Michael Craven Christian News Articles

The Church in a Post-Christian Culture

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

When we speak of post-Christian, we are making the point that the church no longer occupies a central place of social and cultural hegemony. This represents a monumental shift in the cultural context into which the American, church is now attempting to carry out its mission. What does this new cultural condition mean to the church and its mission?

The Church's Moment in the Unraveling of the West

Monday, August 15, 2011

I do not think it too strong or sensational to say that we are witnessing the collapse of Western civilization. Across the Western world, the fruits of apostasy and secularism are manifesting themselves in overwhelmingly destructive ways. In essence, we in the West are reaping precisely what we have sown. Mankind cannot construct a world devoid of subservience to God and hope to prosper.

What Happened to Making Disciples?

Monday, August 1, 2011

Throughout the first decade of the new millennium, multiple studies—revealing a crisis among youth in the church—seemed to appear almost every year and now in 2011, the research still shows no improvement. It is astonishing to note that despite the continued evidence demonstrating the American church’s failure to adequately and holistically disciple the faithful into maturity; the leadership in so many of our churches continue to do the same thing

Why Should We Redeem Society?

Monday, July 18, 2011

It seems necessary to address why and even if Christians should be involved in redeeming society and culture. There are many who deride such activity as being a diversion from the “real” work of the church, which in their minds is nothing more than articulating the personal plan of salvation (or “gospel,” very narrowly understood).

Being the Church When Empires Fall (Part 2 of 2)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A pressing concern for us today is that unlike our first and second-century brothers and sisters, we all-too-often appear similar to the surrounding culture. This is especially true among the forthcoming generation. As Christianity Today reported more than seven years ago, “Specific studies of sexual trends among Christian teens have been limited, but all indications are that, on average, there is little difference between their sexual behavior and that of non-Christian youths.”

The Fall of Empires

Monday, June 27, 2011

The famous historian, Arnold J. Toynbee points out that civilizations sank owing to either nationalism, militarism or the tyranny of a despotic minority. It seems we are "sinking" as a “despotic minority” redefines human biology and the natural family in its quest to validate homosexual behavior through "marriage."

Fathers: Key to Their Children's Faith

Monday, June 13, 2011

Study Reveals: If a father does not go to church—no matter how faithful his wife’s devotions—only one child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. If a father does go regularly, regardless of the practice of the mother, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will become churchgoers.

The Myth of Over-Population

Thursday, June 9, 2011

One of the most persistent and pervasive myths that have shaped the thinking of many people and, subsequently, public policy is the myth that the world’s population is spiraling out of control and that it will ultimately lead to catastrophic shortages of the essential resources necessary to sustain life.

Memorial Day Remembrance

Friday, May 27, 2011

It is astounding to consider that the most powerful military force in the history of the world is comprised entirely of volunteers! These are men and women who have, by their own free choice, set aside their personal freedom and dedicated themselves to serving a higher purpose: justice and liberty. It is this attitude of self-sacrifice for the greater good (or “other-centeredness”) that is absolutely essential to the strength and longevity of any society.

Disconnected from Your Calling

Monday, May 23, 2011

When pastors and theologians speak of calling, most people think of some loftier spiritual work rather than trudging off to a business office, construction site, or retail store to labor. Under this paradigm, the essential activity that consumes the other 98 percent of Christians’ time and energy is, in essence, of little or no spiritual value.