An Areopagus Retrospective

The Areopagus was founded in 2003 by Dr. Jefrey Breshears as a Christian education teaching ministry. For several years Dr. Breshears had taught seminars on Christian history, apologetics, and cultural issues in various Atlanta-area churches, and the Areopagus was established with the intention of creating a Christian study center that would function as a community of scholars, students, and spiritual seekers as well as an apologetics-based networking center for the metro-Atlanta area. Dr. Breshears chose the name “The Areopagus” for its significance in the ministry of the apostle Paul as he propagated the gospel among learned Greeks in the city of Athens (ref. Acts 17:19) and because of its historical connotation as an intersection of Christian faith and secular culture.

Christianity and a Culture in Crisis(Coming Soon)

Throughout most of the 20th century American Christians essentially forfeited the cultural war through a lethal combination of apathy, laziness, misplaced priorities, myriad distractions, lack of faith, and cowardice. Today, the consequences are apparent as we witness the erosion of Christian influence in virtually every area of contemporary life from law and politics to business, education, the media, public ethics, private morality, the arts and entertainment, and lifestyles in general.

Why Study Christian History?

According to recent surveys of college students, about half were raised attending church “regularly” or “semi-regularly,” yet more than 85% are functionally illiterate when it comes to the Bible and 95% have virtually no understanding of Christian history. Among college graduates who are church members, nearly 85% are clueless regarding the origins of their own particular church and/or denomination. And even among relatively well-educated and active church members, relatively few know much about Christian history between the close of the New Testament and the present other than some random facts related to the Crusades, the Inquisition, or the Reformation.

Build Your Own Core Library: 50 Recommended Books

The following books are recommended for Christians who want to build a systematic and substantive core library that includes some of the best Christian works in 7 key areas: Biblical Studies, Christian History, Christian Apologetics, Christian Spirituality, Christian Life & Discipleship, Church Life, and Eschatology.

All of these books are highly recommended, as is the sequence in which they are listed within each category. Several reference books are also included.

"The Class" and "The Reader": Two More Movies Christians Should Know About

In this article, The Aréopagus reviews and recommends two movies: The Class and The Reader.

Review of "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers"

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers is a new documentary movie by Christian film-maker, Dan Merchant, that is causing a ripple of interest throughout both Christian and non-Christian circles.

The Problem of Christian Anti-Intellectualism

If I had to choose between a clean heart or a sharp mind, I'd opt for the former without a doubt. After all, Jesus did say, "Blessed are the pure of heart"—not "Blessed are the mentally acute." But of course this is a false dilemma and a choice that we need not make. The example of Jesus himself provides ample evidence....

The Rationalistic Conundrum: Dissolving Philosophy into Contemplation

Many Christian rationalists have a difficult time with contemplative spirituality. It strikes them as a profoundly different mindset, which in part it certainly is. For some...the whole contemplative tradition seems problematically inconsistent with a systematic theology...

Spiritual Salvation

Spiritual salvation is a two-phase process that begins with the spiritual phenomenon of conversion and continues through a life-long process of transformation (or "spiritual formation") related to Christian discipleship.

Deconstructing "The Da Vinci Code"

The Da Vinci Code is the kind of book that serious scholars tend to dismiss as unworthy of comment. If only it were true. Based on dubious scholarship and replete with factual errors, questionable assertions and crackpot conspiracy theories, the book is impressive for all the wrong reasons.

Christian and Eastern Spirituality: The Fundamental Differences

Today, many Christians are dissatisfied with mere religion and are searching for a deeper spirituality, a direct and intimate relationship with God. Unfortunately, many shy away from the discipline of meditation because they associate it with Eastern religions or New Age metaphysics.

Ten Myths--And Ten Truths--About Atheism: A Response To Sam Harris

This article is a collection of informal responses to an op-ed piece published by the atheist advocate Sam Harris in theLA Times on December 24, 2006 that was sent to me by a long-time friend.