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Adam Dooley

Nov 11
Love0

Do All Roads Really Lead to Heaven?

By Cross, Eternity, Heaven, Salvation No Comments

One of the most popular religious assumptions of our day is that all roads eventually lead to heaven. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or some combination of spiritual traditions are commonly presented as equally valid paths to the same destination. As long as we are sincere, many insist, what we believe matters far less than how deeply we believe it.

But is that true? Do all religions basically make the same points in different ways? Do all of us worship the same God, no matter what we call Him or say about Him? Despite the temptation to affirm these sentiments in the name of tolerance and inclusion, doing so requires ignoring the fundamentally different claims varying religions make about God, humanity, sin, and salvation.

More importantly, these ecumenical assumptions directly contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ. On the night before His crucifixion, after informing His disciples that He would soon depart to prepare a place for them, the Savior promised that they would eventually join Him (John 14:1-3). Confused by these announcements, Thomas asked how they could possibly know the way to their heavenly destination.

Jesus responded in no uncertain terms, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Think about the audacity of these words. Jesus did not merely claim to know the way to heaven. He declared Himself to be the way. He did not simply promise to teach truth. Instead, He insisted that He is the truth. Neither did He flippantly offer to improve our lives. Jesus identified Himself as the very source of life.

Because of claims like these, C.S. Lewis famously remarked that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. His observation underscores the unavoidable implications of Christ’s claims. Either Jesus was deliberately deceiving His disciples, or He was telling the truth. Either Jesus was tragically mistaken, or He knew exactly what He was saying. Either Jesus’ claims are false, or He really is the promised Savior of the world. A straightforward affirmation of Christ’s words leads to at least three exclusive conclusions.

First, Jesus is the only way to God. Our greatest problem is not economic inequality, political instability, or even physical suffering. The most devastating reality we face is our sinfulness, which relationally separates us from God, bringing certain death (Isa. 59:2). No one is exempt from the corruption of a wicked heart and its actions (Rom. 3:23).

Consequently, no amount of good behavior can erase our guilt. Religious ceremonies cannot remove our transgressions. Acts of kindness cannot compensate for our rebellion. Becoming a better person will never reconcile us to God (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Thus, Jesus came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

On the cross, He bore the judgment sinners deserve (1 Pet. 3:18). Through His resurrection, He conquered our fallen nature and the death it brings (1 Cor. 15:54-57). Stated differently, Jesus did not come to point the way home to God; He came to be our way home.

Second, Jesus is the definitive revelation of truth. When Christ claims to be the truth, He is asserting far more than personal honesty or intellectual reliability. Contextually, He is revealing Himself as the perfect revelation of God the Father (see also John 1:14, 18). Want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. Want to understand God’s character? Study Jesus. Want to see the holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love of God? Examine Jesus (John 14:9; Col. 1:15).

Sadly, we live in a culture that increasingly treats truth as a matter of personal preference. We speak of “your truth” and “my truth” as though reality changes according to individual desires. The error of such logic is that truth does not become false because we choose to reject it, nor does falsehood become true because we elect to embrace it.

Because Jesus is truth, we must not redefine God according to our preferences, rewrite Scripture to accommodate our desires, or reinvent the Son of God with hopes of making Him more culturally acceptable (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Too many people want Christ’s compassion without His commands, His blessings without His authority, His promises without His demands, and His salvation without His lordship (Luke 6:46).

Third, Jesus is the only source of eternal life. Not surprisingly, Scripture describes those who do not know Christ as spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Jesus did not come merely to improve the life we already possess; He came to call us from death to life (Eph. 2:4-5).

Eternal life begins the moment we are born again through faith in Christ (John 5:24; 17:3). We can experience joy in our relationship with God, strength to resist temptation, hope during difficult days, and peace in the midst of trials (Rom. 5:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:13). The life Jesus offers is not merely a future promise; it is a present possession that transforms how we live today. If that weren’t enough, Jesus is also preparing a home for us in heaven, where we will live with Him forever (John 14:2-3).

Admittedly, the exclusivity of Jesus’ claims makes some uncomfortable. Yet, His words leave no room for misunderstanding (Acts 4:12). The Savior insists that He is the only way to heaven. Think about it. If we could be good enough to earn heaven, why did Jesus choose to die? If every religion can reconcile sinners to God, why was the cross necessary? If sincerity alone can save us, why would Christ sacrifice Himself?

