The State of Society is the Résumé of the Church

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Paul Schlehlein

–– Lennox Kalifungwa

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The Chaos is the Mission Field

In the wake of unravelling chaos—ethnic hatred, the murder of the unborn (and farmers), theft, overdependence on foreign aid, envy and entitlement, high costs of living, corruption, and failed leadership—one force alone can turn the tide: the church’s repentance.

The New Testament does not describe the church as fragile but as powerful. It is the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13), the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25–27), the ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), the sons of God (Eph. 1:5), and the heirs of the kingdom (Eph. 3:6). These are not mere embellishments but declarations rooted in Christ’s triumphant work. The church is not meant to scrape and plead for influence—it is assured in faithfulness to Christ, not as a reward for ambition but as the inevitable fruit of our calling.

Continue reading →

The Dangers of Gaming

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Paul Schlehlein

–– David de Bruyn

Listen and subscribe: Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Amidst much economic downturn, one industry that is thriving in South Africa is gaming and e-sports. The Price-Waterhouse-Cooper Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook reported that South Africa’s gaming and e-sports increased its revenue by 30% in 2022, and leads both Kenyan and Nigerian markets. Although power cuts, slow rollout of 5G, and poor quality networks have hampered growth, Africa’s mobile-first landscape has allowed for quicker adoption of digital currencies. E-sports and gaming often use digital currencies for betting and in-game purchases.

Worldwide, the gaming industry makes more money than the film and music industries combined. In 2021, the gaming world brought in over $180 billion. Companies such as Facebook and Google have invested billions of dollars into Virtual Reality, which is certain to become a major part of gaming in the next 5-10 years.

Although using games for harmless diversion and amusement may be a lawful use of leisure for Christians, there are some real spiritual dangers associated with gaming.

Continue reading →

MM 43: Should Marriage Conform To or Counter Culture? (Part 2)

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Paul Schlehlein

Feel free to listen and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well.

First a story. A recent BBC piece, which you can watch on Twitter, chronicles the Fulani people of West and North Africa and their practice of sharo, in which Fulani men gather in a sex-crazed group, competitively enduring painful floggings to win money and even village women—some earning as many as three wives.

“You will become hot among the ladies,” explained one Fulani man. Can we say some cultural practices are better than others? Has our radical egalitarianism so blinded us that we cannot criticize this cultural practice as immoral and bestial? Does Christianity change things? Conform or counter culture?

Continue reading →

MM 41: Should Marriage Conform To or Counter Culture? (Part 1)

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Paul Schlehlein

Feel free to listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well.

First a story. Anthony Norris Groves was one of the great missionaries in the 19th century, a gifted evangelist to the Muslims of Bagdad and father-in-law to George Müller, though he is largely forgotten today. He trained to be a dentist before he became overwhelmed with missionary zeal. Problem was, his wife didn’t want to go. Back in those days, you couldn’t try out missions for a year or two and come back if you didn’t like it. It was all or nothing. Most missionaries died early on the field.

Instead of forcing his wife Mary to go, he was patient with her. He pushed a little and she broke down. Not the time. Then she grew spiritually and the Spirit did the work. He pushed a little more, but the time did not yet come. Finally she burst into tears and committed to give all their possessions away and leave for Bagdad.

Continue reading →