Is Your Disciple Making Simple, Effective, and Reproducible?
Every believer and every church needs a disciple making system that is simple, effective, and reproducible. Those three words are not trendy—they are essential. I once heard someone compare a […]
Review of ‘Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture’
What Makes This Book Different “So do you want to know why you’re an outsider in this world? It’s not because the world is changing or because of a political […]
Review of ‘The Gospel After Christendom’
I begin every semester of teaching my undergraduate apologetics class with a unit on “meta apologetics.” That’s a fancy-sounding phrase, but it simply refers to the study of the nature […]
Church Leaders: Focus on Disciple Making
If you are a church leader, you need a clear focus for your ministry. There are so many things to do—sermons, pastoral visits, planning meetings, and more—and, if we’re honest, […]
VIDEO: Review of ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account,’ by Bear Grylls
Using the Gospel of John as the backbone, The Greatest Story Ever Told by Bear Grylls is a harmony of the Gospels retold from the perspective of various characters who […]
Review of ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account,’ by Bear Grylls
There’s a good chance when you hear the name Bear Grylls, the first thing that comes to mind is outdoor adventurist and survival expert, not “author of a book about […]
What to Appreciate About N. T. Wright
The following is an excerpt from John Whittaker’s N. T. Wright: A Theological Appraisal. For the full eBook, click HERE. Personally, I am grateful for the teaching of N. T. […]
VIDEO: Review of John Mark Comer’s ‘Practicing the Way’
In this Renew Review, we explore John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way: Be With Jesus, Become Like Jesus, Do as He Did. This book is the cornerstone of Comer’s […]
Review of ‘Practicing the Way’ by John Mark Comer
Practicing the Way is the signature book for John Mark Comer’s current ministry (which bears the same name as the title of the book), the aim of which is to […]
Normalize Conformity to the Image of Jesus as the Goal of Disciple Making
It’s common to hear that, as Christians, it’s important to be and make disciples of Jesus. But why is it so important? Sometime after discovering that we were supposed to […]
VIDEO: Review of Jordan Peterson’s ‘We Who Wrestle with God’
In We Who Wrestle with God, psychologist Jordan Peterson weighs in on the meaning of foundational stories from the Hebrew Bible. According to Peterson, what are the messages we should […]
Review of Jordan Peterson’s ‘We Who Wrestle with God’
Jordan Peterson is a cultural phenomenon. His books are bestsellers (12 Rules for Life has sold over 10 million copies!). His online video lectures and in-person lecture tours have captivated […]
Announcing the 2026 RENEW.org National Gathering, April 21-22 at Southeast Christian Church.
Dear RENEW.org Network Leaders, Does it really matter what you believe? Our answer is a resounding yes. Yet are all hills worth dying on? No. Some people want your church […]
Wild at Heart After 25 Years
*Editor’s Note: How should Christians view masculinity? As something godly to be cultivated? As something toxic to be suppressed? John Eldredge’s 2001 New York Times bestseller Wild at Heart: Discovering […]
Review of Ross Douthat’s ‘Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious’
In Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat makes a case for the reasonableness of religious belief, and of Christianity in particular. In this review, […]
Is there Neurological Evidence for the Soul? A Review of Egnor and O’Leary’s ‘The Immortal Mind’
Thinking through the nature of evil, a young Augustine found himself wrestling with the relationship between physics, which he called “corporeal things,” and the mind. His account of this struggle, […]
Review of Austin Fischer’s ‘Young, Restless, and No Longer Reformed’
In Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed, Austin Fischer tells his own story about why he became a Calvinist and why he left Calvinism. New Testament theologian John Whittaker reviews the book, which […]
Top 11 Books that Critique Calvinism
Five-Point Calvinists can be among the most serious students of the Bible and passionate believers in God’s sovereignty you’ll find. And yet, in this article, we offer a few books […]
Disciple Making, Matthew Bates, and 5-Point Calvinism: Q&A with Bill Hull
*Editor’s Note: Our mission at RENEW.org is to “renew the teachings of Jesus to Fuel Disciple Making,” so we want to take note of an important debate that is currently […]
