Dr. James Emery White Christian News Articles

3 Lessons from the Bankruptcy of Belk

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Yes, there was a debt-laden buyout. Yes, there was a $135 million payout to its private-equity owner. Yes, there was a thing called a pandemic. But in an analysis of its seemingly swift and sudden decline, The Charlotte Observer detailed three other critically important dynamics that explain how the largest privately owned chain of department stores collapsed. And there is much the church can learn from all three.

We’re Sorry, Britney

Monday, February 22, 2021

In the New York Times documentary "Framing Britney Spears," now being aired on Hulu, you learn as much if not more about our culture as you do the often-tragic life of Ms. Spears. As USA Today reported, “Viewers saw a gifted female pop star brought to her knees by a sexist culture that never let her freely live.” She was expected to “look stunning but embody the girl next door, act sexy but remain a virgin, be articulate but never opinionated.”

40: God’s Number for Life Change

Thursday, February 18, 2021

If you spend some time digging into studies of human behavior, you’ll find that 40-day periods have begun to surface all over the place. It’s as if human behavior – or at least our understanding of it – has finally caught up with the Bible in terms of the studies now being done.

The Really Bad Jesus Argument

Monday, February 15, 2021

You may have seen it in a tweet, brought up in a Facebook post, or simply heard it thrown out in a verbal exchange. Let’s call it the really bad Jesus argument. Here’s how it goes: Pick a contentious cultural topic like homoerotic behavior, and someone will say, “But Jesus never mentioned it.”

The Importance of Teaching Truth and Grace in Today's Churches

Thursday, February 11, 2021

The first type of church is more concerned to stake out the teaching of the Christian faith in all of its counter-cultural glory, the other more concerned to be accepted by culture and to make sure those in that culture feel accepted. In other words, the first type of church swings heavily toward “truth,” the second type of church swings heavily toward “grace.” Neither swing is a good one, at least when it comes to reaching the unchurched.

Is Christian Nationalism True?

Monday, February 8, 2021

The idea of “chosenness” and “special blessing” from God has been a constant theme throughout the history of the United States, beginning with the Puritans and their desire that, in the words of John Winthrop in 1630, “wee shall be as a Citty upon a Hill.” So, are the ideas behind Christian nationalism true?

What Is Our Witness Worth?

Thursday, February 4, 2021

How the church goes through this pandemic will prove to be a defining moment. Not just for the church itself, but for the watching world in relation to the church.

How Leaders Can Find Rest Amid Decision Fatigue

Monday, February 1, 2021

“Decision fatigue.” I hadn’t heard that phrase before, but it’s spot-on. And I don’t know of any leader of any kind – business, education, media – who hasn’t found themselves dealing with a fair bit of it. Speaking for myself, I’ve never before had to call so many “audibles” during a season of leadership in my life.

10 Ways to Really Be More Like Jesus

Thursday, January 28, 2021

I recently came across a post from someone who is a bit of a protagonist when it comes to the Christian faith. It was titled something along the lines of "My New Year's Resolution Is to Be Like Jesus," and then on the list were things that were true of Jesus, but not often true of Jesus followers. It stung, but well, it should have.

16 Signs You Are Drifting

Monday, January 25, 2021

I will be 60 years old on my next birthday. As a Christ follower, I have been in leadership for almost 40 years. I’ve not only watched my own life unfold over time, but I have also had a ring-side seat to many other leaders. Sadly, many leaders do not finish well.