The Veritas Network

READER: Vintage Church

Greg Gibson — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:23:50 +0000

For our second book, we will be reading and discussing, Vintage Church, by Mark Driscoll. I’m pretty excited to work through this book with each of you. Same concept applies, however, lets work through the first 6 chapters for the first week and the second 6 chapters for the final week. I will post a few [...]

Young Men, Don’t Waste Your Glory

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:12:11 +0000

“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (Prov. 20:29) Ever wonder why God has given energy, strength and vigor to youth? Perhaps you have given it much thought. Just as you never really consider your health until you become ill, the gift of physical endurance isn’t weighed [...]

Exploring Community as the Core of Evangelism (Part One)

Greg Gibson — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:36:41 +0000

My Christian life has definitely gone through seasons of growth. Some have been monumental in growth. Some have been dry. Some have been exciting and full of opportunity. Some have been lonely. Some have been me trying to conform to a certain set of values, whether legalistic or not. And some have been “ah ha” [...]

READER: Total Church

VeritasNet — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:22:58 +0000

I am excited to begin with the book, Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community, as the first book for our Reader. I read this book for the first time about 3 years ago. I was so compelled by its content that I read it again for the second time immediately afterwards. I was [...]

Veritas Reader 1: Introductions

VeritasNet — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:14:56 +0000

Welcome to the first ever Veritas Reader! We are thrilled to have about 20 people signed up thus far. It should be a pretty fun journey these next 3 months as we dive into some great books together. Before we get started on May 1 with the book, Total Church, though, let’s take the next [...]

Interview with Brandon Shields, Church Planter to Indianapolis

Greg Gibson — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:29:05 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to ask Brandon Shields a few questions about his new church plant to the great city of Indianapolis. I had the great opportunity to learn under Brandon for a year-or-so back when I was an intern at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, KY almost 4 years ago. Since then, God has used Brandon mightily in my [...]

God’s Righteous and Redemptive Wrath By Ryan Rindels

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:42:54 +0000

This manuscript is from a sermon I preached at Mission Bethel, the You-Bet, Red Dog Community Church in Grass Valley, CA on April15, 2012 Ever heard a sermon preached from the book of Nahum? I haven’t. Why do you think this is so? Over the centuries, preachers have been at a loss as to how [...]

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN: POSTURE AND PERSUASION IN THE PREACHING OF CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

VeritasNet — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:25:46 +0000

By Roger Duke Article originally appeared in the Founders Journal Gleanings from Classical Rhetoric Aristotle states that, “[R]hetoric … does not belong to a single defined genus of [any one] subject …. [I]t is … clear … that its function is not to persuade, but to see the available means of persuasion in each case.”[2] For [...]

What’s so Good about Good Friday?

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:35:42 +0000

Today is Good Friday. And it is good. Good for no other reason than it’s about Jesus. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus told the rich young man, “No one is good except God alone.” And we know the question he posed was actually a statement. He is God. He calls himself “I AM” in John’s Gospel [...]

Lawless Mexico: Where Money is The Moral Standard

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:04:01 +0000

Of all grandparents, Rosario Gomez Cotton (my mom’s mother) has the most intimate knowledge of her ancestry. She keeps in contact with relatives in Mexico whose affinity extends to those whom we might call “sixth cousins.” One of Rosario’s great nephews is a man named Chalio. He is a respected and relatively wealthy mayor of [...]

Veritas Spring Reader

VeritasNet — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:58:28 +0000

Veritas Readers are designed to cultivate an online community of people who desire to grow in their understanding of Scripture, engagement in mission, and love for their local church. Two times a year, we will host a 3-month, 6 book journey about the gospel, the church, and mission. You must register below to participate. Upon [...]

DEAR JASON, by Tim Sweetman

VeritasNet — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:15:11 +0000

Dear Jason… March 26, 2012— I was walking by the bridge the other night. Actually, I got engaged there just a few months ago. My fiancée sat on the same bench and looked out over the dark river and the city beyond – and I couldn’t help but think about you Jason and that terrible [...]

Calamity: Why Here not There? Why There not Here?

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:05:09 +0000

When natural disasters strike, we inevitably strive to interpret the event –to identify a possible cause. And when we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over creation, we find ourselves searching his purposes. Understandably, we’re only being human. Scripturally, however, we typically overstep our bounds. A recent string of Tornadoes in the Midwest and south left 38 people [...]

Matt Chandler on a Christ-Centered View of David & Goliath

VeritasNet — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:29:17 +0000

What to make of the Worldwide War against Christians

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:14:04 +0000

Entering the library at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and glancing at the periodicals, I was surprised to find the Headline from Newsweek titled: The War on Christians. The cover displayed what appeared to be a blood-spattered portrait of Christ on a wall. The article described the scope of killing and torture of Christians across [...]

GOSPEL-CENTERED PIONEERS: Adoniram Judson Takes the Gospel to Burma 200 Years Ago Today

VeritasNet — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:23:44 +0000

200 years ago today, a man named Adoniram Judson jumped on a ship with his wife, Ann, and gospel partner, Luther Rice, and headed toward the unknowns of Burma. Take some time today and get to know this amazing missionary pioneer. I promise, his life will greatly benefit yours. Millions of Christians in Burma today [...]

Phil Wickham — Beautiful (Video)

VeritasNet — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:39:31 +0000

I see Your face in every sunrise The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes The world awakens in the light of the day I look up to the sky and say You’re beautiful I see Your power in the moonlit night Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright We are amazed [...]

AN ADOPTION BLOG WORTH READING

Greg Gibson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:45:06 +0000

Visit their blog at http://threemorejacobsons.blogspot.com/

I Am the Prodigal Son… Before He Rebelled and Lived with the Pigs. By Greg Gibson.

Greg Gibson — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:56:12 +0000

This past weekend, we held a small group training at my church, Foothills Church, for up-and-coming potential small group leaders. This training is not a normal training though, in my experience, at least. We spent two days being intentional about training our soon-t0-be small group leaders on our discipleship strategy, the art of being a [...]

Susan G. Komen gave in to bullies in Planned Parenthood flap by Ryan Rindels

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:46:25 +0000

“You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice.” – Exodus 23:2 In the Gospels’ accounts of Jesus’ trial, we see Pontius Pilate faced with a moral dilemma: Grant the demands of a bloodthirsty, ravenous [...]

BREAD Magazine (Jan/Feb 2012)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:08:06 +0000

BREAD Magazine — Jan/Feb 2012 Issue Contents Include: Reflections on the First and Final Scenes of Scripture (Genesis 1-3 / Revelation 19-21) Gospel-Centered Friendships A Brief Discourse on God, Philosophy, and the Postmodern Critic. A Review on The Gospel-Centered Family. A Review on Mark Noll’s, Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind. A Look at Horror [...]

Give Now…..Gain Later by Ryan Rindels

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:52:49 +0000

“Everything I’ve kept, I’ve lost, but all that I’ve given to God I still possess.” –Martin Luther Among churches, fewer topics create more controversy; ruffle more feathers and exact more criticism than that of money. To hear members complain about a sermon on tithing is just expected. Preach on any topic, but don’t be telling [...]

The Veritas Network Says, “No,” to the Girl Scouts of America

Greg Gibson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:42:59 +0000

So, I just read an article where the Girl Scouts of America are MASSIVE supporters of Planned Parenthood and Abortion. No more Girl Scout Cookies for the Gibson family or for The Veritas Network in general. Please consider this when you are thinking about buying girl scout cookies this year. Every dollar you spend for [...]

Confession: For a Life of holiness and Victory over Sin

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:34:42 +0000

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” –James 5:16 Confession among evangelicals is a biblical practice rarely emphasized and hardly understood. For most, including myself growing up, it was a “Catholic” practice involving a priest as mediator between man and God who granted absolution [...]

A Hard Look at Pity Verses Compassion: Which Hand Are You Extending?

Greg Gibson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:33:27 +0000

Have you ever extended a hand to give a homeless man a couple of bucks? Have you possibly extended a hand to help a family (or even family member) in a tough time? Or have you ever traveled across the Atlantic to pass out some much-needed items to those in a third world country? Bread? [...]

True Freedom is found in Commitment

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:09:29 +0000

Commitment stifles freedom. The predominant contemporary view of relationships, namely that of marriage, exalts individual freedom over commitment. Being devoted to another when feelings of love do not exist is perceived as coercive. It would be cruel to stay with a person whom you don’t find satisfaction and contentment. Most would agree that leaving a [...]

The Meaning of Marriage: Commodification or Covenant?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:05:50 +0000

“Sociologists argue that in contemporary Western society the marketplace has become so dominant that the consumer model increasingly characterizes most relationships that historically were covenantal, including marriage. Today we stay connected to people only as long as they are meeting our particular needs at an acceptable cost to us. When we cease to make a [...]

Train Up a Child in the Way he Should go…….but What If he Departs From it? by Ryan Rindels and Michelle Cotton

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:27:36 +0000

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” –Proverbs 22:6 For Christian parents, this well-known verse can be both a source of comfort and frustration. Moms and dads hope that their kids love and serve God with their whole heart, and it [...]

Creating Warrior Men: Waking Up Early & Hating Life… But Loving It. By Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:13:24 +0000

My ministry is marked with discipleship, the desire to develop leaders, and the excitement of passing off ministry to those leaders. That’s why at Foothills Church we pride ourselves on developing mature disciples of Christ. In our student ministry, I have a kid named Jake. Jake is a fellow warrior for Christ. He hangs out [...]

Venturing All for God: Piety in the Writings of John Bunyan. By Roger Duke

Greg Gibson — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:39:52 +0000

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Roger Duke’s book, in which he co-authored with Phil Newton, entitled Venturing All for God: Piety in the Writings of John Bunyan. Venturing All for God is published by Reformation Heritage Books. ————————————– A Great Sinner’s Encouragement to Come to Christ[1] [2] But I say, what is this to [...]

Honoring Those Who Honor Him: God’s Favor on Tim Tebow By Ryan Rindels

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:41:35 +0000

Former Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels’ decision to draft Tim Tebow in the late first round of the 2010 Draft drew a chorus of criticism from coaches, analysts and experts: “Tebow is not fit to be an NFL quarterback” “His throwing motion and release are suspect.” “He is too quick to run.” “His accuracy and [...]

Leading Volunteers. By Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:14:15 +0000

Tonight I had a few of our student ministry leaders over to celebrate what God has done with and through them in our student ministry this semester. Some of them lead small groups. Others are leaders at our Wednesday night service. All of them lead in separate ways depending upon their schedules and passions, but [...]

Christopher Hitchens: The Death of an Enemy

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:47:18 +0000

On Thursday December 11, 2011 renowned atheist and outspoken critic of religion, Christopher Hitchens passed away due to complications arising from his eighteen month battle with esophageal cancer. Hitchens spent his life pursuing his passion for writing, honing his gift for communication into a multifaceted tool capable of being both bludgeon and scalpel, and in [...]

SERMON: Grace to You and Peace – Galatians 1:1-10

Tyler Smith — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:02:51 +0000

SERMON: Grace and Peace to You - Galatians 1:1-10

I preached this sermon at Ryker's Ridge Baptist Church on the morning of November, 13 2011. In this message, I speak of Paul's gracious calling as an apostle, his gracious welcome to the churches at Galatia, and his gracious warning to those who are believing and teaching a false gospel. Grace is something that characterizes Paul's ministry, and it should ours as well.

I sincerely hope you benefit from this message!

SERMON: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going?: The Position, Essence, and Trajectory of the New Covenant People of God – Ezekiel 36:22-38

Tyler Smith — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:47:33 +0000

SERMON: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going?: The Position, Essence, and Trajectory of the New Covenant People of God - Ezekiel 36:22-38

Here is a sermon I preached at Ryker's Ridge Baptist Church on October 9, 2011. In this message, I try to explain the significance of the New Covenant for believers today. In doing so, I provide a bit of context for the listener by showing where the New Covenant fits into the overall metanarrative of Scripture. I then examine what Ezekiel has to say about the the New Covenant believer. Finally, I show the direction New Covenant believers are headed.

I hope you enjoy the message!

Work and Prayer: They’re Both Spiritual

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:29:50 +0000

For the last month you could say I’ve had Dietrich Bonhoeffer “on my mind”. In reading his community-focused devotional, Life Together, I found several interesting insights and perspectives. Among them, Bonhoeffer discusses a dimension of life we all engage in: work. What I found to be novel was his insistence that work is essentially spiritual [...]

Christ, Your Cross, and Your Kids

Ali Clayton — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:47:58 +0000

I worked many odd jobs throughout college, but one of my favorites was working as a babysitter. I have always loved little ones. They are so eager to make new friends, have grand adventures, and discover more of life. I was always delighted to escape being buried in text books and homework to run around [...]

Is Your Youth Ministry Growing Numerically? A Few Questions to Think Through. By Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:36:22 +0000

Youth Ministry is hard enough without having to think about your ministry growing. Believe me, I know. There are several things about youth ministry that make it hard. Conflict with parents. Working with volunteer leaders. Middle school students. Small budgets. High expectations. Low salaries. Low totem-pole mentalities. Etc. Yes, there are several amazing things about [...]

A Gospel Resource for Sinners and Parents of Sinners

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:09:43 +0000

I found this video on Justin Taylor’s blog over at The Gospel Coalition. Follow this link, and don’t judge it based upon the still frame of some cartoon old guy. The video is worth the 13 minutes. Let me explain why. I recently through a Thanksgiving which brought me close to the realities of our [...]

A Letter of Church-Growth Repentance, by Pastor Gabe Slone

gabeslone — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:45:18 +0000

Pastor Gabe Slone is the Associate Pastor of Youth and Children at Southern Heights Baptist Church in Lexington, KY ————————————- Sunday I became overjoyed as I was informed that three people in their early-to-mid 20’s were attending our church, which is a rare sight at my church. Committed young people don’t just wonder in churches off the streets. [...]

Like you, just trying to be Good

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:06:31 +0000

This week, the opportunity to write an article for the local newspaper about Hanukkah came up. I looked forward to going to the local Jewish congregation (which I had no idea existed prior) to interview a retired teacher and Hebrew instructor. In addition to what I learned of Hanukkah (which Jesus himself celebrated in John [...]

Celebrating the Waiting: Why Advent Still Matters

Greg Gibson — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:45:22 +0000

Here is a great article from Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, a professor of Family Ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, on why the season of Advent is still important for the church today. Young evangelicals often disregard traditions and right off liturgy as what the church did in the past. However, as you see [...]

Book Review: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr,Prophet, Spy

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:20:42 +0000

Few events in modern history fascinate us more than Nazi Germany during the 1930’s and 40’s. How could a historically Christian nation come under the spell of one of the most murderous, wicked tyrants to walk the earth? In the aftermath of World War II, the world stared aghast in unbelief at the atrocities committed [...]

1623 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

VeritasNet — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:21:53 +0000

Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us [...]

Tebow Defends His Relationship with Christ on ESPN

VeritasNet — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:58:08 +0000

REAL HOUSEWIVES: The Pessimistic Pansy

VeritasNet — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:06:40 +0000

By Grace Gibson / Grace is the wife of Greg Gibson, and they have one daughter, Cora. She is a proud stay at home mama and loves all things fun and coffee. My life is rather wonderful right now. When I contemplated writing about my life, a thought immediately popped into my head. “I’m not [...]

SERMON: Missio Dei: In the Church & for the Nations

Greg Gibson — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:46:42 +0000

Here is a sermon I preached at Foothills Church a couple of Sunday ago. It focuses on the mission of God from the birth of the New Testament Church in Acts 2 to Revelation 21 when the church will come to an end. What’s more, it focuses on what I think a healthy externally focused [...]

Close Call: God’s sovereignty extends into Space

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:30:05 +0000

In Time magazine’s Briefing section on Health and Science under the title Whew! Bullet Dodged was the image and description of a large asteroid with the following summary: “Earth didn’t get clobbered but asteroid 2005 YU55, seen above during its approach, passed closer than the moon. Had it hit earth, it would have gouged out [...]

Reformational Youth Ministry: Reform or Die? (introduction)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:07:41 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Over the past year or so, I have been plagued with this question–Is youth ministry killing the church? This has bled from another important question that is being asked all over the world–Why are so many young people leaving the church after high school? (From now I will refer to youth ministry solely as YM). I [...]

The Fascinating Last Words of Steve Jobs

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:57:19 +0000

A Sister’s Eulogy for Steve Jobs by Mona Simpson was published in the New York Times after being read at the late Apple CEO’s funeral. It created quite a stir as a bedridden Jobs, surrounded by his family stared into the distance momentarily and uttered these last words before dying a few hours later: “Oh [...]

TRUTH CLAIM: GOOD THINGS ARE A MEANS FOR ENJOYING GOD

Josh Headrick — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:14:01 +0000

Recently I’ve been reading a biography on the life of St. Augustine. Augustine remains one of the most fascinating and influential figures from church history – a giant of the faith along with men like Martin Luther and John Calvin. One of the most surprising aspects of St. Augustine’s life was that he was not [...]

Great Resource on Missions

Josh Headrick — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:06:37 +0000

One of the things I admire about Desiring God Ministries and John Piper is how much awesome content they are willing to give away. Just recently, Desiring God posted John Piper’s seminar on missions titled Let the Nations Be Glad. If you’ve ever read the book, you’ll know that Piper’s discussion of missions is passionate [...]

Why Young Christians Aren’t Waiting Anymore: My Response, Again

Greg Gibson — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:25:52 +0000

Follow Greg on Twitter for more: @gregrgibson A friend sent me an article that was posted on CNN’s Religion Blog about, yet again, the rise in “Christians” having premarital sex. Surprise! Surprise! The author raises the question about the seemingly common late 20-something or 30-something Christian who is single and EXPECTED to stay pure. The [...]

Ever Seen a Real Witch? It Will Change Your Perspective on Halloween

Ryan Rindels — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:40:33 +0000

Have you ever seen a witch? Not a genial, candy-seeking child strolling your street on Halloween, or a masked mannequin on display at Target , or even a fearful character in a movie, but a real one. If you’re like most, you’ll be at a loss for an honest definition. Merriam-Webster defines a witch as [...]

BREAD Magazine: Volume 1, Issue 0 (Oct-Dec)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:13:35 +0000

Click to Read

Pastor: Do you know why you need family ministry?

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:53:26 +0000

Let’s begin with an illustration. I am sure you have heard of the shoe company called TOMS. They do not make high quality shoes. They do not make the most attractive shoes. Nor are they the most comfortable shoes, yet this little company gained incredible popularity very quickly because of the reason behind buying their [...]

What About My Doubts As a Christan?

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:34:39 +0000

How often do you hear of Christians wrestling with doubts concerning their spiritual lives? Am I really saved? Did I understand the depth of sin or faith when professing Christ as Savior as a child? Is God real in my life…..what about everything I’m hearing from professors at school? These questions and countless ones like [...]

For Pastors: The First Step Towards a Family Ministry

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:16:45 +0000

I am currently the executive pastor at my church. This means my job is defined by implementing the vision of my pastor. It is my job to make sure his vision is protected, nurtured, and expanded by the rest of our staff. One of the key components of the vision for our church is to [...]

Interview with Nathan Akin / Baptist 21 Director & Church Planter in Raleigh, NC

Greg Gibson — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:42:24 +0000

I had the opportunity to talk with Nathan Akin on the phone this morning about what God is doing in Raleigh, NC at Imago Dei Church. I asked him about planting in Raleigh, North Carolina, developing elder and deacon teams, strategies for growth, and how he manages his time as a current bi-vocational planter. I [...]

You Want Us to Do What with Our Building Program Money?

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:51:29 +0000

It’s always insightful to look at church through history. The challenges and themes of the past are not that different from those of our own. How to use money in the church is often a vexing and contentious issue. The wealth of congregations being devoted to primarily “in-house” areas is often taken for granted as [...]

Leadership in the Now: Making Those Hard Decisions

Greg Gibson — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:40:06 +0000

Nobody ever likes conflict. If you do, then there is literally something wrong with you. Conflict is one of those things we could do without in our lives. When I wake up in the morning, I can promise you that I am not looking for conflict with my wife and family. When I get in [...]

Why God Created the World: The Love Relationship in the Trinity

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:32:47 +0000

Why did God create the world? While speculation about God’s divine purposes is usually fruitless and often dangerous, a sufficient (at least as adequate as anything I’ve researched), albeit non-exhaustive answer is found in the Trinity. Understanding God as love is best comprehended in the eternal context between the three persons of Father, Son and [...]

SERMON: Joy in Mission / Philippians 1:12-18

Greg Gibson — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:44:43 +0000

I preached this sermon back at the end of May at Foothills Church. I pray it is beneficial for you.

9Marks eJournal: Sr. Pastors (Yes or No?), Firing, Hiring, Paying Pastors, & Much More

VeritasNet — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:37:15 +0000

This months 9Marks eJournal is fantastic. If you have an hour or so, then we encourage you to take the time and read through the articles in this months issue. Some of the topics include: The case for a Sr. Pastor; the case against a Sr. Pastor; when staff should be hired; paying pastors appropriately; [...]

Global Warming Worship: An Eternal, God-Sized View of a Fleeting, Man-Sized Problem (RE-look)

Greg Gibson — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:45:44 +0000

Posted for the first time on December 19, 2011. ————- It is interesting to note the growing phenomenon of this thing we call Global Warming. The UN, in the recent past, has taken notice. They put together a 10 day conference over the issues of: 1) a world-wide government and re-distribution of wealth; and 2) [...]

A Day in San Francisco: Light and Darkness Contrasted

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:12:09 +0000

After spending two days camping in Yosemite National Park (It was an amazing trip. I highly recommend you visit, especially if you live in or near California) a group of seven guys including myself had to leave after a torrential thunderstorm left our tent under 3 inches of water. We had hiked half dome that [...]

Exploring the Relational, Missional, & Family-Driven Bandwagons in Student Ministry: A Few Thoughts & Questions on What Students Want Today

Greg Gibson — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:33:44 +0000

Over the past couple of months, God has been teaching me several things about this up-and-coming generation. Many of the things I am learning is simply having them — young people — as my teacher. I am learning by talking with them. I am learning by hanging out them. I am learning by hearing their [...]

Pictures and Videos from The Desiring God National Conference

Greg Gibson — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:22:02 +0000

I have really enjoyed keeping up with the tweets from the Desiring God National Conference the past couple of days – #dgnc. Giglio, Platt, and Piper, just to name a few, are headlining the event with the focus of the conference being pointed toward the Great Commission, and more specifically, toward reaching the unreached and [...]

Exploring Culture Today (9.23.11)

VeritasNet — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:25:56 +0000

Exploring Culture Today is a week-day column at The Veritas Network that explores what is happening in culture from culture. We have posted below some of the top tweets around the twittersphere. From social networking, humor, the economy, and whatever else we want to post, to what’s big in the news, to highlights in Christian [...]

Rob Bell is Leaving Mars Hill Church

VeritasNet — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:26:05 +0000

John Piper stated about 15 minutes ago in a tweet, “Seriously, as before, may you fare well, Rob Bell.http://dsr.gd/otctwX.” Bell is stepping down as the lead pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, reports Christianity Today. Click on the link above for the full scoop. Interesting enough, Bell is stepping down as pastor right after he [...]

Exploring Culture Today (9.22.11)

VeritasNet — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:33:02 +0000

Exploring Culture Today is a week-day column at The Veritas Network that explores what is happening in culture… today. From social networking, the economy, and whatever else we want to post, to what’s big in the news, to highlights in Christian magazines, blogs, and websites from some of today’s leaders, we desire to bring it [...]

Kid History: Episode 2 (Laughing Out Loud Funny)

VeritasNet — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:44:06 +0000

Exploring Culture Today (9.21.11)

VeritasNet — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:53:29 +0000

—————————————- @mashable Pete Cashmore WATCH: @Foursquare just hit 1 billion checkins. This is what a week of checkins looks like - t.co/hq7WV6Ms —————————————- @AP The Associated Press Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs discharged from prison hospital after fast-related illness. apne.ws/nOe8pM -MM —————————————- @GOOD GOOD Calling all artists! We’re challenging you to illustrate the newst.co/oK0SswHN —————————————- @nytimes The New York Times Obama’s Tax on Millionaires t.co/wKtGGR8h —————————————- [...]

