Religious freedom is on the decline. There is no doubt about this. Social sexual issues will slam the prison’s door on religious freedom. And the lack of desire for wisdom and knowledge within the church is the jailor.

Solomon pleaded with his son to not scorn wisdom. Wisdom ought to be sought, and when it is sought it is found, and when it is found it pours out its treasure to its seeker. But when wisdom is ignored, it laughs at our calamity and mocks us when terror strikes. I fear we are nearing the sound of wisdom’s mocking laughter. We have not sought wisdom as we should.

Prosperity breeds contempt for wisdom. And we live in a prosperous time. It is even a prosperous time for Christianity. In this prosperity, Christian ranks are filled with those who desire an institution that can meet their needs more than a body where they can learn and grow and serve. We have become gluttons for the work of others. We would not know what to do if someone was not “pouring” into us.

The pursuit of the knowledge of God is replaced in many with a pursuit of something that merely works. And by works, often what is pursued is a version of Christianity that brings forth the American dream rather than the Kingdom of God. This prosperity and selfish attitude has caused a slumber, a slumber in the proverbial classroom, and the church is now awakening to an exam for which it is not prepared.

The culture war is nearly lost. Secular morals are winning the day, and Christianity is fading into obscurity in the market place of ideas. Scientists own the platform, celebrities have an audience, but religious folk are being relegated to the kids table. The entire world, it seems, has subscribed to the notion that people of faith have nothing valuable to say when it comes to the important things in life. Just sit in the corner, they tell us, and try to make milk come out of each other’s nose (that is what we did at the kids table growing up) and do not bother us while we talk about grown up things.

There was a time in American history where the pastor and the politician were on a level playing field. There was a time when clergy were thought to have answers. And it was not just because people didn’t know any better back then. It was because many men and women of faith were intellectuals. They knew their bible and their history. They could speak about theology and chemistry. Now many believers are ill equipped to speak about anything that does not have a mascot in a meaningful way. And in that regard, society should place us at the kids table. If we don’t have anything meaningful to say, we ought not say anything at all. This is true.

But Christians are not in principle supposed to be excluded from the public exchanging of ideas. We are not a people of a failed epistemology and therefore a people of unreliable and dangerous beliefs. We are the heirs of truth. Our father is the initiator and founder of all things. In Him is true wisdom and knowledge.

We must, though, recapture and instill a desire for knowledge within our body. We need pastors and businessmen and doctors and mathematicians and historians and mechanics that are at the top of their field and theologians at the same time. It is high time we leave the dark ages of blind faith and enter the era of the scientist, or nurse, or school teacher theologian. Faith and reason need not be separated. And the sanctified and the secular job can be one. Meaning, the Christian doctor who pursues his field to its fullest will understand that a segregation of his faith from his vocation is not in order. And to the measure that he has studied medicine, he ought study his religion. In doing so, he will find how the latter is relevant to his field and can be useful for all.

This is how we rightly and fairly reclaim our position in shaping society.

We pursue this place in society not for ourselves but for the good of others and ultimately for the spreading of the gospel. We do not seek knowledge for knowledge’s sake but so that we faithfully love our God fully, with heart, with soul, and with mind. We seek knowledge so that in a democratic society, we are looked upon to provide answers, answers that will reflect the glory of God and result in the wellbeing of others. We do this so that upon seeing our good works, others will praise our father in heaven, and perhaps run to Him. We can have this platform if we are worthy of it. We can seek the good of others and the proclamation of the gospel through our government. It is allowed. But we must ready ourselves for the task. If we do not, we can expect a time of slavery and persecution, an un-needed time of captivity. And worst of all, it will be a suffering brought forth by our own laziness and contempt for knowledge.

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him will believeth in anything. - Hitchens 3:16”

Are Christians stupid? Have we all been fooled? Are we to be the most pitied people in all the earth because in this life we have hoped only in Christ? On the contrary. We are right to believe in resurrection. Scripture speaks of it, people witnessed it, and heaven requires it.

This sermon was delivered Easter Sunday 2017.

Author, professor, and speaker, Sean McDowell, graciously agreed to have a 30 minute conversation with me about the nature of marriage and Christian response to the ever changing cultural landscape. 

You can purchase Sean's book here. 

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.

There isn’t any reason to think that I am special, but I do. And we all do. That is of course unless life has beaten us up and cruel people have convinced us otherwise. But I am special. I know this. I’ve known this for quite sometime. 

It this a dream? Am I delusional or just simply arrogant? Perhaps, but don’t you think the same about yourself? Haven’t you thought for quite some time that your life is important. That there is purpose. That you matter. That your story is a great story worth telling and more yet to be written. Well, I agree. Your life is a beautiful story. You matter. You have purpose. You are a masterpiece.

But why do we think this? Why are all humans captured by the idea that ours is a meaningful and beautiful life? 

This is the issue of our time. So much of the fighting today centers around what does it mean to be human. Are we valuable? Why are we valuable? What makes life worth living? 