Review of Ross Douthat’s ‘Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious’
I have always appreciated Ross Douthat’s writing. For many years, he has written columns as both a committed Catholic and a conservative in the New York Times. He is an […]
Review of Austin Fischer’s ‘Young, Restless, and No Longer Reformed’
In Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed, Austin Fischer tells his own story about why he became a Calvinist and why he left Calvinism. Because it’s written as a story, the […]
Renew Review: Dallas Willard’s ‘Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables Revolutionize Life with God’
In Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God, the late Dallas Willard’s teachings on the parables of Jesus have been gathered together to serve […]
Review of Dallas Willard’s ‘The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God’
The Scandal of the Kingdom is the latest collection of Dallas Willard’s teaching on living as a disciple of Jesus. Dallas served as a professor of philosophy at the University […]
Review of ‘The Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt
The title of Jonathan Haidt’s new book is not remotely controversial or debatable. That Gen Z is a uniquely anxious generation is demonstrated time and time again both in anecdotal […]
Top 10 RENEW.org Articles in 2024
“Yes, but . . .” It can be annoying to hear someone say “Yes, but . . .” to correct something you’re saying. It’s like when a parent says, “Yes, […]
Seven Lessons from ‘The Confessions of St. Augustine’
“For Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it rest in Thee” (1.1). So begins the acclaimed memoir from St. Augustine of Hippo, the 4th Century […]
Renew Review: ‘What Comes Next’ by Max Lucado
In What Happens Next: A Traveler’s Guide Through the End of the Age, popular writer Max Lucado walks through what he calls “heaven’s timeline” in order to bring the reader […]
Review of Richard & Christopher Hays’s ‘The Widening of God’s Mercy’
In The Widening of God’s Mercy, father and son Richard and Christopher Hays show why they believe same-sex sexual relationships and marriage ought to be fully welcomed in the church […]
What It Means to Be Protestant: A Review
Gavin Ortlund in his outstanding new book What It Means to be Protestant: The Case for an Always-Reforming Church points to three aspects of renewal. These three aspects comprise what […]
Review of Richard and Christopher Hays’s ‘The Widening of God’s Mercy’
In The Widening of God’s Mercy, father and son Richard and Christopher Hays,[1] show why they believe same-sex sexual relationships and marriage ought to be fully welcomed in the church […]
An Editor’s Take on Megan Basham’s ‘Shepherds for Sale’
September 2, 2024 Everybody loves an editor. (Ha, that’s the closest you’ll get to an editor joke.) The truth is, nobody likes being told all the ways they could have […]
Review of ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’ by Justin Brierley
The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again is the culmination of years of conversations with numerous leading thinkers […]
Looking for Clarity During Pride Month? Here Are Two Helpful Resources.
June 19, 2024 I have the privilege of leading College Press Publishing Company. We have been publishing Christian books since 1959. We have a solid partnership with RENEW.org, and we […]
Renew Review: ‘Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage’ by Preston Sprinkle
John Whittaker reviews Preston Sprinkle’s Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?: 21 Conversations from a Historically Christian View. For a written review by John, click here.
Annual RENEW.org Network Update – January 2024
January 29, 2024 Dear Friends, As you’re staying faithful to Jesus and making disciples in your context, we are so glad to come alongside and help. We know you face […]
6 Books on Friendship
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather, it is one of those things which give value to survival.” —C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves […]
Cancel at Anytime: Reflections on Lukianoff & Schlott’s ‘The Canceling of the American Mind’
In 2018, a friend recommended a book that became my favorite nonfiction book for the next few years: The Coddling of the American Mind. It identified an issue that was […]
RENEW.org Q4 Update
Bobby Harrington reviews the 6 ways RENEW.org is on mission with the network’s latest metrics. This is all made possible through our network supporters and partners. THANK YOU!
