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Current Theme | April 2026

Go West, Young Men: Evaluating the Drift toward Eastern Orthodoxy

In our progressive age, many young Christian men are drifting towards Eastern Orthodoxy—a religion that feels ancient, appeals to mystery, and gratifies the senses. But what is the history of Eastern Orthodoxy, what do their councils teach, and why are so many drawn to it today? At the crossroads of the soul, should our young men head East, or go West? Join us this month as pastors and scholars provide a clearer vision of what Jerusalem hath to do with Constantinople.

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Themes

Since the Fall, death has dominated the world. But Jesus thundered: "Lazarus, come forth!"—and a dead man walked alive: a vivid preview of the Messiah's resurrection. Truly, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. But is resurrection only a New Testament hope? This month, we investigate how resurrection from the dead—especially on a third day—is, in fact, "in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:4) and the "God of the living" who inspired them (Mark 12:27). From Jonah’s three days in the fish to Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, from David’s cry for life to Job’s declaration that he shall see God . . . join us as we walk from death to life in the pages of the Old Testament.

O'Sullivan's Law says that institutions will move left without a deliberate effort to thwart liberal drift. History has shown this axiom also applies to denominations, too. And in the case of the once-recovered Southern Baptist Convention, time will tell if it can remain faithful. Certainly, there is much to celebrate in the SBC. From cooperative missions and seminary training to countless churches that love Christ and his truth, the SBC continues to impact the world for the savior. But drift is a real threat, and within the "big tent" of the SBC a rising tide of female leaders, a repeated lack of fiscal accountability, and a growing disconnect between SBC leaders and laypeople raise the question: Can the center hold? Join us this month as we ponder this question for the SBC and beyond.

What is the first thing you think of when you hear “God”? Decades ago theologian Francis Schaeffer wrote The God Who is There, where he rightly pointed out that God is a personal and infinite Being who resolves the deepest issues that haunt us. Sadly, many of us fail to give God the honor that is due to him because we are ignorant of his majestic Being and attributes—when is the last time you sang about God’s aseity or impassability? Join us this month to consider who our Triune God reveals himself to be so that we can render him supreme glory.

The Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, but what now? The fight to protect and advocate for the lives of unborn children has changed dramatically, shifting from a more national focus to a greater focus on individual states. But what strategy is best? Should we work to end abortion incrementally, saving as many lives as we can? Or should we push to abolish abortion outright, thus bringing this national scourge to an end? Those questions bear careful attention, as do the contributing factors that continue to fuel abortion. This month, we will address many of these issues, as we seek abortion’s abolition and advocate for the life of the unborn.

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.

The Christian leaders and theologians of centuries past spoke before congress, served as prime ministers, and advised kings . . . so why are we evangelicals so allergic to doing the same? For too long we have artificially removed political theology from the realm of Christian discipleship, and we have a lot of catching up to do. Yet, before we can make any new contributions, we need to do the reading. This month, we're diving into the two taboos of the Thanksgiving table: religion and politics. And in doing so, we hope to reintroduce some of the most influential works on Christian political thought, so that God can be glorified not only in the church, but also in the state—with an eye to the whole world!

Biblical theology is essential for understanding Scripture. It takes the Bible on its own terms and rightly assumes that these sixty-six books are one unified story inspired by one divine author that culminates in Jesus Christ. But many are unaware what biblical theology is, and others have tasted it and walked away. But can we move on from the way that Jesus and his apostles read God’s Word? Join us this month as we consider what biblical theology is, where it came from, and what state it is in today.

God created mankind to glorify him through work: to subdue and to exercise dominion over all the earth. But in a fallen world, blisters and splinters plague our labors—not to mention laziness and workaholism. Outside of Eden, even our motives are suspect: what is the line between prudent self-advancement and sinful greed, between godly ambition and pride, or between risk and irresponsibility? And what should we do when we’re not at work? Obviously, there’s a lot of work to do in order to answer these questions, so clock in with us we seek to grasp a theology of vocation.

Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. These Gospels definitively answer the question: "Who is Jesus"? He is the authoritative teacher. The Suffering servant. The worldwide Savior. The divine Son. He is the fulfillment of God's plan, and the "yes" to His promises. These four Gospels are some of the most fascinating and important books in Scripture. And yet, they are frequently misunderstood or neglected—both inside the church and outside. This month, we dive into the structure, message, theology, and glory of the four Gospels, while also confronting several distortions. Join us in unveiling the wonders of these four witnesses to the one gospel.

Heaven or Hell hangs on a single letter—a cosmic Greek iota painstakingly clarified at the council of Nicaea in 325 AD. For if God the Son is only of a similar essence as the Father—denoted by the middle "i" in the term homoiousios—then he is not fully God and cannot save. But if he is of the same essence as the father—homoousios—then he truly is "God from God, light from light, true God from true God," and fully able to accomplish salvation. Understanding our past equips us to navigate our future. So, this month, on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, we walk down an old path towards this ancient city in order to re-discover the truths hammered out at the first council of the post-apostolic church.

Fathers are missing—both literally and metaphorically. Some fail to show up, and others fail to step up. And when this masculine authority is absent, the family and the rest of society languish. But what's a dad to do? This month, we look to our heavenly Father's Word and wisdom to make fatherhood great again. From Biblical exposition to cultural application, we aim to recover and refine the place of the father as the head of the household—the paterfamilias.

From building up and doing good to tearing down and mocking evil, words have incredible power! In Proverbs, the tongue is said to give life and to take it away (Prov. 18:21); James says the tongue is a spark of a fire and a rudder—so small and yet so consequential (Jas. 3:4–6)! Likewise, creation itself comes from the Word of God (John 1:1–5), Jesus is the Word of God incarnate (John 1:14), and our Lord says that every word we utter will be measured against us (Matt. 12:36). With so much at stake, speaking like Christ and patterning our words after the whole counsel of God is one of the most important disciplines we can learn. For that reason, we are taking this month to see how God’s Word teaches us how to use our words. Join us as we seek to be sanctified in our speech.