There used to be agreement on this issue. The United States was built on the shared understanding that mankind was made by the Creator and instilled with rights that cannot be taken away because of our inherent and equal worth. But as the western world has more and more embraced naturalistic explanations for life, the rug has been pulled out human value. No longer is human life inherently valuable because we are uniquely made in God’s image. No, humans are now viewed by many as the end result of a long line of unguided genetic mutations. We came to be by accident. And accidents don’t have inherent value. They have accidental value, value that comes from some found usefulness. 

And there is difference. Christianity has long taught that humans are valuable because of what they are, human. Secularism teaches that you are valuable because of what you can do and become. This is no small difference. 

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.

Other than “Is there a God?”, “What does it mean to be human?” is probably the most important question that exists. "What are we? What makes us valuable? What is our purpose?" - the answers to these questions drastically shape our expectations for life, the way we pursue fulfillment, the way should treat each other, and structure society.

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.

Many Christians have been pro-life for years which has amounted to precisely nothing– no conversations, no activism, nothing. It is easy to have a pro-life heart. But sentiment is a poor substitute for service. We cannot just feel like a pro-lifer, we must think and act like one. And Pastors, it is your job to lead the way. 

I know every reason why a church wouldn’t want to be a pro-life church. Pastors, I know you have no desire to inflict pain, stir up controversy, or be seen as a “political” church. I know you are exhausted, and the idea of confronting abortion seems overwhelming. This week alone you learned a dear friend is walking out on his wife and three kids, your associate pastor just resigned, and you got another email from your resident New Testament scholar informing you of all your mistakes in Sunday’s sermon. Pastoring is exhausting. I understand your hesitation for wanting to take on something else.

But I also know you understand the power of the gospel. You know there are many in your church that need the healing that comes from staring the sin of abortion in the face and embracing the gospel. Because you understand the power of the gospel you want to act. You just don’t know how. You are unsure what a pro-life church is. Well, here are the three most important components of a pro-life church.   

That’s it. Just once a year. But make it a big deal and don’t slip it in the week the entire church takes their annual camping trip. Sanctity of Life Sunday is a good Sunday but don’t feel the need to force your preaching calendar around it. Any Sunday will do just fine. Understand that making abortion visible by merely addressing the topic communicates something powerful. It says that this is an important issue for which there are answers and hope. Silence communicates the exact opposite.  

That’s it. Just once a year. And don’t worry if it’s not your best sermon. You might be worried that you don’t know enough about abortion. That’s fine. You probably don’t. But you are not supposed to be the expert on everything despite what your church thinks. The word of God is still enough. You don’t have to be Scott Klusendorf, Randy Alcorn, or Francis Beckwith to give an effective pro-life sermon. (You should learn from them though). Remember, just speaking on abortion is a big deal. When you speak on abortion, it gives the rest of your church permission to speak about it themselves and talk to you about it. You would be amazed how many think abortion is the unforgivable sin that they must deal with alone because their church never mentions it. 

That’s it. Just once a year. One pro-life sermon goes a long way. It opens up discipleship, pastoral care, and service opportunities. From just one sermon, a ton of ministry opportunities arise. There will be need for training as many will want to confront abortion in a gracious and gospel centered way like you did. Men and women will share with you their stories how abortion affected them and will need good pastoral care. Many will want to volunteer their time to serve their local pregnancy resource center. One pro-life sermon a year brings unity and life to your congregation. The hope that arises from knowing that Christianity has relevant and good answers to life’s complex problems lights a fire under people. You may spend the rest of your year just trying to catch up to them.   

Pastors, your church will have more than a pro-life sentiment if you preach on abortion but once a year. You will have a truly pro-life church. Truth is powerful. It sets us free. It makes us act. You can lead your church in the movement to save the unborn if you but open your pulpit to the full counsel of God and share the gospel’s powerful message of life.  

For resources on how to preach a pro-life sermon, visit the Pro-Life Pastors Initiative.

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.

We are quickly approaching an Orwellian society absent of free speech. Though we don’t have an official thought police, yet, people act like they wear the badge. It seems the highest guiding ethic of our time is “Agree with me or else!” All parties are to blame here: Republican and Democrat, Pro-choice and Pro-life, Believer and Atheist, etc. and so on. We are all guilty. Social media seems to bring out the worst in all of us.  

I get that there are certain beliefs that are so personal that we feel attacked when someone challenges our viewpoint. But we need free speech, and we need a nation of listeners. We don't need to be protected from ideas that threaten our own. Progress is always thwarted when opposing viewpoints are ignored or worse silenced. So in the hope (perhaps it is a naive hope) that we don’t want a society absent of free speech because we desire progress and freedom, here are just three ways to graciously and effectively talk about potentially contentious positions.  

Seems like common sense, right? You shouldn’t expect a good conversation when you begin by calling the other person dumb. Now of course there are plenty of lazy, ignorant idiotic people in the world, but why do you assume the person you are talking with is that person? Why do so many conversations begin with something like, “If you would just read the Bible…”? Do we really believe that the only reason anyone could think differently than us is because they are obviously too lazy and willfully ignorant to have not read on the subject?

