Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Dallas Willard’s new book, The Great Omission, opens with this observation: “The New Testament is a book about disciples, by disciples, and for disciples.” Part of Willard’s point in this book is to rejoin two concepts that are often pulled apart. To be a Christian is to be a disciple.
Discipleship is not reserved for the super spiritual. In fact, the act of being a follower of Christ is the first and most fundamental request made of believers in the New Testament. As far as the early church was concerned being a disciple was not optional if you wanted to become a Christian. They believed their entire lives belonged to Christ.
Ultimately, following Christ is about learning to live my life as if he were living it. If you haven’t been to church recently, we at Quail Lake encourage you to reingage and make your way back toward Christ and a life in him—and, obviously, we would love to see you there.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information please visit quaillake.org.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Paying Attention to God-QLCC
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
The things I pay attention to have a bearing on the shape of my soul. Paul tells us as much in Philippians 4:8 when he says we should think about the things that are true, honorable, just, excellent, and so on.Contrast Paul’s list with your typical night on TV. The kinds of images and ideas presented there sell to a broad and bored audience-very little of it is honorable, praiseworthy, or even true. Dwelling on these things does not do much good for our souls. But Paul’s list does. When I focus myself on Paul’s list I shape my soul to the kinds of things that come from God.
Church is a chance to turn your attention toward the One who can give life and health to your soul. If you haven’t been to church in a while, we at Quail Lake encourage you to make your way to church and encounter Christ, and, obviously, we would love to see you.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information please visit quaillake.org.
New Year and QLCC
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
A recent Barna study showed some alarming trends in the commitment levels of many who consider themselves Christian. About one out of five considered church attendance to be important to their spiritual maturity, and of those who held a biblical worldview, only 25% thought a community of faith was important to their spiritual development. Don’t think of it in terms of the church needs your attendance, but in terms of other believers need your presence, support, input and help. Your presence at church this weekend can be encouraging to fellow believers, and can help them and you in your walk with Christ.
At Quail Lake, we are a new church and may not have all the bells and whistles of other congregations, but we do want to be a living community that takes God’s work and word seriously. We encourage you to make the New Year a good reason to rededicate yourself to church, and we would love to see you.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information please visit quaillake.org.
A recent Barna study showed some alarming trends in the commitment levels of many who consider themselves Christian. About one out of five considered church attendance to be important to their spiritual maturity, and of those who held a biblical worldview, only 25% thought a community of faith was important to their spiritual development. Don’t think of it in terms of the church needs your attendance, but in terms of other believers need your presence, support, input and help. Your presence at church this weekend can be encouraging to fellow believers, and can help them and you in your walk with Christ.
At Quail Lake, we are a new church and may not have all the bells and whistles of other congregations, but we do want to be a living community that takes God’s work and word seriously. We encourage you to make the New Year a good reason to rededicate yourself to church, and we would love to see you.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information please visit quaillake.org.
Advent: His People
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor of Quail Lake Community Church.
Scripture tells us that when Christ came into the world, he came to his own people. He entered history at a particular time and place and lived his life among God’s people. The Gospel of Matthew helps us understand exactly what it means for Christ to come to his own people in his genealogy.
When you take a close look at who is listed in the first few verses of Matthew, you will see that Matthew included some pretty unsavory characters as descendants of Jesus. There is a king who killed a man for his wife; a king who sacrificed his own son; a man who deceived his brother and took everything he had, and the list goes on.
But then an angel tells Joseph that the baby’s name is Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Jesus entered a family tree that desperately needed saving, and a human race that still needs his hand of grace.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Scripture tells us that when Christ came into the world, he came to his own people. He entered history at a particular time and place and lived his life among God’s people. The Gospel of Matthew helps us understand exactly what it means for Christ to come to his own people in his genealogy.
When you take a close look at who is listed in the first few verses of Matthew, you will see that Matthew included some pretty unsavory characters as descendants of Jesus. There is a king who killed a man for his wife; a king who sacrificed his own son; a man who deceived his brother and took everything he had, and the list goes on.
But then an angel tells Joseph that the baby’s name is Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Jesus entered a family tree that desperately needed saving, and a human race that still needs his hand of grace.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Advent: Church
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor of Quail Lake Community Church.
I think we all know it is very easy during this season of the year to get caught up in our work, trips, and lists of things to do. During this “happiest season of the year” we seem to be more busy and preoccupied than ever as we hop from work to shopping to home to even more shopping.
