The Christian Manifesto
Gracious Praise. Straight-Forward Critique.


 
 

 
postracial_obama

Why we will never quite achieve a Post Racial America

In this world we must remember that there is nothing new under the sun.
by Brian A. Moore
0

 
 
on-strike1

The Chicago teacher’s strike highlights work challenges and why our jobs matter to God

My hope is that the teachers, the union, and the city come to the realization that they are ultimately there to serve their communities which includes the parents and students who are continuing to lose ground to their peers as...
by Brian A. Moore
0

 

>
 
romneyryan01_780x557

Why The Romney/Ryan Ticket is what the Left wanted

The problem for the Romney/Ryan ticket is if the dissatisfaction over the economy doesn’t drown out the other issues, than the ticket is behind the times when it comes to social issues.
by Kyle Kiekintveld
7

 

 
Screen Shot 2012-07-27 at 8.21.21 AM

Still No Answers

Anybody who has been in a dark crowded theater in the last week has probably pondered, “What if that were me who would have been a victim or someone who was part of my family?”  Last Friday’s tragic incident in C...
by Brian A. Moore
2

 
 
graffiti_hip_hop_2

The Church’s Responsibility to the Hip Hop Culture

Churches must always have a mission of looking to have a redeeming influence on our youth and young men.
by Brian A. Moore
0

 

 
President_Official_Portrait_HiRes-copy

Would Jesus Repeal Obamacare?

We should provide access to individuals who get really sick and risk being denied coverage. I would think most reasonable thinking Christians would believe the same thing but the debate seems to center around how to pay for...
by Brian A. Moore
6

 

 
Cosby

The Extinction of Cliff Huxtable and and the Importance of the Father/Daughter Relationship

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate those fathers who sacrifice throughout the year for their families. It is also a time to revisit the challenges we face with absentee fathers especially as it relates to how their daughter...
by Brian A. Moore
0

 
 
Screen shot 2012-02-23 at 5.59.47 PM

Moving Beyond “Liking” Jesus

Do you like Jesus? Are you a fan? Or are you a follower? Fans cheer Jesus on. Followers realize that we are built for things so much greater...
by Brian A. Moore
1

 

 
Screen Shot 2012-06-01 at 1.08.43 AM

My Monster

Our very own Mary Twomey has recently released her book series, "Saga of the Spheres." We thought we'd give her a little space to shine and talk about her thoughts on the craft of writing.
by Mary Twomey
1

 
 
Screen Shot 2012-05-20 at 9.48.13 PM

On leaving the “institutional” church (Part 2 of 2)

As much as I sympathize with a lot of the critique that drives these conversations, I remain unimpressed with many of the solutions.
by Jonathan Martin
2

 

 
leaving-church

On leaving the “institutional” church (Part 1 of 2)

It would probably seem to go without saying that when you have a title like “lead pastor” at a local church, that you are immediately cast as a proponent and defender of “the traditional church.” It is true that if I f...
by Jonathan Martin
0

 
 
romney1

On Mitt Romney, Liberty University, and civil religion.

In recent years, evangelicals have moved towards civil religion at a breathtaking pace. We have accepted the categories given us by the world, that we are broken down into two categories: conservatives and liberals.
by Jonathan Martin
1

 

 
Drawing-Gay_flag

The debate on same sex marriage. Does some rhetoric actually draw some further from Christianity?

One of the things that is problematic is the vocal opposition with some in the white and black Christian community as if homosexuality is the single sin that God hates the most.
by Brian A. Moore
0

 
 
Lecrae

Church Clothes, Critique, & CHH

Let’s stop stoning Lecrae and focus on saving those who are listening to his music. Watch your hearts, don’t idolize any man or woman, and let’s pray for his future.
by J.F. Arnold
0

 

 
Money fan

Is it really the economy stupid?: What will define you this year and beyond.

