Out of Neutral | Grace Baptist Church

From Constantine to modern politics, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between church and state. This article explains the biblical distinction between the two and why the gospel advances through persuasion and spiritual power, not coercion and political force.

Should Christians support laws that make it harder to be Muslim? If you had the political power to outlaw atheism, would you use it? Should religious freedom be a Christian right or a human right? Many people haven’t thought carefully about these questions, but history shows us why we should.

Today, people are quick to criticize the legalistic vision of Sunday that was common in the past but have often failed to replace it with anything else. How should a Christian understand Sunday, and what, if anything, makes it different from every other day?

Every Christian tradition has to address the same question about the Lord’s Supper: what exactly is happening? Understanding the views and the Scriptures that support the various positions can only deepen a person’s experience of the Lord’s Supper. Let’s consider the views of Rome, Zwingli, and Calvin.

Walk into almost any church, and you’ll see much that is familiar. The differences aren’t as obvious, but over time, their impact is unmistakable. While there are a number of priorities that Baptist churches hold in common, two in particular distinguish them from other historic denominations. Understanding what they are and why Baptists hold to them provides a helpful framework for evaluating the church.

When I first trusted in Jesus, I was excited to have found peace with God and the hope of heaven. But that was about all I understood. The more I read the Bible, the more I realized that salvation is far bigger and deeper than I had ever imagined.

Total depravity explains why humanity’s deepest problem is not a lack of effort, but a sinful nature inherited from Adam. This article explores Scripture’s teaching on spiritual death, human inability, and God’s gracious work of making sinners alive in Christ.

Most of us would never speak to another person the way we speak to ourselves. The voice in our head feeds us false information, replays failures, and whispers that it’s hopeless. It’s loudest when we let our guard down, when confidence takes over, or when the path ahead feels hard. We usually assume that the inner voice is just “us,” but Scripture suggests that something far more is going on.

The Bible describes three key ways that God’s Spirit transforms a person. Seeking Him in these areas invites more of the change that He’s pleased to give.

The most challenged truth about Jesus is that He is both God and man. Muslims claim this results in multiple gods. Jews believe that it’s blasphemy. Others just think that it’s a myth. But a God who stepped into human history is just what we need. This post examines why.

Out of the blue, a church member said to me, “I feel the attraction of Catholicism. The idea of praying to Mary would be a lot easier for me than praying to a God called ‘Father.’” She went on to share how severe her own father had been and how he died when she was still in her early teens. He had left her with scars, and they got in the way of her relationship with God. While her situation was unique, many people experience a similar struggle. Overcoming this involves a number of deliberate steps. Consider these three.

Why do Christians confess the Trinity when the word never appears in Scripture? This post looks at the key Old and New Testament passages that convinced me God is three persons while at the same time one being.

Many Christians respect the Bible yet undermine its power. This article explores four common assumptions about Scripture that subtly shape how we read, trust, and respond to God’s Word.

This year’s most read articles and most watched videos ranged from practical topics like food, fitness, and small groups to more existential ones like death, judgment, and eternity. Here are the 10 posts that drew the most attention. See if there’s something you missed the first time or want to give a second look.

Christians still wrestle with questions that shaped the early church: How could God be three and one at the same time? How is Jesus both God and man? Centuries of challenges drove believers back to Scripture, refining doctrine and producing the clarity found in the Athanasian Creed.

Emperor Constantine assembled over 300 church leaders to try and resolve an issue that threatened to divide the church. What they affirmed about the nature of God has become the definitive statement of Christian belief for the last 1700 years. Let’s look at the creed and consider why it’s so important.

The Apostles’ Creed offers a concise summary of historic Christian belief. This guide explains each section of the creed, shows why it has shaped discipleship for centuries, and helps believers understand and share the foundational truths at the heart of our faith.

Many Christians are nervous of creeds assuming that they put tradition in the place of the Scriptures. But the Bible itself contains creeds, and historic confessions have guarded the church from error. This post explains why creeds matter and how they serve biblical faithfulness.

When a CTV news report uses words like “revival” and “religious resurgence” to describe the reversal of the trend of religious decline, it’s worth taking notice. In fact, it’s the first I’ve ever heard such language used for the Western church in my lifetime. It signals that God is at work in our generation. It’s important that we understand and respond to what’s happening.

Hardly anyone thinks they’re going to hell. But if anything the Bible says about heaven is true, most people wouldn’t want God to send them there. It would violate everything they’ve believed in and committed themselves to. Let me explain.

Jesus never forced conversations, but He always seemed to be talking about the gospel. Whether He was sitting by a well, sharing a meal, or answering a question, He drew people in with compassion and truth. How did Jesus do it?

Sometimes the best lessons on sharing your faith come from the most unexpected places. This one came from a high-wire performer.

Anyone who has watched someone close to them experience loss has felt the struggle of not knowing what to say. And listen to grieving people, and you realize that people’s well-intentioned words can cause real damage in times of loss. We need to tread lightly on the sacred ground of grief, and the Bible gives principles that can help guide our steps. Let me share four.

Many Christians fear they’ve committed the unforgivable sin. What did Jesus mean by blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? This post looks at the context to give clarity to Jesus’ warning and shows how fear itself points to hope in Christ.