It may seem a little clichéd, but it is true—it is very easy to take our eyes and minds off of Christ during Christmas. Some of us will go to church for our one Christmas service, but not find time during most of the rest of the year to be with the body of Christ. I would encourage you to find your way into a good church this season to help put some perspective on Christmas, and I would also encourage you to consider making church a regular part of your life. I know we would love to see you this Christmas season.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
I think we all know it is very easy during this season of the year to get caught up in our work, trips, and lists of things to do. During this “happiest season of the year” we seem to be more busy and preoccupied than ever as we hop from work to shopping to home to even more shopping.
It may seem a little clichéd, but it is true—it is very easy to take our eyes and minds off of Christ during Christmas. Some of us will go to church for our one Christmas service, but not find time during most of the rest of the year to be with the body of Christ. I would encourage you to find your way into a good church this season to help put some perspective on Christmas, and I would also encourage you to consider making church a regular part of your life. I know we would love to see you this Christmas season.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Advent and Hope
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor of Quail Lake Community Church.
Hope is a neglected virtue. We often hear a lot about faith and love, but we don’t often think about hope and what it means for the believer. In fact, the Christmas season is a wonderful time to remind ourselves of what hope means.
We do not hope in hope, we hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hope for the Christian is not a vague desire that things will get better against all appearances, but that the life and light of Christ will be manifest in this world and in our lives. When Christ entered this world, hope came. Matthew 12 says that, “in his name the nations will put their hope.” We now look forward to lives of meaning and fulfillment because of what happened on the first Christmas morning. Christ came into this world to give us a glimpse of the Father and to give me a good reason to hope.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Hope is a neglected virtue. We often hear a lot about faith and love, but we don’t often think about hope and what it means for the believer. In fact, the Christmas season is a wonderful time to remind ourselves of what hope means.
We do not hope in hope, we hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hope for the Christian is not a vague desire that things will get better against all appearances, but that the life and light of Christ will be manifest in this world and in our lives. When Christ entered this world, hope came. Matthew 12 says that, “in his name the nations will put their hope.” We now look forward to lives of meaning and fulfillment because of what happened on the first Christmas morning. Christ came into this world to give us a glimpse of the Father and to give me a good reason to hope.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Advent: The Wise Men Come
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
In the advent story there are probably no more mysterious characters than the wise men. We don’t know exactly who they were or where they came from. About the only thing we do know is what they came to do—they came to worship a child as King. As enigmatic as these characters are, they have a lot to tell us about faith and spiritual endurance.
They displayed faith in that they had the evidence of the star to guide them, but no teachings or special signs from Jesus himself, yet they worshiped him. Their endurance was great in that they traveled a long way taking a long time and overcoming many hardships to reach the child. It was not easy to travel across the desert and national borders in their day. Yet none of that turned them away. I have far more evidence for faith than the wise men—what am I willing to endure to worship my King?
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
In the advent story there are probably no more mysterious characters than the wise men. We don’t know exactly who they were or where they came from. About the only thing we do know is what they came to do—they came to worship a child as King. As enigmatic as these characters are, they have a lot to tell us about faith and spiritual endurance.
They displayed faith in that they had the evidence of the star to guide them, but no teachings or special signs from Jesus himself, yet they worshiped him. Their endurance was great in that they traveled a long way taking a long time and overcoming many hardships to reach the child. It was not easy to travel across the desert and national borders in their day. Yet none of that turned them away. I have far more evidence for faith than the wise men—what am I willing to endure to worship my King?
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
Advent: Herod Reacts
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
As we approach another Christmas, one very helpful way of interacting with the biblical story is to watch the different reactions to the birth of Jesus. The local ruler, Herod, is a fascinating person for several reasons, not the least of which is how he reacts to Jesus. When he hears the wise men are looking for the Messiah, he sends them to Bethlehem and concocts a scheme to find the child himself. And when that fails he orders all the babies in the region to be killed.
Herod knows what it means for the Messiah to be born—in fact, he knows it better than many Christians do. When Jesus was born, it meant the Lord himself had entered our time and space. And if Jesus is Lord, Herod no longer can be. Knowing Jesus means we encounter our Savior and a friend who sticks closer than a brother, but it also means we encounter our Lord.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
As we approach another Christmas, one very helpful way of interacting with the biblical story is to watch the different reactions to the birth of Jesus. The local ruler, Herod, is a fascinating person for several reasons, not the least of which is how he reacts to Jesus. When he hears the wise men are looking for the Messiah, he sends them to Bethlehem and concocts a scheme to find the child himself. And when that fails he orders all the babies in the region to be killed.