The answer is that no other way could accomplish our redemption (1 Tim. 2:5-6). Despite the exclusivity of the cross, however, the invitation for salvation remains universal. Regardless of your past and your failures, whosoever will call on the name of the Lord can be saved (Rom. 10:13). There is only one way to God, but that way is open to anyone who will come through Jesus Christ.

Adam B. Dooley
November 11, 2026

Nov 04
Love0

Death Is Not the End—for Anyone

By Eternity, Hope, Resurrection, Salvation No Comments

Technology entrepreneur Bryan Johnson is spending millions of dollars in an ambitious effort to overcome aging and extend his life. His elaborate regimen includes strict dietary restrictions, rigorous exercise, extensive medical monitoring, and experimental treatments. His Don’t Die movement even boasts, “We might be the first generation that doesn’t die.”

Despite numerous extraordinary advances in medicine, technology, and science, however, humanity has yet to discover a way to eliminate death. We can postpone it, predict its arrival, and mourn its consequences, but we are unable to escape its inevitability. Death is the one appointment no human being can avoid.

Thankfully, Jesus came to conquer the one problem we cannot overcome. One of the Bible’s most astonishing claims is that death will not have the final word for anyone. Every person who has ever lived will one day rise from the grave. The question is not whether we will live again, but what kind of eternity awaits us.

The story of Lazarus’ resurrection after four days is breathtaking (John 11). With just a word from Jesus, the dead man, already decaying, walked out of the grave very much alive (John 11:43-44). The one death had swallowed was now standing in victory! What we sometimes miss, though, is that the miracle that brought Lazarus out of the grave sets into motion the events that will put Jesus in one (John 11:53). And that is exactly the point.

Jesus declared that He is the resurrection and the life because He intended to restore the eternal life that was lost in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6). And how would He do it? After His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus rose from the grave with a glorified body that, unlike Lazarus’, would never die again. Our Savior’s resurrection was not merely a temporary reversal of death, but a permanent victory that He offers to share with us.

Thus, the Apostle Paul refers to Christ as “the first fruits” of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20). In other words, because He was raised from the dead there are two resurrections that will follow in the future. First, all Christians will soon rise from the grave as well. Those who belong to Christ can rest easy knowing that we will live again even if we die (John 11:25).

Believers still get sick, grow old, and suffer. Faith in Christ does not exempt us from the painful realities of a fallen world, nor does He offer an avenue to sidestep the grim reaper. Yet, Jesus promises that through Him we can overcome death with greater profundity than even Lazarus knew. These bodies of ours, like seeds, are sown perishable but raised imperishable; sown in dishonor but raised in glory; sown in weakness but raised in power (1 Cor. 15:42-44).

Think about the glorious implications. The godly parent you long to see again will one day rise. The believer whose body deteriorated from disease will be whole again. The child of God whose life ended abruptly will gain a new lease on life. Christians who have been dead for centuries will hear the voice of Jesus and leave their burial clothes behind for good.

Whether we wait four days like Lazarus or thousands of years, the passing of time cannot weaken the promises of God or diminish the power of the ONE who is the resurrection and the life. Because Jesus lives, we will also.

Yet, the resurrection is not exclusively a promise of hope; for those who reject Christ, it is also a warning of judgment. Non-Christians will also rise from the dead to live forever somewhere. Jesus Himself explained this nuance by insisting that believers will experience a resurrection of life while unbelievers will face a resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29). Specifically, this is a reference to the Great White Throne Judgment.

The Apostle John described the terrible scene: “I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne . . . and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. . . . And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:12-15). Those outside of Christ will answer to God for their sins.

The ramifications are sobering. You cannot escape God by dying. The grave offers no refuge from divine judgment. There will be no eternal party in hell among friends who also rejected Christ and ignored His commands. Every person will one day be raised from the dead, but not everyone will be raised to enjoy eternal life with God.

The biblical doctrine of resurrection is not only a comforting promise for grieving Christians, but it is also a solemn admonition to those who remain outside of Christ. One day, every grave will surrender its occupant. All people will stand before the God who created them. The only hope of escaping eternal judgment is the Savior who conquered death through His own resurrection. Everyone will live again. The question is where, and with whom, you will spend eternity.