The Bible says Satan has been bound, cast down, and defeated—yet it also warns that he prowls like a roaring lion. This post explores how those truths fit together and what they reveal about the devil’s power in our lives today.

A record-breaking Netflix hit mixes K-Pop spectacle with spiritual themes of demons, shame, and deliverance. What does it get right, and where does it miss? This post explores the biblical themes raised by K-pop Demon Hunters.

Serving overseas brought both joy and crushing discouragement. Projects failed, people walked away, and loneliness weighed heavily. Yet one simple practice gave me perspective, lifted my hope, and kept me sane in the darkest stretches of ministry.

With so many Christian denominations, you can get the impression that nobody agrees. That’s not the case. There are 3 main differences between Christian denominations and one question you can ask to decide between them.

Why do most people follow the religion they were raised in? Is faith just cultural conditioning—or could there be more to it? This post explores the roles of belief, tradition, and the surprising way God works through both.

You’re trying hard, doing your best—but something still feels off. Why doesn’t life work the way it should? This post explores the often-ignored reason behind our struggles and points to the hope of real change.

Ever feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling? Psalm 77 captures that struggle—and shows us a surprising path forward. If you’re tired, discouraged, or doubting, this reflection might be exactly what your heart needs today.

Many people think that it’s the leader who makes or breaks a small group. But a great small group is usually the result of one or two group members who make the difference. The Bible’s one another commands lay out practical steps that can help you turn your group into the community it’s designed to be.

Have you ever been in a small group discussion that was more awkward than awesome? You look around and see silence, rambling, confusion, and irritation. Maybe you’ve been the one leading and wondered what went wrong. Consider these pitfalls that can make even the best of Bible studies less than they were intended to be.

Starting a small group is fun, but what started as a great thing can easily become a tired thing. While God is the one who builds community, there are practical steps you can take to keep your small group thriving over the long term.

Joining a small group for the first time can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the best ways to grow in your faith. Here’s what to expect, how to prepare, and why it’s worth showing up.

Church can be a lonely place if you never get past the crowd. You need relationships with other Christians you can invest in and be supported by. You need people to pray for and who will pray for you. You need a place where you can experience the family of God, not just a meeting with God. Small groups, or what we call life groups, are the place where those things happen.

Brian McLaren says, “The kingdom of God is not a ticket to heaven but a call to transform this world through love and justice.” Have we got it wrong? Are Christians too preoccupied with the life to come? If we stop talking about heaven will that make us more useful here on earth? The Bible presents an interesting balance.

It’s hard to understand sometimes what God is thinking when we face painful circumstances. Knowing God could have prevented the trial we’re going through makes us question His heart toward us. Is He cold, stern, and uncaring? Does He just stand aloof and watch us suffer?

Is heaven the next stop for those who trust in Jesus? Or do we go through a cleansing fire first? Understanding the history and biblical basis for purgatory helps us prepare for what comes next and appreciate the great hope of the gospel.

For most of church history, Christians never questioned whether to choose burial or cremation. In 1980 in Canada, only 6% of people opted for cremation—and most of them would have been non-Christians. Today, that figure is over 75% and is a popular option among people of all faiths. How should Christians think about this trend? Is this a question of faith? Is it wrong to cremate a body?

Is faith about seeking answers or embracing uncertainty? Progressive Christianity celebrates questioning, but the Bible speaks of a faith once delivered, to be believed and defended. This post examines the Scripture’s view on truth, doubt, and whether certainty is narrow-minded.

Many say arguing about beliefs is pointless—shouldn’t Christians just focus on being better people? But can kindness thrive without truth? This post explores why truth is essential for real change, spiritual growth, and genuine love.

Fake news isn’t just a problem—it’s changed how we think. We believe what feels right, trust no one, and spread misinformation without realizing it. Here’s how fake news affects you, why it matters, and what you can do to resist it.

Anyone who’s experienced the pain of being judged by other Christians wishes more of them would heed Jesus’ words, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.” But what did Jesus really mean? Is there a time for judgment, or is it always wrong? When you see Jesus’ words in light of the rest of the Bible, several clarifications emerge.

Manifesting promises success through positive thinking, but many are left frustrated when their dreams don’t materialize. The Bible reveals why: you’re not in control, you don’t know what’s best, and your thoughts don’t shape reality—God does. Here’s what to do instead.

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We often see food as a guilty pleasure or a craving to be conquered. We’re either eating with indulgence or restraining as a punishment. What if we could embrace both sides of the Bible’s calls to celebration and discipline in our relationship with food? The practices of fasting and feasting may hold the key to the balance God has designed.

Some might consider Jesus’ relationship to veganism unknowable and irrelevant. Understanding it, however, unlocks one of the keys to His attitude toward food and how we should view it.

Do you ever wonder why God gave us cravings for potato chips, chocolate, and bacon? Our hunger for food and our need for it to sustain us is part of God’s design for humanity. As you consider what the Bible teaches, a picture emerges of God’s purpose in food and how we should relate to it.

The ancient church thought so much about food that they made gluttony one of the seven deadly sins. Today, many Christians have very little idea about what the Bible teaches about food at all. As a result, Christian attitudes toward food are mostly dictated by our appetite, the latest diets, or either guilt or ambition about the shape of our bodies. This post gives an overview of the Bible’s teachings toward a theology of food.