Herod knows what it means for the Messiah to be born—in fact, he knows it better than many Christians do. When Jesus was born, it meant the Lord himself had entered our time and space. And if Jesus is Lord, Herod no longer can be. Knowing Jesus means we encounter our Savior and a friend who sticks closer than a brother, but it also means we encounter our Lord.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
Advent: Priests and Scribes React
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
As we enter another advent season and make our way to Christmas, it is good for us to remind ourselves of the characters surrounding the birth of Jesus. One particular reaction to the birth of Jesus typically goes unnoticed in large part because it comes and goes so quickly. When Herod hears of the birth of Jesus, he consults the chief priests and scribes of his day. What is fascinating to me is that they know exactly where to send the wise men to find the Messiah.
Then what do they do? Well, they do nothing. Their response to the birth of the Messiah might be classified as distracted apathy. They know what is happening but do not take the time out of their busy religious schedules to make their way to Bethlehem to worship their king. Often I find myself in the same position. Am I too busy or distracted to stop and worship my king?
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
As we enter another advent season and make our way to Christmas, it is good for us to remind ourselves of the characters surrounding the birth of Jesus. One particular reaction to the birth of Jesus typically goes unnoticed in large part because it comes and goes so quickly. When Herod hears of the birth of Jesus, he consults the chief priests and scribes of his day. What is fascinating to me is that they know exactly where to send the wise men to find the Messiah.
Then what do they do? Well, they do nothing. Their response to the birth of the Messiah might be classified as distracted apathy. They know what is happening but do not take the time out of their busy religious schedules to make their way to Bethlehem to worship their king. Often I find myself in the same position. Am I too busy or distracted to stop and worship my king?
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
Is The Bible Intolerant? 3
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
I think we have all heard people attack the Christian faith by saying we can’t trust the Bible because it has been changed so often over the centuries. This slogan finds a great deal of popular support in books and movies like “The Da Vinci Code.” The only problem with it is that there is no evidence for these alleged changes.
In her very readable book, “Is the Bible Intolerant?” Amy Orr-Ewing details the history of the Bible and what archeology knows about the ancient manuscripts. As it turns out, we have a large number of ancient texts of the Bible, and this means we can scrutinize the historical development of Scripture. There are changes through time, but they are almost all spelling and grammar changes. The truth about the Bible is that there is literally no evidence of any real change over time. The Bible you buy and read today is the same book that was read by Paul and Peter.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
I think we have all heard people attack the Christian faith by saying we can’t trust the Bible because it has been changed so often over the centuries. This slogan finds a great deal of popular support in books and movies like “The Da Vinci Code.” The only problem with it is that there is no evidence for these alleged changes.
In her very readable book, “Is the Bible Intolerant?” Amy Orr-Ewing details the history of the Bible and what archeology knows about the ancient manuscripts. As it turns out, we have a large number of ancient texts of the Bible, and this means we can scrutinize the historical development of Scripture. There are changes through time, but they are almost all spelling and grammar changes. The truth about the Bible is that there is literally no evidence of any real change over time. The Bible you buy and read today is the same book that was read by Paul and Peter.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
Is The Bible Intolerant? 2
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Oftentimes people will argue against the truth of Christianity or Scripture by using well-worn slogans. These slogans are designed to dismiss an argument even before something important is said and give the skeptic a way out of believing. One such slogan is that more people have been killed as a result of religious wars than anything else. And of course, this means that religion is evil.
As one philosopher noted, people who say this need a history lesson. It is true, and very sad, that many people have died because of religious wars, but more people have died in the twentieth century alone because of Nazism and atheistic communism than in the previous nineteen centuries combined. It is simply false that Christianity has killed more people throughout history than any other ideology. In her great little book, “Is the Bible Intolerant?” Amy Orr-Ewing debunks this and many other slogans used by people as an excuse to not believe.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
Oftentimes people will argue against the truth of Christianity or Scripture by using well-worn slogans. These slogans are designed to dismiss an argument even before something important is said and give the skeptic a way out of believing. One such slogan is that more people have been killed as a result of religious wars than anything else. And of course, this means that religion is evil.
