The truth is that we may say with our lips that we love the Lord and that he is our treasure, yet our hearts may be far from jim.

If you believe that people go immediately to heaven when they die, do you think it might have been a bit cruel to Lazarus for Jesus to bring him back to life?

When I mentioned to a friend that I think everyone should find a job they love, he responded that some people just need to make a living. Is this a cop-out?

One of the things I’m (re)learning is that fasting is one of the most helpful disciplines for listening to God and discerning his will during difficult or divided times.

The Reformed doctrine of the clarity of Scripture teaches that what is necessary for salvation is clear in Scripture. It does not teach that everything in Scripture is clear and easy to understand.

Christian, oh Christian … What lies are you believing?

See how readers responded to recent Banner issues, articles, and columns.

Our telescopes create more questions than answers. But they certainly elicit a response.

I learned a lesson recently: the art of asking, in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, “What can I do?” This takes my focus from the barriers to what is possible.

God designed water to be a super dissolver! In fact, scientists call water a “universal solvent” because it can dissolve more things than any other kind of natural liquid.

Purity seems to have been reduced to something optional in our modern idea of Christianity. But is it?

When I was first preparing to adopt 14 years ago, I cherished the idea that love was what was most needed. My heart fought back when the instructor of our pre-adoption classes warned that love is not enough.

The story of the Gävle in Sweden helps us see that since the very beginning, Christmas has been under siege. In large and small ways, we’re all guilty of shooting flaming arrows.

Once we arrived at the hospital, we were led to a large, dark, mostly empty room, where against the wall on a small rug a little Indigenous boy sat rocking back and forth. His name was Patrick, and he was 14 months old.

What does “going to church” have to do with being missional?

Should Christians support Israel no matter what it does to the Palestinians?

Is it OK to charge my adult children rent as a means of teaching responsibility?

How should we read and find meaning in highly technical parts of the Bible, such as the laws presented in Leviticus or the censuses and lists of Numbers or 1 Chronicles?

Sometimes a single word can make a difference and give us things to think about.

We often view receiving gifts—especially of assistance, necessities or financial help—as signs of weakness.

The only way back to Eden was through death.

Jesus not only brought us peace with God, but gives us the peace of God in our hearts.

Several news stories, a few of our Cross Examination columns, three features, and an As I Was Saying blog post captured the most attention in The Banner’s web-published articles this year.