1960s Sunday School Literature — Clean & Gay

Greg Gibson — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:43:29 +0000

You are welcome.

Exploring Culture Today: 9.20.11

VeritasNet — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:23:02 +0000

@TrevinWax Trevin Wax Worth a Look: Donald Miller on the best writing advice he ever received http://ow.ly/6zjJO —————————————- @Jonathanakin Jonathan Akin I was interviewed today by Fox News & @toddstarnes about the SBC name change. Read it here fxn.ws/noGbF5 —————————————- @drmoore Dr. Russell Moore Moore to the Point: An End to Trickle-Down Worship bit.ly/pTfL8y —————————————- @washingtonpost The Washington Post #Netflix erases 12 months [...]

Thoughts on Drama in the Church: Yes or No?

Greg Gibson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:45:39 +0000

I watched this video about 4 or 5 years ago for the first time. At that point in my life, I had not really formulated my ecclesiology — or doctrine of the church. Because of this, the question, “Should drama be practiced in a local church setting?” had not really crossed my mind. Take a [...]

The Growth of Online Television & How Christians Can Maximize Their TV Budget & Time

Greg Gibson — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:29:08 +0000

As Christians, we are called to understand culture, engage culture, and create culture. We do a great job of the first two but we do a horrendous job at the final one. Creating culture seems to be what the culture at large does for the rest of us. The most popular of the arts (music, [...]

Always Tell the Truth. Always?

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 04:39:20 +0000

John Broadus, in his Catechism of the Bible (1892), briefly answers various theological questions of the faith. I was intrigued when I came across the following question and Broadus’ response: Q. Does truthfulness require us to tell everything we know or think? A. No, we may keep to ourselves what others have no claim to [...]

Q: The Effects of Poverty on Families with Children — Should We Continue to Have Lots of Kids?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 03:05:30 +0000

According to Christianity Today, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that poverty is continuing to rise in the United States. Up a whole percentage from last year, poverty is not only effecting entire communities but it is effecting families inside those communities as well. – RESOURCE: (here, http://www.onlinesocialworkdegree.org, is a resource for people who want to help families in poverty by [...]

A secular philosopher on why moral relativism just doesn’t work

Michelle Cotton — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:53:45 +0000

Had a challenging conversation with a friend yesterday about moral relativism, and came across this insightful article. It’s dense, and I’m not going to lie — it’s reaching the outer limits of my intellectual capacity. But it’s a good primer on why not even philosophers espouse moral relativism — a position many (perhaps most) non-Christians [...]

Should Christians Buy a Big Screen TV?: A Quotation from “Money: God or Gift”

Greg Gibson — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:22:23 +0000

“If Doug can pay for a TV without going into debt or compromising his ability to provide for his family or ceasing to give to his church and those in need, then Doug is free to buy a TV. If Doug were thinking in terms “wants” and “needs,” he would never buy the big screen. [...]

How To Remember A National Tragedy Today

Josh Headrick — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:20:54 +0000

In churches across the country today, congregations took time to remember the national tragedy of September 11th and our own personal horror and grief at what occurred ten years ago today. But how are we to remember today? In what way can we honor the victims who were lost and the heroes who sacrificed, and [...]

Doxology 2: Worship Is… Focused on Jesus

Greg Gibson — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:55:11 +0000

After every Wednesday night Doxa service, I will begin to put my sermon notes online for the parents of my student ministry. Doxa is the Greek word for ‘glory.’ At Doxa, we’re all about making much of Jesus. What’s more, we desire to do 4 main things that encompasses our philosophy of student ministry. These [...]

Doxology 1: Worship Is…

Greg Gibson — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:48:45 +0000

A Good Word, Compliments of Mr. Richard Baxter

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:41:47 +0000

One month into my second semester at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, I’ve found my head continually in the books. This is of course, well-known and expected for any M.Div. student. An elective course I’m enrolled in is a class titled classics in Christian Devotion. It has quickly become my favorite. The class involves reading [...]

Starbucks CEO Turns Political Activist

Greg Gibson — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:25:17 +0000

About a week ago, I received the following email in my inbox. It was a mass email sent by the reps at Starbucks from their CEO, Howard Schultz. I read the email in astonishment. Schultz encourages Americans to come together to challenge Washington to put their bipartisan stances behind them and finally come to terms [...]

Truth Claim Discussion Question: Spiritual But Not Religious?

Josh Headrick — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:49:43 +0000

Open Discussion Question: This is another question for open discussion/debate. Is it possible to be a spiritual person without necessarily being a religious person? Yes? No? Explain your answer. Be sure to define your terms!

What Happened to Action Movies?

Josh Headrick — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:45:55 +0000

If you’ve watched any action movies in the past ten or so years, you’ve probably noticed the frenetic almost unwatchable quality of the action depicted. In this two-part video essay, filmmaker and analyst Matthias Stork shares a thesis about recent action films that he calls “Chaos Cinema.” Part 1 Chaos Cinema Part 1 from Matthias [...]

Truth Claim: The Greatest Struggle is to See

Josh Headrick — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:06:26 +0000

What is the greatest struggle/challenge of the Christian life? This was the question posed a few weeks ago for your opinions and discussion. Today, I will assert my own answer. First, however, it’s important to see what the greatest struggle is not. The greatest struggle of the Christian life is not primarily prayer, Bible reading, [...]

Saturday Morning Videos — 9.3.11 (John Newton Biography)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:58:56 +0000

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am” John Newton is one of my [...]

The Six Stewardship Principles of Making a Budget & the Discipline of Staying on It

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:07:16 +0000

A little over three years ago, I saw my wife Grace standing in line at the café at our school. She wasn’t my wife then of course. She was more like an acquaintance. We knew of each other, but we really didn’t know each other as friends—you know what I mean. I had seen her [...]

Best of the Bookshelf: Top Picks From My Summer Reading List

Michelle Cotton — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:42:36 +0000

The days of reading on the beach are numbered, but here are two of my top recommendations from a great season. Both happen to be Pulitzer Prize-winning novels that I never had a chance to read in high school or college. But their messages are striking—and both are worthy to end up in your backpack [...]

How Money Can Put Your Heart in the Right Place

Michelle Cotton — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:34:20 +0000

Your first full-time job, few responsibilities—the years just after college and before marriage can be full of an unexpected surprise: your own money, and if God’s blessed you with a decent job, a good quantity of it. One of the greatest lessons I’ve been learning as a single woman is the joy of managing money. The [...]

A Quick Exegesis on Luke 16:13 & Matthew 6:24 — No Servant Can Serve Two Masters

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:29:14 +0000

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” –Luke 16:13, Matthew 6:24 The desire to accumulate world possessions never ceases to draw man’s affections and devotion. The love of [...]

Spending Money & Saving Money as a Single Dude

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:20:47 +0000

The carefree life of a single guy or girl is undoubtedly his or her most auspicious aspect. When it comes to finances singles are often cavalier. Money earned is money spent. I mean, isn’t that what everybody really wants? Saving, investing, sacrifice: those are for later in life—hopefully much later. In reality, managing one’s money [...]

Gender Identity & Children: Are We Teaching Stereotypes or Proper Gender Roles?

Greg Gibson — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:54:56 +0000

The women cook, clean, and take care of the babies. Meanwhile, the men work, sweat, and drink beer. Right? Well, not anymore. Or is it? This view of gender identity has plagued our culture for some time now. What’s more, the aforementioned view of gender roles is usually looked down upon by the liberal left. [...]

Animated Video of the Lustrous Career of the ONE & ONLY Steve Jobs

Greg Gibson — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:53:13 +0000

This is a great video. WARNING: I wouldn’t watch this unless you were old enough to stay up past midnight.

Turning the other Cheek: Stripping a Man of His Power and Dignity?

Ryan Rindels — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:57:26 +0000

I read John Eldridge’s Wild at Heart recently and I came across the following section. The author describes how one of his sons was being picked on at school by a bully. An understandably angry father then advised that his son to punch the bully out next time they met. He gives the following justification: [...]

Saturday Morning Cartoons / 8.27.11

Greg Gibson — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:14:33 +0000

This morning we will look at a video posted at The Resurgence on Film & Theology. This video takes a look at the theology behind the movie Thor. More specifically, it takes a look at how this story fits into and reflects the greater story — the meta-narrative — of salvation history. Almost all stories [...]

Hello, Cora Lillian Gibson… 8.20.11

Greg Gibson — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:16:11 +0000

(all taken on my iPhone — 8/20/2011)

“First in War, First in Peace . . .” [:] One Baptist Chaplain of the America Revolution

Greg Gibson — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:16:29 +0000

“First in War, First in Peace . . .” [:] One Baptist Chaplain of the America Revolution By Dr. Roger Duke Used with Permission. “Light Horse Harry Lee ha[s] famously eulogized his friend Gen. George Washington as ‘first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.’”[1] This bromide might also be [...]

Endless Second Chances: Why I’ll Take Reincarnation

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:21:50 +0000

Returning to the U.S. after two years as a missionary in South America, I’ve embraced opportunities to share the gospel wherever I’m at. It has been an eye-opener to the broad spectrum of eclectic and contradictory worldviews. Among those I’ve witnessed to, a surprising and recurring theme has been the belief in reincarnation. I know [...]

Truth Claim Question

Josh Headrick — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:55:23 +0000

Discussion Question: In your opinion, what is the greatest need and/or struggle for Christians/the Christian life today? Give your answer in the comment section below!

Cross-Colored Glasses

Josh Headrick — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:20:31 +0000

Living in the In-Between As Christians we live in a vast in-between, living as natives of two worlds. With the Apostle Paul we can affirm “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20), and can affirm with (possibly) misty eyes that we are “kind of homesick for a country to which I have never been before.” [...]

Marriage: A Minefield Worth Walking In

Tyler Smith — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:11:40 +0000

As a relatively new pastor, I have come to realize to a greater degree the pervasiveness of sin–the tight grip it has on the world and even its influence over Christians. Quickly, I am coming to recognize the essentiality of being skilled in biblical counseling. Sin, with all of its evil, continues to give rise [...]

Saturday Morning Cartoons / 8.13.11

Greg Gibson — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:56:50 +0000

I came across this video interview of Tim Keller sometime this past week. In this video, he discusses the New Atheist movement of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, etc. Watch his posture and composure as he talks about folks whom he disagrees with. May we share truth in the same way. “AND I’M [...]

FOOTHILLS STUDENT MINISTRY — The Summit (Night 1)

Greg Gibson — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:45:46 +0000

Last night at Foothills Church, we had our first student event of the year — The Summit. The Summit is designed specifically for our upcoming 9th graders — and this time it was just for guys. This is a leadership event (level 4/5 if you know David Adam’s 5 Levels of Programming) where we talk [...]

The Toughest Kind of Calling

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:03:37 +0000

How many times do you start a project, never looking ahead to discover your end goal, only to find you’ve made a crucial mistake along the way? For you, maybe that doesn’t happen. For me, it happens most times I start a project. I suffer from overeager disorganizationalism. It is a workable condition; it just [...]

Are the Gifts for today?

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:15:44 +0000

I wanted to make our readers aware of a fantastic discussion going on between Sam Storms and Michael Patton about the continuation of the gifts. To give you some background — Sam and Michael are good friends; Sam, as I understand it, was actually something of a mentor to Michael as they began in ministry. Today, [...]

The Warrior Husband

Greg Gibson — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:43:14 +0000

I read a story the other day about a man who didn’t have a job, who didn’t provide for his family, and who didn’t cherish and serve his wife. This man viewed women as objects and he probably was addicted to pornography. He lied. He cheated. He was a hypocrite. While at home, he sat [...]

How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent… b/c my awesome wife just did

Greg Gibson — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:44:55 +0000

I came home today from the office and found my wife’s craftiness and resourcefulness being put to some amazing use. She made her own laundry detergent yesterday and then today continued her scientific experiment on my clothes. So far, so good. And so far, so clean! And so far (for a third time), so cheap! [...]

An Old Jimmy Fallon/Conan Video — Hilarious!

Greg Gibson — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:15:45 +0000

This video is worth several play-backs! Laugher is a gift from the Creator for sure…

BARLEY BUSINESS: Should We Have Gay Health Classes in Schools?

Greg Gibson — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:02:43 +0000

Welcome to my blog — Barley Harvest — hosted by The Veritas Network. Glad you are here. I really am. No, seriously — I am. Over the past couple of months, TVN has been in a transition of sorts. As we have begun to host our very own online magazine, we have also moved our [...]

Let Creation answer Your Question

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 03:00:35 +0000

“And what is the object of my love? I asked the earth and it said: ‘It is not I.’ I asked all that is in it; they made the same confession (Job 28:12). I asked the sea, the deeps, the living creatures that creep, and they responded: ‘We are not your God, look beyond us.’ [...]

Bob Ross, John Piper, and Idolatry

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:40:32 +0000

I watched Bob Ross the other day. If you’ve never seen Bob Ross, you really need to spend some time on the Public Broadcast Station. He is a painter who starred in a television show in the seventies. He was a white guy with an afro, a sweet disposition, and the happiest trees and clouds you have [...]

“The Rise of the Planet of the Apes”: What Are Christians to Think about a Role-Reversal between Man and Apes?

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:19:30 +0000

The film writers and makers of Hollywood are remaking and reproducing some of the movies and figures from the past in new and exciting ways. I have enjoyed their recreations of Batman, Transformers, X-men, and so forth. One of those movies which will be released tomorrow will be called “The Rise of the Planet of [...]

Is Your Good, Good Enough? Most Think So

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:25:29 +0000

Nearly ninety percent of Americans believe in heaven, while only thirty percent believe hell is a real place. Moreover, only a small percentage of the thirty believe they’re actually going to hell. Most people believe that being a good person is sufficient to get them to heaven. Most religions teach that good works will earn [...]

Soularium Cards: An Excellent Conversation Starter for Evangelism

Benjamin J. Montoya — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:38:54 +0000

Recently a couple of organizational leaders introduced me to Soularium cards. In a planetarium, we would see pictures of the planets; with Soularium cards, however, we use pictures to view into someone’s soul. From using these cards recently, I’ve noticed that they are an excellent conversation starter for evangelism. Clearly, if we as Christians are [...]

5 Ways to Give Criticism / 5 Ways Not to Give Criticism

Greg Gibson — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:25:59 +0000

Nobody likes criticism. Nobody likes constructive criticism. I mean, I don’t know anyone who likes for people to tell them how bad of a job they are doing — or how they can improve in the job they are doing. And NOBODY really likes to get criticism when it concerns a reflection of their personal character. [...]

A closer look at Adam and Eve’s roles and interactions before the Fall

Michelle Cotton — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:55:33 +0000

Caveat: In many ways, I chafe at this topic of gender roles. I squirm in the way the hip young youth pastor squirms when he runs across 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and has to tell his group of dweeby 15-year-old boys and ambitious 15-year-old girls that the latter must remain silent and the former has authority. [...]

The Imago Dei: A Survey of Perspectives on the Image of God

Tyler Smith — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:37:13 +0000

In Genesis 1:26-27, God said, “‘Let us make man in our image according to our likeness. Let them rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, over the cattle in all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ And God created man in his own image, [...]

The Fall: Unable and Unwilling to Be Obedient to Christ

Benjamin J. Montoya — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:42:50 +0000

Have you ever wondered why we can never just be good? When we drive somewhere, we always speed, even just a little (yeah, we all do it). When someone of authority tells us to do something, we don’t always want to do it, or we secretly grumble in our hearts. The writers of the Bible [...]

Christ our Creator: How Does King Jesus Fulfill His Role Within the Trinity as Creator of the Universe?

Greg Gibson — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:33:10 +0000

How does the Son fulfill his role alongside the Father and Holy Spirit in the stage of creation? What is the Holy Spirit’s role in the creation of the universe? And more commonly answered, what is the Father’s role in the creation of the universe? These are all relevant questions for the thinking Christian. How [...]

The Seven(ish) Days of Creation – What to Believe

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:13:34 +0000

One month ago I had the opportunity to hike into the Grand Canyon with my beautiful wife. It was awesome (I actually meant to use that word according to its actual definition)! It simply inspires awe as you behold something so expansive, stretching into the distance in all directions as far as the eye can [...]

Be Fruitful and Multiply: No Longer Applicable?

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:08:49 +0000

And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them. And God blessed them; and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every thing that [...]

Dis-Appointed By Jesus

Josh Headrick — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:06:09 +0000

I am frequently haunted by a black dog of despair and anxiety, and it strikes during times of disappointment and trial. When life is going well: Good health, good job, great church, awesome marriage, and nothing is currently annoying me, this black dog of despair seems small and harmless. Like a toy poodle. But when [...]

Physical Health Management: ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” Should Cause Us to Take Our Health Seriously

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:44:44 +0000

One evening while I was spending time with my fiance’s family in their living room, her father turned on the television to ABC. Usually I refrain from watching television but a show came on which instantly fixated my attention: “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.” I had seen before, and others had told me about, [...]

Tweeting for @Jesus: A few reasons why you should embrace #Twitter

Michelle Cotton — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:10:48 +0000

The biggest objection I hear when I try to sell people on the merits of Twitter: “Twitter’s stupid. I don’t want to know what people had for lunch today.” Some tweets — er, probably most tweets floating around the internet — are less than edifying, encouraging, or important. On the other hand, there are millions [...]

Thoughts on Sleep: Get Some

Tyler Smith — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:41:41 +0000

As the end of the summer draws near, many of you will have to face the (perhaps) dreaded reality of going back to school. With this comes the reality of heightened responsibility, a busier schedule, and greater demand on your life. In my days of school, the magic word has always been “balance”. That is, [...]

Does our idiocy know no bounds – A Presidential Twitter Debate?!

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:36:07 +0000

I am at a loss as I write this article. I was planning to continue a series of articles entitled “What if we believed,” but I had to break my own series to get some help understanding a recent political/social network event. Wednesday marked what many news outlets are declaring an historic day. The first [...]

Thoughts on Being Vulnerable, Humble, Approachable, & Jesus-Centered in Your Team Leadership

Greg Gibson — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:02:53 +0000

Last Wednesday morning around 4:30 AM, I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock in Orange Beach, AL. It was way too early for me to even think about being nice to anyone. I was exhausted, as it was the last day of our Student Life Beach Camp and I had to catch a [...]

Singles and Online Dating: Is It Best for You?

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:13 +0000

Dating is usually one of those topics that is never, or rarely, discussed in churches. Online dating is especially not mentioned. Many still consider it odd, taboo, and so forth. It is as though someone who dates online is inferior to those who date the so-called normal way or weird for trying it. Nevertheless, many [...]

Just in from Suriname: Healings, Exorcisms, and Other Miracles

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:37:39 +0000

It was like a story taken straight from the Gospels. It involved supernatural intervention and faith smaller than a mustard seed. It was so true to scripture as to surprise those who experienced it. Seeing God’s mighty hand work in the 21st century just as it did in the days of the Apostles is incredible—and [...]

Horror Movies and Nihilism – A Worldview Analysis (Part 2)

Josh Headrick — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:35:02 +0000

What is a Horror Movie and What Does It Do Prerequisite to any discussion on current trends in horror films is a definition of what constitutes a horror movie and what it ultimately achieves. To help construct an at least rudimentary definition[1] of a horror movie, three observations will be made concerning 1) The Emotions [...]

Calif. passes law requiring lessons on gay history in public schools. What’s a Christian to do?

Michelle Cotton — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:39:02 +0000

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill into law Wednesday that requires public schools to teach kids about the historical contributions of gays and lesbians. Local school districts will be adopting new social studies curriculum as early as the 2013-14 school year. Supporters say it’s a triumph that makes history books “more honest” and [...]

For All the Single Guys: SAVE NOW for Your Future Engagement Ring

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:04 +0000

For all the single guys reading this article: SAVE money for an engagement ring, now – even if you are not dating anyone. Before I met my fiancé I merely thought of saving for an engagement ring only once; one of my friends suggested that I start saving for it because I had a couple [...]

What if we actually believed Jesus?

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:04:09 +0000

So, many of us believe in Jesus, right? We do not hesitate to use that exact phrasing whenever someone asks are you a Christian, why will you get to go to heaven, or how do you become a Christian. We always use that phrase: believe in Jesus. I want to encourage you to think about [...]

Would Jesus Watch Harry Potter? Developing a Christian Approach to Magic in Film (Part 2)

Josh Headrick — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:09:10 +0000

Where We’ve Been Already A few months ago we looked at a handful of presuppositions and observations concerning magic and portrayals of magic in film, which can be found here. To recap, the following points were made: Presuppositions: 1. The Bible makes a binding, categorical condemnation of all magic and occult practices, strictly forbidding the [...]

Challenging Monogamy: Will Infidelity Really Keep Us Together?

Michelle Cotton — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:43:32 +0000

Surprise, surprise, but I finished this recent New York Times article still staunchly in the monogamy camp. Aside from the fact that extramarital sex is clearly extra-biblical, I can’t see how a couple — Christian or not — could ever be “secure” enough in their relationship to make it an open relationship. The idea of [...]

Singles and Evangelism: Several Examples of How to Do It

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 12:00:28 +0000

Often when I speak with Christian singles about evangelism I get faced with the response of “Well, I don’t know how to do it.” With the following video I want to provide singles – and all other types of Christians, for that matter – with several good example of how to share the gospel about [...]

Q: What are Your Thoughts on the Casey Anthony Trial?

VeritasNet — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:51:28 +0000

What are your thoughts on the Casey Anthony Trial? Do you think she was guilty or not guilty? What’s more, how should Christians view the events and outcomes surrounding the trials through the lens of a Christian worldview?

What If We Believed: The Fall

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:53:03 +0000

I am currently involved in a Bible study in which every lesson involves the question “where is your belief about this subject on a scale from one to ten?” That question is incredibly piercing. It has led me to revisit a lot what I say I believe. In my next few posts I will be [...]

The Doctrine of Justification: The Roman Catholic Position Analyzed in Light of Protestant Theology (Part 5 of 5 – Responding to Rome’s Objections)

Tyler Smith — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:58:55 +0000

This post stands as the final installment to my five part series, which has dealt with the doctrine of justification and the differences that exist between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism concerning this doctrine. In my first post, I introduced the debate, explaining what is at stake and gave some context to the issue (read it [...]

Worshipping America: How Should Christians be Patriotic?

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:16:30 +0000

For many American churches, the Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate our country’s freedoms and Christian heritage. Congregations reverently and enthusiastically sing hymns such as “America the Beautiful” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Christians seem to have a greater degree of patriotism than non-Christians, especially if they’re 70 or older. During my [...]

Don’t Waste Your Singleness

Ryan Rindels — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 23:08:22 +0000

For Christian guys and girls, being content as a single is a constant challenge. There is no shortage of clichés (mostly by married and seemingly happy couples) intended to console or reassure those desiring marriage. “Don’t worry: God has someone really special for you,” and, “Be patient, it will all work out, don’t be in [...]

Singleness and the Pastorate: Are Single Men Qualified to Be Pastors?

Tyler Smith — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 02:41:42 +0000

Are single men disqualified from the pastorate? Does the phrase “husband of one wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2 require pastors to be married? Are single pastors at a disadvantage when it comes to practical matters of ministry? Some interpreters answer each of these questions in the affirmative. Others reject this conclusion as unbiblical. I side [...]

Singleness – Preparation for Life

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:30:41 +0000

What is it that determines success? Is it natural talent, exceptional quality in training, dogged desire, luck, or some completely random combination of these elements? In his book, Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell attempts to answer this question. He studied success and successful people to try and figure out what separates some exceptional people from everyone [...]

A Case for Early Dating VS Striving to Stay Single: A Prolegomenon on the Benefits, How-To’s, & Practicality of Teens Dating (Revisited)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:24:44 +0000

I have been thinking quite a while about kids, specifically teenagers, who are still in high school and are allowed to date. There are many viewpoints out there. On one side of the spectrum we have a strict no dating until you graduate policy. This position falls within a majority of fundamentalist camps that give [...]