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus spoke to two wandering disciples about all that the Hebrew scriptures said concerning him (Luke 24:27). Warming their hearts with his “Christ-centered” interpretation of the Old Testament, Jesus taught his disciples and us (by way of Luke’s account) how to read all things in Scripture in light of Christ. In this month, we follow our Savior’s lead to see the glory of the cross in the patterns and promises of the Old Testament. From the first gospel promise in Genesis 3:15 to the sacrifice that delivered Isaac, from the Passover to the exile, from the Day of Atonement to the serpent lifted on a pole, we will learn how to glimpse the old rugged cross in the pages of God’s unfolding story. Come join us for the journey.

What is the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission? What role does it play in the Southern Baptist Convention? And what can the ERLC do to regain the trust of Southern Baptists? These were some of the questions that came out of the SBC’s 2024 annual meeting. Seeking answers to those questions, Christ Over All will offer biblical, historical, and practical reflections on how Christians, and specifically Baptists, have and should engage the public square. We hope this month initiates a serious discussion about the ERLC and its ministry in the SBC and beyond. While this month focuses on our convention, all are welcome to think practically with us about our public ethics and political engagement.

The most deadly enemy is the one that you underestimate. If sin is missing or misunderstood from our view, then we are less able to recognize and repent of it. Sin does not like to be discovered, but exposing it is part of the Christian’s task (Eph. 5:11). This month, our aim is to shine light on the true nature of sin before the public consciousness—to understand it, correct false notions of it, and renew an appreciation for the one who conquered it. Bring your flashlight.

What does it mean in Genesis 1:26 when God says. "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness"? This January, Christ Over All will take a look at this question from Scripture and throughout society. With God’s Word as our guide, we plan to flesh out how the imago Dei affects the beginning and end of life, gender and sexuality, the physical body, and even church graveyards. In all, we hope to be renewed according to the image of the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ. So join us as we begin 2025 by looking at the theology and ethics of humanity.

Handel’s Messiah is perhaps the most iconic musical composition in modern history, and the “Hallelujah Chorus” is its crowning feature. Yet, beyond the angelic-sounding notes is a bedrock of Bible. In fact, the entire work chronicles God’s grand story of redemption through Scripture quotations alone. These biblical meditations sing of the Messiah’s foretelling in the Old Testament, as well as his birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and glorious ascension in the New. This month, we will look at these Christ-centered scriptures and respond with our own exultant “Hallelujah” occasioned by Handel’s musical composition.

The nations rage and the peoples scheme. All the while, our God looks on from heaven and laughs. Why? Because the strongest armies on earth storm the gates of heaven with children’s weapons. The unshakeable kingdom of God stands undaunted in the face of such attacks, and on the last day, it alone will remain. Still, God's kingdom does not go forth like the kingdoms of this world. It grows not by the compulsion of the sword, but by the confession of capital T Truth. Indeed, our servant-king sends forth the word of his gospel, which declares to all that his nail-pierced hands hold the power to save and to judge. And this month, we will devote our time to considering the Kingdom of God and his Christ, the Lord who reigns over all.

Statism. Globalism. Feminism. Environmentalism. Totalitarianism. If Paul were asked to address these big, bad isms, along with their counterparts in Big Pharma, Big Ed, or Big Tech, the Apostle would likely answer that they are all part of a world system designed to enslave God’s people. Based on his letters to Ephesus and Colossae, it seems certain Paul had an awareness of the co-belligerence of heavenly powers and earthly rulers to oppose Christ and his bride. The question is: Do we have such awareness? And how can we deal with the threat of the ever-increasing state? As we prepare for a November election where globalism will be on the ballot, we consider how Christ is over all these ideologies, and how the church might address these growing threats.

“Jesus is not a Republican or Democrat.” So the saying goes. "His kingdom is not of this world!” So goes another. Virtue signals like these have a ring of truth to them, but often they are used to create a moral equivalency between two political parties that are not morally equivalent. Such sentiments may give the appearance of liberating consciences—no questions asked. But in 2024, it’s time to ask some questions. What does Christ’s Lordship have to do with voting? What does Scripture say about the state and our place in it? How should we think about candidates and party platforms in the post-Christian West? In short, how can we vote to the glory of God? Join us this month as Christ Over All considers how to glorify God in the voting booth.

In the legendary Battle of Troy, the Greeks retreated from their siege of the city and left a large wooden horse where they had been. The Trojans wheeled the massive horse into the city as a trophy—only to wake up that night to the sound of Greeks pouring out of the horse, opening the city’s gates, and slaying the inhabitants. Today, the resurgence of the philosopher Plato and his forms of thought offer a gift to the church by way of categories and concepts to better understand the world. But what kind of gifts are these? Will they help Christians walk faithfully and think Christianly? Or will they mislead us and make war against the biblical gospel? Join Christ Over All this month, as we explore how to engage the Platonic Tradition and various forms of Christian Platonism, which are today being revived in evangelical seminaries and other Christian publications.

When Christians are suffering and tempted to leave Jesus behind, what do they need? They need a certain word that Jesus is better: he is better than food, sex, money, power—and he’s better than angels, Moses, Aaron, and the Old Covenant, too. This is the message of Hebrews: the risen and ascended Christ is over all, so let us fix our eyes on him with assured faith and unwavering hope. This month, join us as we dive into the depths of this glorious book to consider Jesus, our New Covenant high priest.

