Gary Shogren's Blog
This is taken from my book Myths that we Christians Believe, available from Amazon. I first heard about the Pagan Christmas Tree during my years in Costa Rica, and only later saw it in the English language. The meme is one example, showing the Christmas tree that they annually place in front of the White... Continue Reading →
Adapted from my new book on the Holy Spirit, available in Spanish, still seeking a publisher for the English version. The full chapter is found on this blog. The forest is haunted by Christian Lone Wolves. I’m a blogger, and so I have a lot of interaction with other people who write blogs. And I’ve... Continue Reading →
Just out: Between 81% and 90% of U.S. adults are either “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with their life. And a large swath of them feel that way without Christ. Our evangelism should take into account that in a growing secular society, the majority of the population do not cry themselves to sleep in spiritual despair.... Continue Reading →
I just visited our seminary in Costa Rica and gave an address on "Christian Leaders and LifelongLearning." I suggested that "reading" was one of the best tools for building up brain power. And that reading broadly, including books we disagree with, will help rescue us from our social media echo chambers. Just on the level... Continue Reading →
Isn’t it annoying when someone insists they know what you believe, and won’t take your word that you do not? A friend of mine who worked in a Muslim setting often heard, “You Christians believe in a trinity of Father, Son, and the Virgin Mary!” In this case, the Christian should have the first say,... Continue Reading →
I grew up with the King James Version, regularly use it and the New King James among others, and often teach and preach from the Reina Valera Revisada, all of which are based on the so-called Textus receptus. And I love and use them all; see my, “Me, a Hater of the Kdeiting James Version?... Continue Reading →
I grew up with that gospel chorus (by James M. Gray, president of Moody Bible Institute) and I think I know where he was coming from. But let’s carefully unpack its repeated motif: I 'm only a sinner saved by grace or we could say - I am [present tense] only [no more than] a... Continue Reading →
The answer of course is False. In fact, you might look around inside a cult group and see your neighbors who look absolutely normal and fit into their neighborhood and sing recognizable songs and still be in a cult. Let's break things down into groups: A - Doctrinal Error. They stray from historic Christian teaching.... Continue Reading →
Warm greetings from San José, Costa Rica! I am Karen Shogren, a professor in the certificate program of ESEPA Seminary here. Next week we are beginning an entirely new program called Certificate with an Emphasis in the Prevention and Intervention of Sexual Violence. This topic has been in the news recently, in many countries around... Continue Reading →
We hear Christians shout it - our post it, or mutter it: 'We're at WAR, man! Everyone to the barricade! Utterly destroy [this year's enemy]! Use sarcasm, invective, innuendo, false rumors, expletives, fake news, whatever it takes to wipe them out!' "In the name of God, I must annihilate thee! But don't worry, they tell... Continue Reading →
Open Our Eyes, Lord! 