Adam B. Dooley
November 4, 2026

Oct 28
Love0

Biblical Convictions in the Voting Booth

By America, Faith, Politics, Truth No Comments

With this year’s midterm elections just days away, appeals from both the left and the right compete for the support of voters who have not yet cast an early ballot. As a Christian pastor, I simply cannot separate my vote from my biblically informed convictions, nor can I encourage others to do so.

Yet, even mentioning the interconnectedness of faith and politics invites the scorn of many who insist that doing so is an unwelcome violation of the separation of church and state. “Stop being political!” some demand. “Stick to preaching!” others suggest. “You cannot legislate morality!” is the central theme, and “Keep faith out of politics!” is the common refrain. But is any of that legitimate?

Statements like these ignore the political overreach of recent years. The problem is not that the church has become too political, but that politics has become far too morally aggressive. If you want Christians to stop equating their politics with matters of faith, keep the government out of our spiritual conversations. When the state moves beyond providing national security and infrastructure necessities like bridges and highways into the realm of defining marriage and gender, it leaves its intended lane and exceeds its proper authority (Rom. 13:1-7). Issues do not lose their inherent morality simply because politicians choose to hijack them.

Consider, for example, the Democratic Party’s official 2024 platform, which calls for restoring nationwide abortion protections, repealing federal abortion-funding restrictions, affirming same-sex marriage, and expanding protections based on gender identity. Each of these agendas is explicitly unChristian. By saying so, I am not suggesting that any party has a monopoly on biblical truth, or that the Republican Party is somehow equivalent to the kingdom of God. For followers of Jesus, Scripture should settle questions of right and wrong, not political parties.

Abortion is not healthcare; it is the murder of an unborn child. Scripture clearly teaches that life begins at conception as God begins to weave us together with great care and dignity in the womb (Psa. 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41-44). Same-sex marriage undermines the foundational principle that the husband-wife relationship is a one-flesh union between a man and a woman, laid down in the first book of the Bible and affirmed by Jesus (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Fabricated distinctions between biological sex and gender create unnecessary confusion, and reassignment surgeries cause irreparable damage to God’s male and female image bearers (Gen. 1:26-28).

I highlight these issues not to be controversial, but because they reflect the stated platform of one of our major political parties. Why should I remain silent about these moral subjects while secularists speak freely about their ungodly agenda? Ironically, many of the same people who decry faith in politics are quick to applaud the spiritual compass behind progressive ideas.

For example, discussions about poverty, immigration, climate change, social justice, or discrimination frequently appeal to our moral obligations as a society. I have no problem with such reasoning, even when I disagree with the conclusions. Yet, the same liberal talking heads simultaneously frame debates about abortion, marriage, or sexuality as attempts to impose religion on society. Remember Diane Feinstein’s lament that “the dogma lives loudly” within Amy Coney Barrett? Why should we welcome the moral convictions of some while rejecting others?

Think about the enthusiastic reception of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, whose progressive political positions frequently draw upon his novel, reinvented version of Christianity. Liberal pundits celebrate his willingness to invoke Scripture when advocating for economic justice and immigration reform, even as he promotes LGBTQ rights that contradict clear biblical teachings. Yet some of the same political voices object when Christians appeal to the Bible concerning the sanctity of life, marriage, and sexuality.

Certainly, Talarico has every right to allow his faith to inform his politics, but so do conservative Christians. The public should evaluate the substance of competing biblical interpretations rather than selectively dismissing religious arguments we disagree with as inappropriate.

Furthermore, a robust biblical ethic also requires our acknowledgment that not all moral obligations are equally important. Protecting human life, for instance, should be nonnegotiable for Christians while debates surrounding tax rates or environmental concerns can sometimes leave thoughtful believers in disagreement with one another. All these issues have moral implications, but they do not carry the same weight. Biblical commands and political strategies are not morally equivalent despite attempts to blur the lines.

Followers of Jesus should never allow their political loyalties to overshadow their Christian identity, but neither should they accept the mistaken notion that faithfulness requires political silence. Though our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), we should seek the welfare of the world in which we live (Jer. 29:7). Jesus commanded His people to be salt and light amidst a dark, broken creation (Matt. 5:13-16). Certainly, this command requires more than a consistent political ethic, but not less.

Soon, Americans will once again decide who represents them in Congress and in many state and local offices. These representatives will influence legislation, spending, and public policy, all of which bear moral implications. Not only should all Christians vote, but we should also do so with great wisdom and care so as to preserve our spiritual convictions. Distinguishing between unchanging biblical principle and debatable strategies requires attention and diligence.