“Of making many books there is no end” (Eccl. 12:12). But only a small fraction of these books pass through time to be read a decade, a century, or even a millennium later. This month, we seek to find those books that have endured through the flames and have proven themselves to be more than wood, hay, or stubble. Without confusing the words of God and the wisdom of men, we seek to consider the perspectives of these great books, so that from them we can have a greater vision of God and his world.

1440. 1844. 1991. 2022. These years mark technological developments so seismic that they forever changed history: the movable type printing press, the telegraph that declared “What Hath God Wrought?,” the introduction of the internet, and now user-friendly artificial intelligence. On November 30, 2022, ChatGPT went live, and in just a short time this AI chatbot had over 100 millions users. But where did this technology come from, what will it do to our perception of what is true, good, and beautiful? How will it affect our very humanity, as well as our view of deity? Truly—what has God wrought? This month we take a critical look at this world-transforming invention and how Christians should think about its place in God’s World.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Every spring we at Christ Over All set our gaze to Calvary. We look to the pinnacle of human history--the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. But this year we set our gaze from four unique vantage points: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. By paying close attention to each author's particular view of Christ's passion, our awe rises as our faith deepens. So this April, behold the man--the God-man--who lived, died, and rose again to bring us to God.

Confessions of faith have fallen on hard times. Some say that they are too restrictive or unnecessarily divisive. But the orthodox, the Protestants, and the Baptists—to name our theological forebears—have always affirmed their faith with written statements. For this is how assemblies guard their life and doctrine, and how cooperating churches do ministry together. So, this month, we explore the role of confessions in the life of the church, and we hone in on the Southern Baptist Convention to consider the Law Amendment and its implications for the future of this denomination. In doing so, we hope to help Baptists, as well as non-Baptists, to see how confessions are a bulwark to unity and cooperation.

Everything is theological. That is, everything finds its meaning by comparison to the Word (logos) that God (theos) has spoken. Still, not every theological system gets it right, and the problem is usually found in the foundation. The method of doing theology determines whether your theological foundation will withstand the storms, the wind, and the floods. So theological foundations are vital, but so is faithful construction. This is what various kinds of theology (historical, philosophical, systematic, biblical, and pastoral) seek to do. And this month, in conjunction with the launch of Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, we plan to offer a vision of doing theology that is by the book.

The people of Israel are central to God’s redemptive story. But confusion abounds. Who are the people of Israel today? Are they the citizens of the nation-state of Israel? Or are they the followers of the Messiah? If the former, are they in covenant with God? And if the latter, how should Christians form foreign policy related to Israel and the Middle East? Thinking about the nation-state of Israel raises many questions for world citizens and for students of the Word. For instance, what does the reconstitution of Israel in 1948 say about biblical prophecy? Anything? Is it an eschatological marker? Or simply the evidence of God’s providential work among nations? And how might a Biblical Theology of the Holy Land help us answer such a loaded question? These questions and more will fill the month of January as we move from Holy Scripture to the horrors of Hamas and the ongoing place of Israel in the world. Join us, as we seek the peace of Jerusalem, according to the whole canon of Scripture.

Now for something completely different: A Christmas Medley. In place of our monthly rhythm of focusing on a specific theme, December is something like a free-for-all. That is to say, instead of focusing on one topic, we’ll be addressing about a dozen. From woke religion to cheap forgiveness, from remembering Francis Schaeffer to understanding The Great Society, and from focusing on worldview to celebrating the Word made flesh (Advent), we will celebrate the season with more than twelve days of Christmas. We said at our founding that if Christ reigns over it, we will write on it. This month, as we hear from a number of new writers and old friends, we continue to make good on that promise. May these assorted articles build up your faith during this Advent season. Merry Christmas!

We aimed to lighten the mood in October by asking 'just one more question’ about the heated debate on Christian Nationalism. This month returns to Christ Over All’s regularly scheduled programming of essays and articles supplemented by podcasts. We will analyze the arguments we heard about Christian Nationalism and put forward a constructive approach to biblical nationhood in response. Without being exhaustive, we hope to articulate a Baptist vision for church and state, one that aids the Christian Nationalism(s) debate. We long to see Christ’s light shine in this nation and all nations, and we will consider what Scripture says to us about that endeavor.

The term “Christian Nationalism” exploded onto the scene in 2021. But what exactly is it? Taking our cues from the unassuming 1970s detective, Columbo, Christ Over All will ask “Just one more thing.” Through more than a dozen podcasts, and a few longform essays, we plan to interview the usual suspects—those in favor of Christian Nationalism, those who oppose it, and those who are expert witnesses of church history. In November, we will give our constructive analysis. But for this month, we hope to offer good-faith discussions from multiple positions, so that we can compare the competing views of various authors, historians, pastors, and public theologians. Getting the facts of the case will help us all better understand the various forms of Christian Nationalism today.

When Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum wrote Kingdom through Covenant (2012), they introduced an approach to the Bible that stands between Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. Without attempting to create something novel or merely balancing two competing theologies, Progressive Covenantalism holds forth a rigorously, exegetical approach to the Bible—one that reads Scripture on its own terms, so that each covenant relates to and results in God’s kingdom coming by means of Christ’s new covenant. This month, join us as we discover how God has established his kingdom through a series of covenants that bring us to Jesus Christ—who is Lord over all!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. With those thrilling words, the Bible begins. Everything else in space and time, history and salvation, creation and covenant, unfolds from God’s very good creation. Indeed, even as Adam’s fall into sin requires the promise and provision of a Redeemer (Gen. 3:15), the whole Bible and the Christian faith stand on the cornerstone of God’s work in Genesis 1–11. For Christians, if we get these chapters right, it leads to life and sound doctrine. But if we get them wrong, it invites all kinds of problems—biblical, theological, ethical, and scientific. Recognizing this fact, during the month of August we consider the literary and theological truths contained in Genesis 1–11. From exegetical analysis to theological inquiry, and from creation science to ethical application, this month will help Christians understand these chapters and their import for God’s Word and God’s world.