Having Fun While Single Or Serving in the Local Church? Why Both Are Necessary

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:18:38 +0000

Until recently I was single (now I am engaged to be married soon!). I spent my time with my single friends just like any other single guy should. When talking with my Christian friends, I began to inquire where they went to church and how they were involved. While most of them went to church [...]

“Stay single, my friend,” and Other Lessons From The Most Interesting Man in the World

Michelle Cotton — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:17:00 +0000

If you’ve ever seen a Dos Equis beer commercial, you understand how the world views singleness. There’s a silver-haired, tanned gentleman sandwiched between two beautiful women half his age in the booth of a swanky bar. He doesn’t have to say much, but you understand without words that he’s scaled Mount Everest, wrestled a tiger [...]

Jesus Is Better Than An Orgasm: Defeating Temptation & Sexual Sin as a Single

Josh Headrick — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:33:06 +0000

Singleness, whether a mere season in one’s life or a permanent calling, is a time ripe with tremendous opportunity but also grave temptation. As others today have pointed out, singleness affords wonderful opportunities for ministry and missions that would be otherwise impossible while in a relationship. It would be a mistake however, if we didn’t [...]

Biblical Call of Duty: Go to Work

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:52:37 +0000

Jobs are hard to come by these days. It’s a tough market out there. Our struggling economy has pushed the unemployment rate well into the double digits. In Grass Valley, CA where I live, numerous businesses aren’t even handing out applications. One drug store reported holding 1,000 existing ones! It’s understandable to see why many [...]

Horror Movies and Nihilism – A Worldview Analysis (Part 1)

Josh Headrick — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:03:20 +0000

Horror remains one of the most peculiar yet enduring film genres. Yet why? Commonsense speaks against horror’s success. How could a mature, intelligent, moral—normal adult find pleasure in the horrific and often grotesque? Few people intentionally punctuate their lives with gross or terrorizing elements. As one author pointed out, few of us lift our trashcan [...]

Truth Claim 101: We Need to Live Like Jesus Is the Only Source of Spiritual Life

Benjamin J. Montoya — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:45:47 +0000

In our day many religions and religious leaders claim that spiritual life can be found from many different places. While many may claim to know the true source, it is still true that spiritual life can be found only in trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote in 1 [...]

Handling the Picketers of Hate: How Would You Respond?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:59:22 +0000

This Sunday, Mars Hill Church is going to be picketed by Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro has become known as ‘the church of hate’ and they will be picketing one of the 10+ campuses of Mars Hill for something Driscoll said in a sermon. Driscoll recently tweeted: “The Westboro Baptist Church is no more a church [...]

Truth Claim 101: Your Faith Has a Personal and Internal Element

Michelle Cotton — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:02:47 +0000

Sometimes — and usually when someone is trying to skirt a direct question about their spiritual life — a person will say their faith is “just between me and God.” It implies that everything about being a Christian is internal and personal. But check out these verses: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is [...]

The Doctrine of Justification: The Roman Catholic Position Analyzed in Light of Protestant Theology (Part 4 of 5 – A Critique of the Roman Catholic Doctrine of Justification)

Tyler Smith — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:58:05 +0000

Roman Catholics and Protestants have many doctrinal commonalities. However, they differ, and differ tragically, when it comes to their soteriology and their views of justification. In the first entry to this series, I introduced the discussion, explaining what is at stake and gave some context to the issue (see this post here). In the second [...]

Q: What are some of the biggest blessings & biggest trials of being single?

VeritasNet — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:15:35 +0000

We would love to hear your thoughts on this…

Truth Claim Corner 5

Greg Gibson — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:22:38 +0000

Those who attempt to search into the majesty of God will be overwhelmed with His Glory!” Thomas à Kempis

Truth Claim Corner 4

Greg Gibson — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:19:03 +0000

“If a man is known by the company he keeps, so also his character is reflected in the books he reads.” J. Oswald Sanders

Truth Claim Corner 3

Greg Gibson — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:18:00 +0000

“One today is worth two tomorrows.” Mark Twain

Truth Claim Corner 2

Greg Gibson — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:17:09 +0000

“He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves that he has no brains of his own.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Truth Claim Corner 1

Greg Gibson — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:01:33 +0000

“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.” G.K. Chesterton

Jehovah’s Witnesses and False Testimony of Christ’s Divinity

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:53:38 +0000

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for the witness of God is this, that he has borne witness concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because [...]

Don’t Only Do What Your Heart Tells You

Josh Headrick — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:12:05 +0000

It’s common in our culture today to justify our actions or lifestyle choices based upon only doing what our heart led us to do whether it’s something positive like donating to a charity or pursuing an adulterous affair; supposedly our heart can tell us to do either or both. Jon Bloom warns, “Princess Diana once [...]

Born This Way? Evaluating The Homosexual Movement’s Most Fundamental Claim

Josh Headrick — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:12:19 +0000

Homosexuality and LGBT rights have become some of the most controversial and vitriolic public debates of the past twenty years. While social and religious conservatives argue that heterosexual sex and marriage is the only natural, normal, and/or God-given design for humanity, gay activists claim such views are outdated social norms grounded in homophobia and bigotry. [...]

Queers, Patsies, and Homophobes: The Use of Rhetoric in the Homosexual Discussion

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:03:28 +0000

We live in the age of rhetoric. Simply put, rhetoric is the art of persuasive speaking or writing. The goal of rhetoric is to sneak a new perspective into the minds of listeners. Plato, the Greek philosopher who lived and died almost 2,500 years ago, provided a functional definition for rhetoric. He stated that “Rhetoric [...]

How to Talk About Homosexuality Without Being a Bigot

Michelle Cotton — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:09:49 +0000

Bad things happen when good people do nothing. And that’s exactly where the Christian community finds itself today on the issue of homosexuality. Christians are having a harder and harder time speaking up about sexuality and gender roles as our culture migrates further and further into a muddy gray area on the issue. It’s easier [...]

Relentless pursuit: Reaching out to those in the homosexual lifestyle

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:02:11 +0000

Few organizations are scrutinized more than those intending to bring people out of the homosexual lifestyle. Labeling homosexuality a sinful lifestyle choice is anathema in our modern society. Look at Apple’s recent decision to remove an iPhone app from a Christian-based organization, Exodus International. Exodus International describes itself as “helping those struggling with unwanted same-sex [...]

Is Being Anti-Same-Sex Marriage a Hate Crime?

Greg Gibson — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:55:21 +0000

Those who are against those who practice homosexuality, for whatever reason, are often characterized as being intolerant, full of bigotry, and practicing discrimination. What’s more, the view that practicing homosexuality is wrong is often placed by some as high as a hate crime. Hate, however, is a strong word. Hate signifies an action of passionate [...]

Homosexuality and the Bible

Tyler Smith — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:46:44 +0000

As with many topics in theology, a discussion of homosexuality must take into account the historical redemptive metanarrative of the Bible. In this scheme, Christians begin by pondering the nature of the world as it was in the perfect and harmonious state of creation. The first two chapters of Genesis explain that God created everything [...]

How Should the Church View Homosexuals?

Benjamin J. Montoya — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:38:04 +0000

Going to the local grocery store each week, we see a number of different people. We see singles out buying groceries, young men and women out buying groceries, and families out buying groceries. Something we also are seeing more and more together, out and about, are homosexual couples. Though their sex is the same, they [...]

John Piper Interviews Rick Warren on Limited Atonement… among other things.

Greg Gibson — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:37:56 +0000

This is a very intriguing interview. The contents of the entire interview are below. Here is a section of the interview where Piper asks Warren about his view on Limited Atonement. You can find the entire 1 hour+ interview HERE. Introduction 3:29 The glory of God. 7:16 David Wells and the weight of God’s reality. [...]

Shallow Small Groups: A Common and Unfortunate Attitude Toward Community

Tyler Smith — Sat, 28 May 2011 15:42:07 +0000

Does this video remind you of your church or small group? I hope not. Unfortunately, though, I think the attitudes described here are all too common in our churches.

Q: What are some of the hardest issues facing today’s young people?

VeritasNet — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:00:56 +0000

With the progression of youth culture, young people face challenges today that we did not 10, or even, 5 years ago. As parents, student pastors, teachers, and others who rub shoulders with today’s youth, what do you all see as the hardest issues facing today’s youth culture? Be specific. This conversation could be beneficial for [...]

Q: Should 13 Year-Olds be allowed on Facebook?

VeritasNet — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:29:43 +0000

This is a pertinent question that parents are asking all over the world right now. What age would you allow your son or daughter to have a Facebook account? And why?

Tithing: An Act of Faith

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:22:24 +0000

A few months ago my church held a business meeting to decide whether or not to swap the traditional and contemporary worship times. It was proposed that placing the contemporary worship service at 11 A.M. instead of 9 A.M. would allow for a younger crowd, accustomed to sleeping-in, to make it to worship. The church [...]

Thank You Harold Camping for One Thing…

Greg Gibson — Sun, 22 May 2011 20:32:08 +0000

Amidst all of the negative comments toward Mr. Camping’s May 21 end time prediction fiasco, I would like to take a moment and say thank you to him for a renewed perspective on having a continual awareness that Jesus will in fact come again. Many of us go about our day, or even week, without [...]

David Platt: Radical Devotion to Jesus Rather Than Radical Speculation (=Harold Camping)

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:15:23 +0000

Today Harold Camping will be revealed to be a false teacher with his predictions. But, instead of focusing on him we need to focus on our God-given tasks. I hope this short video by David Platt will encourage everyone to live to that end.

The Danger of Predicting the End

Josh Headrick — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:00:04 +0000

Harold Camping has certainly caused a stir. What began as billboard campaign by a small and very peculiar religious group predicting Judgment Day on May 21st has now caught the attention of the nation with both national and local news stations carrying stories about the predicted Rapture as well as the often skeptical and sometimes [...]

Truth Claim 101: Homosexuality is a Sin

Greg Gibson — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:57:56 +0000

With the recent statement from the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) on their new position of allowing homosexuals to participate in the offices of elders and deacons, it is vital that the true church understand what the Bible teaches concerning the practice of homosexuality. The following summary has been taken from a position statement by the conservative and [...]

Sex, Sin and Senators: Is Sen. John Ensign too far gone?

Michelle Cotton — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:01:12 +0000

It was midmorning Thursday when my Twitter feed went crazy. The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee had released a 75-page report into the alleged misconduct of Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign, and every Nevada political reporter I followed was rolling out the story in salacious, 140-character snippets. For those not familiar with the story, scroll through [...]

Osama Bin Laden’s Dead: Why I’m Gonna Celebrate

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:12:30 +0000

The recent death of Osama Bin Laden has created a buzz in the world of Facebook, Twitter and online discussions. President Obama announced that after ten elusive years, the mastermind terrorist of the September 11 attacks had been slain by the fighting elite of SEAL Team 6. News coverage showed exuberant residents Washington D.C. reveling [...]

Truth Claim: The World Will NOT End on May 21, 2011

Benjamin J. Montoya — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:56:43 +0000

Nowadays some are claiming that the world will end on May 21, 2011 (just Google the date and you can find information on this claim). As it turns out, the same guy who is claiming that the world will end this day is also the same guy who claimed that it would end in 1994. [...]

A Community-Driven Model for Student & Family Ministry: A Rough Draft

Greg Gibson — Tue, 10 May 2011 05:40:53 +0000

Over the past few months, I have been praying and thinking through a family ministry strategy that will work best for our context at Foothills Church. Foothills Church is two years old. We run around 300 people on any given Sunday morning and are continuing to grow at rapid speed. Our student ministry is less [...]

Online Dating: Go or No Go?

Tyler Smith — Sat, 07 May 2011 19:46:56 +0000

When some people think of online dating, they think of people like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite (see here). But according to today’s statistics, one out of five relationships begins on the internet. Take a look at John Piper’s video. I would be interested to hear what you think. Is online/internet dating a legitimate option for [...]

Would Jesus Watch Harry Potter? Developing a Christian Approach to Magic in Film (Part 1)

Josh Headrick — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:35:55 +0000

This summer’s release of Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows (Part 2) will mark the end of one of the most financially lucrative and popular film franchises in decades. The books and films have left an indelible mark on culture, leaving our generation a new set of references, heroes, and vocabulary (not to mention the haunting [...]

Misunderstanding Adoption: My Growing Love for Orphans

VeritasNet — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:31:27 +0000

By Grace Gibson Though I have not yet begun the adoption process, my adoption journey began some time ago with matters of the heart and my preconceived notions. Like many, I misunderstood who were the children being adopted, and who it was that adopted those children. I had no idea there were (and are) 147 [...]

Truth Claim 101: Are Leaders Born or Made?

Greg Gibson — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:53:04 +0000

Are leaders born or made? Surely, both. On the one hand, leadership is an “elusive and electric quality” that comes directly from God. On the other, leadership skills are distributed widely among every community, and should be cultivated and developed. Often our skills lie dormant until a crisis arises. Some people become leaders by opportunity [...]

A Call to Ministry (Basil Manly Jr.)

VeritasNet — Tue, 03 May 2011 04:36:29 +0000

Basil Manly, Jr., “A Call to the Ministry,” The Christian Index [Georgia State Baptist Paper], 15 November, 1866. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE FOR A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL? It need be said that piety is essential. No amount of talent, no extent of education, no apparent brilliancy of fervor, should ever be allowed [...]

Thoughts on Choosing an Adoption Agency: A Few Guidelines

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 03 May 2011 04:25:53 +0000

For parents with a passion to adopt, the steps prior to legal recognition of the adoption and the final joy of embracing a child as their own can be painstakingly difficult. The necessary tasks for receiving their child include, among other things, finding a legitimate and trustworthy adoption agency. How do you discern among numerous [...]

The Regans’ road to adoption: “It’s not a sacrifice, but a blessing”

Michelle Cotton — Tue, 03 May 2011 04:21:36 +0000

You couldn’t miss him. He was standing in middle of the dusty African road, a tiny, round infant curled in the crook of his arm. Something was wrong — you could tell by the way the young man whimpered out the tears, the way he planted himself in the road like a man paralyzed. A [...]

Radical Together: A Video Demonstrating Why Reading David Platt’s New Book Is Worthwhile!

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:19:46 +0000

Truth Claim 101: The Myth of Bifurcation

Josh Headrick — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:51:15 +0000

Thousands of high school and college students right now believe a total lie about their future: They will change. Adolescence is treated like a free-pass to slack, experiment, get in trouble, and generally do as we please without consequences. When Adulthood sets in (at a yet to be determined time), then we press the reset [...]

Road Rage: The Wicked Heart Exposed

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:22:54 +0000

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,” shall be guilty before the [...]

Easter: The Significance of the Cross and the Resurrection

Tyler Smith — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:14:27 +0000

Why do we celebrate Easter? Why did Jesus have to die? What was accomplished on the cross? What is important about Christ’s resurrection? Thabiti Anyabwile and Erwin Lutzer help us to think through these important matters.

Toward a Theology of Dating: Why Men Should Ask Women Out on Dates Rather Than Simply Relaxing, Supposedly Waiting on God to Bring Someone to Them

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:02 +0000

One of my previous roommates had the typical life of an average, post-college, Christian guy. He was involved in church, he worked full time, exercised, etc. When asked whether or not he was dating he replied, “I am just waiting for God to bring someone along to me.” I asked, “Well, have you asked anyone [...]

To Minister Is to Give Everything

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:03 +0000

A Christian minister is a person who in a peculiar sense is not his own; he is the servant of God, and therefore ought to be wholly devoted to him. By entering on that sacred office he solemnly undertakes to be always engaged, as much as possible, in the Lord’s work, and not to chuse [...]

Conversation Between Driscoll, Chan, and Harris

Greg Gibson — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:17:40 +0000

Worldview Corner: J Crew’s Gender Neutral Ad

Greg Gibson — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:18:25 +0000

With so much discussion on gender these days, J Crew has pushed the limits on what is appropriate for marketing. Some of you might see the picture below and think nothing of it. You might even smile and think it is cute. However, there are definitely some major concerns with the picture below. What are [...]

Truth Claim 101: YOU Are on the Verge of Wrecking Your Life

Benjamin J. Montoya — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000

You are on the verge of wrecking your life. I know that with certainty. I’m not psychic, and I’m not reading your mind as you read this chapter. I doubt this book will be in print long enough to be read by artificially intelligent androids; so for now, I’m assuming if you can read, I [...]

Must Reads: Revenge, Grace and “The Count of Monte Cristo”

Michelle Cotton — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:20:12 +0000

Confession: I only stumbled upon this book because I was looking for something akin to Twilight. I heard there was an original vampire tale and in my ill-fated search for Count Dracula, I ran into another, far more interesting Count — The Count of Monte Cristo, the 1,300-page masterpiece published in 1844 by Frenchman Alexandre [...]

Paul Washer’s “Shocking Youth Message”

Tyler Smith — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:00:07 +0000

Paul Washer, thought by many to be one of the greater prophetic voices of our generation, has been and continues to be used to impact the world for the Gospel. You may have already come across Washer’s video below. This sermon, which initially took the internet by storm, has come to be known as his [...]

Porn Again Christian

Greg Gibson — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:43:51 +0000

This is a great resource for men and women who struggle with the sin of pornography and lust. Driscoll, like always, is candid and frank about the effects of porn on our lives, and he grounds his discussion in Scripture. This is a must read for any Christian struggling with this issue. Read it HERE [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Crisis of Our Time

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:49 +0000

From The True Crisis of Our Times, by Malcolm Muggeridge: “We look back on history, and what do we see? Empires rising and falling; revolutions and counter-revolutions succeeding one another; wealth accumulating and wealth dispersed; one nation dominant and then another. As Shakespeare’s King Lear puts it, “the rise and fall of great ones that ebb [...]

Burning the Quran: Fanaticism, Fervor and Misplaced Zeal

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 03:24:07 +0000

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” –Proverbs 19:2. A wave of violence has erupted across the Muslim world leaving nearly thirty dead. On April 1st, it was revealed to the world that the Quran, the Islamic Holy book, was burned a few days prior. [...]

I want to be a wife and mom. Should I go to college?

Michelle Cotton — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:18:32 +0000

My mom was the first in her family to go to college. Her dad was a high school dropout; her mom only had a third grade education and spoke English as a second language. So it was a big deal when she walked across the platform and picked up her diploma, graduating fourth in her [...]

In the Wake of Japan – Why I am Reformed

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:30:30 +0000

In the face of suffering, God’s people need a God of supernatural power and unwavering goodness. Japan, not long ago a rising power in economic development and technological advancement, has been laid waste in the course of a few agonizing days. The destruction poured out upon that country is nothing short of breathtaking. The world [...]

Gospel-Centered Relationships: A Garden of Eden and New Creation Perspective on Living in Community Together

Greg Gibson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:36:09 +0000

Every Monday night about 10 to 15 twenty-somethings come over to my tiny little apartment to eat a meal together, fellowship, and spend time in God’s Word. We started with four people: My wife, me, and another guy and gal. Since we started, however, our group has been growing fast—both vertically and horizontally. They are [...]

The Doctrine of Justification: The Roman Catholic Position Analyzed in Light of Protestant Theology (Part 3 of 5: The Protestant Position)

Tyler Smith — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:56:41 +0000

The Protestant understanding of the doctrine of justification is undoubtedly very different from that of the Roman Catholic Church. Does this difference matter? Should those during the Reformation have made such a large deal about it? Should Protestants and Catholics today just forget about it all and be friends? Or, should we adopt the mindset [...]

Homosexuality: What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:53:29 +0000

In 10 Questions, a regular interview page in Time magazine (March 28), Dan Savage, a gay syndicated sex columnist discussed his book It Gets Better and his YouTube campaign in support of bullied gay teens. Savage is a controversial speaker and writer at the forefront of gay activism. While aiming to eliminate the abuse of [...]

Is It Sin to Watch Sin Portrayed?

Josh Headrick — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:31:43 +0000

Recently my wife and I started to watch Reservoir Dogs, the 1992 film debut of director Quentin Tarantino. Reservoir Dogs is the legendary film about a failed diamond heist, and what takes place between the would-be thieves afterword. It received widespread critical acclaim for its cinematography, direction, and acting. The movie has been called a [...]

David Platt: “Do We Really Believe What We’re Saying?”

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:00:37 +0000

As you watch this video, consider David Platt’s convicting question: “Do we really believe what we’re saying?”

Keeping the Faith — Even in Politics

Michelle Cotton — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:51:05 +0000

As a political reporter, I found myself a few days ago in one of those smoky situations straight from a movie scene. To my left, an elected official danced close with a girl half his age, a girl not his wife. To my right, a lobbyist for a huge company stared drunkenly into the eyes [...]

Listening to God’s Story Rather Than Rob Bell’s

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:35:44 +0000

Over the last month or so, from the blogosphere to the news, to Facebook, etc., much has been said regarding Rob Bell’s latest book Love Wins. I commented on this book in my last post and will devote this post to it as well. Given that this heretical book will probably influence many for years [...]

Truth Claim 101: What Binds Us Together as the Body of Christ

Tyler Smith — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:51 +0000

“What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything else of that sort. Christians come together because they have all been loved by Jesus himself. They are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake.”[1] [1] D. [...]

My Suriname Encounter with the Skeptic

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:55:21 +0000

From Suriname June 20, 2010 People have often asked me if meeting and/or interacting with another American, or even another white person for that matter, is a positive occurrence. One would think, in light of the fact that I live alone in a village in which there have been stretches as long a month-and-a-half with [...]

10 Reasons to Get Married

Greg Gibson — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:57:21 +0000

10. If you find yourself burning with passion/lust (1 Cor 7) 9. If your girlfriend or boyfriend is a Christian (2 Cor 6:14) 8. If you think your girlfriend or boyfriend is hot (the entire book of the Song of Solomon paints this picture for us) 7. If you are a man who likes women(Gen [...]

MSNBC’s Martin Bashir Exposes Rob Bell

Tyler Smith — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 17:24:59 +0000

Rob Bell’s latest book Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived continues to be the source of great controversy amongst the evangelical world and even in the national media. Many evangelicals have labeled Bell a heretic due to his inescapably universalist understanding of God’s redeeming love. [...]

Bell on Hell: Dead Wrong

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:00:30 +0000

Rob Bell is dead wrong with his redefinition of “hell.” He redefines hell in an unbiblical fashion. Following his discussion of his universalism in Velvet Elvis, he writes, Heaven is full of forgiven people. Hell is full of forgiven people. Heaven is full of people God loves, whom Jesus died for. Hell is full of [...]

Why (Almost) Every Christian Should Watch Movies

Josh Headrick — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:12:39 +0000

Movies are an incredible expression of human thought and creativity. To think how they have progressed from the one-shot, one-minute films of 1895 to the eleven-hour epic of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is staggering. Yet even before special effects and Blu-ray, movies have always had the power to capture the imagination [...]

The Sovereignty of God Amidst Disaster

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:17:14 +0000

Why? Why did this happen? More than ten thousand people are confirmed dead, several nuclear reactors are spewing toxic radiation, and millions of homes and livelihoods destroyed. Amidst the massive destruction wrought by the recent earthquake in Japan, the troubling question arises. Reflecting on these events, most people typically come to two conclusions: (1) they [...]

The Doctrine of Justification: The Roman Catholic Position Analyzed in Light of Protestant Theology (Part 2 of 5: The Roman Catholic Position)

Tyler Smith — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:38:34 +0000

Have you ever wondered why Martin Luther and the rest of the Protestant Reformers made such a fuss over the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation? The Reformers certainly disagreed with the Catholics over a number of doctrinal and practical issues, but nothing was more important than their differing views regarding the [...]

What is the Gospel? (Mark Driscoll)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 01:35:54 +0000

Where Have All The Good Men Gone? I Was Wondering Myself

Michelle Cotton — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:07:59 +0000

I’d been working out of town for five weeks when I returned home last weekend. My car was caked with mud from driving over a snowy Lake Tahoe pass slushed with sand. My left turn signal had somehow gone out. The windshield wiper fluid was long gone. Without a word, my dad commandeered my Taurus. [...]

