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The most recent articles, videos, blog entries, and more that have been added to ChristianUnion.org.

A Prayer and Fasting Devotional

Probably some of us, at one point or another, have tended toward one of two extreme attitudes toward confession. The first extreme says: “Why should I confess? My sin is paid for on the cross. I’m forgiven. I don’t need to be forgiven again!” In other words, a reliance on the finished work [1] of Jesus Christ actually becomes the basis for a belief that regular confession in the life of the Christian is not necessary. Why is this wrong? Well, it’s wrong because, simply put, we still sin:

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”[1]

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov is primarily a novel about the meaning of suffering. For this reason, it is fitting that Dostoevsky would choose Job as his main vehicle of philosophical thought. Job is considered the best work on suffering produced in the ancient world, chiefly because it focuses on an age-old philosophical question that remains relevant to us today: why is there suffering in the world?

Dostoevsky evokes the story of Job with The Brothers Karamazov; the three titular brothers each representing something of Job himself in their differing perspectives on suffering. Ivan Karamazov, the eldest, voices what Job only hints at: some suffering is simply incomprehensible; God might not be just and righteous after all. The second brother, Alyosha, affirms with Job that God is good and suffering will be surely be redeemed. Dmitri, the third brother, surprisingly, comes closest to Job overall: neither despairing of God’s goodness entirely nor claiming to understand his circumstances. The brothers’ reflections and interactions take place against of a backdrop of sparring claims about God and the human condition: is God just? Is He loving? Is suffering a form of divine cruelty, or a powerful vehicle for God’s redemptive purposes?

A Prayer and Fasting Devotional

“For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.” - I Corinthians 4:17

Modern academic communities place a great deal of emphasis upon cultivation of the mind—often at the expense of interest in cultivation of the heart and the accompanying character formation that an older generation of educators believed went hand-in-hand with growth in learning.

A Prayer and Fasting Devotional

Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” – Matthew 9:14-15

A Prayer and Fasting Devotional

On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy inspired the nation during his inaugural address when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” It was a rallying cry that provoked patriotism and public service in cities across America. The words spoken by JFK on that day can be echoed with a different focus today, that is, “Ask not what God can do for you but what you can do for God.”

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for You are the one I praise. — Jeremiah 17:14

The Marketplace and Social Shalom

By Dr. Anthony Bradley
From ChristianUnion.org

Dr. Anthony Bradley, professor, public intellectual, and author was the featured speaker at New York City Christian Union's July 2015 Forum. Dr. Bradley explores the implications of understanding business as a social justice vocation by nature and defines the ways in which marketplace leaders are invaluable as the primary change agents for communities seeking to help the poor and bring peace...
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In the wake of the Supreme Court’s egregious same-sex “marriage” ruling, the church faces a host of challenges. The secular gospel of sexual liberation as a human right has captured the public imagination, thanks especially to the aggressive marketing of corporate and media establishments. Marketing ploys portray a confused and deeply harmful view of sexuality, one that debases men and women, as “beautiful and true.” How can the church help expose the flawed logic of the sexual revolution and bring hope and healing to society?

First and foremost, the church needs to be persuasive to the up and coming generation. Too many times has the church come across as irrelevant or even oppressive. The church must present a compelling response to the “liberating” claim of the sexual revolution, exposing this claim for the lie that it is and fleshing out a biblical alternative that is more fulfilling and life-giving individually and socially. To be effective, this articulation must not be confined to like-minded circles, but fully conversant with the predominant secular narrative, going toe-to-toe with its best spokespeople.

The following audio presentations were recorded in Sandy Cove, Maryland.

Bearing the Burdens of Others (47:54)

Commissioning and Prayer (37:47)

More Talks from the 2015 Conference

Dr. Anthony Bradley, author and associate professor, The King's College, spoke on "The Marketplace and Social Shalom." (46:35)

City Christian Union is a ministry of Christian Union that works with individuals and institutions in developing a network of strong Christian leaders to impact influential cities, starting with New York City.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. The LORD is the strength of his people; He is the saving refuge of his anointed. — Psalm 28:7-8

All Christians are Gospel Missionaries

By Lorri Bentch
From ChristianUnion.org

Every Christian, regardless of which career path he or she is pursuing, is called to make disciples. In this recording from Rooted, the Christian Union Leadership Lecture Series at Yale, Christian Union Vice President of Operations Lorri Bentch challenges all believers to be disciple-makers — to be missionaries — within their respective spheres of influence...
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