S. Michael Craven

Latest

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  Feb 27, 2013

  How Institutionalism Breeds Division

  No longer is there such a thing as "mere Christianity" to borrow C. S. Lewis's phrase, but Catholic-Christianity, Protestant-Christianity, Orthodox-Christianity—not to mention the countless Protestant denominations and nondenominational representations of Christianity. Universal fellowship centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ is exchanged for tribal commitments to traditions and various nonessential views.

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  Feb 22, 2013

  How Institutionalism Inhibits Our Expectation of the Supernatural

  This, I think, is why "making disciples" is often exchanged for proselytism—because conversions are more easily measured than spiritual growth. The result can be evangelistic efforts and campaigns that are aimed at obtaining professions of faith, which as we now know are often nothing more than assent to a set of ideological propositions.

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  Feb 18, 2013

  What Is Institutionalism and How Does It Affect the Church?

  Prior to Constantine, the church, although organized, was less institutional and more communal or organic. In other words, the outside world didn't think of "the church" as that building on the corner. Instead they thought of a community of people who were distinct in both their conduct and character, the overarching characteristics being their love for others, compassion toward the needy, and joy-filled lives.

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  Dec 8, 2012

  $pending This Christmas or Spending It Well?

  The Christmas season is once again upon us and with it overwhelming encouragement from Madison Avenue to spend what we have not earned to buy what we cannot afford. The thrust of the consumerist message is that the holiday is best enjoyed or most fully realized through the acquisition of "things."

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  Oct 15, 2012

  The Latest Pew Survey: Christianity Losing, Secularism Winning

  This is clearly the implication of the media reports following the latest Pew Research, "Nones on the Rise." Trying to spin this in such a way that the Christian faith appears culturally vital in the U.S. is a little like putting lipstick on a pig; but concluding that Christianity is losing and secularism is winning isn't quite accurate either.

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  Feb 13, 2012

  Obamacare and the Catholic Church: It Isn't About Birth Control!

  This has nothing to do with the Catholic Church's doctrinal stand on contraception. Instead, it has everything to do with the state trying to impose its will upon the church when the state's social and ideological agenda conflicts with the church's moral and religious beliefs.

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  Dec 23, 2011

  $pending This Christmas or Spending It Well?

  This Christmas let us not be swept away by the illusory claims of consumerism; instead, let us revel in God’s gracious gifts

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  Nov 24, 2011

  Thanks Giving: A National Tradition

  As we, once again, greet this national day of “thanksgiving” I thought it necessary to reflect upon our nation’s long history of acknowledging and giving thanks to the Almighty God.

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  Nov 2, 2011

  Thinking Christianly About Economics

  The Genesis account of creation tells us that from the beginning, humanity was created to work. At the center of all economic activity is human productivity

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  Sep 24, 2011

  Why You Should Take Theology Seriously

  A proper biblical theology that every follower of Christ should pursue is one that seeks to know the character, nature, and will of God as revealed in Scripture