Five Clues That the Christian Story Is True
For the Bible’s grand story to be true, some important facts also need to be true. There needs to be a God in the first place. This needs to be […]
N. T. Wright on the Gospel: Swinging the Pendulum Too Far?
If there is any one subject that has been central to N. T. Wright’s teaching and writing ministry, it just might be the gospel. From academic books and articles to […]
Do We Really Need to Be Saved?
In his work The Republic, Plato relates a discussion between his brother Glaucon and his teacher Socrates. The discussion was about the question of human nature. Glaucon argues that, were […]
Do Animals Go to Heaven?
I’m a 90s kid, so I grew up with the 1989 classic Don Bluth movie All Dogs Go to Heaven about Charlie, a mobster-type dog who’s been murdered but is […]
Do Dogs Go to Heaven? Reflections on the New Creation
Do dogs go to heaven? It’s not an idle question, because at the heart of the question of whether dogs go to heaven is the question of what we mean […]
Summary of Revelation: Understanding the Basics of Revelation in the Bible
Here is a short summary of Revelation: Revelation is a letter written to the seven churches of Asia as a prophecy in the form of apocalyptic literature. It uses drama […]
Just Over the Horizon
When the apostle John was just a small child, he likely made his first pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem with his family. His father Zebedee, his mother Salome, […]
Who Is the Beast in Revelation?
Editor’s Note: There seem to be as many interpretations of the book of Revelation as there are readers. It’s true that we find core Christian truths in Revelation— truths which […]
Citizen of Heaven?
Where you from? A big city lawyer is duck hunting in rural Arizona. He shoots a bird which falls over the fence into a field. As he’s climbing the fence, […]
Auschwitz and the Agnostic
It was in the spring of 2007, if I’m recalling correctly, that I first traveled to Slovakia. I was younger then, though not so young as to believe I had […]
What Is Heaven Like? An Exploration of What Makes Heaven Heavenly
Have you ever said, “Well, it’s not my first choice, but considering my only other option, I guess I’ll go with it”? This is the kind of logic we typically […]
God’s Judgment: A Summons to Repent
One of the most important questions you can ever wrestle with is this: Which judge of your life matters most to you? Lots of people will have this or that […]
The Book of Revelation Explained Simply
Do you ever like to experience the thrill of a good scare? For some of us growing up, that was what the book of Revelation was for. Perhaps as a […]
Where Is God in the Fire? Reflections on the California Wildfires
January 27, 2025 Long Beach, CA “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a […]
What Does the Bible Say About Heaven?
Christians long for our eternal home in heaven. When we look at the scene of the final judgment in Revelation, we notice that the most important consideration that will determine […]
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 […]
What Does the Bible Say About Hell?
We live in a time when few people have difficulty believing in a God of love. Some central texts in Scripture emphasize this point. Here are a couple key passages […]
Review of Max Lucado’s ‘What Happens Next: A Traveler’s Guide Through the End of This Age’
In What Happens Next, well-known inspirational writer Max Lucado takes his turn offering his understanding of the end times. His motivation is to provide hope for believers today because “hope […]
What Is the Day of the Lord? And So What?
Think of a problem, pain, or predicament you’re facing right now. What is it? Perhaps something related to a difficulty in your relationships? Or an inner struggle with sadness, shame, […]
The Final Judgment
After the resurrection of the dead, all humans who have ever lived will stand before God for a final judgment of their lives.[1] This final judgment is described several times […]
What Is the Resurrection of the Dead?
Although this article is about the final resurrection, let’s think about the future God promises his people. What will the new heaven and new earth be like? One common depiction […]
What Is the Second Coming?
What is the Second Coming? The most significant event in the future of human history will be the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Acts 1:8–11 (NIV) describes the […]
What Does the Bible Say About Demons: 10 Principles
This topic is an important one and not a topic to leave to speculation, especially today when spiritual and evil forces are often being discussed in significant ways by public […]
Singing the Song of the Lamb: A Review of Jonathan Young’s Commentary on Revelation
Sitting on the back deck of my home one afternoon, my young teenage son, Jonathan, told me that he no longer believed in God. I cannot say I was surprised. […]
What Happens at Death According to the Bible? An Exploration of the ‘Intermediate State’
One way in which the “end” affects us all is that someday we will all die. Every human being is aware, to one degree or another, of this truth. It […]
What Are the New Heavens and New Earth?
How do you keep going when “it” happens? Your “it” might be an unthinkable loss. Perhaps a devastating disappointment. Being attacked or abandoned by those you trusted. Or maybe it’s […]
What the Bible Says About the End Times: 5 Essentials
We at RENEW.org suggest a common approach for difficult theological questions like the ones we encounter when thinking about the end times. You might call the approach “bullseye theology.” We […]
Are We Living in the End Times?