When moral questions become political controversies, our responsibility is not to surrender our convictions or lower our voices. Instead, we should engage every election cycle with truth, wisdom, humility, and love. Even though the ballot box may be political, the decisions made there often carry profound moral consequences. So, be sure to vote on November 3, and don’t leave your faith at home.

Adam B. Dooley
October 28, 2026

Oct 21
Love0

Hard Providence and Dark Grace

By Faith, Providence, Suffering, Trials No Comments

Few things are more difficult for a pastor than watching people hurt. The number of times I have stood by when a loved one takes his last breath are too numerous to count. Bad diagnoses, broken marriages, rebellious children, abusive relationships, and significant losses are but a small sampling of the heartaches that seem increasingly common in our broken world. Hardships like these can leave us reeling.

Providence is a word describing God’s interaction with and supervision over the events of the world generally and people specifically. Simply put, God guides and directs every step we take according to His purposes and design. Understanding this reality raises questions about suffering, but it also provides great comfort when we discover the eternal benefits of our hardships.

Admittedly, none can understand the mind of God (Rom 11:33-36), and most of us have some level of frustration with the Lord when life begins to unravel. Often, our questions remain unanswered and personal despondency looms on the horizon as a weapon against our faith in God. Like a plague of unwanted confusion, the question “why?” haunts us.

Why did my spouse die? Why did I lose my job? Why is my family in disarray? Why is my health declining? Why? Why? Why? Trusting God’s providence, however, can liberate us from the burdens of doubt and anxiety over what we do not understand. Realizing that God is working, even when we cannot fully comprehend how, enables us to face trials with the certainty of winning regardless of the outcome.

Doing so requires confidence that God is trustworthy to give us what we need even when what we want may be different. You can live knowing that, though God’s providence is sometimes hard, it is always good.

Consider the strange encouragement of Philippians 1:29: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake . . .” Really? God “grants” us the opportunity to suffer for His sake? The idea is that sometimes we suffer not because we deserve it (though sometimes we do) but because God graces us with the privilege. How can this be?

Perhaps we could live with the fact that God requires, plans, or even forces difficulties upon us. But who celebrates the notion that God grants us the improbable blessing of suffering? Why should we receive this as a gracious invitation?  After observing the burdens that so many people carry, it seems insensitive and crude to hint that trials of any kind could be an honorable, even blessed reality.

Contextually, these words remind us that God allows Christians to represent Him to others through the witness that adversity provides (See Phil. 1:12-14). Even greater, however, is the indication that earthly burdens are a unique means to know God better than we could otherwise. The Apostle Paul spoke of his difficulties as a unique invitation to a deeper relationship with the Lord in Philippians 3:10:  “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

While the power of Christ’s resurrection is something all people desire in their lives, few are eager to embrace the fellowship of His sufferings to know Him better. Yet, unleashing the power of Jesus’ resurrection begins on the road of heartache. Don’t forget that our Savior had to experience the agony of Golgotha before He reveled in the glory of an empty tomb. Likewise, the prerequisite to walking in the power of His resurrection is the willingness to fellowship with Christ through our greatest trials.

Thus, when hardship comes . . . Everything gained should be counted as loss for Christ (Phil 3:7). Likewise, everything should be considered loss compared to knowing Jesus personally (Phil 3:8). The ultimate goal is “that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Phil 3:11). Far from casting doubt on our confidence for future resurrection, these words highlight the resurrected reality that those who suffer for Christ can enjoy right now.

When we die to sin, selfishness, pettiness, dreams, aspirations, and goals, then we are free to know Christ and live the resurrected life with Him today. Paul’s progression teaches us that all of life’s difficulties are: for the sake of Christ . . . (Phil 3:7); that I may gain Christ . . . (Phil 3:8); that I may be found in Him . . . (Phil 3:9); that I may know Him. . . (Phil 3:10).

Furthermore, the old apostle offers numerous concessions. 1) He hasn’t already obtained this level of fellowship with Christ (Phil 3:12). 2) He willingly forgets anything in the past that would hinder him (Phil 3:13). 3) He reaches forward to what lies ahead in order to know Christ better (Phil 3:13-14).