The term “Civil Rights” may evoke images of Martin Luther King Jr. preaching, lunch counter sit-ins, and protest marches. From the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955–56 to the Lincoln Memorial “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, this era resulted in the landmark Civil Rights Act, passed on July 2, 1964. Signed into law by President Johnson (see this month's cover), this Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age." Positively, this legislation reversed laws fashioned to discriminate against blacks; it also gave all Americans equal protections under the law. Yet, it did more. It effectively wrote a second constitution that gave the federal government power to coerce association with the force of law. Add in the various agencies and programs created by this Civil Rights Act, and two Americas have been fostered since the 1960s. For all the good the Civil Rights Movement did to rectify wrongs, it instituted others. And this month, we are going to consider these cross currents, and how the church committed to the cross of Christ can respond today with wisdom to the rights and the wrongs of the Civil Rights Movement.

What do churches that affirm the LGBTQ lifestyle, celebrate God as mother, and host drag queen performances have in common? They are not remotely Christian. While they may identify as “liberal” or “progressive” Christians, they are so far from the core of Christianity that they are altogether a “different religion.” This conclusion is the key insight of J. Gresham Machen in Christianity and Liberalism, a book that celebrates its one hundredth anniversary this year in 2023. While the presenting issues looked different a century ago, the core was the same: Liberal Christianity proclaims a toxic view of doctrine, God, man, the Bible, Christ, Salvation, and the Church. Our Lord reminded us that “the tree is known by its fruit” (Matt. 12:33). This month, we aim to retrieve Machen’s chapter-by-chapter insights to equip a new generation of Christians to discern truth from error.

From calls to dismantle the “Western-prescribed nuclear family structure” to the president claiming “our nation’s children are all our children,” it is clear that many see the family as a threat—a Lego structure to be broken apart. But our goal this month is to piece together a positive vision for the family. As confessional Baptists, we want to consider this question in particular: “How do you raise children who are not yet in the new covenant?” And what changes when they are born again? This month, we seek to address this question along with a host of others—how do parenting, discipline, and technology fit together, how do grandparents support their grandkids, what role do singles play in the Christian family, and what right does the government have in the home. The truth is: a holy family is a beautiful structure. And in spite of a government that wants to tear it down, God’s good design will endure—but only if we know what it is and how to cultivate it, brick by brick.

The hinge of human history is a man—the man, Jesus Christ. Suspended between heaven and earth, the God-man took hold of the cosmos and turned the world upside down with his death and resurrection. But why? Who is this man, and why did he have to die? Why was his tomb empty on the third day, and what do these things mean—both then and now? In April, we plan to “behold the man”—as we explore the weight of Christ's perfect life, vicarious death, and glorious resurrection.

As pragmatic commitments lead the twenty-first century church to rebuild itself in novel ways, we want to recover what Scripture says about men, women, and the office of pastor. While women assuming the pastoral office is not new, it is not supported by a careful reading of Scripture. For some, the office of pastor is like a toy—a beachball that can be passed between men and women alike. But when we disobey the One who made us, we bring a wrecking ball to the household of God. Therefore, with our eyes fixed on his Word, we will take the month of March to examine God’s good design for men and women in church and to show why the pulpit is reserved for biblically qualified men.

Love has been taken captive. Like a prisoner reading a prepared statement under threat, love has been misused to justify anything from child mutilation, LGBTQ practice, and euthanasia, to name a few. Beyond this, slogans surround us that promise “love is love,” and “all you need is love.” This month we examine genuine love of neighbor, along with the false parody of it. And we do this anchored in the greatest love mankind has ever known.

January 22, 2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, only that court decision didn’t make fifty years. Hallelujah!! Rather, in answer to five decades of prayer and perspiration, the Lord granted America a Jubilee from the court decision which opened abortion on demand to all fifty states. Now, after the Dobbs decision, abortion remains a blood sacrament in our country, but its access is slipping. Or it could be, if we can continue to pray, work, and plan for its demise. To that end, we will offer a series of biblical, ethical, legal, and practical reflections on abortion this month. May God end this scourge in our generation!

Christ is the reason for the season, and during Advent we will turn our attention to more than a dozen biblical and theological reflections on the glory of Christ Incarnate. Christmas is not just a season to give gifts; it is a season to ponder the unfathomable gift of God become man. In this theme, we will put the spotlight on Christ and marvel at the reality of the Incarnation.

We ponder the past to decipher the present. For the last one hundred years, evangelicals in America have been defining and redefining themselves. Whether from Scripture, or against society, or by combining Christ and culture, various strands in evangelicalism have emerged. Without being exhaustive, we will consider the last one hundred years in order to help modern “evangelicals” stand in the truth and proclaim the whole counsel of God in the present.

In 1981 Crossway published Francis Schaeffer’s A Christian Manifesto. In his analysis of church and culture, Schaeffer brought a word of prophetic warning to a church threatened by the rising tide of statism, or encroaching government control. Four decades later many of his concerns have been validated, and we will listen to and reflect upon this critical work.

Who are we? Why are we here? And what are we doing with this ministry? In the our first month, the founders of Christ Over All will look at the theme of Christ’s Lordship and how everything in creation, the church, and culture are impacted by his sovereign rule.

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Themes

September 2022

Who are we? Why are we here? And what are we doing with this ministry? In the our first month, the founders of Christ Over All will look at the theme of Christ’s Lordship and how everything in creation, the church, and culture are impacted by his sovereign rule.

October 2022

In 1981 Crossway published Francis Schaeffer’s A Christian Manifesto. In his analysis of church and culture, Schaeffer brought a word of prophetic warning to a church threatened by the rising tide of statism, or encroaching government control. Four decades later many of his concerns have been validated, and we will listen to and reflect upon this critical work.

