Current Theme | December 2025
Christmas Buffet: Assorted Articles for an Edifying Advent
It’s time to eat! Normally we do a monthly deep dive on one biblical, theological, cultural, and/or historical topic. This month, we will be feasting from an assortment of edifying dishes: From leisure to immigration, from poetry to the civil government, and from exegesis to medieval mysteries. In the midst of this spread will be a main course that celebrates all the abundance God has given us through the appearing of Immanuel, God with us. Merry Christmas, and we hope you enjoy a dish.
Table of Contents
Longform
Law is King: How the Bible Shapes Our View of Law & Civil Government
By Levi Secord • Longform Essay • December 1
Deuteronomy 17 shows that kings stand under God’s law. This article explores how rulers rise to power, why they must obey the law, and whether these truths apply beyond Israel.
Concise
City of God: A Primer
By Daniel Strand • Concise Article • December 1
Augustine's City of God has withstood the test of time, exerting influence on political thought for nearly 1,600-years. In this article, scholar Daniel Strand provides an overview of Augustine's magnum opus, discussing its background, literary genre, structure, and key themes.
Podcast
4.55 Levi Secord • Reading • “Law is King: How the Bible Shapes Our View of Law & Civil Government”
By Levi Secord • Reading • December 1st
Deuteronomy 17 shows that kings stand under God’s law. This article explores how rulers rise to power, why they must obey the law, and whether these truths apply beyond Israel.
Concise
Vocation Politics: The Discourses of Pierre de La Place
By Timon Cline • Concise Article • December 3
Martyred Huguenot Pierre de la Place saw politics as the harmony of all vocations. This essay uncovers his rich vision for public life, calling, and the common good.
Concise
A Brief Theology of Leisure for an Over-Worked and Anxious People
By Benjamin Nguyen • Concise Article • December 4
Life is busy and work is hard whether you are a Christian or not. But the Bible helps us think rightly about both our labors and our rest. Read on as Benjamin Nguyen outlines the theme of rest, or leisure, in the Bible and applies it to believers today.
Concise
A Primer on Kuyper’s Politics
By Jordan J. Ballor • Concise Article • December 4
A practical introduction to Abraham Kuyper’s political theology—common grace, sphere sovereignty, and a vision of Christ’s lordship over all life.
Concise
Stop and See the Stars: Medieval Mysteries and Contemporary Christians
By Michael Longerbeam • Concise Article • December 5
A call for Christians to resist a mechanized view of the universe by recovering the medieval sense of mystery, order, and humility—learning from C.S. Lewis and Jason Baxter to slow down, look up, and remember the God who made the stars
Longform
Was Jesus a Refugee? And Why It Matters for the Immigration Issue
By Alex Kocman • Longform Essay • December 8
In an effort to steer well-meaning Christians' sympathies, some leaders in the church have cited the life of our Lord as evidence for their progressive political agenda. But are they getting their facts straight? Read as Alex Kocman dispels the emotional trump-card, "Jesus was a refugee."
Podcast
4.56 Alex Kocman • Reading • “Was Jesus a Refugee? And Why It Matters for Immigration”
By Alex Kocman • Reading • December 8th
In an effort to steer well-meaning Christians’ sympathies, some leaders in the church have cited the life of our Lord as evidence for their progressive political agenda. But are they getting their facts straight? Read as Alex Kocman dispels the emotional trump-card, “Jesus was a refugee.”
Concise
Christmas Poetry: “Emmanuel Revealed: A Catechism on Hope”
By Dan Haase • Concise Article • December 9
What does hope say?
We are growing old to be young forever.
Is hope forever?
No, it has its end.
How does it end?
In the consumption of love.
Concise
The Christmas Gift of Un-Clouded Spirituality
By Andrew Ballard • Concise Article • December 10
Many see their spiritual life like Israel's sojourn in the wilderness: always chasing as elusive, tangible God. But Andrew Ballard shows how in Christ, we have received a greater, more substantial experience of God. So, let us leave behind a "cloudy spirituality," and instead embrace Christ in all his glory.