Rob Bell, A Universalist (in Velvet Elvis)

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:18:58 +0000

In Velvet Elvis Rob Bell argues for universalism in salvation. In “Movement Six: New” he writes, “when Jesus died on the cross, he died for everybody” (145). Bell explains precisely what he means by “everybody” by following with “Everybody…Everywhere…Every tribe, every nation, every people group” (145). He cites part of Colossians 1:20 in support of [...]

Truth Claim 101: Christ, the Only Sufficient Object of Faith

Tyler Smith — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:40:10 +0000

“It is not faith that saves, but faith in Jesus Christ… It is not, strictly speaking, even faith in Christ that saves, but Christ that saves through faith. The saving power resides exclusively, not in the act of faith or the attitude of faith or in the nature of faith, but in the object of [...]

A Case for Early Dating: How Dating Sooner in Life Should Fit Into Early Marriage

Greg Gibson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:33 +0000

For the longest time, I have been thinking through my viewpoint on kids, specifically teenagers who are still in high school, being allowed to date. There are many viewpoints out there. On one side of the spectrum we have a strict no date until you graduate policy. This position falls within a majority of fundamentalist [...]

VIDEO: Rob Bell: LOVE WINS

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:28:03 +0000

Thoughts on this?

Jesus Christ: The Not-so-good Prophet

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:33:21 +0000

“Jesus is a great prophet….I just have a problem with people calling him God.” Heard this one before? I have. In our increasingly post-modern, post-Christian, secular, all-inclusive, pluralistic society, expect to hear it a lot more. Out here on the west coast, it’s become imperative when sharing the gospel that you know how to address [...]

VIDEO: A Little Staff Humor from Foothills Church

Greg Gibson — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:00:40 +0000

The following video is a look at our staff at Foothills Church. I appreciate the fact that I serve with 2 guys who like to laugh and make others laugh as well. Laughter is something that we all need. It is a gift from God, and I’m sure, reflects God’s character amongst himself. Enjoy a [...]

Truth Claim 101: Faith Includes Knowledge, Conviction, and Trust

Tyler Smith — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:18:42 +0000

John Murray defines faith as “knowledge, conviction, and trust.” Does it matter what we believe, so long as we have “faith”? Murray points out that we must believe the right things in order to have saving faith: “It might seem very confusing to say that faith is knowledge. For is it not one thing to [...]

Rob Bell: Searching for the Flaw

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:23:06 +0000

What do you do with the doctrines you don’t like? This is a question of utmost importance for any believer. It is a question which leads to the kinds of questions Rob Bell is asking in this video. The questions he asks are questions from the heart of one who believes himself more than the [...]

CONVERSATION: What is Going on with Rob Bell?

VeritasNet — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:15:09 +0000

Rob Bell has been trending like crazy lately in the Twitter world? His new book is taking a lot of heat within conservative Christian circles. Will Bell come out as a universalist? Read Justin Taylor’s article on Bell’s new book (Love Wins) HERE. Also, here is a pretty interesting article from Christianity Today on this whole [...]

The Re-Birth of Chivalry: Why Gentlemanliness Should Grip Our Hearts & Stir Our Pride

Greg Gibson — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:44:23 +0000

Chivalry is a word that has lost its luster lately. For the sake of definition, it means courteous behavior or qualities expected of a leader toward the weak. The placement of this word is most often found within the context of knights who ride nobly into battle, protecting the innocent, and putting their lives in [...]

Boys Who Can Shave: How The Church is Helping Create Wimpy Men (Part 2)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:18:59 +0000

You can read Part 1 HERE. There is a fine line that we must walk when concerning ourselves with political correctness today. The ‘lets all just get along’ culture finds its foundation in tolerance and co-exist bumper stickers (speaking of bumper stickers, check out our Veritas Adopt bumper stickers HERE). This tolerance movement is finding [...]

VIDEO: Who Are You When Standing Next to Jesus?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:19:44 +0000

The following is a clip from a sermon I preached at Doxa. Doxa is a service for our students at Foothills Church. It is growing by leaps and bounds, and God is doing amazing things in the lives of our young people and families. Sorry for the audio/video delay.

Doctrines Must Be Much More Than Springs on a Trampoline: Rob Bell’s Unbiblical View of Doctrine

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:00:16 +0000

In Velvet Elvis, Rob Bell suggests that doctrines are flexible. He equates them with springs on a trampoline (22). He thinks this view of doctrine is superior to thinking of doctrines as bricks–where one is removed the whole faith collapses (26-27). However, when one reads Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, in 15:12-19, a different approach [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Christian Life Is Victorious

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:44:20 +0000

“Who then can comprehend the riches and the glory of the Christian life? It can do all things and has all things and lacks nothing. It is lord over sin, death and hell, and yet at the same time it serves, ministers to, and benefits all men. But alas in our day this life is unknown throughout the world; it [...]

Science, Scientism, and Other Words Worth Fighting Over

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:59:24 +0000

Creation, evolution, and everything in between have recently become major talking points in the Christian blogosphere. Sadly, though, many people spend far too much time arguing points instead of discussing issues. One of the primary ways we can stop the arguing and start the discussion is by clarifying our terms. People care far too little about words. I once [...]

The Doctrine of Justification: The Roman Catholic Position Analyzed in Light of Protestant Theology (Part 1 of 5: Introduction)

Tyler Smith — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 04:44:57 +0000

The debates that led to the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century were not over minor details of theology. Of the debated issues, the doctrine of justification became the most divisive and controversial issue in the history of Christendom. R.C. Sproul is correct to point out that “both the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant [...]

People are AWESOME

Whitney Clayton — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:45:11 +0000

We may be fallen, but we can still do some pretty freaking cool stuff.

Boys Who Can Shave: How the Church is Helping Create Wimpy Men (Part 1)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 05:30:54 +0000

Yes. 25 year old boys who can shave. You read it right. They are taking over the world. Ah man, we need another world. What is the difference between a 16 year old that lives at home with his parents, plays Xbox 360 all day, doesn’t have a job, dates around without any form of [...]

Open Your Eyes: My Case for Leaving Your Eyes Open During Corporate Worship

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:00:49 +0000

When I first became a Christian and attended worship services the song leader would instruct us to “close your eyes and think of this time as just between you and God. Act like no one else is around and just worship God.” In numerous worship services since then I have heard similar things. Perhaps you [...]

Abortion Hurts Men

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:40:55 +0000

Abortion has been legalized since the 1973 Roe v. Wade supreme court decision. During the course of these 38 years, nearly 50 million unborn children have been murdered before taking their first breath. Much attention has been given to the harmful physical, emotional and psychological effects to the potential mothers. Kermit Gosnell, a Pennsylvania abortion [...]

The Unity of the Church

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:21:14 +0000

In defending the unity of the church, the biggest obstacles which must be overcome are the misunderstandings that result from frivolous use of the word church. The word “church” is misapplied far too often. This usually happens because the term is misunderstood. The Biblical texts of the New Testament record the formation of the early [...]

The Secret to a Happy Relationship

Michelle Cotton — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:34:30 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day, Veritas friends! In case you missed it, The New York Times recently published the definitive secret to a successful relationship. Coincidentally, the core idea is something the Bible figured out a long time ago. According to the Times, the most successful relationships are ones in which each person feels the other person [...]

One More [Mystery Guitar Man]

Greg Gibson — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:45:56 +0000

Mystery Guitar Man… I Love this Guy!

Greg Gibson — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:23:43 +0000

Words: A Biblical Theology / Part 1: Creation

Greg Gibson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:09:41 +0000

We don’t often see the importance of words. In fact, I would assume that if you are reading this then you have probably never thought through the historicity of words. What is more, you probably go about your day without the slightest attention given to how powerful words truly are. I know that I often [...]

The Myth of Personal, Private Religion

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:49:40 +0000

“I don’t like organized religion; I think my faith is a private issue between me and God.” If you have spoken to more than five people about their faith, you have most likely heard some variation of this statement. If you have heard this statement, you may have been hoodwinked. According to research done by [...]

Truth Claim 101: Community

Tyler Smith — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:00:56 +0000

“The believer feels no shame, as though he were still living too much in the flesh, when he yearns for the physical presence of other Christians. Man was created a body, the Son of God appeared on earth in the body, he was raised in the body, in the sacrament the believer receives the Lord [...]

DISCUSSION QUESTION: How Do You Determine the Will of God for Your Life?

Benjamin J. Montoya — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:17 +0000

Within the next few weeks I am planning to post an article on how believers should determine the will of God for their lives. Before doing so, I would like to ask our readers a question: how do you determine the will of God for your life? Feel free to write as much as you [...]

Words: A Biblical Theology (Series Introduction)

Greg Gibson — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:59:20 +0000

On Wednesday nights I am preaching through the book of James with our middle school and high school students. Last Wednesday we landed upon James 3:1-2. In this passage James pretty much yells at us, the readers, almost the entire time about our misuse of the tongue. He calls it something that sets fire, something [...]

Are Muslims Taking Over the World? Or is Our God Sovereign?

Tyler Smith — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:49:15 +0000

Videos like this should serve to awaken the Church from its slumber and spring it into action. Our mission as Christians is enormous. Islam is rapidly growing. Postmodernism, liberalism, naturalism, hedonism, atheism, agnosticism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and countless other “ism”s are vying for the world’s affections. While all of this is certainly true, and while Christians [...]

Sharing Your Faith: Just Do It

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:52:57 +0000

Evangelism. Sharing your faith with others is an integral part of the Christian life. Throughout God’s word we see the call to proclaim the gospel message. However, fewer things insight more fear, unease, and procrastination than going to a public place and beginning conversation with a stranger about the greatest story in all history: Jesus [...]

The Resurgence of Christian Hip Hop

Greg Gibson — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:16:44 +0000

My wife hates it, but I could listen to rap/hip hop the rest of my life and be content. It probably has a lot to do with it being my music of choice from the time I was in middle school until I finished college. Unfortunately, today’s rap music (I am using hip hop and [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Clothing of the Human Body

Tyler Smith — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:00:38 +0000

Addressing the need for Christians to give attention to the kinds of clothes they wear, Gregg Allison offers five biblical principles for his readers to consider: “(1) Understand that clothes communicate something about those who select and wear them. Thus, Christians should dress sensibly, being conscious of their selection in clothing. (2) Avoid ostentatious clothes [...]

Thoughts on Ecumenism, or, Lessons from Herbal Essences Hair Products

Michelle Cotton — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:38:01 +0000

I remember in 7th grade, I bought a product meant to detangle your hair. It had strange instructions on the back: “To detangle hair, start brushing from ends to roots.” Now, like a normal human being, I always start at the root and brush down to the ends. But for a split second — because [...]

Questions 4 College (6): Why Should I Care About Giving?

Greg Gibson — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:59:37 +0000

In a culture that celebrates the triumph of success, it is only plausible, when magnified by our sin nature, that we would see success in terms of the money we have, the cars we drive, the degrees on our wall, and the jobs that we have. We have grown up in a ‘next big thing’ [...]

CNN Official Interview: Joel Osteen Thinks Homosexuality Is a Sin

Tyler Smith — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:34:41 +0000

Thoughts, anyone? Check out Albert Mohler’s analysis of the interview HERE.

An Interview with Dr. Alvin Reid on Apologetics & Youth Culture

Greg Gibson — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:42:06 +0000

We at TVN are so very thankful for Dr. Alvin Reid and his work in the area of student ministry, evangelism, and Christian leadership. It is an absolutely humbling thing to interview him on The Veritas Network. I hope you all enjoy reading this interview as much as I did, and that you are equipped [...]

Human Rights: Compelling Evidence for God’s Existence

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:28:48 +0000

Human rights. The general consensus among people in the world today is in support of the protection, advocacy and defense of human dignity. Principles nearly universally favored – aid to the poor, help for the sick and marginalized, and the just treatment for people of all races – prompt people to assist in a number [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Bible is Sufficient

Benjamin J. Montoya — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The generations preceding ours fought important theological battles concerning the Bible, specifically for inerrancy and infallibility. The fight in our day will be for sufficiency. The following quote is from Andy Naselli, a PhD student of D. A. Carson, from the recent book Don’t Call It a Comeback (Crossway: 2011), edited by Kevin DeYoung. With [...]

The Secrets Only a Bookcase Can Tell

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:12:58 +0000

My wife and I recently moved to accept a position at her home church in Cincinnati. In the process, I just bought my first bookcase. It was so much fun. I am a booklover, and for the past five years of my transient college life, my books have been confined to little cardboard prisons. Now, [...]

A Cleaner, Teacher, Wife, and Mother: Finding My Identity in Christ.

VeritasGuest — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:33:08 +0000

By Grace Gibson, Read her other posts HERE. With so much at stake these days I see more and more commercials that have to deal with protection from identity theft. I have experienced identity theft more than once and much more was at stake than my social security number and bank account. And the major [...]

SATURDAY VIDEO: Mumford & Sons, “The Cave”

Greg Gibson — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:26:12 +0000

Veritas without a Purpose: Why Shawn Achor’s Happiness Advantage Will Leave People Unhappy

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:00:33 +0000

Probably many reading this blog have met college students who are unhappy with their lives. It can often times be seen in the blank stare in their eyes which reveals an emptiness and pointlessness with which they view their lives. They cover this unhappiness with a number of things: drinking, alcoholism, partying, drugs, premarital sex, [...]

Godly and Hot: An Anti-Gnostic Approach to Dating and Marriage

Tyler Smith — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 02:54:50 +0000

Physical attractiveness is one of the most common criteria a single person looks for in the individual he or she is considering marrying. For some, this criterion is just assumed and almost goes without saying. For them, physical attractiveness is the most important criterion, and one’s character and spirituality is not a significant variable in [...]

Teaching the Old Testament to Students: An Interview with Jon Akin

Greg Gibson — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:21:01 +0000

In this interview, Greg Gibson interviews Pastor Jonathan Akin about teaching the Old Testament to young people.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Motivation and Biblical Faith

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:15:50 +0000

Enthusiastic Nevada County residents commemorated the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., crowding into the auditorium at the miner’s foundry Monday to partake in what resembled a typical Gospel Church service in the south. Soulful voices resonating and accompanied by the swaying of an eager, genial crowd made one feel they were every [...]

Just the Right Amount of Religious

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:45:05 +0000

Not too long ago I saw a CNN Poll which assessed the public perception of the President. In it, persons were asked about the religious involvement of the President. They had good news for him: the majority thought the President was just the right amount of religious. Not too hot, not too cold, he is [...]

“All I Have Is Christ” by Sovereign Grace

Benjamin J. Montoya — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 14:53:08 +0000

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to lead worship at the local church of which I am a member. Our youth pastor requested we sing this song after his sermon. It is a truly amazing song. Enjoy!

One Man’s Concern, Another Man’s Conviction. By Ali Clayton

VeritasGuest — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:21:17 +0000

Ali is the Upper Elementary Director at The Bridge Community Church near Cincinnati, OH. This is her first article at The Veritas Network. ————————————————————– I don’t like hymns. I know what you’re thinking, how can she say that? Hymns are saturated with doctrinal truths, they proclaim the Word of God, and have spoken to the [...]

Questions for College (5): What the Heck Should I Do With My Life?

Greg Gibson — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:41:30 +0000

There are not many questions that plague young people like the question, “What the heck should I do with my life?” It is a common thing for college students to enter their freshman year without the slightest idea of which major they will choose. Many do not know by the time they are sophomores. The [...]

Truth Claim 101: Adoption & Family

Greg Gibson — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:08:26 +0000

“Yes, there will be some who don’t understand why you’d want to adopt. Some of them may even be related to you. This is because for many who’ve never experienced adoption, adoption seems to be simply a Plan B for people who can’t have children. They’re not able to see the beauty of adoption in [...]

The Blessedness of Hospitality

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:42:07 +0000

Upon receiving a call from a known and respected foreigner–a man fluent in his language, familiar with his people’s culture, and a Christian as well–he had a decision to make: would he take the risk and offer his house to a young man with whom he had no previous contact and whose character remained unknown [...]

Getting Dumped with Grace

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:31 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to sit next to a high school student as she was trying to gently let her boyfriend know that he was getting the hatchet. It was quite interesting and I would love to share with you a skill that I realized I had forgotten from my years of high school [...]

The Call to Reclaim Manhood

Whitney Clayton — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:23:31 +0000

This is a message which needs to be spread throughout our churches. It is time for men to stop letting our wives set the spiritual course for our families. We need to reclaim the place of authority in our homes and churches that God has given to us. We have to stop abdicating our authority and responsibility. Apathy is the primary hallmark [...]

Questions for College (4): Should I Marry Her… and When?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 04:46:58 +0000

My wife, Grace, and I got married after about 11 months of a dating and engagement process. We dated for 6 months, were engaged for 5 months, and the rest is, well, history as they say. Honestly, my wife is so hot that waiting any longer to get married would have been extremely disastrous for [...]

Why the Bible Should Affect Believers like Avatar Affected Our Culture

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:32:50 +0000

Often at the beginning of a new year believers make a resolution to read the Bible more than they did the year before, perhaps by reading through the entire Bible once in a year. This is certainly a good resolution to make! What I want to address in this blog is why reading the Bible [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Great Sin

Tyler Smith — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:30:41 +0000

“There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or that they cannot [...]

Serving God in Suriname: Two Years Well Spent

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 04:15:27 +0000

This Wednesday, January 5th, marks the two-year anniversary of my arrival in Suriname, South America. In the dark, early morning hours of that first day, my feet touched the pavement at Zanderij International Airport and I inhaled my first breath of the balmy, moisture-laden Amazon air. What proceeded was 22 months of service with the [...]

A New Year and A Brief Warning

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 02:42:59 +0000

As we enter into a new year, I want to discuss a mounting challenge for Christians in the increasingly multicultural, postmodern melting pot of American society. I want to address the problem of a creeping increase of theological liberalism. You see, The Veritas Network endeavors to support and inform young adult Christians, and young adults [...]

Resolved to Read: Your Christian Responsibility to be a Reader

Tyler Smith — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 15:13:09 +0000

There was a time in my life when I absolutely hated reading! I couldn’t stand it, and I was really bad at it. It’s not that I couldn’t read or pronounce the words—because I could—but it was more that I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) force myself to sit down and read a book from cover to [...]

Joy and Sorrow on New Year’s Eve

Tyler Smith — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:59:34 +0000

Another year has come and gone. As we look back on the year 2010, surely each of us, if asked, would have things to share concerning our year—things both exciting and dreadfully sad. Perhaps some of you have received your driver’s license, and for the first time you have experienced what it feels like to [...]

DISCUSSION: How Should the Christian Respond to the Legalization of Weed/Cannabis?

Greg Gibson — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:42:08 +0000

I want to pose this question with discussion in mind. I have pretty much formulated my opinion on this issue, and I can tell you that it leans toward a more conservative vantage point. Although the purpose of this post is to facilitate good discussion on this issue, hear differing opinions, and have others respond [...]

Scripture Reflection: Proverbs 18:21

Tyler Smith — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:57:10 +0000

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21) Though the tongue is small, its influence is significant. Solomon brings to light the magnitude of its significance. Death and life are in the power of the tongue! That is, the greatest evil and [...]

TRUTH CLAIM 101: The Imperative of Taking Personal Responsibility

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:00:01 +0000

Ezekiel 18: 4 “For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son – both alike belong to me. the soul who sins is the one who will die.” Humanity has a peculiar propensity to deny responsibility for wrongs done against others and God. Adam and Eve both made attempts at the blame [...]

A Look at Christian Music & the Messages Behind It

Benjamin J. Montoya — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:14:13 +0000

In this article Ben Montoya discusses the concepts of belief and love, and the priorities of both in believing truth. Ben discusses Jason Gray’s song “More Like Falling in Love” and shows why this song (and much Christian music) is void of good theology. Music affects us more than we know. As Christians who love [...]

Film Review: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 02:52:13 +0000

I recently went to watch this movie with my wife and family. If you and your family are looking for a family event this holiday season, then I highly suggest you consider making this movie your event. As a culturally-concerned, worldview-conscious, Christian, movie-lover, it is tough for me to find a movie that I can [...]

A Dying Wish, a Wedding, and When God Doesn’t Answer Prayers

VeritasGuest — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 03:18:31 +0000

From Michelle Rindels, reporter for the Union Newspaper, Grass Valley, CA: “I wrote this article for publication today, Christmas. It’s the story of a family who has been through the greatest joys and the greatest tragedies over the past month. I asked Kacie how her family makes sense of a death when they’ve prayed so fervently, so publicly, for [...]

Because We Love YOU

VeritasNet — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 05:47:22 +0000

All I Want for Christmas is Entertainment

Tyler Smith — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:45:10 +0000

It’s that time of year again when gobs and gobs of money are spent appeasing and pacifying the wants and wishes of small children (and 40-something-year-old kids) across the globe. On December the 25th millions of men, women, boys, and girls throughout the world will receive their yearly injection of that oh-so intoxicating drug called [...]

Leadership Lessons I’ve Learned this Year

Greg Gibson — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:15:32 +0000

If you know me at all then you know that I am very fond of leadership. My column, Crossing the Rubicon, has great leadership implications within its name; it is an idiom which refers to passing the point of no return. In fact, this idiom is quite old. It refers to Julius Caesar’s crossing of [...]

Death of a Princess

Michelle Cotton — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:33:14 +0000

The Los Angeles Times recently reported that after Tangled, an animated retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale, Disney is done with princess movies for the forseeable future. It’s a marketing move: The guys out there could probably corroborate Disney’s finding that princess movies don’t appeal much to boys. But the other surprising finding was that [...]

Animal Exaltation and the Degradation of Humanity

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:47:34 +0000

KOVR 13 News @ 10 has done their homework. They know the demographics of their viewers and most importantly, what issues evoke passionate and indignant response – the kind of emotional association which keeps them glued to the tube each evening. I reacted less-than amicably to KOVR’s apparently poignant, gripping headline of the night: A [...]

The Christmas Story… As Told By British Kids

Greg Gibson — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:52:30 +0000

via Meghen Moughler’s Facebook Page

So Long, Church: The Growing Attrition Rate Among the Youth Within America’s Church

Tyler Smith — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:34:55 +0000

The reality that this video brings to our attention is an alarming one. Shouldn’t it shake us up a bit to hear that two-thirds of the young people who attend church throughout high school are leaving once they move into college? I’d say so. This video maintains that the church has failed the next generation, [...]

Sinners in the Hands of a Merciful God – A Parody of Thankfulness

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:14:15 +0000

On a rainy Tuesday in November, my wife, who was six months pregnant with our first child, and I were in a head on collision. My wife was driving us back to school after lunch in our little, green Chevy Prism. I was talking when I heard her gasp; I looked up in time to [...]

An Interview with Dr. Roger Duke about Writing, Publishing, & BorderStone Press

Greg Gibson — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:15:00 +0000

Greg: Let’s get right into the BorderStone Press questions: After so many years of being in the academic world, why did you feel compelled to begin a publishing company with your business partner, Brian Mooney? Roger: Actually it was a “God thing” in all honesty. Brian Mooney and my elder daughter, Leah, were reared in [...]

A Lesson on Hardship from Job

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:04:16 +0000

“But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope? Consider now: who being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who [...]

Truth Claim 101: Christ’s Body

Ben Ward — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:02:56 +0000

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. Nose and Hand were sitting in the church pew talking. The morning service, led by Ear and Mouth, had just ended, and Hand was telling Nose that [...]

What She Must Be…If a Christian Man Will Want to Date or Marry Your Daughter

Benjamin J. Montoya — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:56:56 +0000

In 2009 Crossway published a book by Voddie Baucham called What He Must Be…If he wants to marry my daughter. The idea behind this book is to let Christian men know what they must be before they can date, engage, and marry someone’s daughter – written from the father’s perspective. Baucham sets high but realistic [...]

A Short, Visual History of Societal Progress

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:36:42 +0000

Sometimes it is easy to fall into the gloom and doom prophecies provided to us by our modern media. This video should be a great encouragement. This is not a guy trying to build his ratings through fear and intimidation of the uninformed populace; he is simply trying to get out his message that the [...]