Timothy Keller once stated that happiness with many is often a result of one's external circumstance but once those circumstances change for the worse then the spirit is crushed.
by Brian A. Moore
0

 
 
kids-being-bullied4

Are You Raising a Bully?: Paralyzed at Home (Part 2)

Healthy marriages produce healthy families which produce healthy school systems which ultimately produce a healthy society.
by Brian A. Moore
0

 

 
film-slate

The Cross & The Film Slate: Deconstructing “Christian Films” (Part 1)

To be clear, a "Christian film" and a film with Christian "values" are two different things.
by Nicholas Ahern
0

 
 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #7: Visa, Mastercard, and Your Soul (aka The Currency of Envy)

I want what other dudes have. Plain and simple. (feat. Trip Lee & KB Interview)
by Calvin Moore
0

 

 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #6: Authority and the Irresponsibly Fractured Church

When it comes to authority, if I don’t have it, I generally think the person who does have it is an idiot. (feat. DA Horton & Adam Thomason Interview)
by Calvin Moore
0

 
 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #5: On Temptation & Mentors

Sitting in the “Men & Temptation” presentation by Pastor Leonce Crump was both liberating and frustrating. (feat. Pastor Leonce Crump Interview)
by Calvin Moore
0

 

 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #4: Man Up Panel Discussion & Commentary

We “get” the response of Jacob’s sons.
by Calvin Moore
0

 
 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #3: Trip Lee Performs “Robot” (Live @ Man Up 2012)

Anyone who knows me is not unaware of the fact that have a been a fan of Trip Lee’s for some time now. Here's one of the reason's why.
by Calvin Moore
0

 

 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #2: Men, What Will You Do With This Life?

Pastor John Onwuchekwa's opening salvo could have been all that was said during the conference and I suspect men would have been wholly satisfied.
by Calvin Moore
0

 
 
Man Up

Man Up Diary #1: Growing Up is Hard To Do

A lot of people envy what I get to do. I’m still not entirely sure what I think of it all.
by Calvin Moore
0

 

 
kids-being-bullied4

Are You Raising a Bully?

Discipline is not embarrassing or bullying your child.
by Brian A. Moore
1

 
 
technical-support

Active Inaction

I could, were I to let myself, cover my car in ribbons and bumper stickers supporting at least twenty different causes.
by Adrienne Johnston
0

 

 
Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $262 Million

So You Didn’t Win The Lottery.

Money cannot buy you peace, joy, or fulfillment. Putting trust in money is like a House of Cards.
by Brian A. Moore
1

 
 
broken

Christians, Sex, and Broken Things: A Response (Part 2)

Never underestimate human weakness. And never underestimate God's grace that counterbalances that.
by Claire Hellar
0

 

 
broken

Christians, Sex, and Broken Things: A Response (Part 1)

As a member of the body, you need to be aware both of how common sexual sin is, and how much hurt can spring from how you and the church as a whole address it. (Part 1 of 2)
by Claire Hellar
2

 
 
joe_paterno_death_dead_is_joepa

Penn State and the End of Sex

Postmodernism and evolution make a nasty little duo when it comes to wreaking havoc on moral absolutism.
by Trevor Sides
2

 

 
chastity-belt

Would You Only Marry A Virgin?: Living ‘Ubuntu’ (Part 2)

The Cross is about more than staying virgins until marriage. I’d even venture that the Cross of Christ isn’t even about your virginity.
by Calvin Moore
20

 
 
chastity-belt

Would You Only Marry A Virgin?: Selling Us a Bill of Goods (Part 1)

Call me naïve or foolish or liberal, but I am truly convicted that the Church is preaching a message about purity that is both impractical and unforgiving. (Part 1 of 2)
by Calvin Moore
25

 

 
Amish

The Curious Case of Amish Fiction

Don’t get me wrong, I honestly love Amish fiction.
by Rachel Brand
14

 
 
kony-2012_0

Let’s All Go To Kony Island (Part 2)

There’s a pseudo sense of connection and meaning in digital activism. (Part 2 of 2)
by Trevor Sides
1

 

 
kony-2012_0

Let’s All Go To Kony Island (Part 1)

