February 24, 2026

Nature, Science, Theology

John Beeson

While the influence of the so-called new atheists, led by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchins, has waned in recent years, the fog of their critiques against Christianity has not altogether disappeared. Comedian Ricky Gervais has leveled one of the most compelling arguments against Christianity. He argues that if you destroyed all holy books and all science books, “in a thousand years they'd all be back, because all the same tests would be the same result.” In other words, the science books would return exactly as they were because experiments would return the same results while the religious texts would not.

February 21, 2026

Culture, Hell, Identity, Relationships, Sexuality, Worship

John Beeson

How to Battle Lust

Sexuality saturates our culture. The human heart, already an engine inclined toward malformed desires, has plenty of fuel available via the internet alone to propel it toward disaster. How can we remain pure in a world bent on dragging us into impurity?

Indeed, the world is partial. The battle against lust is a three-pronged battle against our flesh, the world, and Satan. Paul warns us to “not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16) by later specifying some of those desires: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality” (Galatians 5:19). Our flesh lures us into believing that we can take a shortcut to joy and intimacy.

February 19, 2026

Recommendations, Church, Culture, Easter, Abortion

John Beeson

This Week's Recommendations

Returning, not performing: My friend and colleague Stacy MacLaren says, “And here’s the point: the fast is not the goal. The fast is simply space-making. It’s a way of loosening our grip so God can have more room. And if the practice makes you meaner, prouder, sharper, or more self-righteous…that is not the Spirit of Jesus. A Lent that doesn’t move us toward love is not the Lent God is inviting us into.
How to fast: Cassie Achermann concludes, “Start with just one meal. Use that usual mealtime to pray, and let the hunger teach you about your need for God. Do it on your own, or invite a few friends to join you in praying for a mutual need or concern. Call out to God, asking him to use this practice to bring you to prayer. And see how he works.”

February 17, 2026

Biblical Studies, Christian Living, Leadership, Politics

John Beeson

Take the High Places Down

You might wonder why a king would hesitate to remove false places of worship. Put yourself in his sandals. Tearing down high places meant disrupting cultural norms, challenging family traditions, and risking public backlash. If you were inclined toward people-pleasing, you would avoid touching those altars. You might say to yourself, “I’ll do what’s right before the Lord, but it’s not my responsibility to make them do what’s right.” If you were pragmatic, you might reason, “There are more pressing political and economic issues to address.” But God does not measure leadership by popularity or pragmatism. He measures it by faithfulness.

February 14, 2026

Identity, Relationships

John Beeson

Do You Love Your Body

Who respects the body more? Christians or the world? I bet most Americans would answer that the world loves the body more than Christians do. After all, the world celebrates its sexuality and supports going after whatever our body desires. Many will judge their Valentine’s Day on whether it was a day they got what they desired.

Ours is an age of affirmation, and our bodies appear to be the object of that unquestioned affirmation.

But what if it isn’t true that our world truly values our bodies? What would it mean for issues such as gender and abortion if the Christian ethic is actually the worldview that honors the body most deeply?