Crash to Christ

Ryan Rindels — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:10:45 +0000

Andrew “Dude” Van Zandt is a 19-year-old who attends my church. He came to Christ through a series of miraculous events beginning with an ATV accident that nearly left him dead. Getting to know Dude during the last few months and seeing his growth and passion for Christ has been encouraging. He is getting involved [...]

Graduation From Seminary: Reflections on God’s Faithfulness

Tyler Smith — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 04:23:24 +0000

Today marks one of the most important milestones in my life. For the past three and a half years I have been working towards earning my Master of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and today I graduate! The reality of this seems quite surreal, almost dreamlike to me. Just three and a half [...]

Questions for College (3): Should I Join & Serve In a Local Church?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:05:01 +0000

It is absolutely imperative that professing Christians join and be involved in a local church. I have heard young people say way to often that they love Jesus and call themselves Christians but they see no reason to be involved in a local church. I believe that this stems from many different sources. Maybe they [...]

Scripture Reflection: John 1:1-18

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 03:16:19 +0000

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all [...]

A Christmas Lesson from Ebenezer Scrooge

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:00:54 +0000

“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if preserved in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!” -A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens Dickens’ perennially influential work A Christmas Carol gives a message of the urgency and eternal importance [...]

An Interpretive Method to Avoid (Part Deux): Rob Bell’s Unbiblical Allegory

Benjamin J. Montoya — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:36:08 +0000

In this article Ben Montoya discusses part 2 of his interactions with Rob Bell’s ‘Velvet Elvis.’ This heavy, but very important article on Rob Bell is something that all 20-somethings who care about the foundation and authority of Scripture should read and work through. In “Movement Two: Yoke,” Bell allegorically interprets a biblical text. An [...]

A Christ-Centered Perspective for the Advent Season

Ben Ward — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:04:05 +0000

Christmas Season Means: 1. The Egg Trinity – Egg Nog, Egg Nog Latte, and Deviled Eggs 2. Resisting to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” 82 times with my family. 3. Secretly loving Mariah Carey and N’Sync Christmas albums. 4. Family TIME! 5. And of course, buying Christmas gifts for my loved ones. One major thing [...]

I Am Second: Josh Hamilton

Greg Gibson — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 05:19:10 +0000

Josh Hamilton’s story of alcohol and drug abuse and the gospel that saved him from it is an amazing and powerful testimony of the grace of God. This video is well worth the 5 minutes it will take to watch! Unbelievable!

A Cardboard Cry For Help

Tyler Smith — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 05:07:05 +0000

Do you ever cringe at the sight of a homeless man standing alongside the road holding his usual cardboard sign? Do you swap lanes as you approach a traffic light, so that your vehicle won’t have to come to a stop next to him? Do you intentionally and casually glance the other way, hoping not [...]

The Bloated Bureaucracy of the SBC: A Perspective for Twenty-Somethings Who Desire Great Change

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:38:55 +0000

Bart Barber wrote a very interesting article in retrospection of the SBC’s overwhelming acceptance of the GCR Task Force recommendations. If the last sentence sounded like Greek to you then allow me to explain, but if you understood that statement and got really excited about the GCRTF, then you should skip the next paragraph and [...]

Katy Perry, YouTube, and Guarding Your Mind

Ryan Rindels — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:36:00 +0000

It would be a safe assumption to call the youth and young adults of today a YouTube generation. The vastness and diversity of the online video site is home to any sports highlight reel, blooper, comedy clip, or serious interview imaginable. However, YouTube’s largest and most consistent draw is to music videos. And why not? [...]

Truth Claim 101: A Handbook for Sex, Marriage, and Intimacy

Tyler Smith — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:36:38 +0000

“Sex was God’s idea. Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but God is the one who came up with this fantastic idea, and I believe He was having a really good day when He did! Sex was God’s idea, and He gave it to us as a wonderful gift for our pleasure and [...]

Scripture Reflection: 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18

Greg Gibson — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:51:57 +0000

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare [...]

Does This Generation Need Marriage? Most 20-Somethings Think They Do Not

Greg Gibson — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:10:19 +0000

The most recent TIME cover poses the question, “Who Needs Marriage?” If you keep up with my column at all then you know much of my writing and energy is placed around thinking through this issue with our generation. With this being such a big issue, I knew I had to write something on this [...]

Justin Bieber Releases Music Video “Pray”

Greg Gibson — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:48:44 +0000

Over Thanksgiving Justin Bieber released the music video to his socially conscious song Pray. Bieber posted on his Facebook page shortly after the release of the video saying, “I love music and I love your support of my dream. We will never stop. This is just the beginning. Chase your dreams and always try to [...]

Questions for College (2): Should I Date Her?

Greg Gibson — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:09:14 +0000

This question is more of an enigma then anything. Nonetheless, here are some good questions for young men that love both Jesus and women. 1. Are you attracted to her? This is a no brainer. 2. Does she love Jesus? This should be the first thing that makes or breaks a relationship. The apostle Paul [...]

Saturday Morning Video: Bubble Creek Canyon

VeritasNet — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:07:29 +0000

Even though this video is a little cheesy, there is a ton of truth to it’s content. It is a great misfortune when churches become so inward focused that they cut themselves off from the rest of the world. When Christians cut themselves off from the world then it can be hazardous in more than [...]

Why the Bible Must Receive at Least the Same Interpretive Respect as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:00:31 +0000

Picture someone walking into their favorite local bookstore and going to their favorite section. Perhaps he went into the fiction section of the store and picked up one of the Harry Potter books. This person picks up the last book of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, turns to p. 458, and reads [...]

1623 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

Greg Gibson — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:11:43 +0000

Truth Claim 101: Thanksgiving

Tyler Smith — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:45:09 +0000

“When gratitude springs up in the human heart toward God, he is magnified as the wealthy source of our blessing. He is acknowledged as giver and benefactor and therefore as glorious. But when gratitude does not spring up in our hearts at God’s great goodness to us, it probably means that we don’t want to [...]

To Be a Christian is to Be a Giver

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:30:49 +0000

To be a Christian is to be a giver. One who loves Jesus should not only live a life characterized by continual and selfless generosity but they will invariably be challenged by the Holy Spirit to give what they have to the Church, their families and those in need. The life of a believer is [...]

The Reason for the Season (An Introduction on Suffering by Roger Duke)

VeritasNet — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:18:12 +0000

The following article is the introduction to Roger Duke’s newest book, The Reason for the Season. In this introductory article, Roger discusses the theological implications for suffering and gives some examples from his own life. When this volume of essays was first conceived, it was like most of God’s work done in the lives and [...]

Questions for College: What is Biblical Manhood? (1)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:41:34 +0000

In this article Greg Gibson begins his series, Questions for College, by asking the first question, “What is Biblical Manhood?” Greg swings for the shins of most young college guys in this thought-provoking and challenging article. What is biblical manhood and why is it my number one question in the series, Questions for College? I [...]

A Biblical Interpretive Method to Avoid: A Self-Defeating, Reader-Response Criticism Approach to Meaning.[i]

Benjamin J. Montoya — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:25:09 +0000

Many Christians only stress the importance of Bible reading.[i] While that task is important, more should be stressed. That is, it also matters how one interprets the Bible. It is often in the task of interpretation that false teaching, heresy, etc., are founded and thus spread. We at TVN, however, want out readers to be [...]

Truth Claim 101: Preaching Christ is Preaching Grace

Ben Ward — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:44:08 +0000

Preaching Christ is preaching grace. This may seem obvious, but it is not obvious to all. It is true, after all, that Jesus spoke more words about hell than about heaven. The book of Revelation speaks of the wrath of the Lamb and assures us that history’s end will be anything but gracious for those [...]

The Cost of Living: A Reassessment of What it Means to Live

Tyler Smith — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:09:16 +0000

How much money do you make each year? How much does your entire family gross per year? Now, ask yourself this question: How much money do you NEED to make each year in order to provide for yours and your family’s necessities? I realize that some may consider the answer to this last question to [...]

Sam Harris and His “Biblical” Contradictions

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:25:54 +0000

At TVN, we love apologetics. For many of our authors, there are few things more fun than a little intellectual jousting with someone attempting to disprove the faith. This article is written in response in one very popular attack upon the faith. If you have not seen the visually stunning poster presented by Fast Company [...]

Pain, Suffering & God’s Incredible Mercy for the Sinner

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 20:11:45 +0000

“If there really is a God and he is supposedly good and loving, then why is there pain and suffering in the world?” This question and countless others similar to it postulate the existence of suffering as a strong argument against the Christian doctrine of a personal and yet all-powerful deity. In response to this [...]

A Biblical Hand Grenade – Divorce

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:39:21 +0000

In this article Whitney tackles a cultural norm with the truth of the Bible. Divorce has become as mainstream in the church as it is in any other American demographic, but the church is just as confused as those outside the faith about what the Bible really says. I love staying up with current events. I have [...]

Truth Claim 101: Ministering to Twentysomethings

Greg Gibson — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:10:15 +0000

“I know what you are thinking: Is there ever really a finish line? No, but there is a clear moment when late adolescence transitions to adulthood, and not one expert says it happens at high school graduation. The problem is that in the average church ministry and family, we have been programmed to let go [...]

Chasing Sophia

Ben Ward — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:52:09 +0000

Here in Knoxville, my college group studies the book of Proverbs on Wednesday night. I remember in my first years of being a Christian the difficulty that surrounded the idea of wisdom. I kept hearing from my youth pastor that I had to be wise. I read in the Bible that if anybody lacks wisdom, [...]

“Don’t Answer, Answer”: A Simple Yet Sound Method for the Necessary Apologetic Task of Christians

Benjamin J. Montoya — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:58:05 +0000

In this article Ben Montoya encourages Christians begin to develop understanding of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. Ben explains an apologetic method that he has found particularly useful for engaging skeptics with the truth of the gospel. Introduction ESV Jude 3-4: Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you [...]

Saturday Morning Video

VeritasNet — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:43:37 +0000

Obadiah Parker’s Cover of Hey Ya Do you guys remember Hanson? Can’t have a good SMV without some Rugby Hits

Science and Religion: Worldly Wisdom vs the Foolishness of God

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:30:52 +0000

In my past posts I have examined the presuppositional nature of the arguments between science and religion. In this post I will examine the various explanations offered by theologians on how to interpret Scripture, specifically Genesis 1-3, in light of modern science. I will start with those most influenced by a scientific/naturalist presupposition and move [...]

Put on Your Big Boy Pants (You Are to Blame): It’s Time to Really Follow Christ

Tyler Smith — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:51:34 +0000

This past Tuesday night I had the privilege to sit under the preaching of Darrin Patrick, who came to my church Highview Baptist to speak to our men regarding the subject of masculinity. He began his talk by regretfully reminiscing upon the relationship that he had with his father, especially as it pertained to spiritual [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Lukewarm Love of the American Christian

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:10:00 +0000

“Lukewarm peole love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids [...]

Contending for the Faith: What Does this Look Like for the Church Today?

Greg Gibson — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 03:13:36 +0000

I had the privilege to preach at Grace Church of the Foothills yesterday morning. Preaching the gospel is absolutely the greatest joy that I have found in this life outside of my wife. My sermon was called, “Contending for the Faith: What does this Look Like for the Church Today?” Below is my outline and [...]

Saturday Morning Videos

VeritasNet — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:00:20 +0000

Would the Real Martin Luther Please Stand Up? Rob Bell’s Misrepresentation of “God’s Volcano”

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:00:55 +0000

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a professor of theology and a monk, nailed his 95 Theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg. At the time, he thought he was simply revealing errors which needed to be fixed by the Church. Luther, however, started a reformation which would continue and have profound effects on [...]

The Christian RULES of Engagement

Greg Gibson — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:04:14 +0000

In the sequel to The Christian RULES of Dating Greg Gibson tackles some pretty fun issues concerning the engagement process for Christians. Check it out, have fun, and be prepared to laugh, disagree, and get mad and blog about it. The greatest thing about being a contributor for TVN is that I get to write [...]

Truth Claim 101: A Christian Justification of Philosophy

Greg Gibson — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:16:32 +0000

The history of the church reveals that philosophy has always played a crucial role in the nurture of believers and in the proclamation of a Christian worldview in general and the gospel in particular. The first universities in Europe were, of course, Christian, and the study of philosophy was considered of central importance to the [...]

Full Hearts and Minds: A Call for Passionate and Prepared Ministers of the Gospel

Tyler Smith — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:32:40 +0000

Every Christian is called to be a minister of the Gospel, and so every Christian is called to prepare himself to know the Word and be able to communicate it. This call to preparation is especially true for the one who aspires to the office of pastor (1 Tim 3:1, 2; 4:6; 5:17; 2 Tim [...]

Jesus & the Political Scene: Will His Example Lead to Victory?

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:57:03 +0000

How far would Jesus get you in your political ambitions? Would heeding his advice help you reach your goal? Would living as he did get you votes these days? Ryan Rindels gives us some great advice and wisdom for thinking through the upcoming midterm elections. We at TVN do not hold to a specific political [...]

Science and Religion – Looking Under the Rock

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:57:52 +0000

In the second part of a three part series, Whitney Clayton continues his discussing on the Christian Faith as it relates to modern day science. Tell us your thoughts below. Let’s talk basics about the debate before we jump into the deep end. Religion and science both make claims of truth. Absolute, hard evidence kind [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Marks of Spiritual Leader

Greg Gibson — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:43:39 +0000

I define spiritual leadership as knowing where God wants people to be and taking the initiative to use God’s methods to get them there in reliance on God’s power. The answer to where God wants people to be is in a spiritual condition and in a lifestyle that display his glory and honor his name. [...]

Why Para- Must Never Become Anti- : Why Involvement in Parachurch Ministries Can Never Replace Involvement and Membership in a Local, Biblical Church

Benjamin J. Montoya — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:00:57 +0000

In this article Ben Montoya discusses an important issue for young college students to understand: Your college ministry on your local campus is NOT the local church. Introduction Before I transferred to Boyce College I attended a non-denominational college on whose campus were several parachurch ministries. When I first started attending such ministries I asked [...]

Pastoral Authority: God’s Gracious Gift to His Churches

Tyler Smith — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:26:31 +0000

What ever happened to people hearing, receiving, and obeying the wise counsel of their pastors? Too often today, church members attend their churches, listen to Scriptural instruction, and choose to do things their own way. The writer of the book of Hebrews calls us to have a different attitude toward our pastors. He writes, “Obey [...]

Secretariat Film Review: The Wolf in Horse’s Clothing

Whitney Clayton — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 05:57:31 +0000

What a great movie! I just left the theater and I feel uplifted, encouraged, and ready to sprint as hard as I can for as long as my legs will carry me (roughly 25 yards)! I have heard the story of the horse, but this movie was about the people behind the horse. Primarily, the [...]

Christianity’s Role in the Abolition of Cruelty

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:23:47 +0000

Renowned atheist, journalist, and prominent liberal author, Christopher Hitchens, released a New York Times best seller in 2007 titled: God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Hitchens is one of several contemporary and atheistic apologists who promote science and rationalism as the answer that will bring ultimate good and freedom to mankind. According to [...]

A Look at Our Culture: Why the US Needs a Reality Check

Ben Ward — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:42:01 +0000

Have you seen some of the latest statistics concerning obesity, sex, and selfishness… check this out. Today, the average reader of Christian issues reads a lot about culture. They read about how to transform culture, redeem culture, create culture, love culture, blah blah blah. Everywhere you look someone talks about the relationship between Christians and Culture. [...]

TRUTH CLAIM 101: Modern Confusion Over Ancient Values

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:14:26 +0000

Consider the ramifications of the teaching of the apostle in Romans 3. Everyone is unprofitable. No one seeks God. No one understands anything of any spiritual importance. Everyone is foul. Huh. In our feel-good era, this is a hard sell. We should notice in all this how our age disguises its pride as humility. In [...]

The Christian RULES of Dating

Greg Gibson — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:57:10 +0000

The motives behind this article are 4 sided: 1) Guys have no idea how to be in a ‘dating’ relationship. 2) Girls have no idea how to be in a ‘dating’ relationship. 3) The Christian dating culture can sometimes seem so ridiculous that it’s fun to pick on. 4) It’s just fun. I have compiled [...]

Faith, Works, & the Reverend Jesse Jackson

Greg Gibson — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 04:12:35 +0000

In a recent article in CNN’s Opinion Section, the Reverend Jesse Jackson discusses his faith as it leads to his works. At first glance it seems rather theologically correct. The book of James does say that faith without works is dead right? Interestingly enough (to write about), Jackson says that his works have always been [...]

Saturday Morning Videos

VeritasNet — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:39:37 +0000

An Introduction to Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, and a Noticeable and Problematic Omission

Benjamin J. Montoya — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:30:47 +0000

In his first article with TVN, Ben Montoya begins a series on revealing who Rob Bell is, what he believes, and what he writes about concerning his views on Jesus, the Trinity, and Scripture in his popular book “Velvet Elvis.” Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis has been widely read, accepted, and taught on college campuses, in [...]

Missional Versus Program-driven Churches: God’s Program for Great Commission Churches

Tyler Smith — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:44:07 +0000

What is the difference between a program-driven church and a missional church? In this article Tyler Smith defines both and describes what we should look like as the church of Jesus Christ. How does your church approach the work of the Great Commission? If your church is doing anything at all, then it is doing [...]

HS Conversations: Landon Reynolds on Faith, Emotionalism, & Apologetics in Youth Culture

Greg Gibson — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:39:57 +0000

HS Conversations is designed to engage High School students on why they believe the gospel. In the first installment of our HS Conversations Series, Landon Reynolds discusses why he believes the gospel outside of his parent’s faith and the problems of emotionalism and apologetics in youth culture. The Gospel, Faith, and Youth Culture By: Landon [...]

The Gospel and Campus Life Series: The Gospel & Community

VeritasNet — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:21:15 +0000

Message: Ben Ward – The Gospel and Community Have you ever wondered how to bridge the Gospel to the college campus? So often we desire to talk about the Gospel, but our friends never speak the right vocabulary: righteousness, faith, or forgiveness of sins. In his series ‘The Gospel & Campus Life,’ Ben Ward shows [...]

Truth Claim 101: Media Multiplies Missions

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:40:50 +0000

Television, radio and the internet are frequently the target of Christian criticism. Their being ascribed as the source of every kind of cultural and societal evil overshadows the amazing good these mediums have done, especially in the area of missions. Oral and non-literary cultures hear the Gospel on a daily basis through Biblical films, sermons [...]

Science and Religion – The Modern Day Hatfields and McCoys

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:02:26 +0000

In the first part of a three part series, Whitney Clayton begins by discussing the Christian Faith and its responses to the theory of evolution. What are you? Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, or simply Evolution without an intelligent designer? And tell us why? The Hatfields and McCoys have been a part of American [...]

Social Media’s Wake in the Midst of Rutgers’ Suicide

Ben Ward — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:49:35 +0000

Ben Ward discusses social media’s impact on the suicide of a young Rutger’s Freshmen. What do you think about the influence of social media on our identities at large, especially as it concerns the way other people think about us? What do you think of when you hear Rutgers University? Normally, I would think of [...]

Saturday Morning Videos

VeritasNet — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:12:00 +0000

Lady Gaga & the Demise of Popular Culture

Greg Gibson — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 05:36:55 +0000

Thanks to my brother-in-law, I recently came across an article in a London magazine that very definitively critiques the movement that is GAGA <Lady GAGA>. You can find the article [HERE]. Something that really caught my attention was that the author of this critique, Camille Paglia, was not only criticizing all that is Gaga but she was [...]

Month [n-review] — September 2010

Greg Gibson — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:55:39 +0000

Just a quick update on this past month. See also what’s coming next month. You don’t want to miss anything. A quick thank you to all of our readers. This has been our biggest month thus far. In the past 3 months we have seen thousands of hits and God is continuing to grow our [...]

Truth Claim 101: The Song of Solomon

Greg Gibson — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:17:57 +0000

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. -The Song of Solomon 2:7

Sex and Wisdom

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:54:25 +0000

Have you ever wondered why God gives us wisdom to guide our living? In this article, Whitney Clayton implores young people to walk with wisdom concerning sexual issues and to seek the well spring of all true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. Wisdom is a concept which we don’t talk about very much. We really don’t [...]

Modest is Hottest: A Countercultural Approach to Womanly Apparel

Tyler Smith — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:49:57 +0000

Have you ever wondered if what you are wearing is making the boys in the school yard look and drool? Okay, maybe you’re not spending your weekday afternoons in the school yard anymore but what about your work, school, and your everyday casual clothes? When you walk past a guy does he do a double [...]

The Gospel and Campus Life Series: The Gospel & Emotions

Ben Ward — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:30:26 +0000

Have you ever wondered how to bridge the Gospel to the college campus? So often we desire to talk about the Gospel, but our friends never speak the right vocabulary: righteousness, faith, or forgiveness of sins. In his series ‘The Gospel & Campus Life,’ Ben Ward shows how we can bridge the condemnation lifting message [...]

The “M” Word… Dealing with Questions Concerning Masturbation (Mature Content)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:13:40 +0000

In this post Greg Gibson attempts to answer these tough questions theological, practically, and through the lens of a biblical worldview. Can I masturbate without sinning? No. I have often heard the claim that you can masturbate without lusting. This is ludicrous and always a justification for being able to masturbate. Masturbation is the [...]

Sex Scandals in the Church

Ben Ward — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:57:38 +0000

When something rocks the boat of purity in the Church, the world takes notice. If they are close to the situation, believers feel a sense of betrayal, and regardless of proximity the unbelieving world snatches the opportunity to manifest the blatant inconsistent lives of the supposed people of God. Nothing sells a headline more than [...]

Truth claim 101: Choose God’s plan….have the best sex

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:26:35 +0000

A Family Research Council poll found that 72 percent of all married “traditionalists” (those who “strongly” believe out- of-wedlock sex is wrong) report high sexual satisfaction. This is roughly 31 percentage points higher than the level registered by unmarried “non-traditionalists” (those who have no or only some objection to sex outside of marriage) -It was [...]

The Tragedy of Sex without Trust

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:14:34 +0000

Trust: if any trait should be considered imperative for a man and woman desiring a loving and lasting relationship as well as a good and God-honoring sex life trust is it. As sex involves giving yourself completely to another physically, emotional and even spiritually, the vulnerability and exposure given immediately necessitates a bond, and a [...]

Saturday Morning Videos

VeritasNet — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 06:13:57 +0000

Saturday Recap Watch some more Saturday Morning Videos…

Sexual Temptation – How to Know & What to Do

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:21:11 +0000

Temptation is remarkably tricky. By itself, removed from its own disastrous context, temptation looks amazing, it feels so alluring, and it offers so much promise. But that is not the full face of temptation. Context tells us the rest of the story. Take David, for example. He sees a beautiful woman bathing in the moonlight [...]

What Past Sexual Sins Should You Reveal to Your Spouse?

Greg Gibson — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:29:07 +0000

I get this question all the time. Some believe you should reveal every detail of all previous sexual acts to your soon-to-be spouse; some believe you should not. I fall into the latter category. It is my conviction and preference that you do not need to reveal everything to your spouse. Let me to tell you [...]

Truth Claim 101: Sex 4 Pleasure

Ben Ward — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:07:05 +0000

God created sex for the overwhelming satisfaction of his people. It is undeniable in the Song of Solomon that God intended sex to be enjoyed. But, this pleasure of sex goes far beyond mere physical satisfaction; it reaches to the depths of the marital relationship to fulfill intimately, relationally, and physically. I. Sex is physically [...]

A Theology of Virginity

Tyler Smith — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:18:40 +0000

Have you ever wondered why God commands us to be virgins until we are married? Why is it so bad to have more than one sexual partner? Why is premarital sex a sin? In this article, Tyler Smith tackles these hard questions and then some. Premarital sex, otherwise known as fornication, is unquestionably against God’s [...]