Dear RENEW.org friends, A recent study by Pew Research found that about four in ten U.S. adults believe humanity is “living in the end times.”[1] Their research found that Christians in America “are […]
Progressivism and the Resurrection of Jesus
Orthodox, biblical, historic Christianity does not stop at the death of Jesus. It goes straight from Jesus’ death to his resurrection—which is the flip side of the same redemptive coin. […]
Communion: An Opportunity for the Easter-Christmas Crowd
For Jesus, every moment was a “teachable moment.” We marvel at how Jesus could take common, everyday events and point His followers to the Kingdom of God. Throughout His teachings, […]
Rewards in Heaven: Is It Okay to Give to Get from God?
Some things seem absolutely crazy—at first. Harvey is a play written by Mary Chase (also a movie starring Jimmy Stewart) about Elwood P. Dowd, a friendly man who has a […]
How Can I Help Others to Be Prepared for the End of Time?
This is Question #5 in Gary Johnson’s The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things.
What Is the Promise of the New Heaven and New Earth?
This is Question #4 in Gary Johnson’s The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things.
What Future Awaits the Unrepentant?
This is Question #3 in Gary Johnson’s The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things.
What Is the Final Judgment?
This is Question #2 in Gary Johnson’s The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things.
What Is the Final Judgment?
What is the Final Judgment talked about in the Bible? It is the event at the end of time when God, the righteous Judge, declares each person saved or condemned. […]
A Metanarrative of Renewal
According to God’s grand metanarrative, God renews and restores what was lost. Tony Twist, co-author of Grand Metanarrative: God’s Story as an Invitation to Theology, describes this “metanarrative of renewal.”
If God Is Love, Hell Is Real.
Is hell real? Jesus taught about hell as a real reality for those who persistently reject God. It is a place of separation from God, originally created by God as […]
Truth About God in Special Revelation
Special Revelation: How God Reveals Himself in History Knopp highlights that God’s miracles in real moments—like the Exodus, Mount Carmel, and Jesus’ works—aim to reveal the Lord’s unique identity. Scripture’s […]
Why Is the Second Coming of Jesus So Important?
Second Coming: Why Jesus’ Return Is So Important Johnson explains that Jesus promised to come again, and when He appears for all to see, it will be too late to […]
Introduction to The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things
The End of Time: Return of King Jesus & New Creation Gary Johnson explains why Jesus’ return matters: it ends the war with evil and brings resurrection and eternal life. […]
The End Author Q&A – Gary Johnson with Bobby Harrington
Eschatology Q&A: Must-Know Truths on Jesus’ Return Bobby Harrington and Gary Johnson frame the Bible as a “travel brochure” that helps believers understand what Scripture teaches about the end. Through […]
When a Story Is Cut Tragically Short
Lives Cut Short: Trusting God With Unfinished Stories Stories that end too soon remind us how deeply loss disrupts our sense of meaning and leaves grief without easy resolution. Faith […]
Learning Faithful Faith from the Church in Niger
Church in Niger and Faith That Serves Through Persecution After riots destroyed Christian buildings and homes, believers responded by caring for hospitals, prisons, and the very communities that harmed them. […]
Sermon on the Mount: Contempt
Contempt: Jesus’ Heart-Level Call to Reconciliation Jesus links contempt to the whole spectrum, from anger and “Raca/Fool” name-calling all the way to murder as its ultimate expression. Rather than policing […]
What Are the Essentials of Biblical Christianity?
Essentials Of Biblical Christianity and Bullseye Beliefs For Salvation Identify the essential beliefs for salvation, such as God exists, Jesus is Lord, and Jesus is risen from the dead. Understand […]
What Is the Difference between Essential, Important, and Personal Elements?
Essential Vs Important and the Target Illustration for Faith Define how essential beliefs relate to salvation, important beliefs support orthodoxy, and personal convictions shape preferences. Use the target exercise to […]
The Best Thing about Essential Beliefs
Essential Beliefs and the Truths You Can Count On Picture how life’s storms can crush what you rely on, leaving you searching for something steady and true. Remember that core […]
In the Shadow of Apocalypse: Reflections on Marvel’s “Loki”
Loki Apocalypse and the Search for Eternal Meaning Marvel’s TVA storyline sparks questions about fate, free will, and whether any hope exists beyond the “Sacred Timeline.” Scripture points to God’s […]
A Spiritual Slaughter We Aren’t Talking About
Spiritual Slaughter and the Hidden War for Souls Spiritual Slaughter reveals how Satan’s most devastating persecution is often subtle, targeting souls through deception rather than physical suffering. Churches in the […]
Can a Christian Lose Salvation? (Part 2)
Christian Lose Salvation Perspectives on Eternal Security The article confronts casual “once saved, always saved” attitudes, arguing that Scripture’s warning passages call believers to ongoing faithfulness. By summarizing the 1610 […]
On What Basis Will God Evaluate Our Lives?