As one philosopher noted, people who say this need a history lesson. It is true, and very sad, that many people have died because of religious wars, but more people have died in the twentieth century alone because of Nazism and atheistic communism than in the previous nineteen centuries combined. It is simply false that Christianity has killed more people throughout history than any other ideology. In her great little book, “Is the Bible Intolerant?” Amy Orr-Ewing debunks this and many other slogans used by people as an excuse to not believe.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org
Is The Bible Intolerant? 1
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Have you ever heard a skeptic dismiss Christianity or the Bible with a slogan like, “the Bible has been changed thousands of times over the years,” or, “more people have been killed in wars over religion than anything else”? If you have, then join the club. I have actually encountered these kinds of slogans in just the last few weeks from people who are desperate to dismiss the truth claims of Christianity.
So what is a good way to counter these kinds of slogans? A new book titled, “Is The Bible Intolerant?” is a wonderful and very readable new tool for the Christian and for the skeptic. In 130 easy to understand pages, the author, Amy Orr-Ewing, tackles these and many other popular slogans head-on. The reader will learn how the books of the Bible were compiled, how reliable they are, and much more. If you want to increase your ability to answer the skeptic, this is a great place to begin.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Have you ever heard a skeptic dismiss Christianity or the Bible with a slogan like, “the Bible has been changed thousands of times over the years,” or, “more people have been killed in wars over religion than anything else”? If you have, then join the club. I have actually encountered these kinds of slogans in just the last few weeks from people who are desperate to dismiss the truth claims of Christianity.
So what is a good way to counter these kinds of slogans? A new book titled, “Is The Bible Intolerant?” is a wonderful and very readable new tool for the Christian and for the skeptic. In 130 easy to understand pages, the author, Amy Orr-Ewing, tackles these and many other popular slogans head-on. The reader will learn how the books of the Bible were compiled, how reliable they are, and much more. If you want to increase your ability to answer the skeptic, this is a great place to begin.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Catholic Bishops and Sexuality
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
In a recent conference, our nation’s Roman Catholic Bishops addressed concerns about receiving communion and sexuality. The immediate concern for them was that many believers think they can live sexually immoral lives and still believe they are in harmony with their church and their faith. The conclusion the Bishop’s drew is the biblical conclusion—a marriage between one man and one woman is the only appropriate place for sexual expression.
Their ultimate concern is that their people learn to live lives of holiness. One Bishop noted, “All of us are damaged by original sin, and all of us have desires disordered in various ways.” He is absolutely right. We are all tainted and twisted by original sin, but God calls us to lead holy lives and he provides the presence of his Spirit to help us. We should all follow the call of the Bishops and lead lives of holiness.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
In a recent conference, our nation’s Roman Catholic Bishops addressed concerns about receiving communion and sexuality. The immediate concern for them was that many believers think they can live sexually immoral lives and still believe they are in harmony with their church and their faith. The conclusion the Bishop’s drew is the biblical conclusion—a marriage between one man and one woman is the only appropriate place for sexual expression.
Their ultimate concern is that their people learn to live lives of holiness. One Bishop noted, “All of us are damaged by original sin, and all of us have desires disordered in various ways.” He is absolutely right. We are all tainted and twisted by original sin, but God calls us to lead holy lives and he provides the presence of his Spirit to help us. We should all follow the call of the Bishops and lead lives of holiness.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Missouri and Cloning
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
A ballot measure that recently passed in Missouri allows research to move forward on human embryos. The measure allows for the cloning and destruction of embryos for research, and, in an Orwellian twist of language, was supported by a group called the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. A writer at Slate.com notes that if these technologies are allowed to progress, “you’re seriously messing with the foundations of human life. You’re creating artificial human entities. You’re turning eggs and embryos into medical supplies.”
He is absolutely right. These kinds of technologies are not going away, and they are only going to expand in their power and potency. Christians cannot ignore the brave new world we live in. We should be the vanguard of ethical and spiritual reflection and stand up for the value and sanctity of human life in all of its forms. Embryonic research destroys human lives and should be opposed whenever possible.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
A ballot measure that recently passed in Missouri allows research to move forward on human embryos. The measure allows for the cloning and destruction of embryos for research, and, in an Orwellian twist of language, was supported by a group called the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. A writer at Slate.com notes that if these technologies are allowed to progress, “you’re seriously messing with the foundations of human life. You’re creating artificial human entities. You’re turning eggs and embryos into medical supplies.”
He is absolutely right. These kinds of technologies are not going away, and they are only going to expand in their power and potency. Christians cannot ignore the brave new world we live in. We should be the vanguard of ethical and spiritual reflection and stand up for the value and sanctity of human life in all of its forms. Embryonic research destroys human lives and should be opposed whenever possible.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Happiness-In a Biblical Sense: Redux
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, Pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
In their wonderful book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler want to reengage Christians with a biblical and classical notion of happiness and provide practical ways of attaining it. Early in the book they clarify the difference between what we typically take for happiness from how Scripture views happiness.
