Browsing: Christianity

“It’s a relationship, not a religion.” Or at least, so say the Christians of Generation Z, who are attempting to paint their faith in a less legalistic light than their predecessors. However, pretending to be a nonreligious Christian is disingenuous and oxymoronic.

The problem that exists in attending a church aimed specifically at college students is that it lacks the opportunity for growth. I believe the beauty of attending church is that you can meet a variety of people from all walks of life. Spiritual growth flourishes most when you surround yourself with those who are different from you rather than those who are similar.

Living in gratitude and out of complaint is worth the effort. In this life, we will experience great joys, milestones, trials and hardships. Beginning to practice and implement a posture of gratitude will change our hearts and our lives.

The idea of eternal punishment insinuates the notion that it’s not possible to grow past your mistakes. What makes the most sense based on this interpretation is purgatory — a temporary place for purification.

While I think films like this certainly have their place in making the Bible more accessible and relatable, especially to families with young children, I worry they simplify the incredible story of an indescribable God.

It’s natural to be stubborn when you’ve had an opinion for a long time. That being said, I implore nonreligious students to at least try a more in-depth religious course. You could truly learn new things and see the world from a different point of view.

Following Jesus, then, isn’t just a call to go to church on Easter or keep a Bible on a bookshelf. It’s a call to become like Him. To think how He thought, to live like He lived, to treat others in light of His sacrifice for them.

The Bible does not reject capital punishment, but it does provide requirements for it. A person can be killed justly if they have killed unjustly, but they must also be treated with humanity in the process.

In order for the university to uphold its commitment to respecting all people, that would mean providing dietary accommodations for practicing Muslim first-year students specifically, since they are required to purchase a meal plan. These students deserve to feel comfortable eating on campus without fear that they are going against their religious beliefs by doing so.

With a name translating to “the reason of Christ” in Latin, Ratio Christi is aiming to educate Baylor students on apologetics. Starting this fall, the new spiritual organization is implementing guest speakers, small study groups and community worship in an effort to teach students to defend the Christian faith with philosophical, historical and scientific arguments.

The mission trip is hosted by CURE International, a non-profit Christian organization that operates charitable hospitals and programs in 29 countries worldwide. The destination for the service team will be the CURE Hospital in Kenya, an affiliated hospital that performs over 1,500 life-changing reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries for children suffering from treatable disabilities.

“No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s really important to look to your right and left, instead of being tunnel-focused on your bigger goals,” Hallbauer said. “That’s what we want for people to take away from this group, is that they have an ability and an obligation as believers to serve and love the least of these.”

“Baylor does a really good job of inviting seminaries that are really diverse in terms of theological dispositions,” Dean said. “In my conversations with the different representatives, realizing and getting to understand more of the heart behind each individual seminary. They all have, yes, one central mission, but also unique missions to their seminary, to their institutions.”

“Another reason I’m excited to come to Truett is because I feel like I’ll be able to make that kind of text-to-ministry, text-to-life connection every day,” Shively said. “It’s just not something that I’ve been able to do at St. Andrews because it just isn’t the focus of the university. … This opportunity to come to Truett is, I think, fulfilling my deepest desires.”

Bolstered by his conceptual framework of history, hope and rhyme, Dr. David Blevins spoke on June 17 about his experience as a journalist in Northern Ireland. Currently a senior Ireland correspondent for Sky News, he has been in the field for 32 years, living not only through the sectarian conflict of the Troubles but also through the groundbreaking success of the peace process.

Environmentalism is oftentimes thought of as a social or political issue, but environmentalism reveals itself as an issue of faith when Christians analyze biblical text and apply the idea of stewardship to the earth.

With the excitement and preparation surrounding Halloween, church groups and Christians alike have a decision to make about participating in the holiday festivities. Several churches in the Waco community see the occasion as an opportunity to evangelize and serve local communities.

While some churches today take issue with children dressing as ghouls and goblins for Halloween, many churches are accepting of the holiday.

Halloween as modern Americans observe it is an American creation that has roots in something called the All Saints Day festival from Europe, said Dr. Rosalie Beck, associate professor of religion.