Please don’t unfriend/unfollow me for this, but I haven’t shared, retweeted, hash-tagged or liked the “Stop Kony” video. (Part 1 of 2)
by Trevor Sides
0

 
 
dwell2008markdriscoll1

Why Mark Driscoll is wrong about women in ministry (Part 2 of 2)

As a third generation Pentecostal preacher who has been and continues to be shaped significantly by women in ministry, this time I had enough.
by Jonathan Martin
0

 

 
dwell2008markdriscoll1

Why Mark Driscoll is wrong about women in ministry (Part 1 of 2)

In truth, it would take a book-length work to document all the reasons why Mark Driscoll is wrong about women in church leadership. These are only a few of them.
by Jonathan Martin
0

 
 
Unknown-xx-St-Augustine,-St-Jerome-and-St-Benedict

Augustine and Jerome: Authority and the OT Biblical Canon (Intro)

We live in an era of a fractured church, torn between conflicting doctrines and authorities. (Part 1 of 5)
by Allison Quient
0

 

 
wrestle1

The Inevitable

When you’ve been wrestling all night for a blessing, it may be difficult to say that you would do it all over again when the dawn breaks.
by Jonathan Martin
1

 
 
church_state

The Integration of State into Church

We’re so far beyond merely separating church from state, that the state has morphed into a “church” all its own.
by Trevor Sides
0

 

 
sex-with-feet

Let’s Talk About Sex: When Is Sex Ever Tidy?

Our lives, our thoughts, need to be in constant balance between the world we live in and the morals instilled in us through our beliefs. (Part 4 of 4)
by Adrienne Johnston
8

 
 
Iowa Gay Marriage

Gay Marriage, Moral Categorization, and the US Constitution

One day, gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states. Our children will look back and wonder how it could have ever been otherwise. (Part 1 of 2)
by Calvin Moore
0

 

 
p_writing-letters_1621889c

Let’s Talk About Sex: An Open Letter To Women

We are raised in a world with two types of women: virgins and whores. That's it, ladies. (Part 3 of 4)
by Adrienne Johnston
0

 
 
00341542

Let’s Talk About Sex: An Open Letter To Men

I would like to take this moment to apologize as a member of both the church and the female sex as a whole. We have done a horrible job educating you about sex. (Part 2 of 4)
by Adrienne Johnston
5

 

 
Romantic-bed-for-a-memorable-night

Let’s Talk About Sex: Beginning the Conversation Anew

The topic of sex is in the minds and on the lips of nearly every person you meet. Except for in our churches. (Part 1 of 4)
by Adrienne Johnston
7

 
 
hiroshi-sugimoto-theatre-theater-ua-playhouse

Movies to See Before the World Ends

You and I have only 336 days left to live (at the time of this writing, Jan 20, 2011 A.D.). And then the fiery deluge, long foretold by those nerdy, number-crunching Mayans. What to do between now and the impending doom? What t...
by Trevor Sides
3

 

 
TCM Screenshot Identity Image

Welcome (Back) to The Christian Manifesto.

Children grow up. This is a terrifying prospect, but no less of a reality. When they are born to us, we care for them, we nurture them, we train them. But, they are bound to grow up. Hopefully, the positive things you have done...
by Calvin Moore
0

 
 
Screen Shot 2012-01-12 at 5.49.47 PM

Of Religion & Relationship: Thoughts on Jefferson Bethke’s “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus”

Poet Jefferson Bethke’s spoken word piece, “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus,” has gone viral. Within a mere two days of posting, over 2 million people have viewed the 4-minute video. I saw it posted on The Resurgence,...
by Calvin Moore
1

 

 
Bullying

Do We Think Jesus is a Wuss?: Bully Body Slams, 50 Cent, and the Judgment of God

was bullied a lot in school. I went to a small Christian school, which makes it all the more disconcerting the more I think about it. No one believed me, of course, because the ones doing the majority of the bullying were pasto...
by Calvin Moore
0

 
 
Eucatastrophe

Eucatastrophe

“Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and co...
by Calvin Moore
0