The implications here are profound. God providentially allows hardships in our lives that are the opposite of what we desire because He knows they will meet our greatest need of knowing Him more intimately. Ironically, when God seems most distant due to what we face, He is often most active in our lives. When we least understand what God is doing, we are better positioned to know Him at a more personal level because of the faith it requires.  God’s goal is not our comprehending Him more completely, but our trusting Him more deeply.

So, the next time the wound is deep, try to lean in. When you want to run from God, run to Him instead. And if nothing seems to make sense and your heart is full of doubt, be open to experiencing God like you never have before. His hard providence is working for your good and His dark grace will soon yield to the light of eternity.

Adam B. Dooley
October 21, 2026

Oct 14
Love0

Beware of the Slow Drift

By Christian Living, Faithfulness, Truth No Comments

Early this month, four scuba divers off the coast of Flores, Indonesia experienced a frightening reminder of how easily we can lose our way. During an underwater excursion, powerful currents swept the divers farther and farther from their intended location. Despite their extensive training and experience, the swimmers soon found themselves miles from safety.

Thankfully, rescuers found all four of them after hours of uncertainty. The frightening ordeal illustrates how easily we can end up where we never intended to be. Choosing the wrong direction is certainly possible, but more common is the slow drift that unknowingly redirects our path. The same principle is true spiritually.

Most people who abandon their faith do not wake up one day determined to jettison everything they once believed. Instead, unseen currents gradually pull our hearts away from God through a series of small, seemingly insignificant compromises. Through the first of five warnings in the book of Hebrews, the Bible reminds us to pay careful attention to what we believe, lest we drift away from it over time (Heb. 2:1).

Much like the lost divers in Asia, the biblical imagery of drifting pictures a ship that slips past its harbor or breaks loose from its anchor. Apart from continued diligence, a vessel can move out of safe waters without passengers even realizing what happened. Spiritual drifting works the same way. Hidden currents constantly influence our lives in directions that are not immediately recognizable.

Perhaps the current of familiarity poses the greatest danger for longtime churchgoers.  When the extraordinary truths of Christianity become ordinary to us, we are in grave danger of losing our faith. We can sing about the cross without contemplating Christ’s sacrifice.  We can read Scripture with no expectation that God desires to change our lives.

Similarly, the current of busyness can also push us away from our Savior. Our schedules can become so crowded that we neglect the very relationship that gives our lives meaning. Between work and family responsibilities, along with countless distractions and recreational activities, we often give the Lord whatever time we have left. When salvation seems common to us or God is crowded out, we are already drifting.

Most threatening of all, though, is the unseen current of political correctness and compromise that plagues our society. Because the whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), we can be easily taken captive by the foolishness of worldly wisdom (1 Cor. 3:19) rather than our devotion to Christ (Col. 2:8). The deadly philosophies of our fallen creation slowly erode longstanding Christian norms and doctrines, often without our realizing it.

Think I’m exaggerating? Take, for example, the strategic pressure to celebrate sexual relationships that the Bible plainly reserves for marriage between a man and a woman (Heb. 13:4). Pay attention to the nonsensical denial of biological sex as the determining factor of one’s gender despite God’s clear design (Gen. 1:27). Note the sleight of hand that redefines love as unconditional affirmation rather than speaking truth with compassion for others (Eph. 4:15).

Consider the ecumenical pressure to deny the exclusivity of Christ for the notion that all roads lead to heaven (John 14:6). Recognize the constant encouragement to measure our success by the number of our possessions instead of our faithfulness to God (Luke 12:15). Or what about the common applause for self-expression and personal fulfillment that so frequently replaces the gospel call to deny ourselves by taking up our cross and following Jesus (Luke 9:23-24)?

The danger today is not merely that our culture increasingly rejects biblical truth, but that Christians often gradually embrace what Scripture plainly condemns. Many people incrementally abandon biblical Christianity without ever making a conscious decision to reject Christ. Given enough time, seemingly insignificant compromises can lead to indifference about the gospel first, followed by an open denial of it. Tragically, many have so redefined orthodoxy that they boast of a faith that is completely foreign to the Bible.

A warning like this ought to prompt our honest reflection. Have you lost your enthusiasm for God’s Word? Has prayer become an afterthought? Are you increasingly comfortable with attitudes and behaviors that Scripture condemns? Does the wisdom of man or the wisdom of God shape your convictions? Do you still treasure Jesus Christ above everything else?

