Reading sometimes brings uncomfortable challenges.

In the last couple of days, I have been reading several different items, all of which, either directly or indirectly, ask the question which I have chosen as my title.

Today we hear a lot about ‘divine child abuse.’ That’s what some people call Good Friday, when Jesus died in our place on the cruel cross, taking upon himself his Father’s judgment on our evil lives. Isn’t it a lot better to think of it this way, they say, that God just loves us so much that he makes everything better for us through Jesus? Do Easter without Good Friday.

In a previous blog, I have tried to present reasons why and how we should love those with whom we disagree.  I have suggested that, on the model of how Jesus loved us and this even includes those whom we think are sinning.

But there are some biblical cautions about this kind of love and these must be considered as well. [However, it is intentional that I am identifying only two ways NOT to love while I listed three ways TO love.]

[Note: This article is a companion to Two Ways I Should NOT Love Those With Whom I Disagree]

I start this blog with a story from Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov (which I happen to believe is the greatest novel ever written):

EVANGELICALS AND ABORTION: An Historical and Theological Study

by J. Cameron Fraser, D.Min.

(Former Pastor and Stated Clerk in Classis Alberta & Saskatchewan of the Christian Reformed Church, now focused mainly on writing and editing)

These are the first two chapters of a proposed book. Sam Logan kindly suggested that they be posted on the WRF Blog in order to solicit responses and suggestions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The religious communities of the Abrahamic traditions face several theological and ethical challenges as we try to become good neighbors in a global society that is, it seems, increasingly post-secular. Whereas a few decades ago many thought secularism would dominate the world through globalization, now secularism might be criticized as a tribal religion still found on universities in Europe and North America.

Is the use of some kind of conflict resolution tied to legal process sensible and justified (e.g., witnesses, defense, judges, independent appraisers, mediators, legal transcripts)? Many Christians object, at least in theory, to going to court or to using the methods of a constitutional state. They object all the more that Christians go to court against each other or use the methods of the constitutional state in connection with Christian activities or churches.

How did major evangelical Christian support for Donald Trump happen?

Now that he has failed to be reelected, what does that mean for their faith? The article by Richard T. Hughes, “The ferocious last gasps of the religion of Christian America” attempts to give us a comprehensive answer. Evangelical believers can be helpfully challenged by what he says, and then must work at the right answers.

This is a preliminary report on our ongoing survey of how churches that are connected to the WRF have responded over the last 10 months to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The preliminary report only brings you the direct data (distribution of responses) and analysis will come once the survey is completed.

I highly commend this new book by WRF member Dr. Diane Langberg – REDEEMING POWER: UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITY AND ABUSE IN THE CHURCH (Brazos, 2020).

The Solution to Christian Nationalism? Better Theology

(OPINION) The Capitol riot of Jan. 6 has both added urgency to and reshaped the discourse on how to heal our deep national divisions. Now, along with 'white supremacists', 'conspiracy theorists,' Trump and Antifa, fingers are being pointed at “Christian nationalism.” 

Introduction   It is always a puzzle for people in the Church how so many denominations came about. 

When we look at the Acts of the Apostles we find that, as far as we can see, there was only one church.  Sure, the book of Acts is not the whole story of how the church grew.  We don’t know, for instance, about Barnabas’s ministry with John Mark in Cyprus (Acts 15:39).