God Evaluate Our Lives and the Teachings of Jesus Jesus’ words in John 8, John 12, and Matthew 7 reveal that God Evaluate Our Lives based on whether we build […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: The Banned Books and Podcasts (Part 4)
Progressive Christianity Part 4 Lessons from Deconstruction Dave recounts a slow slide into progressivism. Influences like C.S. Lewis, Rob Bell, and The Liturgists shaped his doubts, loosening his trust in […]
Preparing for Something Far Better than the New Normal
New Normal in Light of Christian Discipleship Jeff Robertson contrasts the culture’s New Normal with the biblical call to fix our minds on unseen, eternal realities rather than temporary comforts. […]
Are We Eternally Secure or Must We Have Faithful Faith? (Part 1)
Faithful Faith Part 1: Eternal Security and Obedient Trust Faithful Faith Part 1 contrasts Calvinism and Arminianism, showing how both camps insist that genuine salvation must produce a transformed, persevering […]
Moving Mountains in Myanmar: A Guide to Prayer and Action for Myanmar
Pray for Myanmar Faith That Moves Mountains Amid violent crackdowns and fear, Pray for Myanmar reminds believers that the true enemy is the unseen powers of darkness, not the people […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Persecuted
Persecuted in the Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes Drawing from Matthew 5, this article shows that being persecuted for righteousness marks believers as visibly different Kingdom people whose lives confront […]
Resurrection: From Fuzzy Hope to Living Reality
Fuzzy Hope to Living Reality – Meeting Jesus as Resurrection Fuzzy Hope to Living Reality begins with Martha’s fragile belief. Her vague hope in a distant resurrection is transformed when […]
What Sets Jesus Apart?
What Sets Jesus Apart – The Hope of His Resurrection Resurrection makes Jesus utterly unique. Unlike any other religious figure, He passes through death into a new kind of life, […]
The Historical Evidence for the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus – Evidence for Easter (Part 3)
Historical Evidence for Easter—Death, Burial, Resurrection Scholars from skeptical to believing affirm Jesus’ crucifixion, with ancient sources and archaeology detailing the practice and its brutality. In Jerusalem, the empty-tomb claim […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: Revelation, Rapture, and Kirk Cameron Eschatology (Part 2)
Rapture — Progressive Christianity Part 2 Reflections Sparked by a Left Behind viewing, the author rechecked Revelation and 1 Thessalonians, questioning whether Scripture clearly teaches a pre-tribulation rapture. Framing end-times […]
On Gender and the Bible: What Does It Mean to Be a Man or Woman? (Part 10)
Man or Woman — Design, Signs, and Culture Drawing on nature and biology, the article shows how male and female bodies shape behavior and complement one another toward intimacy and […]
End Times: Five Essentials and Five Views
End Times in Christian Teaching—Essentials and Views Grounded in clear essentials, Scripture affirms the second coming, resurrection, final judgment, eternal punishment, and the new heaven and new earth. Across faithful […]
When the Foundations Are Being Destroyed
Foundations That Endure Through Faith Discover how Foundations grounded in God’s Word give strength when society feels unstable and divided. Explore David’s Psalms to understand why trusting the Lord offers […]
Sermon on the Mount: What Is God’s Answer to the Problem of Evil?
God’s Answer in Mourning and Hope Jesus enters human grief (Jn 11:35), walking with mourners so no one suffers alone. Through the cross and resurrection, evil’s curse is confronted and […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Sermon’s Most Important Word
Sermon’s Most Important Word — Heaven’s Nearness and Fulfillment Tracing “heaven” across Scripture, the article presents it as the spiritual realm where God rules—more solid and enduring than this passing […]
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 […]
Break for…a God-Sized Question
God-Sized Question and the Transfer of Authority Scripture shows the Father giving “all authority” to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), a loving move that secures His family’s honor. Against the Accuser’s challenge, […]
When Should You Confront a Fellow Christian’s Sin? Part 1
Fellow Christian’s Sin in Church Discipline Scripture separates fuzzy conscience matters from blatant disobedience that calls for loving intervention. Paul’s guidance urges humble judgment “inside” the church to rescue the […]
What’s the Alternative to Judgmentalism?