Procreation: An Intended Blessing of Sex

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:18:21 +0000

For the last five years or so a number of European nations have implemented an innovative and novel plan to ensure survival for the future of their government, economy and native ethnic populations: financial incentives for having more children. The problem stems from the fact of existing birth rates so low projected population decreases will [...]

Saturday Morning Video: How Not to Give a Speech

VeritasNet — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:12:41 +0000

Phil Davison of Minerva, Ohio at the Stark County Republican Party’s executive committee meeting to select a nominee to run for Stark County treasurer. He didn’t get the nomination.

Sex in Culture – It is a big deal

Whitney Clayton — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:12:49 +0000

Have you ever noticed that although our culture glorifies anonymous sex, casual sex, and sex without commitment we still believe sex is a really big deal. It is primarily on the college campus that people promote the lie that sex is not a big deal, but even on the campus it seems that we cannot [...]

Dealing with Past Sexual Regrets

Greg Gibson — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:02:53 +0000

At one time in my life I was guilty of preaching a gospel I did not fully understand. As a young Christian who was on fire for God, like most new Christians, I had a great deal of zeal that coupled with very little biblical knowledge. My basic form of evangelism was basically found in [...]

Truth Claim 101: Sex in Redemptive History

Ben Ward — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:18:37 +0000

Don’t miss this! What Paul is saying is that when God designed marriage and this union, this sexual union together in Genesis 2, he did it with a bigger picture in mind. He designed marriage in this way to point one day to the love of Christ for his people. And so what we realize [...]

The Love of God: God’s Special Love for the Elect (Part 4/4)

Tyler Smith — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:03:13 +0000

Tyler Smith discusses the difference between God’s love for humanity in general and God’s specific love for the elect as it was accomplished in and applied by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re a Calvinist or not, you will enjoy this article! ————————————————————————————– The Love of God: God’s Special Love for [...]

How Far is Too Far?

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:16:53 +0000

In this article on the ever popular question, “How Far is Too Far?” Ryan Rindels gives young people sound advice on what Scripture says about awakening the sexual desire before its time, as he urges young men to treat their ‘girlfriends’ like they are their own ‘sisters.’ ————————————————————————————– How Far is Too Far? By: Ryan [...]

Saturday Morning Videos – Dr. William Lane Craig HUMILIATES Dr. Peter Atkins

VeritasNet — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:13:21 +0000

Understanding Sex – Why, Not How

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:03:01 +0000

Pop quiz to for you before you start reading – why did God create sex? Think about it. Really. Think about it and come up with an answer that represents what you think about sex. The two most popular answers are that it was created for entertainment and it was created for procreation, but I [...]

Sex on the College Campus

Ben Ward — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:03:36 +0000

At TVN we reach out to the postmodern college student in order to raise up a generation of local church loving, family oriented, faith defending church planters, pastors, and missionaries. The campus tends to portray one of two lifestyles: a place to contend for Christ or an obstacle to experience Christ. As we look at [...]

September is 4 Sex: Introduction

Greg Gibson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:16:12 +0000

September is for many things. It is when fall, my favorite season, begins. It is when the hot summer days turn into perfect afternoons of awesomeness. It is for my little brother’s birthday, older brother’s birthday, 2 of my best friend’s birthdays, cousin’s birthday, etc. And… it is for sex. Not the physical act… well [...]

Sex, Love, & Veritas: The Emergence of an Orange Highlighter Lifestyle

Greg Gibson — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:33:37 +0000

I want to present you with 3 subjects: Sex, Love, and Truth. Tell me. Can you competently explain to me how you would consistently defend each of these subjects according to what Scripture teaches about them? The common young person today cannot articulate why he believes what he believes. This is not the case for [...]

Man + Man = Marriage? PCUSA Council says Yes

Ben Ward — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:57:55 +0000

Candance Chellew Hodge of Religion Dispatches has informed her readers a Presbyterian Judicial Council* for the PCUSA convicted Reverend Jane Spahr. The charges: legally marrying 16 gay or lesbian couples in California. The ceremonies were held before Proposition 8 was passed that banned a same-sex marriage. I read this headline and re-read the headline to [...]

The Best of the Beginning

Ben Ward — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:55:29 +0000

The Veritas Network is young… but it’s much older than some people realize! Some have only been following TVN for a short few weeks, and others have been following for a short couple of months. The truth, however, is that we’ve been writing content articles for a year! God has been gracious to give Veritas a wider [...]

What Would Jesus Say About Gay Marriage?

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:26:25 +0000

I don’t want you to think that I am about to tell you what I think Jesus would think. That would be rather pointless. And stupid. If someone tries to base their opinion on their opinion of someone else’s opinion, leave them to it. What I want to do is examine a situation in which [...]

The Love of God: God’s General Love for All Mankind (Part 3/4)

Tyler Smith — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:03:13 +0000

Moving from a discussion of God’s love within His intratrinitarian Persons (see here) and God’s provisional love for all of His creation (see here), we move now to discuss yet another aspect of God’s other-orientation and self-giving love in this third installment within this series on God’s love—God’s general love for all mankind. There is [...]

Truth Claim 101: Motives Are Everything

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:46:44 +0000

“All of a man’s ways are innocent to him but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Proverbs 16:2 How important are the motives behind a man’s actions? From I Corinthians 13 we see one can go as far as to sacrifice his/her very life in the excruciating agony of the flames and yet gain nothing [...]

God’s Gonna Destroy that Place

Ryan Rindels — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:06:36 +0000

Your individual identity, in a regional sense, is only fully realized when you reside somewhere outside your home (whether city, state or country). In the Suriname interior, I’m often designated the “American boy” and even more inclusively as a “baaka” (foreigner). It happens when you are the sole white person in a village of 3,000 [...]

Abortion’s 3rd and Most Forgotten Victim

Ben Ward — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:40:07 +0000

Since 1973 when Roe v. Wade changed the landscape of the country there have been more than 50,000,000 aborted children. Even when the number of murders has decreased recently, there are still 1.3 million per year in the United States. When protests break out and you see people picketing to support life in this country [...]

Veritas Radio: Episode #6 – Racism

VeritasNet — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:00:52 +0000

Episode 6 – Racism - (Click to Listen / Right click to download).

Veritas Radio: Episode #5 – What Happens to the Man on the Lonely Island?

VeritasNet — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:52:13 +0000

Veritas Radio: Episode #5 – What Happens to the Man on the Lonely Island? - (Click to Listen / Right click to download).

Are You Only Listening & Not Doing?

Pete Thoni — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:30:45 +0000

So many of us this week attended a church service. For some it was in a large building full of thousands of people with a full band to lead in giving praise to King Jesus. Or for some it was a small group of people meeting in a home to study the word of God. [...]

Family-Equipping: Our Philosophy of Youth Ministry at Grace Foothills (Part 1)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:38:36 +0000

75 years ago there were no student pastors in churches, and by default since there were no student pastors then there were no youth ministries. Student Ministry began to spring up about the time of the Industrial Revolution in the mid 18th to 19th Century. During this time, young people were becoming frequently more urban, [...]

Truth Claim 101 – Adoption and the Heart of God

Ben Ward — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:47:39 +0000

The protection of children isn’t charity. It isn’t part of a political program fitting somewhere between tax cuts and gun rights or between carbon emission caps and a national service corps. It’s spiritual warfare. Our God forbids Israel from offering their children, a demon-god, who demands the violent sacrifice of human babies (Leviticus 20:1-8). Indeed, [...]

Boys Who Chose To Be Men

Ben Ward — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:37:09 +0000

In the United States, the average age for a man to get married is 28 years old. To be realistic, there are some people with legitimate reasons to get married at a later age. For instance I know of more than a few people who put marriage off so they could serve as single missionaries [...]

The Love of God: The Providential Love of God for All Creation (Part 2/4)

Tyler Smith — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:56:44 +0000

Having discussed the source from which God’s love flows—that is God’s essential attribute of love as it is and has been expressed perpetually and eternally, apart from and independent of the created order, within His intratrinitarian Persons (See my first installment to this series)—we can now consider the expressions of the outworking of God’s other-orientation [...]

Do You have a Consistent Worldview?

Greg Gibson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:34:09 +0000

Probably not, especially if you are a young college student sitting under the complexity of different worldviews at your university or college. Almost certainly not if you were raised as a Christian but were never taught why faith must come to bear with reason, or in fact why you believe what you believe. And absolutely not if [...]

Self-Love: Don’t Buy Into It

Ryan Rindels — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:21:28 +0000

“Believe in yourself,” “When there is doubt, trust the voice that is within,” “You can do anything you put your mind to.” “Do what YOU want to do,” “Don’t let others bring you down, do what YOU feel is right.” “You are the one that determines your own destiny.” Looking back on my years in [...]

Veritas Radio: Episode #4 – Proposition 8

VeritasNet — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:58:49 +0000

Episode 4 – Proposition 8 - (Click to Listen / Right click to download).

God Hi-Jacked My Honeymoon

Ben Ward — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:06:29 +0000

I once heard David Platt say that sometimes it is necessary to study truth, meaning to dig in with ferocious teeth to discover what God means in Scripture. At other times our souls need to walk through the garden of God’s fellowship, meaning we need to stimulate our love and affections for the truth we [...]

Truth Claim 101: Christian Living

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:49:25 +0000

The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians–when they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn [...]

God is Dead, but a New god Rises in His Place.

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:49:32 +0000

In 1966 Time Magazine published this cover for all the world to see. The boldness of the lettering set against a black background remarkably parallels the intent of the author of those three little words, Friedrich Nietzsche. I want to explain what he meant by that infamous statement and, more importantly, explain how pluralism has proven [...]

Sermon: Greg Gibson – “Living In & Seeking the Welfare of the City” (Jeremiah 29)

VeritasNet — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:42:54 +0000

Pastor Greg Gibson – Living In & Seeking the Welfare of the City (Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10) (Click to listen/Right click to download) **You can also download Audio content from The Veritas Network from our iTunes Podcast.

The Love of God: The Intratrinitarian Love of God for His Persons (Part 1/4)

Tyler Smith — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:10:13 +0000

The world today seems to believe in no attribute of God’s essential nature other than His love, or at least what it assumes to be His love. Any concept of God that includes His holiness, justice, sovereignty, or wrath is excluded and is deemed incompatible with this contemporary God of love. God’s love is becoming [...]

Changing the World… Together

Greg Gibson — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:13:01 +0000

God’s purpose for the world is found in one word… mission. From the beginning of history, God’s plan has always been his mission in how he is directing the structure and flow of all events in history to a final culmination of his plan. This final culmination is found in the coming of King [...]

The Messy Life of the Church

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:27:56 +0000

The local church is messy. This is one truth which is nearly undeniable. Just ask the millions of disillusioned young adults who leave the church as soon as they find their freedom on a college campus away from mom and dad. We are a generation of people who grew up in churches which were short [...]

Veritas Radio: Episode #3 – Is God too Big to Fit Into One Religion?

VeritasNet — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:37:30 +0000

Episode 3 – Is God too Big to Fit Into One Religion (Click to Listen / Right click to download).

Epistemology – Big word, simple meaning, vital importance

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:47:46 +0000

If you are like me then I assume you want to click over to another of your favorite Christian blogs simply to avoid the rather frightening sesquipedalianism plastered across the title of this post. It is a big, unfamiliar word, but it need not scare you. Much like the overlong word used in the first [...]

Success, Relationships, and the Local Church: Why We Must Re-Prioritize Our Priorities

Greg Gibson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:58:33 +0000

According to the Christian Post, very few American adults state that faith is a top priority. The article cites both the CIA Factbook and George Barna’s research ministry, the Barna Group, saying that nearly 90 percent of Americans identify themselves with a religion. But only 12 percent of American adults say faith is a top [...]

An Open Letter to Our Readers

Greg Gibson — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:59:54 +0000

TVN Community, It must seem that everyday we are continuing to add something new to what we are doing as a ministry. Over the past month there has been a lot of changes made to The Veritas Network, and honestly, changes that we are very excited about. Changes are needed for something to continue to [...]

The Headless Wife – A solution to the problem of weak men and non-submissive women.

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:40:21 +0000

This is one of the most popular of the unpopular arguments to enter into. Especially for a man who is writing to other men, as I am now. To the women reading this, you are welcome to read and encouraged to share your thoughts with all of these stupid boys who need the insight of a God honoring woman. [...]

We’re Moving in Together!: A Christian Response to Unmarried Cohabitation

Tyler Smith — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:46:19 +0000

According to a poll taken by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2007, “Over 12 million unmarried partners live together in 6,008,007 households.” The same poll indicated that the number of cohabiting unmarried partners increased by 88% between 1990 and 2007.[1] Other sources show that the majority of couples marrying today lived together before tying the knot.[2] Unless one has lived in a hole for the past hundred years, it is not difficult to observe the moral decline that seems to permeate the cultural horizon of America and the world. One thing is for sure: Cohabitating has become the norm for unmarried couples.

Truth Claim 101: The Depth of Life’s Sanctity

Ryan Rindels — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:15:44 +0000

When ethically considering the sanctity of human life many arguments given today are based on the present or prospective quality of a life. Proponents of abortion and euthanasia often justify termination of life; citing death as the better alternative to the present existence filled with pain, poverty or suffering. From this presupposition, we can make [...]

Sermon: Pastor Trent Stewart – He Is (Colossians 1:15-20)

VeritasNet — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:49:15 +0000

Trent is the Pastor of Grace Church of the Foothills where Greg serves as his Associate. He preached this message on 6.27.2010 during his Rooted Series, a verse by verse series through the book of Colossians. We encourage all of our readers to take time and listen to this sermon about who Jesus is… Trent [...]

Is the Bible the Word of God? Why this Question Matters to the Next Generation & Why it Matters NOW (Part 4/4)

Greg Gibson — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:08:05 +0000

Before reading part 4 check out part 3, part 2, and even… part 1. The Bible is All About Jesus. As we have seen throughout, the need for special revelation to restore crooked and wretched sinners back into communion with a holy, perfect, and just God is found only in the Bible. The Bible tells [...]

Veritas Radio: Episode #2 – Abortion

VeritasNet — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:23:29 +0000

Episode 2 – Abortion (Click to Listen / Right click to download).

Intolerance of the Intolerant: You Shouldn’t be Surprised

Ryan Rindels — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:52:45 +0000

Tolerance has been the egregiously venerated and relentlessly overused ethical catch-phrase (if one could call it a phrase) of our day. Politicians love its placement in their rhetoric, universities deem it a desired and appealing campus virtue and professors in teach its benefits to democracy and individual liberty. Conversely, “intolerance” the label being attached to [...]

Mary, the Mother of Jesus: The Roman Catholic Position Analyzed in Light of Protestant Theology

Tyler Smith — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:58:13 +0000

What are we to believe about the mother of Jesus? Who was the Virgin Mary? Was she in any way divine? Do we owe her any special tribute? As it stands today, there are two major schools of thought when it comes to answering questions like these. The Roman Catholic Church represents one of these schools, while Protestants represent the other. As a Bible-believing-conservative-evangelical-Protestant, I here gladly offer my analysis of the Roman Catholic Church’s position concerning Mariology. Though these two schools of thought have much in common regarding this area of doctrine, the differences are many. The Roman Catholic teachings to be examined are as follows: Mary’s Immaculate Conception, her sinless life, her perpetual virginity, her bodily assumption, her role as mediatrix, and her reception of super-veneration.

Veritas Radio: Episode #1 – Separation of Church & State

VeritasNet — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:02:37 +0000

Episode 1 – Separation of Church & State (Click to Listen / Right Click to Download)

Veritas Radio: The Mouthpiece of The Veritas Network

VeritasNet — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:19:57 +0000

This Sunday’s Topic: Abortion Click here to listen to the Veritas Radio Show PROMO The Veritas Radio Show is designed to engage and discuss contemporary cultural issues pertaining to Christianity in a way that brings reason to bear with faith for the sole glory of God and the exaltation of King Jesus. Join our hosts Grant [...]

Is the Bible the Word of God? Why this Question Matters to the Next Generation & Why it Matters NOW (Part 3/4)

Greg Gibson — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:58:14 +0000

Before reading this article please read part 1 and part 2. Only a brief explanation concerning external justification or evidence shall be said during this section. For a very good and brief synopsis of this, Paul Helm is a very helpful resource on distinguishing between external evidence and internal evidence. He defines external evidence as [...]

Truth Claim 101: The World As We See It?

Ben Ward — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:20:03 +0000

The World As We See It 1. Preventable diseases rule the world. An estimated 24,000 children die each day of preventable disease and related causes. That is equivalent to the 2010 Haitian earthquake hitting every 9 days. By the time you have read this far, 4 children have breathed their last. 2. Slavery still [...]

A Theory of Revival in America

Whitney Clayton — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:04:12 +0000

I have a theory. I would like to try it out on you, so please let me know what you think. I believe that apologetics is a lost church practice that, when brought back into common practice, will bring forth revival in America. Let me unpack this a bit; I will explain what I mean in my theory, and [...]

Film Review: Intercepting “Inception”

Ben Ward — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:19:13 +0000

Thomas Caldwell of Cinema Autopsy said it best, Knowing the details of how Inception unravels will not ruin the film for you but going into it as a blank slate is still the most rewarding way to initially experience it. An ‘experience’ accurately depicts the complexities of psychological sci-fi coupled with jaw dropping visual effects. [...]

Withering Roses, Estranged Fledglings, and Amputated Limbs: A Desperate Plea Not to Forsake Christ’s Bride

Tyler Smith — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:31:34 +0000

What is the consequence of detaching a budding rose from its root system? The beauty of the flower is enjoyed for a moment, but its end is withering, death, and decay. Or, consider the small fledgling as it falls from its mother’s nest in a premature attempt to fly on its own. The tiny bird is separated from the loving care, protection, and nurture of its mother. Endeavoring to find freedom and life, the hatchling soon discovers its all too gloomy end. Eventually, demise comes upon the baby bird, just as it would in the case of the rose aforementioned. In both scenarios, ruin overcomes its subject; both the rose and hatchling, being severed from their source of life, perish. What, then, are we to think of the one who finds himself estranged from Jesus Christ, the preeminent Source for life? Will anything but death be his eternal end? Rejection of Jesus Christ, and thus severance from the Source of life, is played out in a number of ways. The most obvious way that one can be separated from life is through a blatant and barefaced rejection of the Gospel. Whether the rejecter be an atheist, an agnostic, a moralistic do-gooder, a practitioner of any of a number of aberrant world religions, or an embracer of some other worldview or system of thought that does not recognize and submit to Jesus Christ as Lord, he is in effect cutting himself off from the only One who provides life. Jesus does in fact claim exclusivity to being the only true Source of life when He says in the oft quoted text, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). His is the only root system capable of providing nourishment for everlasting life. He is the good parent that protects, provides for, and pursues His own, even when they stray from the nest. He will not let His children perish if, in fact, they truly are His children. Perhaps a more elusive means by which a man can be separated from life in Christ is through a rejection of His body, the Church. Men and women, in their experimentations with religion, sometimes find their way to churches. Some make professions of faith and begin attending the church, but, for whatever reason, many of those who make professions of faith eventually find themselves leaving the church. This sort of thing happens all the time. Numerous excuses are given by the ones leaving: “Well, those people in that church down there are just a bunch of hypocrites!” … “The pastor hurt my feelings” … “There’s too many cliques at that church” … “They don’t have enough to offer us as a family” … “They don’t have anything for our kids” … “We just prefer to worship as a family at home” … “I don’t need the church. I believe in Jesus, I have a Bible, and that should be enough.” The list goes on and on and on! Less often than not, the excuses are legitimate; sometimes the individual detects a genuine problem that requires changing churches. Others are simply looking for an excuse to quit church altogether. So many of the people in this category claim to be followers of Christ, but they just don’t want to be a part of His Church.

Is the Bible the Word of God? Why this Question Matters to the Next Generation & Why it Matters NOW (Part 2/4)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:09:19 +0000

Can we know our Creator only through general revelation? This is where the need for special revelation comes in. General revelation is addressed to all persons everywhere; the other is addressed to a special class of sinners, to whom God would make known His salvation. The one has in view to meet and supply the [...]

Post-Modernism in Pontius Pilate

Ben Ward — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:04:58 +0000

What is Truth? It sounds like a question raised on today’s college campuses, but in fact was uttered to Jesus himself by Pilate, the Roman official that ordered his crucifixion. In John’s Gospel, we see the account of Jesus questioned by Pilate to investigate why everyone wanted him dead. John 18:33-38 33 Then Pilate went [...]

Truth Claim 101: On Marital Duties

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:24:48 +0000

I pray you, next tell me my duty to my wife and hers to me. The common duty of husband and wife is, Entirely to love each other; and therefore choose one that is truly lovely. . . ; and avoid all things that tend to quench your love. To dwell together, and enjoy each [...]

Scripture & Missions

Pete Thoni — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:06:42 +0000

1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and in due time he will exalt you.” Last week I was standing in a village overlooking the beautiful hills of Darjeeling. The clouds were rolling in and creating a most majestic picture. It was a quiet morning with not much happening. The reason [...]

Singleness: advantages, disadvantages and a seasonal perspective

Ryan Rindels — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:26:32 +0000

In our modern day a person being dubbed as “single” and the life associated with the title can differ drastically when viewed from a Christian versus Non-Christian worldview. Hollywood has portrayed the single man as a highly-appealing, care-free, and much sought after sex symbol. This single man is never without date; he has intimate encounters [...]

The “S” Word: A Biblical View on Submission – By Grace Gibson

VeritasGuest — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:22:37 +0000

Many of you will approach this article on submission and encompass one of a few different reactions. You may read this article with the intentions of ignoring biblical principles in order to criticize my position. You may read this article with the earnest thinking that you may find some cultural tidbits to add to your [...]

Film Review: The A Team

Ben Ward — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:13:35 +0000

Last week, I traveled to Chattanooga to gain a life insurance license. My day filled itself with an 8 hour class and then going to a hotel room; not the epitome of high octane fun. To counteract my mundane two days, I went and saw “The A-TEAM,” which picked up the slack for my boredom [...]

Lebron James and His Golden Crown

Greg Gibson — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:33:50 +0000

It blows my mind that LBJ’s announcement tonight is one of the biggest sports stories in all of history. With so much hype you would think Lebron was the first person to walk on Mars or the ‘second’ person to walk on water. We must remember though, he is only human; we must also remember [...]

Social Media, Narcissism, and the Christian Response

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:19:14 +0000

Have you ever heard the story of Dorian Gray? If you have, feel free to skip to the next paragraph; if not, allow me to summarize. Dorian Gray was the only novel written by Oscar Wilde. His story followed the life of a young aristocrat, Dorian, who desired nothing more in life than to retain his youth and beauty. To do so, he met a painter and traded his soul for his beauty. The painter painted a picture that would age and change with the ravages of time, while Dorian himself never changed. Dorian then embarked on a life of debauchery in which he entertained his every whim and desire, and his painting was the only evidence of the destruction of his soul. After twenty years Dorian saw his painting which he normally kept hidden, and he was mortified to see the true state of his soul. He was so distraught that he took a knife and stabbed the painting, but when he stabbed the painting which displayed his corrupted soul, he actually killed himself. The story of Dorian Gray is a remarkable parallel to the use of modern social medias. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Online Dating sites, and many other networks like them enable us to create an identity altered in the way we prefer. We have all learned to display that which is most beautiful and desirable about ourselves, while carefully shutting the door on our flaws. Like young Dorian, we can hide and distort those little things that we don't want others to know about. In short, the modern man is capable of reshaping his own image in the way that he desires irrespective of the total truth. I am not trying to make the argument that social networking is wrong. Like all other things, the medium itself is not sinful, it is the way we put them to our use that brings forth the use of the terms right versus wrong. The application of the medium is the topic of my concern.

Truth Claim 101: Sex is like Religion/Gospel in Marriage

Greg Gibson — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:08:32 +0000

“Sex is like religion not only because it is objectively holy in itself but also because it gives us subjectively a foretaste of heaven, of the self-forgetting, self-transcending self-giving that is what our deepest hearts are designed for, long for and will not be satisfied until they have, because we are made in God’s own [...]

