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]
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 4:17Modern 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 9:14-15A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
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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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.
Bearing the Burdens of Others (47:54)
Commissioning and Prayer (37:47)
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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https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=43&v=o0zlsew-u8I
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. — Romans 5:1-2
Perspectives on Obergefell
By Various
From First Things
How should we respond to the ruling by the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges that there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage? What’s next?...
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Bored to Life: Secularism and its Malcontents
By Scott Jones
From Princeton Faith and Action
Do all of your earthly accomplishments end up feeling like hurdles on an endless path? Christian Union Ministry Fellow at Princeton, Scott Jones, speaks at Encounter, the weekly leadership lecture series resourced and supported by Christian Union at Princeton...
Watch It Here >
...to Make Disciples
We are all disciples of someone.
Family Helps Next Generation Grow to Spiritual Maturity
by Sarah CampWhen Tim Kuo '96 arrived at Princeton as an undergraduate, he wanted to be part of a Christian community, but admits he didn't expect Christ to be central to his college experience.
A Biblical Theology for Changing Times
As I stand on a bluff overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean near our home in Southern California, I watch lines of waves forming far out on the horizon. The waves that finally break near shore are much larger today than normal.
I check out the surf report and find that these waves were generated by a monstrous storm. The weather is sunny and calm where I stand, but the waves that break below me were generated by a ferocious, hurricane-force storm many days ago and thousands of miles away off of the tip of New Zealand.If I am to surf these waves effectively, I need to know as much as possible about their size, power, direction, and speed.
Similarly, as we stand here, midway through the second decade of the 21st century, waves of various kinds of practices, fads, and styles continue to sweep upon the church.
Christian Union Ministry Fellow Leads by Example
While Christian Union faculty teach rigorous and intellectually rich Bible courses to students at some of the nation's leading universities, they also walk alongside the young adults through troubling times, stressful semesters, and doubts about their faith. Serving as role models and mentors, ministry fellows like Scott Jones open their hearts and lives to students, emulating Christ as they share what it means to live a seeking God lifestyle.
Christian Union Ministry Fellow Leads by Example
Two students took a classroom assignment and used it for God's glory, buoyed by the strength and courage they received from participating in Christian Union's ministry at Cornell.
In their Oral Communications class, Elisabeth Mistur '17 and Nashon Garrett '16 each chose to present a position that runs contrary to popular views. Mistur discussed the public policy issue of whether to require women to view their ultrasounds before an abortion; Garrett spoke about creation being taught alongside evolution in science classes.
CU Ministry Hosts Panel on Race
by Eileen Scott, Senior WriterWhat does the Gospel have to say about race?
That was a question asked by students involved with Christian Union's ministry at Columbia University this winter.
As the fall semester was coming to a close, Jim Black, Christian Union's ministry director at Columbia, and Yolanda Solomon, a ministry fellow, encouraged the students to be a voice on campus following nationwide racial unrest.
CU Faculty Helps Law Students Maintain Balance
by Eileen Scott, Senior WriterBeing a Harvard Law student is quite a challenge. Add being a spouse and parent, and you've got a balancing act to rival the Flying Wallendas. Some Harvard Law students with families are maintaining equilibrium by keeping their eyes on Christ and following the lead of Christian Union faculty at Harvard Law School.