November 2022

We ponder the past to decipher the present. For the last one hundred years, evangelicals in America have been defining and redefining themselves. Whether from Scripture, or against society, or by combining Christ and culture, various strands in evangelicalism have emerged. Without being exhaustive, we will consider the last one hundred years in order to help modern “evangelicals” stand in the truth and proclaim the whole counsel of God in the present.

December 2022

Christ is the reason for the season, and during Advent we will turn our attention to more than a dozen biblical and theological reflections on the glory of Christ Incarnate. Christmas is not just a season to give gifts; it is a season to ponder the unfathomable gift of God become man. In this theme, we will put the spotlight on Christ and marvel at the reality of the Incarnation.

January 2023

January 22, 2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, only that court decision didn’t make fifty years. Hallelujah!! Rather, in answer to five decades of prayer and perspiration, the Lord granted America a Jubilee from the court decision which opened abortion on demand to all fifty states. Now, after the Dobbs decision, abortion remains a blood sacrament in our country, but its access is slipping. Or it could be, if we can continue to pray, work, and plan for its demise. To that end, we will offer a series of biblical, ethical, legal, and practical reflections on abortion this month. May God end this scourge in our generation!

February 2023

Love has been taken captive. Like a prisoner reading a prepared statement under threat, love has been misused to justify anything from child mutilation, LGBTQ practice, and euthanasia, to name a few. Beyond this, slogans surround us that promise “love is love,” and “all you need is love.” This month we examine genuine love of neighbor, along with the false parody of it. And we do this anchored in the greatest love mankind has ever known.

March 2023

As pragmatic commitments lead the twenty-first century church to rebuild itself in novel ways, we want to recover what Scripture says about men, women, and the office of pastor. While women assuming the pastoral office is not new, it is not supported by a careful reading of Scripture. For some, the office of pastor is like a toy—a beachball that can be passed between men and women alike. But when we disobey the One who made us, we bring a wrecking ball to the household of God. Therefore, with our eyes fixed on his Word, we will take the month of March to examine God’s good design for men and women in church and to show why the pulpit is reserved for biblically qualified men.

April 2023

The hinge of human history is a man—the man, Jesus Christ. Suspended between heaven and earth, the God-man took hold of the cosmos and turned the world upside down with his death and resurrection. But why? Who is this man, and why did he have to die? Why was his tomb empty on the third day, and what do these things mean—both then and now? In April, we plan to “behold the man”—as we explore the weight of Christ's perfect life, vicarious death, and glorious resurrection.

May 2023

From calls to dismantle the “Western-prescribed nuclear family structure” to the president claiming “our nation’s children are all our children,” it is clear that many see the family as a threat—a Lego structure to be broken apart. But our goal this month is to piece together a positive vision for the family. As confessional Baptists, we want to consider this question in particular: “How do you raise children who are not yet in the new covenant?” And what changes when they are born again? This month, we seek to address this question along with a host of others—how do parenting, discipline, and technology fit together, how do grandparents support their grandkids, what role do singles play in the Christian family, and what right does the government have in the home. The truth is: a holy family is a beautiful structure. And in spite of a government that wants to tear it down, God’s good design will endure—but only if we know what it is and how to cultivate it, brick by brick.

June 2023

What do churches that affirm the LGBTQ lifestyle, celebrate God as mother, and host drag queen performances have in common? They are not remotely Christian. While they may identify as “liberal” or “progressive” Christians, they are so far from the core of Christianity that they are altogether a “different religion.” This conclusion is the key insight of J. Gresham Machen in Christianity and Liberalism, a book that celebrates its one hundredth anniversary this year in 2023. While the presenting issues looked different a century ago, the core was the same: Liberal Christianity proclaims a toxic view of doctrine, God, man, the Bible, Christ, Salvation, and the Church. Our Lord reminded us that “the tree is known by its fruit” (Matt. 12:33). This month, we aim to retrieve Machen’s chapter-by-chapter insights to equip a new generation of Christians to discern truth from error.

July 2023

The term “Civil Rights” may evoke images of Martin Luther King Jr. preaching, lunch counter sit-ins, and protest marches. From the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955–56 to the Lincoln Memorial “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, this era resulted in the landmark Civil Rights Act, passed on July 2, 1964. Signed into law by President Johnson (see this month's cover), this Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age." Positively, this legislation reversed laws fashioned to discriminate against blacks; it also gave all Americans equal protections under the law. Yet, it did more. It effectively wrote a second constitution that gave the federal government power to coerce association with the force of law. Add in the various agencies and programs created by this Civil Rights Act, and two Americas have been fostered since the 1960s. For all the good the Civil Rights Movement did to rectify wrongs, it instituted others. And this month, we are going to consider these cross currents, and how the church committed to the cross of Christ can respond today with wisdom to the rights and the wrongs of the Civil Rights Movement.

August 2023

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. With those thrilling words, the Bible begins. Everything else in space and time, history and salvation, creation and covenant, unfolds from God’s very good creation. Indeed, even as Adam’s fall into sin requires the promise and provision of a Redeemer (Gen. 3:15), the whole Bible and the Christian faith stand on the cornerstone of God’s work in Genesis 1–11. For Christians, if we get these chapters right, it leads to life and sound doctrine. But if we get them wrong, it invites all kinds of problems—biblical, theological, ethical, and scientific. Recognizing this fact, during the month of August we consider the literary and theological truths contained in Genesis 1–11. From exegetical analysis to theological inquiry, and from creation science to ethical application, this month will help Christians understand these chapters and their import for God’s Word and God’s world.