3 ‘Real Life Theology’ Resources You Should Know About
If you spend any time on the Renew.org website or at a Renew.org booth at a conference, you will run into the title “Real Life Theology.” Many of our books […]
How to Use the ‘Trust & Follow Jesus’ Manual for Disciple Making
I was first introduced to the Trust & Follow Jesus manual for disciple making through Bobby Harrington. He came and did a practical seminar on how to replicate disciple making groups […]
Reflections on ‘Generations’ by Jean Twenge
I have some skepticism when it comes to personality tests. They are often pseudo-scientific attempts to quantify the inherently unquantifiable. Imagine the absurdity of reducing an individual, in all of […]
Review of Louise Perry’s ‘The Case Against the Sexual Revolution’
“The passions of a revolution are apt to hurry even good men into excesses.” —Alexander Hamilton All changes usher in a set of consequences, for better or worse. There are […]
Scripture in Black and White Podcast
LISTEN NOW How did we get the Bible? Can we trust the Bible? What are the Bible’s essentials? How do we follow its hard teachings? In this podcast hosted by […]
RENEW.org: What Do We Do?
At RENEW.org, we renew the teachings of Jesus to fuel disciple making. Here are 6 ways we do that.
How Churches Can Engage in Family Discipleship: Q&A with Jay Austin
*Editor’s Note: Why is family discipleship something churches should care about? And how can churches do a better job helping their parents disciple their children? I recently caught up with […]
I Still Go to the North American Christian Conventions (and You Should Too)
I set my single-trip driving record in July 2002. I was 32, a Bible college preaching professor, and I drove from Joplin, MO, to Columbus, OH—10 hours—with only one stop. […]
Building a Diverse, Jesus-Centered Network: An Update for Early 2023
Dear Renew.org Network, We hope you will be encouraged by how God is using all of us to build Renew Network. Together, we are a collaborative community of diverse church […]
Ready for Real Relationship? A Review of Jim Putman’s ‘RelationShift’
*Editor’s Note: Jim Putman will lead an in-depth class at the 2023 Renew Gathering on April 26th on his new book, RelationShift: Five Shifts for Disciple Makers to Live and […]
Top 10 RENEW.org Articles in 2022
So, what does the Bible say about…? As we look through RENEW.org’s most-read articles in 2022, it’s clear that a lot of people want biblical clarity on complicated topics. Whether […]
Who is Joining Renew.org Network and Why?
The RENEW.org Network was launched five years ago as a renewal movement for those who prize following the lordship of Jesus through Scripture. With Scripture as our guiding and final […]
What is RENEW.org Network?
RENEW.org network is a collaborative community of church leaders, churches, and disciples of Jesus who rally together around the DNA of a clear biblical theology and the mission of being […]
Thankful for the RENEW.org Network
Thanksgiving Day is almost here. And not a moment too soon! After enduring an exhausting, confusing, and sometimes maddening election cycle, Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to pivot—to reframe our thoughts […]
Rising Above Religion: A Review of Richard Rohr’s ‘The Universal Christ’
What should Christians think about Richard Rohr’s influential The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe? Friar Rohr has a devoted following who […]
8 New Books for Discipling Minds in 2022
My favorite verses on the invisible and spiritual war that we are involved in as disciples of Jesus are found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The apostle Paul writes, For though […]
Top 10 RENEW.org Articles in 2021
In our list of the most-read articles which RENEW.org published in 2021, you’ll notice a common thread through many of them: it’s the theme of VS. You’ll see progressive Christianity […]
Top 10 Quotes from Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
John Mark Comer wrote the book Live No Lies to give us tools to overcome the three enemies of our souls: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Joshua Branham […]
Christian Books Everyone Should Read ASAP—In This Order