The great danger of drifting is that we rarely notice how far we have moved until the distance becomes unmistakable. Those divers near Indonesia needed rescuers to bring them safely home. The same is true for us. Staying faithful requires more than a renewed determination to do better. Only the Savior who died and rose again to rescue sinners can see us safely home.

Let’s cling to Him with our whole heart. Let’s remain true to His Word no matter how much the world accosts us. Let’s remember that the temporary distractions of this world do not eclipse the eternal realities of our faith. Pay attention to your soul. The current is stronger than you think.

Adam B. Dooley
October 14, 2026

Oct 07
Love0

What Christa Pike’s Failed Execution Does —and Does Not—Prove

By Accountability, Authority, Capital Punishment, Forgiveness 2 Comments

Last week, Tennessee attempted to execute convicted killer Christa Pike, who lured her classmate, Colleen Slemmer, into a wooded Knoxville area to torture and murder her in 1995. After being on death row for over 30 years, authorities finally attempted to carry out her sentence on September 30. By now you have heard that things did not go as planned.

After receiving two doses of pentobarbital, Pike remained awake and responsive longer than anticipated. She complained of her arm feeling like it might burst open, and witnesses heard her breathing and snoring after the procedure concluded. Eventually, an ambulance transported her from the prison to a hospital. Gov. Bill Lee subsequently halted Tennessee’s only remaining execution for 2026 and ordered an independent investigation into what went wrong.

The disturbing episode immediately, and understandably, raised legitimate unease about Tennessee’s execution protocols. What happened? Why did the drugs fail? Can the state reliably administer the punishments it prescribes? Questions like these deserve serious answers.

A separate but equally serious question may also confuse Christians during this cultural moment. Does a botched execution demonstrate that capital punishment itself is morally wrong? Answering this concern requires believers to look beyond Nashville’s death chamber to consider what the Bible teaches about the matter.

Few issues stir stronger emotions than the death penalty. Supporters view capital sentencing as a necessary expression of justice, while opponents consider it cruel, ineffective, or even immoral. Ultimately, as with every issue, Scripture must remain our guide.

The Bible first addresses the subject in the Old Testament book of Genesis. After the flood, God instructed Noah, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:6). Don’t miss the timing of these words. God handed down the command centuries before the Mosaic Law, even before the nation of Israel existed.

Claiming, therefore, that capital punishment is merely an outdated provision of Israel’s legal code misses the point entirely. The Lord rooted His command in something far more universal and abiding—the sanctity of human life. Therein lies the unexpected logic in support of punishing evildoers. Scripture permits the death penalty not because life is cheap, but because it is precious and valuable.

Every human being bears the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) and each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord Himself, who formed our inward parts and wove us together in the womb (Ps. 139:13-14). Thus, murder is criminal precisely because taking innocent life is an assault on our Creator.

The New Testament identifies governing leaders as God’s chosen instruments for administering justice when necessary (Rom. 13:1-5). In fact, Scripture describes this ordained authority as a “minister of God” and an “avenger” who brings wrath upon those who practice evil (Rom. 13:4c). Lest we conclude that these verses exclude physical force or serious consequences, the Apostle Paul insists that God’s rulers do “not bear the sword for nothing” (Rom. 13:4b). Similarly, the Apostle Peter maintains that human institutions and governors exist “for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right” (1 Pet. 2:13-14).

Obviously, none of these descriptions or directives mean that any government always acts justly. Scripture records numerous examples of corrupt rulers and unfair decisions. Nor does the biblical record justify carelessness in the administration of these precepts. When someone’s life hangs in the balance, the highest standards of evidence and fairness should prevail.

Sincere Christians sometimes debate the standards of evidence the death penalty should require, varying safeguards meant to protect the innocent, and the different methods for execution itself. We should never confuse disagreements over the enforcement of capital punishment, however, with the legitimacy of the practice itself.

Undoubtedly, we should consider how the words of Jesus shape our views on this subject as well. Our Lord told us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to refuse retaliation (Matt. 5:38-45). Ultimately, vengeance belongs to God alone, and we should never seek revenge against those who hurt us (Rom. 12:19). Herein lies the necessary balance between Jesus’ words and the prescriptions for government discussed earlier.