September 2023

When Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum wrote Kingdom through Covenant (2012), they introduced an approach to the Bible that stands between Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. Without attempting to create something novel or merely balancing two competing theologies, Progressive Covenantalism holds forth a rigorously, exegetical approach to the Bible—one that reads Scripture on its own terms, so that each covenant relates to and results in God’s kingdom coming by means of Christ’s new covenant. This month, join us as we discover how God has established his kingdom through a series of covenants that bring us to Jesus Christ—who is Lord over all!

October 2023

The term “Christian Nationalism” exploded onto the scene in 2021. But what exactly is it? Taking our cues from the unassuming 1970s detective, Columbo, Christ Over All will ask “Just one more thing.” Through more than a dozen podcasts, and a few longform essays, we plan to interview the usual suspects—those in favor of Christian Nationalism, those who oppose it, and those who are expert witnesses of church history. In November, we will give our constructive analysis. But for this month, we hope to offer good-faith discussions from multiple positions, so that we can compare the competing views of various authors, historians, pastors, and public theologians. Getting the facts of the case will help us all better understand the various forms of Christian Nationalism today.

November 2023

We aimed to lighten the mood in October by asking 'just one more question’ about the heated debate on Christian Nationalism. This month returns to Christ Over All’s regularly scheduled programming of essays and articles supplemented by podcasts. We will analyze the arguments we heard about Christian Nationalism and put forward a constructive approach to biblical nationhood in response. Without being exhaustive, we hope to articulate a Baptist vision for church and state, one that aids the Christian Nationalism(s) debate. We long to see Christ’s light shine in this nation and all nations, and we will consider what Scripture says to us about that endeavor.

December 2023

Now for something completely different: A Christmas Medley. In place of our monthly rhythm of focusing on a specific theme, December is something like a free-for-all. That is to say, instead of focusing on one topic, we’ll be addressing about a dozen. From woke religion to cheap forgiveness, from remembering Francis Schaeffer to understanding The Great Society, and from focusing on worldview to celebrating the Word made flesh (Advent), we will celebrate the season with more than twelve days of Christmas. We said at our founding that if Christ reigns over it, we will write on it. This month, as we hear from a number of new writers and old friends, we continue to make good on that promise. May these assorted articles build up your faith during this Advent season. Merry Christmas!

January 2024

The people of Israel are central to God’s redemptive story. But confusion abounds. Who are the people of Israel today? Are they the citizens of the nation-state of Israel? Or are they the followers of the Messiah? If the former, are they in covenant with God? And if the latter, how should Christians form foreign policy related to Israel and the Middle East? Thinking about the nation-state of Israel raises many questions for world citizens and for students of the Word. For instance, what does the reconstitution of Israel in 1948 say about biblical prophecy? Anything? Is it an eschatological marker? Or simply the evidence of God’s providential work among nations? And how might a Biblical Theology of the Holy Land help us answer such a loaded question? These questions and more will fill the month of January as we move from Holy Scripture to the horrors of Hamas and the ongoing place of Israel in the world. Join us, as we seek the peace of Jerusalem, according to the whole canon of Scripture.

February 2024

Everything is theological. That is, everything finds its meaning by comparison to the Word (logos) that God (theos) has spoken. Still, not every theological system gets it right, and the problem is usually found in the foundation. The method of doing theology determines whether your theological foundation will withstand the storms, the wind, and the floods. So theological foundations are vital, but so is faithful construction. This is what various kinds of theology (historical, philosophical, systematic, biblical, and pastoral) seek to do. And this month, in conjunction with the launch of Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, we plan to offer a vision of doing theology that is by the book.

March 2024

Confessions of faith have fallen on hard times. Some say that they are too restrictive or unnecessarily divisive. But the orthodox, the Protestants, and the Baptists—to name our theological forebears—have always affirmed their faith with written statements. For this is how assemblies guard their life and doctrine, and how cooperating churches do ministry together. So, this month, we explore the role of confessions in the life of the church, and we hone in on the Southern Baptist Convention to consider the Law Amendment and its implications for the future of this denomination. In doing so, we hope to help Baptists, as well as non-Baptists, to see how confessions are a bulwark to unity and cooperation.

April 2024

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Every spring we at Christ Over All set our gaze to Calvary. We look to the pinnacle of human history--the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. But this year we set our gaze from four unique vantage points: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. By paying close attention to each author's particular view of Christ's passion, our awe rises as our faith deepens. So this April, behold the man--the God-man--who lived, died, and rose again to bring us to God.

May 2024

1440. 1844. 1991. 2022. These years mark technological developments so seismic that they forever changed history: the movable type printing press, the telegraph that declared “What Hath God Wrought?,” the introduction of the internet, and now user-friendly artificial intelligence. On November 30, 2022, ChatGPT went live, and in just a short time this AI chatbot had over 100 millions users. But where did this technology come from, what will it do to our perception of what is true, good, and beautiful? How will it affect our very humanity, as well as our view of deity? Truly—what has God wrought? This month we take a critical look at this world-transforming invention and how Christians should think about its place in God’s World.

June 2024

“Of making many books there is no end” (Eccl. 12:12). But only a small fraction of these books pass through time to be read a decade, a century, or even a millennium later. This month, we seek to find those books that have endured through the flames and have proven themselves to be more than wood, hay, or stubble. Without confusing the words of God and the wisdom of men, we seek to consider the perspectives of these great books, so that from them we can have a greater vision of God and his world.

July 2024

When Christians are suffering and tempted to leave Jesus behind, what do they need? They need a certain word that Jesus is better: he is better than food, sex, money, power—and he’s better than angels, Moses, Aaron, and the Old Covenant, too. This is the message of Hebrews: the risen and ascended Christ is over all, so let us fix our eyes on him with assured faith and unwavering hope. This month, join us as we dive into the depths of this glorious book to consider Jesus, our New Covenant high priest.