It is typical today to see happiness as a sense of pleasurable satisfaction. In that case it is all about us and our own needs. In an ironic reality, the more turned inward we are, the more empty our lives become.
On the other hand, happiness as described in Scripture is more about a life well-lived; a full life of character and virtue, one that displays wisdom, kindness and goodness. Happiness in this sense is a life-long pursuit that fills us with the life and light of Christ, and as we pursue it and Him, our own lives will become filled with meaning and purpose.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
In their wonderful book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler want to reengage Christians with a biblical and classical notion of happiness and provide practical ways of attaining it. Early in the book they clarify the difference between what we typically take for happiness from how Scripture views happiness.
It is typical today to see happiness as a sense of pleasurable satisfaction. In that case it is all about us and our own needs. In an ironic reality, the more turned inward we are, the more empty our lives become.
On the other hand, happiness as described in Scripture is more about a life well-lived; a full life of character and virtue, one that displays wisdom, kindness and goodness. Happiness in this sense is a life-long pursuit that fills us with the life and light of Christ, and as we pursue it and Him, our own lives will become filled with meaning and purpose.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Peterson and Worship: Redux
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, Pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
In his book, Run With The Horses, Eugene Peterson says this about worship and life, “Worship defines life. If worship is corrupt, life will be corrupt.” This statement is based on example after example of the life of God’s people in the Old Testament. Every time they allowed corruption into their temple and their places of worship, their lives degraded and moved further away from God.
What is it I worship? Not just on the weekends when I sing songs and take communion, but what are the principles that guide my life? Those are the things I worship, and those are the things that have a place of reverence in my heart and mind. If I value leisure, my time, my work, my family will be all about my leisure. If I worship self or money they will all be about me or my money. If I worship God, everything fits into its proper place, and everything becomes about Him.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
In his book, Run With The Horses, Eugene Peterson says this about worship and life, “Worship defines life. If worship is corrupt, life will be corrupt.” This statement is based on example after example of the life of God’s people in the Old Testament. Every time they allowed corruption into their temple and their places of worship, their lives degraded and moved further away from God.
What is it I worship? Not just on the weekends when I sing songs and take communion, but what are the principles that guide my life? Those are the things I worship, and those are the things that have a place of reverence in my heart and mind. If I value leisure, my time, my work, my family will be all about my leisure. If I worship self or money they will all be about me or my money. If I worship God, everything fits into its proper place, and everything becomes about Him.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Christians and Biology
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, Pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Is Christianity incompatible with modern biology? The columnist John Derbyshire thinks so. In a recent column detailing why he lost his Christian faith, he notes, “Creationists are absolutely correct to hate and fear modern biology. Learning this stuff works against your faith.” In an ironic twist, Derbyshire cites an organization full of Christian biologists and scientists who would disagree.
These Christian biologists work with a basic assumption that has guided the Church for two centuries: all truth is God’s truth. This is the idea that wherever we find truth, we can be sure that it is compatible with the Christian faith. Christians who are biologists can then be assured that the truths in modern biology are a result of God’s creative power. It is sad that Derbyshire has lost his faith, but maybe a little more work on his part might have solved this problem.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Is Christianity incompatible with modern biology? The columnist John Derbyshire thinks so. In a recent column detailing why he lost his Christian faith, he notes, “Creationists are absolutely correct to hate and fear modern biology. Learning this stuff works against your faith.” In an ironic twist, Derbyshire cites an organization full of Christian biologists and scientists who would disagree.
These Christian biologists work with a basic assumption that has guided the Church for two centuries: all truth is God’s truth. This is the idea that wherever we find truth, we can be sure that it is compatible with the Christian faith. Christians who are biologists can then be assured that the truths in modern biology are a result of God’s creative power. It is sad that Derbyshire has lost his faith, but maybe a little more work on his part might have solved this problem.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Youth and Doctrine 2
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, Pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Should teenagers be taught doctrine and theology in church? According to Time magazine, the latest trend among youth pastors is to return to Bible-centered youth groups. In the light of a large number of teens that have left the faith in the last couple of decades, many youth leaders have reacted by educating their teens in the essentials of the faith. One researcher recently quoted in Time said, “The vast majority of teens who call themselves Christians haven't been well educated in religious doctrine and therefore don't really know what they believe.”