God insists that believers refrain from avenging themselves, knowing that He will repay evildoers, often through governing authorities. Christians, therefore, must forgive personally even as they await judicial actions that punish real crimes. Forgiving a murderer while also believing that the same individual should face consequences is not a contradictory position. Mercy in one’s heart does not require abandoning justice in a courtroom. We should allow God’s established means to work and accept whatever the outcomes might be.

We should pray for murderers. We should desire their repentance and salvation. We should forgive those who wrong us. We should insist that courts protect the innocent and treat every defendant fairly. We should correct governmental incompetence and condemn wrongful convictions. Protecting the innocent remains every bit as biblical as punishing the guilty.

But none of those core beliefs requires us to abandon accountability. The imperfect pursuit of justice does not erase our biblical responsibility to pursue it faithfully. Because all human life is sacred, those who intentionally snuff it out deserve society’s most serious response.

Adam B. Dooley
October 7, 2026

Sep 30
Love0

The Church Cannot Be Downloaded

By Church, Community, Discipleship, Worship No Comments

In many ways, we have never been more connected. Our smartphones give us access to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Within seconds we can text, post, comment, like, follow, and even livestream. We can attend meetings from home, visit landmarks through virtual tours, and shop online. Social media allows us to follow the lives of people we seldom see, or even those we have never met.

Trends like these are reshaping churches as well.  It’s possible to join a worship service, participate in Bible studies, register for events, connect with other members, offer financial support, submit a prayer request, and record a faith decision without ever leaving your living room. In recent years, Christians began using the term “phygital” to describe the convergence of our physical and digital experiences.

Yet, despite our technological ability to have the world at our fingertips, something is still missing. In fact, our supposed interconnectivity has seemingly only pushed us further and further away from others. A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine may help explain why. By studying more than 1500 American adults ages 30-70, researchers compared the emotional support people received through social media with the strength they gained through real-life relationships.

The difference was remarkable.

Adults receiving the least real-life emotional support faced more than eight times the odds of loneliness compared with those receiving the most. Digital interactions were simply weaker, falling short of meaningful community. Stated differently, our online activities cannot duplicate the strength and value of actual relationships. The real issue is that access creates the illusion of presence.

If these waters were not muddy enough, artificial intelligence is now creating further relational substitutes. AI chatbots can answer our questions and help us problem solve while carrying on remarkably human-like conversations. The companion app Replika even promises AI companionship, though a real person is not on the other end of the conversation. These artificial exchanges mimic authentic relationships, but they fall woefully short.

Sending a message is not the same as having a conversation. A liked post is not the same as receiving a hug. A praying emoji does not communicate the same support as a friend who sits beside you for hours when your world falls apart. AI may encourage us with words, but it cannot love us. It may respond to our grief, but it cannot grieve with us. Bots do not need us, no matter how much we depend upon them.

Is any of this surprising?

The very heart of Christianity is a ministry of impactful presence. God did not seek to save that which is lost from a distance (Luke 19:10). Instead, Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the glory of God in a tangible way (John 1:14). The Savior of the world walked our roads, touched those who were sick, wept with those who were hurting, and confronted real sins while calling us to repentance. He did not create a website, load a YouTube message, or look in on us virtually. The Son of God came near to us so that we could draw near to Him.

And now the body of Christ continues the same ministry of life-changing presence. Scripture instructs the church of the living God to “be devoted to one another” (Rom. 12:10), to “care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25), to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2), to “encourage one another” (1 Thess. 5:11), and to “pray for one another” (James 5:16). The most powerful ministry occurs when we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15).

None of this means technology is bad. Livestreaming can be a tremendous blessing to homebound church members, people recovering from illness, those who are traveling, and a host of others who legitimately need to miss a worship service. Social media allows congregations to communicate quickly and spread biblical truth farther than previous generations ever imagined. We should use these tools gratefully, even as we recognize their limitations.

Because God created us for community, He invites us into fellowship with Himself and other believers (1 John 1:3). Genuine relationships require something from us the digital mirage never will. They interrupt our schedules, expose our selfishness, and demand continual nurture. Functioning within the body of Christ necessitates patience, forgiveness, sacrifice, and service. Real connection is not always convenient, and it is never tailored entirely around my individual needs.

The payoff is worth it, though. A livestream cannot notice the tears in your eyes. A podcast cannot put an arm around you. An Instagram picture will not speak words of comfort in a waiting room. A chatbot programmed to simulate empathy will never provide the loving accountability or wisdom that comes from an older believer. Watching worship online is good for the exception, but it should never become the rule. We should always be wary of confusing a phone in our hands with the right hand of fellowship (Gal. 2:9).