August 2024

In the legendary Battle of Troy, the Greeks retreated from their siege of the city and left a large wooden horse where they had been. The Trojans wheeled the massive horse into the city as a trophy—only to wake up that night to the sound of Greeks pouring out of the horse, opening the city’s gates, and slaying the inhabitants. Today, the resurgence of the philosopher Plato and his forms of thought offer a gift to the church by way of categories and concepts to better understand the world. But what kind of gifts are these? Will they help Christians walk faithfully and think Christianly? Or will they mislead us and make war against the biblical gospel? Join Christ Over All this month, as we explore how to engage the Platonic Tradition and various forms of Christian Platonism, which are today being revived in evangelical seminaries and other Christian publications.

September 2024

“Jesus is not a Republican or Democrat.” So the saying goes. "His kingdom is not of this world!” So goes another. Virtue signals like these have a ring of truth to them, but often they are used to create a moral equivalency between two political parties that are not morally equivalent. Such sentiments may give the appearance of liberating consciences—no questions asked. But in 2024, it’s time to ask some questions. What does Christ’s Lordship have to do with voting? What does Scripture say about the state and our place in it? How should we think about candidates and party platforms in the post-Christian West? In short, how can we vote to the glory of God? Join us this month as Christ Over All considers how to glorify God in the voting booth.

October 2024

Statism. Globalism. Feminism. Environmentalism. Totalitarianism. If Paul were asked to address these big, bad isms, along with their counterparts in Big Pharma, Big Ed, or Big Tech, the Apostle would likely answer that they are all part of a world system designed to enslave God’s people. Based on his letters to Ephesus and Colossae, it seems certain Paul had an awareness of the co-belligerence of heavenly powers and earthly rulers to oppose Christ and his bride. The question is: Do we have such awareness? And how can we deal with the threat of the ever-increasing state? As we prepare for a November election where globalism will be on the ballot, we consider how Christ is over all these ideologies, and how the church might address these growing threats.

November 2024

The nations rage and the peoples scheme. All the while, our God looks on from heaven and laughs. Why? Because the strongest armies on earth storm the gates of heaven with children’s weapons. The unshakeable kingdom of God stands undaunted in the face of such attacks, and on the last day, it alone will remain. Still, God's kingdom does not go forth like the kingdoms of this world. It grows not by the compulsion of the sword, but by the confession of capital T Truth. Indeed, our servant-king sends forth the word of his gospel, which declares to all that his nail-pierced hands hold the power to save and to judge. And this month, we will devote our time to considering the Kingdom of God and his Christ, the Lord who reigns over all.

December 2024

Handel’s Messiah is perhaps the most iconic musical composition in modern history, and the “Hallelujah Chorus” is its crowning feature. Yet, beyond the angelic-sounding notes is a bedrock of Bible. In fact, the entire work chronicles God’s grand story of redemption through Scripture quotations alone. These biblical meditations sing of the Messiah’s foretelling in the Old Testament, as well as his birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and glorious ascension in the New. This month, we will look at these Christ-centered scriptures and respond with our own exultant “Hallelujah” occasioned by Handel’s musical composition.

January 2025

What does it mean in Genesis 1:26 when God says. "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness"? This January, Christ Over All will take a look at this question from Scripture and throughout society. With God’s Word as our guide, we plan to flesh out how the imago Dei affects the beginning and end of life, gender and sexuality, the physical body, and even church graveyards. In all, we hope to be renewed according to the image of the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ. So join us as we begin 2025 by looking at the theology and ethics of humanity.

February 2025

The most deadly enemy is the one that you underestimate. If sin is missing or misunderstood from our view, then we are less able to recognize and repent of it. Sin does not like to be discovered, but exposing it is part of the Christian’s task (Eph. 5:11). This month, our aim is to shine light on the true nature of sin before the public consciousness—to understand it, correct false notions of it, and renew an appreciation for the one who conquered it. Bring your flashlight.

March 2025

What is the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission? What role does it play in the Southern Baptist Convention? And what can the ERLC do to regain the trust of Southern Baptists? These were some of the questions that came out of the SBC’s 2024 annual meeting. Seeking answers to those questions, Christ Over All will offer biblical, historical, and practical reflections on how Christians, and specifically Baptists, have and should engage the public square. We hope this month initiates a serious discussion about the ERLC and its ministry in the SBC and beyond. While this month focuses on our convention, all are welcome to think practically with us about our public ethics and political engagement.

April 2025

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus spoke to two wandering disciples about all that the Hebrew scriptures said concerning him (Luke 24:27). Warming their hearts with his “Christ-centered” interpretation of the Old Testament, Jesus taught his disciples and us (by way of Luke’s account) how to read all things in Scripture in light of Christ. In this month, we follow our Savior’s lead to see the glory of the cross in the patterns and promises of the Old Testament. From the first gospel promise in Genesis 3:15 to the sacrifice that delivered Isaac, from the Passover to the exile, from the Day of Atonement to the serpent lifted on a pole, we will learn how to glimpse the old rugged cross in the pages of God’s unfolding story. Come join us for the journey.

May 2025

From building up and doing good to tearing down and mocking evil, words have incredible power! In Proverbs, the tongue is said to give life and to take it away (Prov. 18:21); James says the tongue is a spark of a fire and a rudder—so small and yet so consequential (Jas. 3:4–6)! Likewise, creation itself comes from the Word of God (John 1:1–5), Jesus is the Word of God incarnate (John 1:14), and our Lord says that every word we utter will be measured against us (Matt. 12:36). With so much at stake, speaking like Christ and patterning our words after the whole counsel of God is one of the most important disciplines we can learn. For that reason, we are taking this month to see how God’s Word teaches us how to use our words. Join us as we seek to be sanctified in our speech.