Knowing God intimately is the best way to secure a relationship with Him. Many young people have grown up without being taught the fundamental truths about Christ—who He is and why He is unique—and have faded from the faith as a result. It is not hard to give up something that you were never sure of in the first place.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Should teenagers be taught doctrine and theology in church? According to Time magazine, the latest trend among youth pastors is to return to Bible-centered youth groups. In the light of a large number of teens that have left the faith in the last couple of decades, many youth leaders have reacted by educating their teens in the essentials of the faith. One researcher recently quoted in Time said, “The vast majority of teens who call themselves Christians haven't been well educated in religious doctrine and therefore don't really know what they believe.”
Knowing God intimately is the best way to secure a relationship with Him. Many young people have grown up without being taught the fundamental truths about Christ—who He is and why He is unique—and have faded from the faith as a result. It is not hard to give up something that you were never sure of in the first place.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Youth and Doctrine 1
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, Pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Is the best way to attract and keep teenagers for Christ to entertain them into the Kingdom? Time Magazine recently ran an article titled, “In Touch With Jesus.” The article notes that youth pastors are growing weary of sugarcoating the Gospel with MTV-style services. Statistics show that over the past couple of decades over two-thirds of teenagers walked away from church and from practicing Christianity. The alternative? The author writes, “in recent years churches have begun offering their young people a style of religious instruction grounded in Bible study and teachings about the doctrines of their denomination.”
This is a piece of wisdom know for centuries in the Church, and that was only recently laid aside. C.S. Lewis, for instance, noted that the most practical thing a believer could do is learn theology—and he was right. Theology is knowledge of God, and the more we know about Him, the closer we can be to Him.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Is the best way to attract and keep teenagers for Christ to entertain them into the Kingdom? Time Magazine recently ran an article titled, “In Touch With Jesus.” The article notes that youth pastors are growing weary of sugarcoating the Gospel with MTV-style services. Statistics show that over the past couple of decades over two-thirds of teenagers walked away from church and from practicing Christianity. The alternative? The author writes, “in recent years churches have begun offering their young people a style of religious instruction grounded in Bible study and teachings about the doctrines of their denomination.”
This is a piece of wisdom know for centuries in the Church, and that was only recently laid aside. C.S. Lewis, for instance, noted that the most practical thing a believer could do is learn theology—and he was right. Theology is knowledge of God, and the more we know about Him, the closer we can be to Him.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Mind and Body 1
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, Pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Recently, US News and World Report ran a large article on human consciousness called, “Is There Room for the Soul.” The author recognized what is at stake right off the bat when he struggled with the idea that the human mind is nothing but a biological add-on. He notes, “There is, indeed, something troubling, if not downright offensive, about the effort to reduce human consciousness to the operations of a 3-pound chunk of wrinkled brain tissue.”
The general trend in science has been to argue that humans are nothing but physical matter, and that we do not have things like souls or minds. The Christian position, on the other hand, has always been that we are body and soul. Part of what it means to be created in the image of God is that our souls and minds are not identical with our bodies and brains. The author is right; it is troubling if we are nothing more than bags of chemicals.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Recently, US News and World Report ran a large article on human consciousness called, “Is There Room for the Soul.” The author recognized what is at stake right off the bat when he struggled with the idea that the human mind is nothing but a biological add-on. He notes, “There is, indeed, something troubling, if not downright offensive, about the effort to reduce human consciousness to the operations of a 3-pound chunk of wrinkled brain tissue.”
The general trend in science has been to argue that humans are nothing but physical matter, and that we do not have things like souls or minds. The Christian position, on the other hand, has always been that we are body and soul. Part of what it means to be created in the image of God is that our souls and minds are not identical with our bodies and brains. The author is right; it is troubling if we are nothing more than bags of chemicals.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit, quaillake.org.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Embryonic Stem Cells and Voting
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
As the political season heats up, there is one topic that is creating a buzz again in commercials and the media. Several celebrities are coming out in support of candidates who support embryonic stem cell research. As our heartstrings are tugged with several emotional and moving appeals, we need to be people who are able to deal with the facts of the matter.
As a matter of fact, in order to harvest embryonic stem cells, embryos must be killed. Since research has begun, exactly no cures have been associated with embryonic stem cells. On the other hand, adult stem cells are associated with over 60 documented cures of illness and disorder. In addition, adult stem cells can be harvested without harming anyone. The facts of science, as well as the ethical considerations, are not on the side of embryonic stem cell research. Be sure this year that you are doing some thinking with your head, not just with your heart.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
As the political season heats up, there is one topic that is creating a buzz again in commercials and the media. Several celebrities are coming out in support of candidates who support embryonic stem cell research. As our heartstrings are tugged with several emotional and moving appeals, we need to be people who are able to deal with the facts of the matter.