Read Chad Harrington’s list of thirty Christian books everyone should read. Each book comes with a short reason and a link to the book. I was the guy who read […]
Book Review: Jesus in Isolation by Scott Sager
What does Jesus teach us about isolation from his own seasons of loneliness? Having faced pandemic lockdowns and struggled with screen addictions, many of us are no stranger to isolation. […]
Theology for the Church: 3 Ways to Use Real Life Theology in Your Church
Theology is for the church. Below are three ways Renew.org’s Real Life Theology series can be helpful for teaching theology in a local church amid a cultural moment of biblical […]
Book Review and Reflections on Embodied, by Preston Sprinkle
‘Embodied’ by Preston Sprinkle and the Church’s Response to Transgender Identity This book review explores how Embodied by Preston Sprinkle presents a biblical view of the body, arguing that Christians […]
National Gathering Nov. 3rd
Book Review: On the Road with Saint Augustine, by James K.A. Smith
The point of a story is not to be original. The point of a story is to relate to other people. We may be different, you and me. We may […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Challenges Christian Face Today: Urgent Wake-Up Call Modern influences like social media, podcasts, and cultural voices can disciple believers into “self-inspired theology” that slowly weakens faith. Renewing the mind means […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Dr. Carol Swain on Living Faithfully in a Confusing Age Through personal testimony, Dr. Swain recounts how her journey from academic success to Christian conviction reshaped her identity in Christ. […]
Kingdom Life Author Q&A – Kelvin Teamer with Bobby Harrington
‘Kingdom Life’ Author Q&A and Insights on God’s Reign Bobby Harrington interviews Kelvin Teamer about Kingdom Life and why the kingdom of God is central to Jesus’ message. Through their […]
How Does Jesus Call Us to Both Salvation and Discipleship?
Salvation and Discipleship: The Lifelong Invitation of Jesus Jesus defines salvation as a lifelong relationship, not merely a one-time event like baptism or forgiveness. Through healing and restoration, Christ reunites […]
Book Review: The Man Called Messiah, by Corey Stumne
The Man Called Messiah and a Slow Motion Look at the Cross The Man Called Messiah draws readers into Jesus’ betrayal, flogging, death, burial, and resurrection with gritty detail and […]
Book Review: When Doctrine Divides the People of God by Rhyne Putman
‘When Doctrine Divides the People of God’ by Rhyne Putman: Book Review Jonathan Ciecka reviews Rhyne Putman’s core premise that imperfect people interpret a perfect Bible, urging author-intent reading and […]
Christian Convictions Author Q&A – Chad Ragsdale and Bobby Harrington
Christian Convictions Q&A on Essential, Important, and Personal Beliefs Chad shares how his apologetics teaching led to a framework for distinguishing essential Christian beliefs from important doctrines and personal opinions. […]
Introduction to Christian Convictions: Discerning the Essential, Important, and Personal Elements
Introduction to Christian Convictions for Discernment and Faith Growth Chad recounts how his dad helped him overcome baptism anxiety by affirming core beliefs and encouraging ongoing spiritual growth. This introduction […]
Book Review: Deep Discipleship by J.T. English
‘Deep Discipleship’ Review for Building Whole Disciples English argues that biblical and doctrinal illiteracy is a major cause of dysfunction in today’s church and calls for deeper teaching. This book […]
The Holy Spirit Is on the Move
Holy Spirit Is on the Move Across the Globe Holy Spirit Is on the Move as explosive growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia shows millions turning to Jesus through […]
Is Complementarianism Oppressive? A Review of Beth Allison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: A Critical Review The Making of Biblical Womanhood evaluates Beth Allison Barr’s claims that complementarianism is rooted in patriarchy, hierarchy, and systemic oppression. This review […]
Exposing Our Self-Deceptions: Review of Daniel McCoy’s Mirage: 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist
5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist: Exposing Self Deceptions 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist reveals how spiritual “mirages” distort what we expect from […]
Disciple Making Author Q&A – Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Disciple Making Q&A Perspectives on the Church’s Mission Bobby and Scott explain that disciple making is the core mission of the church, grounded in Jesus’ model of intentional relational formation. […]
Introduction to Disciple Making: The Core Mission of the Church, by Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Core Mission of the Church in Intentional Disciple Making Disciple making defines the church’s purpose. Bobby Harrington and Scott Sager explain that the core mission of the church is to […]
Are White Evangelicals Responsible for Corrupting the Faith and Fracturing a Nation? A Review of “Jesus and John Wayne”
Corrupting the Faith in Light of Jesus and John Wayne Layfield appreciates how Jesus and John Wayne exposes real problems in evangelical culture, including militarism, celebrity pastor models, and weak […]
Noisy Minds and Honest Relationships – Reflections on “Chaos Walking”
Chaos Walking — Honest Minds, Healthy Relationships In Todd’s world of constant Noise, genuine control means disciplined thinking rather than hiding, allowing empathy to take root. Within trusted friendship, Viola’s […]
How Can Churches Cultivate a Disciple Making Culture? Q&A with Brandon Guindon
Q&A with Brandon Guindon: Building a Culture of Disciple Making Q&A with Brandon Guindon emphasizes that true disciple making starts with obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission, not programs or sermons. […]
Top 10 Renew.org Articles in 2020
Top 10 — Lessons that Strengthened the Church Featuring standout discussions on gender, LGBTQ, race, and faith, these articles shaped meaningful reflection in 2020. Addressing deconversion, marriage, and disciple-making, the […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: Go and Make Disciples (Part 5)
Disciple Making — Replication in the Great Commission Rooted in Matthew 28:19–20 and John 20:21, Jesus sends trained disciples to go, baptize, teach obedience, and remember His presence. Beyond conversion, […]
Prayer and Fasting: the “Why” and the “How”
Prayer and Fasting — Practices that Shape Disciple Makers This webinar unpacks the biblical “why” and practical “how,” equipping both newcomers and seasoned believers to embrace this life-giving discipline. Jesus’ […]
Developing a Prayer and Fasting Culture: A Q&A with David Roadcup and Bobby Harrington
Q&A with David Roadcup and Bobby Harrington — A Churchwide Prayer & Fasting Path Leaders emphasize that sustained prayer and fasting often precede revival and should become steady rhythms in […]
The Authentic Experience Church Model with Corey Trimble
Corey Trimble — Authentic Church Culture & Disciple Making Expository teaching anchors culture, welcoming seekers while holding firm to Scripture. Leaders practice incarnational outreach, building real bridges with grace and […]
Revival: God Could Do It Again!
Revival – Pathways to Renewal From the Reformation to six historic “waves,” God has repeatedly revived His church—and He can do it again. Through united prayer, fasting, repentance, and obedient […]
A Leadership Training Manual on Avoiding the Ditches
Leadership – Disciple Making Without Ditches Corey Trimble’s An Authentic Experience equips churches to build an inviting culture with biblical integrity for sustainable disciple making. Avoiding the two ditches—ineffective traditionalism […]
Book Review: Jen Hatmaker’s Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire
Jen Hatmaker’s Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire – Biblical Evaluation Drawing on Scripture, the review contrasts Hatmaker’s self-focused identity claims with biblical teaching on sin, grace, and the fear […]
Promise Keepers: The Night We Encouraged Our Pastors
Pastors — Honoring Our Shepherds From the 1994 Promise Keepers ovation, public appreciation lifted weary hearts and affirmed the weight pastors carry. Many ministers rarely hear thanks, revealing the need […]
We Have Only One Life to Live
One Life to Live — Time with Eternal Impact Jesus modeled saying and doing only what the Father wills, leading us into Spirit-led words and work (John 8:28; 12:49). By […]