June 2025

Fathers are missing—both literally and metaphorically. Some fail to show up, and others fail to step up. And when this masculine authority is absent, the family and the rest of society languish. But what's a dad to do? This month, we look to our heavenly Father's Word and wisdom to make fatherhood great again. From Biblical exposition to cultural application, we aim to recover and refine the place of the father as the head of the household—the paterfamilias.

July 2025

Heaven or Hell hangs on a single letter—a cosmic Greek iota painstakingly clarified at the council of Nicaea in 325 AD. For if God the Son is only of a similar essence as the Father—denoted by the middle "i" in the term homoiousios—then he is not fully God and cannot save. But if he is of the same essence as the father—homoousios—then he truly is "God from God, light from light, true God from true God," and fully able to accomplish salvation. Understanding our past equips us to navigate our future. So, this month, on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, we walk down an old path towards this ancient city in order to re-discover the truths hammered out at the first council of the post-apostolic church.

August 2025

Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. These Gospels definitively answer the question: "Who is Jesus"? He is the authoritative teacher. The Suffering servant. The worldwide Savior. The divine Son. He is the fulfillment of God's plan, and the "yes" to His promises. These four Gospels are some of the most fascinating and important books in Scripture. And yet, they are frequently misunderstood or neglected—both inside the church and outside. This month, we dive into the structure, message, theology, and glory of the four Gospels, while also confronting several distortions. Join us in unveiling the wonders of these four witnesses to the one gospel.

September 2025

God created mankind to glorify him through work: to subdue and to exercise dominion over all the earth. But in a fallen world, blisters and splinters plague our labors—not to mention laziness and workaholism. Outside of Eden, even our motives are suspect: what is the line between prudent self-advancement and sinful greed, between godly ambition and pride, or between risk and irresponsibility? And what should we do when we’re not at work? Obviously, there’s a lot of work to do in order to answer these questions, so clock in with us we seek to grasp a theology of vocation.

October 2025

Biblical theology is essential for understanding Scripture. It takes the Bible on its own terms and rightly assumes that these sixty-six books are one unified story inspired by one divine author that culminates in Jesus Christ. But many are unaware what biblical theology is, and others have tasted it and walked away. But can we move on from the way that Jesus and his apostles read God’s Word? Join us this month as we consider what biblical theology is, where it came from, and what state it is in today.

August 2025

The Christian leaders and theologians of centuries past spoke before congress, served as prime ministers, and advised kings . . . so why are we evangelicals so allergic to doing the same? For too long we have artificially removed political theology from the realm of Christian discipleship, and we have a lot of catching up to do. Yet, before we can make any new contributions, we need to do the reading. This month, we're diving into the two taboos of the Thanksgiving table: religion and politics. And in doing so, we hope to reintroduce some of the most influential works on Christian political thought, so that God can be glorified not only in the church, but also in the state—with an eye to the whole world!

December 2025

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.

January 2026

The Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, but what now? The fight to protect and advocate for the lives of unborn children has changed dramatically, shifting from a more national focus to a greater focus on individual states. But what strategy is best? Should we work to end abortion incrementally, saving as many lives as we can? Or should we push to abolish abortion outright, thus bringing this national scourge to an end? Those questions bear careful attention, as do the contributing factors that continue to fuel abortion. This month, we will address many of these issues, as we seek abortion’s abolition and advocate for the life of the unborn.

February 2026

What is the first thing you think of when you hear “God”? Decades ago theologian Francis Schaeffer wrote The God Who is There, where he rightly pointed out that God is a personal and infinite Being who resolves the deepest issues that haunt us. Sadly, many of us fail to give God the honor that is due to him because we are ignorant of his majestic Being and attributes—when is the last time you sang about God’s aseity or impassability? Join us this month to consider who our Triune God reveals himself to be so that we can render him supreme glory.

March 2026

O'Sullivan's Law says that institutions will move left without a deliberate effort to thwart liberal drift. History has shown this axiom also applies to denominations, too. And in the case of the once-recovered Southern Baptist Convention, time will tell if it can remain faithful. Certainly, there is much to celebrate in the SBC. From cooperative missions and seminary training to countless churches that love Christ and his truth, the SBC continues to impact the world for the savior. But drift is a real threat, and within the "big tent" of the SBC a rising tide of female leaders, a repeated lack of fiscal accountability, and a growing disconnect between SBC leaders and laypeople raise the question: Can the center hold? Join us this month as we ponder this question for the SBC and beyond.

April 2026

Since the Fall, death has dominated the world. But Jesus thundered: "Lazarus, come forth!"—and a dead man walked alive: a vivid preview of the Messiah's resurrection. Truly, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. But is resurrection only a New Testament hope? This month, we investigate how resurrection from the dead—especially on a third day—is, in fact, "in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:4) and the "God of the living" who inspired them (Mark 12:27). From Jonah’s three days in the fish to Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, from David’s cry for life to Job’s declaration that he shall see God . . . join us as we walk from death to life in the pages of the Old Testament.

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Upcoming Themes

COMING March 2024

Confessions of faith have fallen on hard times. Some say that they are too restrictive or unnecessarily divisive. But the orthodox, the Protestants, and the Baptists—to name our theological forebears—have always affirmed their faith with written statements. For this is how assemblies guard their life and doctrine, and how cooperating churches do ministry together. So, this month, we explore the role of confessions in the life of the church, and we hone in on the Southern Baptist Convention to consider the Law Amendment and its implications for the future of this denomination. In doing so, we hope to help Baptists, as well as non-Baptists, to see how confessions are a bulwark to unity and cooperation.

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“If Christianity is really true, then it involves the whole man … Christianity is not just ‘dogmatically’ true or ‘doctrinally’ true. Rather, it is true to what is there, true in the whole area of the whole man in all of life.”

Francis Schaeffer