As a matter of fact, in order to harvest embryonic stem cells, embryos must be killed. Since research has begun, exactly no cures have been associated with embryonic stem cells. On the other hand, adult stem cells are associated with over 60 documented cures of illness and disorder. In addition, adult stem cells can be harvested without harming anyone. The facts of science, as well as the ethical considerations, are not on the side of embryonic stem cell research. Be sure this year that you are doing some thinking with your head, not just with your heart.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Luke 24: Hiddenness of God 2
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
There are times in our lives when it seems that God is hidden from us, and as the Old Testament prophet puts it, the heavens seem like brass. In Luke 24, we read the story of two disciples taking a trip on the very day that Christ rose from the grave. These two disciples, however, did not believe that Jesus was alive.
You see, it was nearly the end of the third day and they had not yet seen the risen Messiah. Jesus told them he would rise on the third day, but here it was, nearly nightfall, and they had not seen it. To them, Jesus was dead and God had hidden himself. Part of the problem for these disciples is that they lacked faithful patience. It turns out that Jesus was right there with them, but they were unable to wait on God and his perfect timing. Waiting on God is sometimes hard, but always necessary.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
There are times in our lives when it seems that God is hidden from us, and as the Old Testament prophet puts it, the heavens seem like brass. In Luke 24, we read the story of two disciples taking a trip on the very day that Christ rose from the grave. These two disciples, however, did not believe that Jesus was alive.
You see, it was nearly the end of the third day and they had not yet seen the risen Messiah. Jesus told them he would rise on the third day, but here it was, nearly nightfall, and they had not seen it. To them, Jesus was dead and God had hidden himself. Part of the problem for these disciples is that they lacked faithful patience. It turns out that Jesus was right there with them, but they were unable to wait on God and his perfect timing. Waiting on God is sometimes hard, but always necessary.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Utilitarianism and Truth-Redux
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
What makes an act good? In our pluralistic culture, what kinds of political acts can qualify as good and how can we judge those kinds of things? When it comes to some of the most contentious political and social debates of our age--things like stem cells, abortion, gay marriage and the like--the principle most often invoked is “the greatest good for the greatest number.” This is what is sometimes called utilitarianism.
Our particular political culture is sometimes ruled by polls and what a majority of Americans think about a particular subject. What is often implied is that the majority is right, and political policy should always follow. This is utilitarianism-what most people see as good should be our goal. But what this point of view neglects to ask is the simple question, “is it right or true?” Polls and majority opinion do not track truth. A majority of people can be wrong, and the truth is not always the popular option.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
What makes an act good? In our pluralistic culture, what kinds of political acts can qualify as good and how can we judge those kinds of things? When it comes to some of the most contentious political and social debates of our age--things like stem cells, abortion, gay marriage and the like--the principle most often invoked is “the greatest good for the greatest number.” This is what is sometimes called utilitarianism.
Our particular political culture is sometimes ruled by polls and what a majority of Americans think about a particular subject. What is often implied is that the majority is right, and political policy should always follow. This is utilitarianism-what most people see as good should be our goal. But what this point of view neglects to ask is the simple question, “is it right or true?” Polls and majority opinion do not track truth. A majority of people can be wrong, and the truth is not always the popular option.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Luke 24-Hiddenness of God 1
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Have you been through a season in life when it feels like God is just absent? During these times our prayers seem empty and God seems hidden. So what should I do when that happens? Two disciples took a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day Christ rose from the dead. Even though Jesus was walking with them, they did not recognize him because their own eyes were blinded.
The irony in this story is that even though Jesus was right there with them, the disciples believed he was dead and gone. You see, it was the disciple’s fault that Jesus seemed dead to them. Often, when we feel like God is hidden from us, it is because we have neglected our relationship with him, or have become too much a child of this world to be a child of God. But don’t let those times keep you from pursuing God—you will probably find that Jesus was there all the time.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Have you been through a season in life when it feels like God is just absent? During these times our prayers seem empty and God seems hidden. So what should I do when that happens? Two disciples took a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day Christ rose from the dead. Even though Jesus was walking with them, they did not recognize him because their own eyes were blinded.
