Legalism and asceticism are of no value in earning God’s favor; only faith in Jesus Christ alone results in salvation.

Most church historians trace the birth of modern evangelicalism to the late 1940s into the early 1950s. Christian leaders such as Billy Graham, Carl Henry and Harold John Okenga, lamenting the separatism and anti-intellectualism of Fundamentalist leaders, organized an institutional separation from Fundamentalism.

One of the major themes of Issues in Perspective is that God’s Word gives humanity the insight, discernment, and resources to accurately analyze the human condition. A major conviction of cultural Christianity, which dominates much of evangelical Christianity today, is that politics is the answer to the human condition.

True spirituality is not gained through legalistic rules or mystical experiences, but is only the result of our spiritual unity with Jesus and the indwelling Spirit of God.

The United States had been negotiating with Turkey for months to establish a safe zone in the Middle East that would protect both Kurdish and Turkish interests, all the while maintaining the remarkable gains made against the Islamic State (ISIS). But, to the astonishment of everyone, after a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Trump ordered US troops to retreat from northern Syria.

Paul reminds the church that Jesus’ sacrifice produced judicial forgiveness, payment of their debt for sin through His sacrifice, and, in doing so, Christ disarmed and shamed Satan and the fallen angels.

Recently, the American Psychological Association (APA) declared that “polyamory,” “swinging,” and “relationship anarchy” are “healthy and ethical.” The APA is a powerful organization that has a significant influence over how public school educators plan and write curriculum. Will public educators who are educating and training the next generation of leaders in America, buy into this declaration?

As we receive Christ as Savior, we are to walk in Him, rooted, built up, strengthened and abounding in thankfulness.

As we approach the third decade of the 21st century, a new world order is emerging. To some extent, the role of the US is diminished somewhat, but America remains the undisputed leader militarily. The clout of the US economically and financially has been impacted by the trade and financial polices of President Trump. The longer term impact of these policies remains to be seen.

Christ’s ministry of reconciliation produced significant transformation in the Colossian believer’ lives. Paul’s ministry to them involved one of suffering and of stewarding God’s Word faithfully.