what it means to … Continue reading Why God Gave You the Holy Spirit
10 Corrections to the Huffington Post on Hell
It's easy to mudsling on the Internet. It's even easier when the topic is something as controversial as Hell. So as I pen this article, my hope is that my words would not seem frivolous. I have no desire to attract attention. Rather, I believe that when mistruths are promoted publicly, they must be dealt … Continue reading 10 Corrections to the Huffington Post on Hell
Alex Kocman 