If you want people to respect your words, avoid condescension. It’s quite belittling to assume that someone doesn’t think like you because they’ve not taken the time to study the issue. This is just an intellectually lazy way to engage an issue. Don’t do it. Rather, afford people the courtesy of assuming they’ve studied the issue and have a reason for their belief. Then, ask some questions to find out their level of understanding. This is good for the conversation because it gives you an appropriate starting point. But it’s also good for you. If you keep accusing people of ignorance, there will come a time when someone calls your bluff and lists off a host of sources on the topic that you’ve not read. What are you going to do then besides look like a blabbering hack?

I love it when someone calls me evil because I don’t endorse their particular view of morality or their political agenda. Actually, I admit it. That is why I think like I think and not like you. I am Satan and I hate people. Seriously though, how many conversations have you been a part of where that’s the accusation? I'm sure you've heard something like, “If you really loved people you would support X.” Or, “If you were really a Christian you would vote for Y.” Do we really believe that people only think differently than us because they are rotten, foul monsters?

If you want to have an effective and persuasive conversation, avoid slandering people by attacking their character. Most people are good. They are decent people that love their kids, their neighbors, and their country. Respect people by assuming they are motivated by good intentions, and ask questions to uncover their motives rather than accuse. But let’s be careful here. A person’s position is not wrong just because their motivation is wrong. It’s best just to avoid character assassinations as they are merely rhetorical stunts that may sway an audience but do not prove you are right. Ad hominem attacks are very useful when you need to change the topic, and they are used by the people that know they will be beaten in a debate if the issue takes center stage.      

I know you just finished freshman psychology and the table of contents on that book and all. But you don’t know everything. You have been wrong before. You were wrong about something yesterday. Embrace this reality and embody more humility in your conversations. You are not fooling anyone by pretending to be the expert. No some of you are, fair enough. But even experts aren’t experts in all things, and eventually we all find ourselves in conversations that are out of our field. Humility is required by us all.  

If you want people to listen to you, avoid patronizing them by lecturing like an expert. People can spot a phony a mile away and won’t be persuaded just because you seem like a know-it-all. Moreover, you should leave room in your mind for growth. Take seriously the objections to your position and study more. Reflect on the challenges you have been presented. In so doing, you will either grow more confident and competent in your position, or you will change your position in light of compelling reasons. And with this disposition, you also increase the chance that you won’t come across as a pompous you-know-what. 

Let us all seek the betterment of our society through gracious and free speech. Love your neighbor by respecting them in conversation. And please notice your hypocrisy. You cannot condemn someone for being unloving as you slander them. You cannot call for tolerance as you seek to silence the opposing voice. And you cannot call for progress while you never entertain an opposing view. 

I am optimistic. Our humanity is a great gift. Let us use our wit and intelligence and passion to seek the good of others. And may that commitment extend to our conversations with people that do not share our views. May we all profit from the fruitful conversations that will follow. 

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.

We are strangers. We are foreigners. We are outsiders. We are the exiled. Now, not many of us are in a literal exile, but our ideas and beliefs are. Christianity and a biblical morality have been annexed by our society. America is content to let us have our silly beliefs as long as they don’t contaminate society. But we and our good beliefs cannot stay locked in a monastery. We are not to hide when banished. Commune living is not for the true follower of Christ. And so even in exile, we are to prepare our minds for action, set our hope fully on the grace that is to come to us, and love one another from a pure heart (1 Peter :1:13; 22). And loving this world means to intervene when it is for the good of others. 

Before us is an opportunity to seek good and love our neighbors. This past year over 1 million unborn babies were killed. And since 1973 and Roe V Wade there have been approx. 56,662,169.
By comparison, we are rightly horrified that 11 million where killed during the holocaust. 

Abortion is the hidden holocaust in our own country. 

I know many of you are angry. And you should be angry. And anger is good. It moves us to action. This sermon delivered to Crosspoint Community Church is to help us be angry and not sin by equipping us to make the case for life with gentleness and respect. 

There are many today that do not believe in God, and it is their mission to convert your children to their belief system. Our children are under assault. They have been deprived truth (less than 1/2 of 1% posses a biblical worldview), they are immersed in sexual sin (80% of single evangelicals are no longer virgins), and they are being proselytized by atheistic professors. 

So what can we do to help them. This excerpt from A Solution: How to Help Teenagers Survive the Cultural Attack on Their Faith delivered at the National Conference on Christian Apologetics gives adults three things to provide teenagers. Teenagers need a community of adults that display holiness, create a safe envionrment to ask question, and provide answers to questions about God. I hope this helps, and I look forward to your comments below.  

Sociologists, apologists, and the media have well articulated the abandoning of religion by many young adults. The church is aware of the attack on the faith of teenagers. It is becoming old news. We have become saturated with the statistics. We know the problem; it is time for a solution.

The solution, the way forward begins with obtaining a good understanding of where you are. This excerpt from "A Solution" given at the NCCA offers three insights into why young adults are leaving Christianity.

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Michael C. Sherrard is a pastor, the director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. Booking info and such can be found at michaelcsherrard.com.