Forgetting Your Culture in Church

Ben Ward — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:03:09 +0000

Last Sunday hundreds, if not thousands, of churches celebrated the Fourth of July as a part of their Sunday morning worship. Hopefully, I will convince you that this is anti-biblical! In April at the Together for the Gospel conference Thabidti Anyabwile spoke a sentence that, I believe, will shape 21st century western ecclesiology. He said, [...]

Is the Bible the Word of God? Why this Question Matters to the Next Generation & Why it Matters NOW (Part 1/4)

Greg Gibson — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:58:49 +0000

Is the Bible the Word of God? How does one know that the Bible is the Word of God? How does one know that the Bible has not been changed over the years? These are all questions that the modern thinker asks concerning the reliability and historicity of Scripture. The Bible is a book written [...]

Truth Claim 101: Social Media

Greg Gibson — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:23:21 +0000

Social media can give us more points of contact with one another, whether through pictures, profiles, announcements, etc. However, we need to keep in mind that gathering with other Christians only one day a week for 1.5 hours, and the rest of the week restricting our correspondence to Twitter and Facebook, is not living out [...]

Dating, Courtship, & Wimpy Men: Why the Current Dating Culture of Young People Must Change

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:08:20 +0000

Let’s get right to it. The way young people ‘date’ today pretty much reflects how married people relate to each other. Young people spend lots of time together alone; they awaken desire prematurely; they mess around, often times concluding to the point of intercourse; and they are just as affectionate as a husband and wife [...]

Following Nehemiah’s Lead

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:59:25 +0000

“Our walls are crumbling and our people are in shame.” This is the answer that Nehemiah received when he asked a fellow Jew about the state of their people. You see, Nehemiah was working in a foreign land in the court of a foreign king. Without the aid of the internet, he could only hear [...]

A Month in Review – June 2010

VeritasNet — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:47:20 +0000

Alright, well June is over and July is coming on strong! We had a great month and there is much to look forward to as we continue to trek forward. God is continuing to add opportunities to our ministries daily. Here are some things we are excited about: First of all, Ben is getting married [...]

3 Reasons People Get Sick

Ben Ward — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:12:07 +0000

A Theology of Sickness. Why do people get sick? Why do we suffer from a failure in our immune system? More importantly, why did I wake up feeling like crap this morning… Why? When I speak in terms of a theology of a certain topic, I bring what I know about God through his word and apply it [...]

Discipleship & Vision (2): The Spread of the Gospel from City to City

Pete Thoni — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:07:35 +0000

In my previous post about world missions, we discussed a vision for how we can accomplish the Great Commission. Now, we will discover whom God wants to use to finish the task. Recently in Turkey I was able to visit Ephesus, one of the major cities the Apostle Paul took the gospel to. It all began by searching [...]

The Ivory Tower

Whitney Clayton — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:36:22 +0000

Not too long ago I read a passage of writing about the state of modern academia. It was a short narrative that followed a man as he wound his way through a war torn-city, destroyed by bombs and littered with the corpses of the city’s inhabitants. At one point he rounds a pile of rubble [...]

Top 5 Issues Facing College Students for Fall

Ben Ward — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:44:27 +0000

5) Eating Out – Eating is social. Countless times, college students are bored on any given night and someone suggests, “Let’s go grab a bite to eat.” What’s the harm, though? According to WikiAnswers (and who can’t trust them), the average restaruant meal is $10 and the average fast food meal is $5. The harm [...]

God’s NBA Draft Board

Ben Ward — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:43:42 +0000

The NBA Draft is tonight! For those of you who don’t know me personally, I love basketball. Each night the Lakers and Celtics played in the championship series, I glued myself to the couch. However, now the offseason dominates. Teams attempt to better their talent level, leadership level, and find that missing piece to win [...]

Truth Claim 101: Theology of Worship

Ben Ward — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:50:36 +0000

Gordon Fee once commented: Show me a church’s songs and I’ll show you their theology. Taking that to heart Bob Kauflin says this: “John Owen, a Puritan pastor of the seventeenth century, wisely wrote, ‘We must not allow ourselves to be satisfied with vague ideas of the love of Christ which present nothing of his [...]

The Seductive Lure of Liberalism

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:57:39 +0000

I recently went through a box of random books that has been sitting in my closet for over a year, completely untouched. Inside I found a small book entitled The Law. Its appearance was something of a mystery as neither my wife nor I had ever seen it before, but unknown books do occasionally turn [...]

Become a Fan on Facebook

Greg Gibson — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:29:43 +0000

Become a fan of The Veritas Network on Facebook as we seek to continue to challenge our generation to love Jesus, his church, the family, and the nations! CLICK HERE to become our fan!

Kingdom Living: Reflections on Colossians 1:13-14

Greg Gibson — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:50:22 +0000

13 He d has delivered us frome the domain of darkness and transferred us to f the kingdom of g his beloved Son, 14 h in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV Online) If you are a believer, I wonder how often the thought crosses your mind that you are actually a Kingdom citizen. The analogy above is clear; we were once alienated [...]

TVN Mission Statement Series (2): Challenging a Generation

Greg Gibson — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:50:22 +0000

In this series, Greg Gibson is going to present you with and expound upon our mission statement for The Veritas Network. It is our goal to make clear our mission/vision to our readers so that we can better minister to you as you understand our goals and process. We have a lot to look forward [...]

The Garden of Eden, Death by Firing Squad, & Video Games

Greg Gibson — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:14:14 +0000

You might be unaware of this but as of right now there are two states out 50 that still allow death row inmates to be executed by firing squad – Utah and Oklahoma. Death by firing squad was actually banned in Utah in 2004, but it is still allowed to be a chosen form of [...]

A God That is Too Big For One Religion is No God at All

Grant Henry — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:04:36 +0000

I recently had a conversation with a self proclaimed “truth seeker” pertaining to the existence of god. His theory is one that falls in line with the pluralistic tide recently sweeping across the nation. This postmodern formulation of god can best be articulated through a commonly known analogy. There are five blind men and an [...]

Sermon: Ben Ward – 1 Peter 1:1-9

Ben Ward — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:54:35 +0000

TVN is branching out to offer a new ministry for our readers and guests! We desire to feature sermons, lectures, and teaching on the Word of God that you can come back to for encouragement and exhortation. I’m going through 1 Peter with my college students this summer, breaking up the book in larger chunks. [...]

Truth Claim 101: Trinitarian Preaching

Ben Ward — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:36:50 +0000

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 . . . “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear [...]

NCAA Conference Expansion and Church Membership

Ben Ward — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:33:41 +0000

If you follow sports or watch sports at all, you know about the NCAA Conference Expansion/Shifting. For those who don’t know, let me take a second to explain. Major Conferences in the NCAA, like the Big 10 and the Pac-10, are inviting schools from other conferences to join theirs. It all started with speculation as [...]

TVN Mission Statement Series (1)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:13:03 +0000

Wealth, HELP, and Happiness: The Rise of Modern Therapy & the Real Problem It Fails to Address

Greg Gibson — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:13:40 +0000

Doesn’t it seem like everybody has a therapist these days? I will answer my own question with a resounding, “Yes.” The common view of therapy for most is that therapy is the ‘new’ way that you are supposed to deal with you’re problems, and by all means, everybody has problems, right? Logically, this boils down [...]

A New Trend in Generation Y Marriages: The Age Gap Between Husband & Wife

Greg Gibson — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:04:54 +0000

An article at Boundless Webzine recently struck my fancy. In this article, Suzanne Hadley Gosselin makes the observation that Generation X women (born in 1979 or before) are being pursued more often by Generation Y men (born 1980 or after). Many of her observations and reasons were sociological in nature and pointed toward the differences between Generation X [...]

Truth Claim 101: Where Christ is Not Preached

Ben Ward — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:29:47 +0000

If Satan took over Philadelphia, all of the bars would be closed, pornography banished, and pristine streets would be filled with tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other. There would be no swearing. The children would say, “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am,” and the churches would be full every Sunday . . . where Christ [...]

Capital Punishment & the Christian

Greg Gibson — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:47:55 +0000

As I say so often, if God is the Creator of all things then he is also the Creator of truth. Through Scripture, God has revealed himself to us and gives us guidelines on the way we are supposed to live not only in relation with him but also in relation to each other. We [...]

LOST: The Series Finale – Did They Get Death Right?

Ben Ward — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:54:24 +0000

Caution, this post contains spoilers. Lost is a show that captured an audience for the past six years with an unparalleled ability to create fanatics across the world. It was groundbreaking in the U.S. as one of the most successful television programs that mixed so many nationalities into one story plot. It is also set [...]

Saturday’s Artist Corner – 6.5.2010

VeritasNet — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:48:21 +0000

Artist: Heatherfield Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/heatherfield Listen to their song Nice Guys Finish Last.

My Summer Reading List

Greg Gibson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:18:36 +0000

One of my favorite commodities about the summer is the amazing fact that I get to read whatever I want to read. This past semester I read 23 books totaling over 4,800 pages. Of course, most of them were in the genre of biblical and theological studies, excluding a few books on the social aspects [...]

Pain is a Problem?

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:06:08 +0000

C.S. Lewis wrote many books which actually chronicle his own journey through life, and one of those books is entitled The Problem of Pain. In this book, which is considered by many to be one of his most well written and beautifully delivered works, C.S. Lewis attempts to tackle what he calls the problem presented [...]

Truth Claim 101: Grace

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:30:29 +0000

Indeed, grace is not only for the sinner but also for the saint. Glorifying grace will be the hallmark of our eternal state when the work of God’s grace is revealed in full glory, sitting upon what Hebrews 4:16 calls his “throne of grace.” On that day when glorifying grace has completed its powerful transformation of all [...]

Being Critical About the Movies You Watch

Greg Gibson — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:38:55 +0000

Summer is upon us. Well, it is finally upon me and that means I get to read what I want to read, go to the mountains with with my chacos on my feet, do some massive multi-person-multi-tube tubing, and apprehend my time for movie viewing experiences. Most blockbuster hits intentionally come out during the summer, and most [...]

Memorial Day

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:30:36 +0000

Today is the one day on a calendar specifically set aside for the remembrance of those who have served in the American armed forces. I encourage you to do just that. Take a few minutes out of the hustle and bustle of normal life in order to meditate on the blessings we enjoy as American [...]

A Month in Review – May 2010

VeritasNet — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:45:04 +0000

We have had a fantastic 4th month as we recently obtained our first sponsor. With much going on in all of our lives we have still found time and have been able to keep up this project of challenging our generation. We are excited about the months to come as we pray that God will [...]

Mindset for Summer (Campus Life)

Ben Ward — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:36:15 +0000

Schooooooooool’s… Out… for… Summer… Can’t you hear that old song playing as your theme when you walk out of your last final? I can honestly say that I sang that song every semester I was in school. Here’s the question you face now: What do I do for the summer? 1) Serve your Church. As [...]

Teaching Kids Proper Gender Roles

Greg Gibson — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:53:28 +0000

I recently came across a few blogs that are all about raising your children with unbiased gender roles. Written beneath a cultural and feminist worldview, these women audaciously claimed that boys should be able to wear dresses, paint their toe nails, and wear pink. I was shocked! They made the claim that girls are allowed [...]

Truth Claim 101: Radical

Ben Ward — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:10:05 +0000

This is the picture of Jesus in the gospel. He is something – someone – worth losing everything for. And if we walk away from the Jesus of the gospel, we walk away from eternal riches. The cost of non-discipleship is profoundly greater for us than the cost of discipleship. For when we abandon the [...]

Preparing for the After-Party: 2 Key Ingredients for Making Disciples

Pete Thoni — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:26:33 +0000

What is needed for a good after-party? If you ask your average college student they would probably say a big keg and a lot of people ready to get loose. But the after-party I’m speaking about here is not your typical festivity. Louie Giglio, in a message he recently gave to college students, described heaven [...]

Porn, Freedom, & Apple

Greg Gibson — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:35:00 +0000

A few days ago, Steve Jobs reminded me why he is so cool. A man of his stature, who has rigorously defined and interpreted cool over the last 5 years, has now become the brunt of Hollywood gossip mags and moralistic word bombs. Jobs, the CEO and visionary of Apple, has made it a priority [...]

Sunday’s Artist Corner – 5.23.2010

VeritasNet — Sun, 23 May 2010 20:18:28 +0000

Featured Artist: Serah Thomas Website: Portraiture & Custom Art Check Out TVN’s Artist Corner for more artists.

Theology of War in Israel

Ben Ward — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:30:42 +0000

How do you vindicate the actions of Israel with the way of peace that Jesus taught? How does “complete destruction” run parallel to “turn the other cheek?” To the careful and honest reader this creates a sincere question that takes thought to work through. We can’t come to the conviction that God changed his ways [...]

Book Give-Away: Just Do Something

VeritasNet — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:27:23 +0000

Today we are give away the book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung. To enter our give-away you will either need to 1) Join the Network or 2) simply comment ‘Book-Away’ below, if you have joined already. It is that simple and the winner is completely random. The book [...]

Arizona is Guilty

Grant Henry — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:12:26 +0000

More than likely it is safe to assume that if you are reading this blog, then you are already aware of Arizona’s controversial immigration legislation and the subsequent firestorm it has caused. However, for those who may not be familiar with the story, Arizona’s Senate bill 1070 stipulates that it is a crime to reside [...]

Join the Network

VeritasNet — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:23:45 +0000

One of our main preoccupations at TVN, as stated so obviously in our tag-line, is to challenge our generation to contend for truth, love the church, embrace the family, and love the nations! Yes, we desire to engage postmoderns through reason, logic, and morality but we also want to challenge Christians to hold these 4 [...]

Beauty and Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:42:26 +0000

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? The Christian response should be a firm no. I realize I am swimming upstream on this one, but hear me out and let your reason and your Bible be your guide. There have been numerous studies which have proven that symmetry and balance are important aspects of [...]

God is too Big to Fit Into One Religion

Greg Gibson — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:36:44 +0000

I was driving down the road a few days ago with my wife and I noticed a bright red bumper sticker on the back of a hybrid which said, “God is too big to fit into one religion!” We ended up pulling into the same parking lot and to my dismay parked close together. I [...]

The Future of Preaching (2): David Platt is 1 Example

Greg Gibson — Sun, 09 May 2010 16:18:43 +0000

This post should simply be considered an ‘appendix’ within my last post on ‘The Future of Preaching.’ Here are 2 videos from David Platt that must be watched. May the future of preaching, our preaching, be paralleled to this kind of preaching instead of fading away into the shadows of a hostile postmodern culture.

The Future of Preaching in a Postmodern Culture: Could it Soon be Illegal to Preach the Gospel?

Greg Gibson — Sat, 08 May 2010 05:57:57 +0000

Postmodern is hard to define, and it seems to be characterized within many frameworks. Postmodernism is characterized by relativism and irrationalism. Its counterpart and predecessor, modernism, was engaged in the pursuit of knowing truth, and it could possibly be characterized by the term rationalism. Postmodernism, modernism’s successor, could be characterized by the epistemological question, “How [...]

Truth Claim 101

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 06 May 2010 20:45:19 +0000

Sanctification is part of salvation. It is a great mistake to think of salvation as stage one in the Christian life and sanctification (or holiness, or obedience) as stage two. Salvation is the big biblical term that describes all God’s saving work for us and in us, past, present, and future. We “have been saved” [...]

A Theology of Finals

Ben Ward — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:14:07 +0000

May began a couple of days, and for a college student that means finals. Finals have a sense of tension that comes with them. On one side of the coin, they are the end! With Finals, the promise of summer comes and a chance to relax, or at least not worry about school. On the [...]

Sunday’s Artist Corner – 5.2.2010

Greg Gibson — Sun, 02 May 2010 17:22:42 +0000

Featured Artist: Brian Moats Website: Adopted. http://brianmoats.wordpress.com/ Bamboo: Chicago: Guide:

Book Give-Away

Greg Gibson — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:09:02 +0000

Today, we will be giving away a few copies of the book When Sinners Say ‘I Do’: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey. This is potentially the best marriage book that I have ever read. To have a chance to win, all you have to do is join the network. [...]

A Case for Early Marriage (2): Why Young Women Are Desiring to Be Wives & Moms Over Having Careers

Greg Gibson — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 06:34:04 +0000

When I wrote “A Case for Early Marriage: Why Young Men with Solid Chests are Changing the World,” I had no idea that it would receive over 500 hits in 3 days and multiple people would disagree, albeit some-what respectfully, with my conclusion(s): Young men should prepare for and desire marriage at an early age [...]

The Purple Line (a short story)

Ben Ward — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:30:17 +0000

The other day I walked into a room and gasped in shock. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and I had to do a double take. No, they were really there. I was in a room with Dave Matthews, Oprah, and Lebron James. The funny thing, they were all watching TV. Receiving news; news of the [...]

A Case for Early Marriage: Why Young Leaders with Solid Chests are Changing the World

Greg Gibson — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:52:53 +0000

In a culture where sex is flaunted and success and money are the primary means for which people live their lives, it is only plausible that marriage would be placed on the back burner until later on in life. Opposing worldviews give us more than substantial reason and provide more than a solid foundation for [...]

Truth Claim 101

Greg Gibson — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:47:14 +0000

Evil is not a theoretical problem for the atheist. It is simply a dimension of the way the world is at its current state of evolution within the universe. It could not have been different, so why complain? Indeed, the reality of goodness is far more of a theoretical problem for atheism (i.e., much harder to explain). [...]

Christian Liberty in the Church

Ben Ward — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:46:06 +0000

During your college years, there are some things that you will be forced to form an opinion on. Alcohol, tobacco, and Christian Liberty are some of these topics. Let’s face it; it’s a big part of college and this world. Depending on where you are at in the U.S., tobacco can be looked on as [...]

Practical TRUTH: On Legalizing Marijuana

Greg Gibson — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:16:30 +0000

Practical TRUTH is designed to stimulate intellectual discussion on applicable situations to everyday life. Leaving theory aside, we hope to cultivate discussion that will be thought-provoking, encourage, and will equip the believer in his/her everyday cultural situations. With this we ask… With all the discussion on this issue that has been and is currently happening, [...]

Faithful to Jesus & Fruitful in Culture: Can Christians be Both?

Greg Gibson — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:20:34 +0000

Faithful to Jesus and fruitful in culture. Can you be both? There has been much discussion lately on the issue of cultural engagement and strict faithfulness to God’s Word. It seems that many people lean either towards an overemphasis on being so ‘like’ the culture in engaging the culture that they mirror the world in [...]

T4G 2010 Review & Response

Greg Gibson — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:07:30 +0000

Over 7,000 + men and women packed out the Convention Center in Downtown Louisville, KY for the majority of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We began the conference singing sweet hymns together to our LORD. The expanse of 7,000 + voices (mostly men) is seemingly overwhelming to the single-tiny-first-time T4G on-looker. And, that was my experience. I [...]

TVN at T4G 2010 – Last Day (Day 3)

Ben Ward — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:13:26 +0000

T4G has ended. What a fantastic week of preaching, fellowship, and encouragement! We will put another post up tonight with pictures, videos, and responses to the conference. Welcome Back and Good Morning Everybody! Schedule for today: Ligon Duncan Now!, Matt Chandler at 9:30, and CJ Mahaney at 11 Check out the Join the Network Tab [...]

TVN at T4G 2010 – Day 2

Ben Ward — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:34:55 +0000

Day 2 has ended! What a day! 8 AM Session started with worship by Bob Kauflin (sp?) “I have assured the Lord that I grow by conferences like these, but he has assured me that he has other means… trials.” 1 Peter 1:3-7 Songs: I Asked the Lord, How Deep the Father’s Love, How Firm [...]

TVN at T4G 2010

Greg Gibson — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:29:41 +0000

LIVE BLOGGING SESSION 2 AND IT WILL BE UP SHORTLY IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW! Every 2 years, some of the greatest Christian minds, pastors, and preachers all come together in Louisville, KY to encourage other pastors, defend truth, and exhort us with the sweet gospel of Jesus at a conference known for the last [...]

Roles of Women in the Church: Betty Crocker vs. Hillary Clinton

Ben Ward — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:31:20 +0000

I chose the title “Betty Crocker vs. Hillary Clinton” because they symbolize the two stereotypes people have in the fight conversation on gender roles. Complementarians (those who believe in specific gender roles) fear that if we give women an inch, they’ll all be running for president in 2012. On the other hand, Egalitarians (those who [...]

The Multi-Site Debate: A Modified Regulative Principal Approach

Greg Gibson — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:50:05 +0000

There has been so much debate over the recent years about the local church’s use of multi-site campuses. In fact, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, KY just posted an article on multi-site churches in Louisville, albeit my desire to post an article on TVN preceded the writing and publication of this article. They cite guys like [...]

Relationships: Love, Like, and Libido

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:10:17 +0000

I love you. I am afraid those three words pulled together may have lost their magic in the ears of the hearer. Primarily, I blame Hollywood, the English language and laziness. Hollywood has cheapened love. What used to be a wonderful feeling, expressed from one person to another through a dating relationship which led to marriage, has now been turned into [...]

Books of The Month – April 2010

Ben Ward — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:09:53 +0000

No April Fool’s Joke here. These are the four recommended books that we are offering at our V:bookstore for the month of April! Check ‘em out. Buy ‘em out. And Read ‘em up. (Whitney) A Severe Mercy. By Sheldon Vanauken A Severe Mercy is Sheldon Vanauken’s autobiographical work chronicling his love with his wife. It provides [...]

Kanye West and Easter Sunday

Ben Ward — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:06:10 +0000

Easter’s hopping around the corner (yes, pun intended)! Are you ready for it? That’s the type of question that isn’t raised much around Easter. “Are you ready for it,” what does that even mean? Honestly, this weekend isn’t that big of a deal. I know tons of college students who will wake up like it’s [...]

The Future of the Church in Mega-Cities

Greg Gibson — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:08:05 +0000

A news report came out today from http://guardian.co.uk that projects over 70% of the world’s population living in cities by 2050. What is startling about this article is the concept of the ‘Mega-City.’ John Vidal, the author of this article states, “The world’s mega-cities are merging to form vast “mega-regions” which may stretch hundreds of [...]

I Don’t Want to Hate the Church Anymore

Ben Ward — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:35:01 +0000

Greg just wrote two great posts on the church here at Veritas. First, read why young people hate the church and then read why you should love it. I think it’s spot on culturally and lists a few excellent observations. Here’s my thought, though, what if we changed your mind? What if you did hate [...]

Why Should Young People Love the Church?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:30:30 +0000

It seems to be the trend to love Jesus and hate the church. Many times people don’t voice this statement, though they do live it out every week and Sunday morning. College students all over America that were raised in solid Bible believing churches sleep in on Sunday mornings and never, if rarely and maybe [...]

Congrats Ben on the Engagement!

Greg Gibson — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:40:54 +0000

Just a quick shout out to let all of our readers know that fellow contributor Ben Ward got engaged on Tuesday night! Give him some love in the comment section and tell him how awesome marriage is…

Should Christians Cohabitate?

Greg Gibson — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:22:41 +0000

According to a study done by The National Marriage Project (and affirmed by Focus on the Family research), an estimated half of all couples now cohabitate before they marry. Also, according to Focus on the Family study after study has shown that couples who cohabitate before marriage are linked to poorer marital communication, lower marital satisfaction, [...]

Why Young People Hate the Church

Greg Gibson — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:41:26 +0000

Every time someone says, “I think it’s okay to love Jesus and not go to church,” I get a horrible feeling in my stomach. In fact, I get a little heated and confrontational. I have had many conversations with young guys over the last several months about why they hate the church. Many of [...]

Psalm 54:7

Ben Ward — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:58:44 +0000

Psalms 54:7 For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. Are you discouraged? King David understands. He was trapped by enemies that wanted to hinder his kingdom much like we are trapped by spiritual enemies that want to hinder God’s work, even our own sin sometimes. David [...]

Wisdom in Trials

Greg Gibson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:40:59 +0000

Wisdom in Trials: James begins his letter by encouraging his reader to be joyful during trials. He states in verses 2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you my [...]

