"If Christian fellowship is considered to be shaking hands and asking about your church friends' week and then sitting down and singing and listening to preaching and then going home, how is that any different than going to the bar and seeing familiar faces over a couple of beers?"

The study of theology historically has brought to the surface outstanding thinkers and scholars. Among 16th-century Reformers, John Calvin - more than Martin Luther - developed a full-orbed systematic theology for the instruction of the church.

Sadly, over the course of the last century, we have reduced the gospel to simplistic formulas and programmatic appeals—appeals that are designed to produce “decisions,” whereas the gospel of the kingdom is conveyed in various and more demonstrative ways, reflecting the different gifts and diversity of the body.

Indeed, God has blessed America. But all is not well in our land.