The Gospel Coalition, Matthew Bates, and Renew.org
Gospel Coalition and Renew.org: Key Differences Gospel Coalition emphasizes Calvinist theology while Renew.org highlights human free will, showing two distinct approaches to understanding salvation and faith. Matthew Bates challenges Gospel […]
Book Review: Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser
Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser Book Review — Insights & Implications Heiser argues Psalm 82 reveals a real “divine council” of elohim under the Most High, challenging views that shrink […]
You Need a Tribe: 5 Reasons People Are Joining the Renew.org Gathering
5 Reasons People Are Joining the Renew.org Gathering for Gospel-Centered Community Renew.org Gathering offers clarity in confusion. In a fast-changing digital world, the Gathering helps believers navigate cultural shifts with […]
3 Dilemmas, 2 Discoveries, and 1 Desire: My Thoughts on Matthew Bates’s Gospel Allegiance
3 Dilemmas, 2 Discoveries, and 1 Desire: A Gospel Wake-Up Call Evangelism often lacks depth, leading to conversions without lasting discipleship or allegiance to King Jesus. Misunderstandings about the gospel […]
Courage in the Storm (Part 1)
Courage in the Storm Part 1 – Key Takeaways for Faith and Growth Paul’s storms weren’t random – they revealed his unwavering trust in God’s promises, even when shipwrecked and […]
Review of Rob Bell’s What Is the Bible
Review of Rob Bell’s What Is the Bible and Its Theological Implications Does Rob Bell challenge biblical authority? The review critiques his claim that Scripture is purely human and not […]
Mark Moore on Life, Legacy, and Core 52
Core 52 By Mark Moore — Lessons on Legacy, Joy, and Discipleship Core 52 By Mark Moore connects biblical knowledge to daily life. The conversation highlights how Scripture can shape […]
Untangling Addictions with Marcus De Carvalho
Untangling Addictions with Marcus De Carvalho: Breaking Free Through Faith and Neuroscience Untangling Addictions with Marcus De Carvalho explores how addiction alters brain chemistry through dopamine and neuroplasticity. Discipleship can […]
Is Our Manhood in Crisis? – An Interview with Robert Lewis (Part 2 of 2)
Interview with Robert Lewis Part 2 What does authentic manhood look like today? In Part 2, Robert Lewis unpacks biblical principles for masculine identity that counter cultural confusion. Strong men […]
Free Love (Reflections on Lukianoff & Haidt’s The Coddling of the American Mind – Part 3 of 3)
The Coddling of the American Mind Part 3 – How Love Defeats Toxic Tribalism Modern justice is often distorted by tribalism. “Us vs. them” thinking pits groups against each other […]
Book Review: Can Science Explain Everything by John Lennox
Book Review Can Science Explain Everything – Key Takeaways Does science disprove faith? Lennox explains how science and belief in God are not enemies but offer complementary insights. Faith isn’t […]
Book Review: Braving The Future, Christian Faith in a World of Limitless Tech by Douglas Estes
Douglas Estes Braving the Future Review: A Christian Guide to Navigating Emerging Technology Douglas Estes Braving the Future review explores how Christians can respond to rapid technological change with biblical […]
Introducing Renew
Why Introducing Renew Speaks to a Culture in Need of Biblical Clarity? Introducing Renew highlights the dangers of self-inspired theology. It calls believers to reject mixed messages from culture and […]
Discipleship
Discipleship: Why It’s the Greatest Mission on Earth Discipleship is relational, not just instructional. The article emphasizes that disciple-making often happens in everyday moments—like car rides or campfires—rather than only […]
Renew Church Leaders’ Podcast – Season 2 Kick-off
Welcome back to another season of the Renew Church Leaders’ Podcast. Dave and Jason are hosting this season with highlights from last year’s Renew Gathering and much more. Listen to […]
Renewing and the Spirit with Shodankeh Johnson
How Renewing and the Spirit Fuel Global Disciple-Making Movements Renewing and the Spirit empower lasting disciple-making. Shodankeh Johnson shares how Spirit-led renewal through prayer and fasting becomes the catalyst for […]