Editor’s Introduction In the following piece a music lover, after attending Christian concerts regularly for a decade and a half, explains why he no…
Discernment Exercise: Should We Attend This Party?
Here is a case study for discernment, based on a true story (though I’ve taken liberties with many of the details). Your small group…
Discernment Exercise: Love It or Leave It
Though America is obviously a country of immigrants—after all, very few of us are Native Americans—over the years each major wave of immigration has…
Discernment Exercise: Can We Make Our Faith Attractive?
In the opening scenes of the movie Chocolat, Vianne, played by Juliette Binoche, moves into a new town and rents a dingy, dirty storefront.…
Discernment Exercise: A Great Spirit Blessing
Living in a pluralistic culture, as we do, does not mean that we live among unbelievers; it means we live among people who believe…
Discernment Exercise: On Being Offensive
All things considered, there’s plenty a Christian can do, say, or believe which some other Christian will find offensive—perhaps even deeply offensive. A few…
Discernment Exercise: Questions for Dr. Laura
Though biblical illiteracy tends to be rather widespread—even among believers—many unbelievers know enough about the Bible to raise questions about how believers understand and…
Discernment Exercise: Answering Questions About Doubt
Reflect on the following questions. As you do, think about the extent you struggle with doubt. Think about how there are some believers who…
Discernment Exercise: Halloween – Magic and Monsters
With the collapse of Yugoslavia in the late 20th century, small-scale independence movements formed along ethnic and religious fault lines in the Balkan region.…
Discernment Exercise: Engaging the Arts: Are You A Patron?
Engaging the Arts Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan has begun an effort to help Christians think about their engagement with the arts. It’s an…