Justification in James: Faith, Works, & Wisdom (Part 3)

Greg Gibson — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:21:25 +0000

Not only does justification find its expression and stamp in works, but as stated above it seems that James also speaks of faith in Jesus leading to the living out of works in all of life through wisdom. I argue that the key verse for understanding how wisdom, works, and justification come together in the [...]

Justification In James: Faith, Works, & Wisdom (Part 2)

Greg Gibson — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:53:43 +0000

As stated above, a cursory reading of the Book of James might stem questions of contradictory when discussing justification with that of Paul. Why does James speak so much of works? Why does James speak so much about being a doer of the word instead of being simply a hearer? James states in 2:14, “What [...]

Justification in Paul’s Writings: An Overview

Greg Gibson — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:17:19 +0000

The Pocket Dictionary of Theological terms defines justification as a “a forensic (legal) term related to the idea of acquittal, justification refers to the divine act whereby God makes humans, who are sinful and therefore worthy of condemnation, acceptable before a God who is holy and righteous. More appropriately described [...]

Justification in James: Faith, Works, & Wisdom (Intro)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:23:28 +0000

There has been much scholarly debate in New Testament studies concerning the issue of justification in the Book of James. With a cursory reading of the letter and little knowledge of Paul’s doctrine of justification it might seem that James argues for justification by works. Does James differ from Paul in his understanding of justification, [...]

Ethics 4 Today: What is Right & Wrong

Greg Gibson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:45:02 +0000

How do we know what the right thing to do is? Is there a way to differentiate between right and wrong without a standard? Speaking of the latter, when there is no standard for what is right and what is wrong morality then becomes relative to the mind, or eye, of the beholder. Questions people [...]

Who’s your pick for NCAA

Ben Ward — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:50:08 +0000

C.S. Lewis and Religion

Ben Ward — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:19:07 +0000

Step Four – Historical event (Jesus) Remember, each step thus far is a characteristic of every major religion; not so with step four. Only Christianity possesses step four. Visions, dreams, revelation, etc are found in religions such as Islam, Mormons, Hinduism, etc., but only Christianity rests on the reliability of an historical person. Step three [...]

Calvinism & Our Generation Part 4: Non-Tension

Greg Gibson — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:37:53 +0000

When you compare my life and spiritual maturity now to my life and spiritual maturity 3 years ago there is a monumental difference. There would be a problem if there wasn’t. Discipleship and local church involvement are key when it comes to a believers progressive sanctification. I have had my bumps and bruises here and [...]

Calvinism & Our Generation Part 3 (Continued): Definitions & Debates

Greg Gibson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:31:41 +0000

There is a lot to discuss concerning the issue of debate when talking about and thinking through Calvinism and Arminianism. I’m not going to discuss the extreme theological differences here… a large theological book would be needed for such a task. We must be clear though – It’s not enough just to say, “I’m an [...]

C.S. Lewis and Religion

Ben Ward — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:47:15 +0000

Step 3- Numinous Awe and Morality collide Finally, we have come to the third step that Lewis believes every religion experiences at its foundation. We would do well to note that this is the final step according to his calculations that every religion experience, and the fourth step is saved for Christianity alone. To recap, [...]

Calvinism & Our Generation Part 3: Definitions & Debates

Greg Gibson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:51:58 +0000

Calvinism or Arminianism? Or a mix of flavors? As we continue to think through the influence of Calvinism on our generation I think it would be helpful to define Calvinism at this point. The issue of Calvinism, I think, will always be here as long as King Jesus should remain exalted at the right hand [...]

C.S. Lewis and Religion

Ben Ward — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:41:59 +0000

Step Two- The Presence of Morality and Guilt The next step in C.S. Lewis’s road to religion is morality. If you remember, Lewis observes that every major religion has three steps at its foundation. Then, Lewis goes on to say that Christianity has a fourth step that sets it apart and gives validity to Christianity [...]

C.S. Lewis and Religion

Ben Ward — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:16:39 +0000

Do we all have a sense of the supernatural? Is this a result of evolution that hasn't been rid by survival of the fittest yet? Read more to see why C.S. Lewis sees it as the foundation of every major religion and is given rather than deduced.

C.S. Lewis and Religion

Ben Ward — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:11:19 +0000

I will recount his argument that leads our minds to either love or hate Jesus, but God forbid not ignore him.

Repentance

Ben Ward — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:16:35 +0000

While I am in between series, I wanted to post something very practical and very open. I wanted to testify to a problem and battle we all have on a daily basis because of the disease of sin in our hearts: how to repent. I play in a couple of YMCA basketball leagues to remain [...]

Books of the Month – March 2010

Greg Gibson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:05:33 +0000

The leadership team at The Veritas Network has decided that at the first of every month we will post 3-4 new books into our V: bookstore for our readers to check out. Each member of our leadership team will recommend a book each month that has encouraged them, challenged them, or simply has been enjoyable to read. [...]

The GCR: What its all about

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:06:49 +0000

In a word... missionalism. The word missionalism, albeit made up, is meant to refer to a mindset and attitude for every person, church and entity which makes up the Southern Baptist Convention. The Great Commission Resurgence is about putting first Christ's mandate to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them. The tricky part is figuring out how to follow through on that command.

The GCR: Clarifying Terms

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:55:42 +0000

The Southern Baptist Convention is one of the largest denominational bodies in the United States of America. It is populated by over 42,000 churches and reports over 16 million members in the United States. It has two mission boards, which each report equipping, supporting, and sending 5,000 full-time missionaries. Through the work of the International [...]

2 Quick Things

Greg Gibson — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:08:18 +0000

real quick… 1. Louisville peeps – we want to make our readers aware of the Adopting 4 Life Conference that is on the campus of Southern Seminary starting tomorrow afternoon (12/25) at 3:oo pm. This is an awesome opportunity to hear from some of the greatest preachers around (aka David Platt/Russell Moore) and Dan Cruver [...]

Reflections on the Sufficiency of Christ: Thanks to David Platt

Greg Gibson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:15:24 +0000

Not to write an online ‘diary’ for the world to see, but I feel compelled to break from my series on Calvinism and Our Generation to reflect for a moment on Christ’s sufficiency. After hearing David Platt preach in today’s chapel service at Southern Seminary, my heart is compelled and stirred. Stir my heart [...]

Calvinism & Our Generation Part 2: Excitement

Greg Gibson — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Walking through my seminary hallway, I over hear lots of interesting conversations. Sometimes I hear conversations about sports or small talk or books, but often times I hear people, if not groups, discuss the issue of Calvinism. I’ve been in small country churches in East Tennessee and have been asked not about my family [...]

Calvinism & Our Generation Part 1: Tension

Greg Gibson — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:14:42 +0000

If we want to be honest a lot of people don’t even know what Calvinism is, much less understand the tension that it brings between believers. None-the-less, if you don’t know what Calvinism is then you probably will soon enough. Calvinism (New Calvinism as people often call it) is a big enough deal that Time [...]

Idolatry Today: Conclusion (Part 5 of 4)

Ben Ward — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:16:37 +0000

Yeah, so what. I did it. Five parts in a four part series, I’m just keeping you on your toes. Really, I just wanted to extend this based on my personal time in the Word of God. I have been reading through Jeremiah and I have trucked along to chapter 34 so far. I have [...]

Doctrine: What is the Church? (Part 2c)

Greg Gibson — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:53:15 +0000

For our final post in our “What is the Church?” series we will discuss the last part of the definition that I gave in Part 1b. We have had some fairly good discussion thus far on the website concerning the church as we think through what the church is. Also, this series has led me [...]

Doctrine: What is the Church? (Part 2b)

Greg Gibson — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:11:41 +0000

As we progress in our understanding of what the church is, we will now continue to break down the definition that I gave in part 1b. Here we will discuss the 2nd part of the definition which reads… “…diversified and unified by their spiritual gifts, committed to the ‘proclamation of the Scriptures,’ daily being obedient [...]

Idolatry Today: Relationships (Part 4 of 4)

Ben Ward — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:22:29 +0000

In the last two posts, I covered you with statistics to convince you of the vast impact on our culture that sports and music have. But, I don’t think I need stats this time. I know by every human’s experience, you will understand the impact of relationships. From the time of birth, to some degree, [...]

The True Message of Silence

Whitney Clayton — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:12:56 +0000

All believers are called to the ministry. Jesus set this precedent for all who seek to follow after him. He called the disciples to follow him and leave what they were doing, and for most of them, that meant choosing him over their work. They were asked to leave their jobs and follow. In case [...]

Doctrine: What is the Church (Part 2a)

Greg Gibson — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:29:03 +0000

In continuing our doctrine series on the church, I will now begin to break down the definition that I gave in ‘part 1b.’ I will break the definition down into 3 separate posts. This post will focus on the first part of the definition which reads, “A local visible church is a body of ’baptized believers in [...]

Idolatry Today: Music (Part 3 of 4)

Ben Ward — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:15:32 +0000

I can wake up to my favorite radio station. I don’t, though, because it takes more than Brad Paisley singing another sappy love song to wake this monster. When I make it out the door and turn my car the radio immediately starts playing. When I work at “O’Charleys” there is constantly a song playing [...]

Doctrine: What is the Church? (Part 1b)

Greg Gibson — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:11:51 +0000

The local church is absolutely and one hundred percent the people of God. In fact, a local congregation does not even need a church building for it to be called a church. But, what are the minimum requirements that a church needs for it to be called a local church? Can 3 dudes meeting [...]

Doctrine: What is the Church? (Part 1a)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:42:42 +0000

As we continue our Doctrine series, we will now explore the commonly confused and often mistaken doctrine of the church. What is the church? Is the church supposed to have a steeple, or pews, or an organ? What about stained glass windows? Or quite frankly, is the church simply a building? The answer to this [...]

Idolatry Today: Sports (Part 2 of 4)

Ben Ward — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:27:34 +0000

Now, in the next installments of this series, we will look at the major tendencies of Americans to fall into idolatry. It’s unlikely that each one of these topics will strike a chord with every person, but it’s probable that one of the three will penetrate deep into the trend of your heart to fall [...]

Finding Meaning

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:26:21 +0000

Meaning has been lost in our culture today. This loss of meaning was brought forth by the loss of truth. Freidrich Neitszche is the father of nihilism, the philosophy which declares all things as meaningless. Many people today have difficulty finding meaning in their lives, and whether they know it or not, it is because they are slowly following down a dry and lonely path that leads to nihilism. The dominant perspective on truth in the western world today is one of relativism. By declaring truth relative, one essentially declares truth as nonexistent. This is how Nietszche understood the world, and he was dedicated enough to the pursuit of his philosophy to follow it wherever it led; in the end of his life, it led to insanity. He lost the will to live, because he knew that his life could hold no meaning. This should be a frightening example of where the erosion of truth can lead. Without truth there is no meaning, and without meaning there is no purpose.

Idolatry Today (Part 1 of 4)

Ben Ward — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:15:11 +0000

Part 1 of this series on Idolatry will focus on proposing the idea that people in America are idolaters today as much as any other generation that has lived. That’s a bold statement. To the average observer, we don’t see statues meant for pagan deities like those found in Acts. We don’t see the “high [...]

Racism and Church

Ben Ward — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:22:25 +0000

Racism and Church. Seems like an odd topic. Actually, it seems like a time warp topic that sends us back to the 1950′s and 1960′s. Well, it’s not. Every generation will deal with racism in some way, and I want to think for a few minutes how we deal with it in our day. It is true [...]

The Gospel and the Man on the Island: God’s Perfect Grace and Justice

Greg Gibson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:27:02 +0000

Question: Will the person who has never heard the gospel go to hell? I am not under the false allusion here that this is a tough question to tackle within our post-modern generation where people slap ‘co-exist’ bumper stickers on the back of their cars and rail anybody who preaches an exclusive message. What is [...]

Doctrine: Baptism & The Lord’s Supper

Greg Gibson — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:22:19 +0000

Baptism. Many Christians think that baptism is a secondary issue. In a way it is and in a way it is not. When considering baptism as an issue of orthodox, it is undoubtedly a secondary issue! When considering if baptism is an important mark of authentic faith and repentance for a believer, the answer is absolutely [...]

God’s Existence: The Moral Argument

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:15:15 +0000

Why is murder wrong? There are a few ways to answer this question: murder is against the law, murder upsets the natural balance, or murder is wrong. Each of these answers displays a lot about the worldview of the person answering, but what is much more interesting is that almost all people, regardless of their [...]

History Defined as Redemptive

Greg Gibson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:56:51 +0000

Many people today often look at history through a very narrow lens. This type of view, this narrow lens view, is often found on college and university campuses all over the world. What is more, history is seen subjectively as an order of events that takes place in randomness, albeit with somewhat of a butterfly [...]

Moralism and King Jehu (2 Kings 9-10)

Ben Ward — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:56:33 +0000

In 2 Kings 9-10, we get a sobering message of the destruction of moralism. Moralism can be defined as the outward obedience to God’s rules without righteousness on the inside. Many of us find safety in a good, clean life on the outside thinking “If my life doesn’t look bad, then I am doing the [...]

Doctrine: Adoption

Greg Gibson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:46:18 +0000

If adoption is about anything then it is about God as Father playing centerstage in his family. The doctrine of adoption is not taught as much as it should be today. It is crucial for the believer to understand that if it wasn’t for the goodness of God in saving sinners nobody would be adopted [...]

God’s Existence: The Cosmological Argument

Whitney Clayton — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:56:58 +0000

Does our study of the universe point to a creator? The Cosmological argument answers that modern astronomy, which posits the Big Bang Theory as the explanation of the beginning of the universe, does indeed point to a creator. Astrophysics at the highest level has long since accepted that the universe is expanding, and this expansion [...]

Speech Act Theory, Post-modernism, and the Word of God Part 2

Ben Ward — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:34:17 +0000

In Part 1 of this article, we looked at how the Speech Act Theory interacts with Post-modernism and critiques its generalized skepticism on truth. This should be encouraging for a couple of reasons. Not everyone in the world is Post-modern(!) no matter what your college professor leads you to believe. Also, even secular theorists realize [...]

Speech Act Theory, Post-modernism, and the Word of God (Part 1)

Ben Ward — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:31:09 +0000

So here is the situation. Post Modernism thinks language fails and true communication between people is limited, if even possible. Christianity, on the other hand, affirms God has revealed himself through language in the Bible and eternal life or condemnation depends on this revelation. Uh oh. That seems irreconcilable. Spoiler Alert: it is irreconcilable. But [...]

Global Warming or New Creation?

Greg Gibson — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:52:45 +0000

It is interesting to note the growing phenomenon of this thing we call Global Warming. The UN has recently put together a 10 day conference that they have been planning for the last 2 years over 1) a world-wide government and re-distribution of wealth; and 2) the issue of climate change and global warming. People [...]

The Burden of HIV/AIDS to the Glory of Christ

Greg Gibson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:52:37 +0000

AIDS is a real and arduous problem that the church must face today. In reality, the word ‘problem’ should be replaced with the word ‘epidemic,’ as HIV/AIDS seems to be sweeping throughout nations without so much as a whisper as it destroys lives, homes, communities, cities, states, countries, and even continents. What is more, statistically [...]

Pornography: A Killer to Christianity

Ben Ward — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:44:59 +0000

In all my conversations with men about porn and lust, I have never met anyone unaffected by this sin. I’d like to share a quote I read once; and while it is an extreme, I feel is telling of the day in which we live, “Email is for classwork, Facebook is for stalking, MySpace is [...]

God’s Existence: The Ontological Argument

Whitney Clayton — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:28:18 +0000

Of the four classical arguments for the existence of God, the ontological argument is the most questioned and least understood. Ontology is the study of the nature of being, or existence. According to definition, the ontological argument is an argument for God’s existence based upon the nature of his existence. Within the bounds of the [...]

Are All Religions the Same?

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:12:50 +0000

Question: Are all religions the same? Are all religions equally valid? There is one philosophy of religion that states exactly that; philosophy and theology label this position as religious pluralism. Pluralism states that all religions lead to the same god (the use of the title “god” is meant to center the argument around a central [...]

Covenant – Definition

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:05:23 +0000

What is a covenant? We do not have covenants in our culture. When we make a business decisions, we make contracts. But, when God chose to reveal his relationship to humanity in redemption, he chose the covenant. In many situations, we want to take the Bible and apply it to our culture and transform our [...]

Covenant – Blessing and Cursing

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:58:47 +0000

The Blessings and Cursings of the Covenant When God gave the covenant to Israel, he did not hide the outcome of their faith or faithlessness. Rather in Deuteronomy 28, He clearly told them of the blessings the nation would experience for their faith and obedience but also of the curse that would come if they [...]

Great Commission Dating

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:53:41 +0000

What is Great Commission Dating? Classic boy meets girl. Nobody escapes relations with the opposite sex, but strangely I don’t know many people who want to escape it. Rather, the thrill of love captivates every man and woman in the world. Here in the U.S., we start at an early age seeking that middle school [...]

Covenant – God of the Covenant

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:51:01 +0000

God of the Covenant The first thing we see from Genesis 1-3 is that God is Creator. We constantly see in the Bible, that when something happens that is good, God is the creator or originator. We also saw by the example of Genesis 1-3, that when something happens that is bad, man is the [...]

Law and Gospel

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:48:18 +0000

Great Illustration of Law and Gospel Muscles are a great example of how a Christian must read the Law and Gospel. To grow, a muscle does not build on top of itself. When you lift weights you do not create new muscle by the repetition of weight. Rather, with every repetition you tear away the [...]

Covenant – Prophet Priest and King

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:45:12 +0000

Prophet Priest and King Within the life of every nation, there are certain officials and offices that move the nation along. Here in the U.S., we have senators, governors, mayors, the president, supreme court judges, and the list goes on and on. In God’s nation of Israel, he gave them three main offices: prophet, priest [...]

Covenant – The Temple

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:35:53 +0000

Temple The temple of God had a very unique and special purpose in Israel. I will not be able to capture the sense of wonder that accompanied the Temple. No story could explore the depths of the magnificence surrounding it, no fact could describe the splendor of its sight, and no amount of praise could [...]

Covenant – People of God

Ben Ward — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:31:03 +0000

The People of the Covenant, Israel We have seen the greater party of the covenant, God. Now we will look at the lesser party, man. By remembering the beginning of God’s relationship with man, it is realized that grace is given to build up a nation that knows God. We have talked about Genesis’ theme [...]

The Importance of Genesis 1-3

Ben Ward — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:34:34 +0000

The Beginning is important. Foundations are crucial for homes, businesses, athletics, academia, and relationships. Anything that holds importance, finds its significance in the beginning. The same is true for Christianity. In the beginning, God created. Nowadays, when people talk about the beginning of Genesis, they seem to have a sole purpose in proving their scientific [...]

Basics: Defining Worldview

Whitney Clayton — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:49:45 +0000

This is the fundamental result of our experiences during the formative years in our lives, yet most people will live out their entire life never thinking twice about the reasons behind their presuppositions.

Basics: Defining Truth

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:28:25 +0000

In a culture full of relativism and pluralism it is often thought to be lazy intellectualism to hold to any form of objective truth. Getting a college degree for young people today means coming to the conclusion that there ‘may’ or ‘may not’ be meaning at all. What is more, students are leaving colleges without holding to [...]

What is Redemptive History?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:21:36 +0000

Redemptive history may best be defined as God the Father’s purposed and determined direction for history, as it is summed up in the redeeming work of Christ in the world, with the ultimate goal of history being the new heavens and new earth. Richard Lints says this about redemptive history, “A fundamental fact about the Scriptures is that [...]

The Role of the Son Within Redemptive History: The Work of New Creation

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:09:27 +0000

Throughout redemptive history, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have worked and will continue to work in accordance with each other to accomplish the Father’s designed plan. From Creation to New Creation, all three members work in unity and harmony for this plan to progress. In our present day, we are currently between the stage [...]

The Role of the Son Within Redemptive History: The Work of Redemption

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:06:51 +0000

The role of Jesus during his incarnational ministry is seen perfectly in his life, death, and resurrection, but with a careful reading of Scripture there are many implications that can be made of how this work fits into the bigger picture of what God is doing throughout history. With a proper understanding that the Jesus [...]

The Role of the Son Within Redemptive History: The Work of Creation

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:01:38 +0000

How does the Son fulfill his role along side the Father and Holy Spirit in the stage of creation? First of all, we understand that the Father is the primary member of the Trinity who creates and speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 11:3, Hebrews 1:2). Genesis 1:1 says, “God created the Heavens [...]

Biblical Manhood (Summary): The Man as Leader, Provider, Protector

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:50:09 +0000

As we look throughout the New Testament about what the Bible says a family is supposed to be, it gives us clear definitions on defined gender roles for the husband and the wife. The most obvious reference to the husband and wife in the New Testament is Ephesians 5. Ephesians 5 reads, “Wives, submit to [...]

Pastoral Qualifications: Why Elders/Pastors Must Be Men

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:45:03 +0000

In looking throughout the salvation-historical stages of redemption and new creation, it is important to look at certain passages that discuss qualifications and characteristics of leadership for the church. As God’s redemptive revelation has progressed, we have now seen that Jesus has come as the greater David and has established his eternal Kingdom. Throughout the [...]

A Biblical Theology of Leadership in the Home & Church

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:37:48 +0000

Who should lead in the local church? Who should lead in the family? How should we view leadership in respect to man’s sinfulness? How should we view the mandate of leadership, given by God to his image-bearers, to be institutionalized throughout redemptive history, within the church and nuclear family? These are all questions that the [...]

Double-Authorship of the Bible: Communicator, Message, Receiver

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:22:30 +0000

Who was the author of the Bible? To effectively answer this question, one must first look at the area of communication and its principles. We must ask these questions, “Who is the communicator? What is the message? Who is the receiver?” In defining these three basic dimensions of the law of communication we will define [...]

The Bible as the Word of God: A Defense of the Necessity and Sufficiency of Scripture (blogBook)

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:12:51 +0000

For a more in-depth resource for the defense of why a holy, good, sovereign, and just God would reveal himself to rotten sinners like us then check out the blogBook. Click on the title below to view in .pdf format. The Bible as the Word of God eBook

What is the Bible About?

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:02:03 +0000

The need for special revelation to restore crooked and wretched sinners back into communion with a holy, perfect, and just God is found only in the Bible. The Bible tells the story of how a holy, perfect, and just God can forgive such sinners and restore this communion back with a holy, perfect, and just [...]

The Role of Faith in Believing the Bible

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:55:49 +0000

In making the argument for the role of faith in believing the Bible as God’s Word, it must be seen alongside the work of the Spirit in someone’s life allowing them to believe the truths of the Bible. In this section, the argumentative form of Christian presuppositionalism will be unpacked in terms that are more [...]

The Role of Evidence in Believing the Bible

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:47:44 +0000

What is it that convinces us that the Bible is God’s Word? Is it evidence or is it faith, or maybe a combination of the two? What are the evidences that say the Bible is in fact the Word of God? In this section, we will look at a very brief history of Scripture and [...]

General & Special Revelation

Greg Gibson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:33:17 +0000

If God exists, then how does he reveal himself to his creation? If there is a God who created the cosmos, then what purpose did he create it for? These are questions that the prudent thinker takes very seriously. Let’s begin answering these questions by laying down some ground rules. First of all, the [...]

What the Gospel Is and Is Not

Greg Gibson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:41:10 +0000

First of all, let us speak to what the gospel is not. 1) The gospel is not a promise of prosperity. Many people today, including TV preachers, portray the gospel as a message that one can run to when they are in financial, social, or material struggle. Pray this prayer or give this much money [...]

The Scientific Method & Metaphysical Presuppositions

Greg Gibson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:20:43 +0000

With the close of the 18th Century, we began to see a new form of philosophy begin to shape. Scientific questions were then a form of the current metaphysical branch of philosophy, known as natural philosophy, which sought answers through empirical knowledge (epistemology). With the development of modern science and the birth of the scientific [...]

Welcome to The Veritas Network

Greg Gibson — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:22:44 +0000

Welcome to The Veritas Network! Articles and Resources will begin to be uploaded soon. We look forward to networking with you with the goal of spreading truth to college and university campuses across the country.