The irony in this story is that even though Jesus was right there with them, the disciples believed he was dead and gone. You see, it was the disciple’s fault that Jesus seemed dead to them. Often, when we feel like God is hidden from us, it is because we have neglected our relationship with him, or have become too much a child of this world to be a child of God. But don’t let those times keep you from pursuing God—you will probably find that Jesus was there all the time.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Daniel-Mind on Fire 2
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
The life of Daniel is a great story for many reasons, not the least of which is that he exemplifies a believer who loves God with all his mind.
As the book opens we discover that Daniel and his friends are the cream of the crop in Judah. They were intelligent, well educated, and likely one their way to positions of influence in the nation of Judah. In fact, that is exactly why the conquering nation takes them away into exile in Babylon. Why would God allow these fine, upstanding young men to be torn away from their homes?
I think we have already answered our question. It is exactly because they developed their minds in their love for God that God needed them in a foreign land. Not just anybody could be an influence in the course of two world powers, turning the hearts of kings and people to their God. God used them exactly because they loved him with all their minds.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
The life of Daniel is a great story for many reasons, not the least of which is that he exemplifies a believer who loves God with all his mind.
As the book opens we discover that Daniel and his friends are the cream of the crop in Judah. They were intelligent, well educated, and likely one their way to positions of influence in the nation of Judah. In fact, that is exactly why the conquering nation takes them away into exile in Babylon. Why would God allow these fine, upstanding young men to be torn away from their homes?
I think we have already answered our question. It is exactly because they developed their minds in their love for God that God needed them in a foreign land. Not just anybody could be an influence in the course of two world powers, turning the hearts of kings and people to their God. God used them exactly because they loved him with all their minds.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Gender Variance
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Recently in a school in Florida, a child was enrolled in kindergarten as a girl when he is actually and genetically a boy. In a school in California teachers are no longer lining elementary children up as boys and girls. These stories illustrate a trend among educators of young children sometimes called “gender variance.” According to this view, gender is constructed by a child, not given to a child before birth.
This represents a dramatic shift in worldview. According to a Christian understanding of humanity, our personhood—including our gender—is a given and is something we grow to know and understand through life. According to gender variance, a postmodern view, our personhood is fluid and can be constructed any way we please. This second view results from the rampant individualism and moral relativism in our culture and only enslaves and confuses us. We should understand, however, that being made in the image of God frees us to be who we were made to be.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Recently in a school in Florida, a child was enrolled in kindergarten as a girl when he is actually and genetically a boy. In a school in California teachers are no longer lining elementary children up as boys and girls. These stories illustrate a trend among educators of young children sometimes called “gender variance.” According to this view, gender is constructed by a child, not given to a child before birth.
This represents a dramatic shift in worldview. According to a Christian understanding of humanity, our personhood—including our gender—is a given and is something we grow to know and understand through life. According to gender variance, a postmodern view, our personhood is fluid and can be constructed any way we please. This second view results from the rampant individualism and moral relativism in our culture and only enslaves and confuses us. We should understand, however, that being made in the image of God frees us to be who we were made to be.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Thinking Beings 1
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church.
Did you know that the scientific classification for humans, homo sapiens, means “thinking beings”? This is not only a scientific classification, but for the Christian, it is a spiritual reality as well. As we were made in the image of God, we were given minds and the ability to think and reason. God himself says through Isaiah, “Come, let us reason together.”
In fact, the use of our minds in worship is something that was important to Christ and Paul as well. Christ sums up the Law by saying we should love God with all our minds. And Paul, while telling us how to grow in our relationship with Christ, says we need to be careful about how our minds are being formed. It is all too possible to be conformed to this world without even working on it. Having a mind that is formed in the image of Christ, however, will require effort. But don’t worry, God will reward that kind of work.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
Did you know that the scientific classification for humans, homo sapiens, means “thinking beings”? This is not only a scientific classification, but for the Christian, it is a spiritual reality as well. As we were made in the image of God, we were given minds and the ability to think and reason. God himself says through Isaiah, “Come, let us reason together.”
In fact, the use of our minds in worship is something that was important to Christ and Paul as well. Christ sums up the Law by saying we should love God with all our minds. And Paul, while telling us how to grow in our relationship with Christ, says we need to be careful about how our minds are being formed. It is all too possible to be conformed to this world without even working on it. Having a mind that is formed in the image of Christ, however, will require effort. But don’t worry, God will reward that kind of work.
This has been Every Thought Captive, a Christian worldview minute sponsored by Quail Lake Community Church. For more information, please visit quaillake.org.
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