Judgmentalism — Paths to Empathy and Mercy Jesus’ “Judge not” warns of both human backlash and divine accountability, calling for humility instead of superiority. Proverbs-like wisdom shows criticism triggers defensiveness […]
Grieving the Beliefs You Leave Behind
Grieving the Beliefs — Walking Through Change Recognizing denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance helps Christians process loss as old views yield to biblical convictions. Examples such as resurrection hope, […]
Satanic Imagery in the Bible
Satanic Imagery in Scripture’s Story Satanic Imagery spans apocryphal voices and the Dead Sea Scrolls, where names like Mastema and Azazel shaped Jewish views of evil opposing God. Old Testament […]
This Easter Reminds Me of Another Easter
Easter and God’s Presence in Uncertainty The first Easter shows how sadness, fear, and frustration turned into assurance that God was at work. Waiting seasons reflect the disciples’ struggles, yet […]
How Confident Can We Be of Jesus’ Resurrection?
Jesus Resurrection and Historical Confidence Historical evidence shows Jesus was crucified, buried, and seen alive again, affirming the resurrection as the best explanation. Alternative theories like hallucinations, stolen body, or […]
Walking through a Psalm of Resurrection
Psalm of Resurrection and God’s Surprising Grace Psalm of Resurrection reveals dramatic reversals. David experienced God’s power turning near-death into life, sorrow into joy, and silence into singing. This psalm […]
A Call to Pastors: Don’t Run
Call to Pastors in Times of Crisis and Leadership Call to Pastors highlights the need for shepherds who stay faithful and courageous when fear and suffering threaten the flock. The […]
It Can’t Possibly Get Worse
Possibly Get Worse and God’s Hope in Trials Possibly Get Worse moments can mirror the psalms, where complaints turn into renewed confidence in God’s promises. Through Possibly Get Worse seasons, […]
Can Your Church Thrive in Exile? A Conversation with Randy Gariss
Can Your Church Thrive in Exile with Hope and Renewal Exile shapes the church’s strength. Randy Gariss explains that moving from the cultural center to the margins gives believers clarity […]
Mansion
Mansion as God’s Eternal Abiding Place Mansion in John 14:2 reveals permanence, showing that Jesus’ promise points to a lasting dwelling with Him rather than earthly grandeur. Mansion also describes […]
Aaron Rodgers: Sacked by More than Doubt
Aaron Rodgers: Sacked by More than Doubt Raised in faith but moved to spirituality, Aaron Rodgers reflects on leaving Christianity, calling religion a crutch and embracing a broader worldview. College […]
How the Resurrection Fuels Disciple Making
Resurrection Awakens Mission-Fueled Devotion Resurrection proves life-changing truth. Mary’s encounter with the risen Christ transformed her sorrow into bold testimony. Faith was reignited by Resurrection hope. Jesus’ tender call to […]
Holiness is Beautiful?
How Holiness is Beautiful in Light of God’s Design Holiness is Beautiful because it embodies truth, goodness, and spiritual virtue rooted in God’s nature. Scripture affirms beauty not in external […]
Spoiler Alerts for Your New Decade
New Decade Lessons for Godly Living Learn how a New Decade can bring either joy or heartbreak depending on your daily choices and spiritual direction. Biblical principles in the New […]
Shane Wood on Why He Loves Revelation
Shane Wood on Why He Loves Revelation – Insights That Awaken the Modern Church Revelation was written for transformation. Shane explains how this apocalyptic book reshapes readers by revealing a […]
Russian Roulette with Your Soul
Russian Roulette with Your Soul – A Biblical Wake-Up Call What does eternal judgment really mean? Explore whether Jesus’s warnings of fire are literal or symbolic—and why either way, it’s […]
What Happens When We Die
What Happens When We Die: Insights on Death, the Soul, and Eternal Life Death is not the end for believers. Scripture promises immediate presence with Christ for those who trust […]
Thoughts about Hell from Jesus Himself
Thoughts About Hell: What Jesus Actually Taught Thoughts about Hell rooted in Scripture: Jesus speaks more about Hell than any other New Testament figure, using vivid metaphors to awaken spiritual […]
First Century Tombs
First Century Tombs: Archaeological Insights on Jesus’ Burial First Century tombs followed a two-stage burial process. Jesus’ burial aligned with the common practice of laying the body on a stone […]
It’s Not Looking Good, But It’s Not over Yet
It is Not over Yet: How Jesus’ Story of Victory Was Always Part of the Plan It’s Not over Yet—even when hope fades. Just like the final scenes of a […]
On Heaven
What Makes Heaven Worth Looking Forward To? What is Heaven truly like? Kenny Boles explains that Heaven isn’t an endless choir session but a purposeful place where our God-given design […]