Concise
Should Pastors Be Political?: Alcohol Prohibition as Test Case in Dallas, TX
By Marc Minter • Concise Article • December 12
Should religious leaders hold sway over their congregation's ballots? Does a pastor speaking to political issues violate the separation of church and state? Read on as Marc Minter illuminates the issue via the test case of George Truett's support for prohibition in 1917.
Concise
Christmas Hope and the Stockdale Paradox: Christmas in Light of Our Liberation from Sin
By Josh Wootton • Concise Article • December 15
Many of our carols speak of the joy of Christmas. One source of that joy is the liberation sin which we receive a foretaste of in this life. Read as Josh Wootton offers a brief explanation of how the freedom from sin inaugurated in Christ gives us hope this Christmas.
Podcast
4.57 Levi Secord, David Schrock, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Law is King: How the Bible Shapes Our View of Law & Civil Government”
By Levi Secord, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Interview • December 15th
Listen in as David Schrock and Stephen Wellum interview Levi Secord on his COA Longform Essay: "Law is King: How the BIble Shapes Our View of Law & Civil Government"
Concise
Christmas Among Curses
By Brandon D. Myers • Concise Article • December 16
Christmas is meant to be a joyous time when we remember the wonderful advent of our Lord Jesus. But this joy can only be rightly received when the curse is felt. Read as Brandon Myers shows us the curse and the cure this Christmas.
Concise
Christmas is for Kids
By Garrett Wishall • Concise Article • December 18
Obviously, Christmas is for kids! But what if I told you that it's ONLY for kids—that unless you become a kid yourself, Christmas isn't for you? That's what Jesus said, and Garrett Wishall is here to remind us how to do it
Concise
Matthew’s Genealogy Isn’t Missing a Name—It’s Making a Claim
By Jeremy Sexton • Concise Article • December 19
While many of us may skip the opening genealogy in Matthew's gospel, Jeremy Sexton argues that Matthew's first chapter is rich with gospel truth. Read on and see how the generations from Abraham to Jesus bring us to the heart of Nicene theology, glorifying our great savior!
Concise
A Wide Road to Hell: Pluralism, the Incarnation, and the Exclusivity of Christ
By Chris Prosser • Concise Article • December 22
Why do non-Christians like the Christmas story? Because everyone loves a Jesus who is merely one manifestation of God's love among many. But such a Jesus cannot save you. The whole narrative of Scripture and the reality of the incarnation both demand that Jesus be exclusive: apart from him there is no salvation
Podcast
4.58 Alex Kocman, David Schrock, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Was Jesus a Refugee? And Why It Matters for Immigration”
By Alex Kocman, David Schrock & Stephen Wellum • Interview • December 22nd
Listen in as David Schrock & Stephen Wellum interview Alex Kocman on his COA Longform Essay "Was Jesus a Refugee? And Why It Matters for Immigration"
Concise
A Heart for Christmas or for Christ?
By David Shrock • Concise Article • December 23
Introducing the very first short story in Christ Over All's history! This won't be the last—next December, we'll hold a short story competition all month long!
Concise
Attention as Worship
By Jeff Beaupre • Concise Article • December 26
What if what you pay attention to most reveals what you worship?
Concise
In Defense of Religion: Why “Jesus vs. Religion” Falls Apart
By Tyler Cox • Concise Article • December 29
Should we ditch "religion" for Jesus because the term has negative connotations? Or is embracing the concept of religion fundamental to what it means to be a Christian?
Podcast
4.59 David Schrock, Trent Hunter, Ardel Caneday & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Christ Over All Editor Roundtable & A Preview of 2026”
By David Schrock, Trent Hunter, Ardel Caneday & Stephen Wellum • Interview • December 29th
Listen in as the Editorial Board for Christ Over All reviews the year of 2025 and looks forward to what's coming in 2026.
Concise
Hope of the Prophets: the Divine Missions and the Literal Sense of the Old Testament
By Michael Pereira • Concise Article • December 30
How do we reconcile the Old Testament authors genuinely foretelling New Testament realities, but then only the Son can reveal the saving knowledge of these realities? The answer lies in divine missions.
Concise
December Intermission: From Enjoying Christmas to Ending Abortion
By David Schrock • Concise Article • January 1
Join us as we transition from December's Christmas Buffet, where we celebrated the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ as a baby, to the month of January, where we consider how best to save babies in their mothers' womb.
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