No wonder Scripture cautions us against forsaking our assembly together as the church (Heb. 10:24-25). Our goal is not merely to receive for ourselves, but also to give of ourselves in order to bless others. Technology may extend ministry, but it is a poor substitute for authentic community. Some things were never meant to be downloaded—and the church is one of them.

Adam B. Dooley
September 30, 2026

Sep 23
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The God Who Is

By Attributes of God, Eternity, Faith No Comments

Nothing remains the same.

Many of life’s changes can be exciting, while others are heartbreaking. Though we are not caught off guard intellectually, our progressing existence often creates personal strain. Children grow up and move away. Parents grow old and eventually say goodbye. Friendships grow cold and give way to new relationships. Careers grow stagnant and mundane despite our best efforts. Our bodies grow weak as time steals our youth and vitality.

Merely looking at an old photo of yourself from twenty years ago illustrates the sheer force of the changes we cannot avoid. If we ever dare to make the statement, “I am _____,” it would not be true for long. Despite our best intentions, who we are evolves, making who we become unpredictable. Our world is not constant, and neither are we.

And yet, God remains the same (Mal. 3:6).

So much so that through a burning bush the Lord identified Himself to Moses as I AM WHO I AM (Ex. 3:14). The verb here means to exist or to be. Simply put, God is. He always was, He always is, and He always will be. This powerful description reveals the self-sufficiency, eternality, and immutability of Yahweh.

As the self-sufficient I AM, God exists entirely within Himself without need of anyone or anything. We say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” but God declares, “By myself, I am what I am.” He has no needs, deficiencies, or co-dependencies.

Everything we know and experience depends upon something or someone else. A phone needs a battery. A lamp needs electricity. Our bodies need oxygen. Our lives depended upon parents before we ever took our first breath.

But God needs nothing.

No one creates Him, sustains Him, or replenishes His strength. Human hands cannot serve the One who gives life and breath to all people because He has no shortage of anything (Acts 17:24-25). God does not need our money, our talents, or our worship. He is not fortunate to have us on His team. Contrary to popular belief, if He had a refrigerator, your picture would not be on it! If He was lacking in any way (and He is not), He would not ask us for help because He owns everything (Psalm 50:10-12).

Because of these truths, we can trust God completely. Your enemies do not diminish Him; your trials do not intimidate Him; your demands do not bankrupt Him. Whatever exhausts you does not faze Him. Whatever overwhelms you does not burden Him. You don’t have to be enough when you serve the God who is. Remarkably, He chooses to love us though He needs nothing from us (1 John 4:8).

As the eternal I AM, there has never been a time when God was not, nor will there ever be a moment when He will not be. He is God from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2), the One who is and who was and who is to come (Rev. 1:8). So much so that over 400 years after the deaths of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Yahweh insists that HE IS still their God (Ex. 3:6; Matt. 22:32).

We witness history like a movie, experiencing it one frame at a time. We remember yesterday, experience today, and wonder about tomorrow. Our infinite God has no such limitations. He captures your entire life in a single glance. He sees your birth and your burial simultaneously. He knows your beginning and your end because He has neither.  Because He is eternally present, you can rest knowing that God will never cease to be.

As the immutable I AM, the Lord is not only infinitely present, He is also entirely unchangeable. The Creator who fashioned the heavens and the earth, both of which will one day wear out like a garment, will remain the same (Psalm 102:25-27). Circumstances change. Families change. Friendships change. Finances change. Emotions change. Health comes and goes. People we think will always be there eventually aren’t. But every change occurs in the presence of the unchanging God. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

I AM WHO I AM. The Lord chose to reveal Himself to Moses this way because of the enormity of the task He put before His leader. After seeing their suffering and hearing their cries, God determined to come down in order to deliver the nation of Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 3:7-8). Yet, a plot much bigger than the Exodus was also unfolding. God was working to save His people, but not just the people of Israel.

Simply broadening the lens of redemptive history reveals that God was establishing a nation through whom a Savior would come into the world. Centuries later, the same I AM deliberately came down again. This time, however, He did not reveal His glory through a burning bush, but within a baby lying in a manger instead. Lest we miss the connection to the past, Jesus would later explicitly declare, “before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).

Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and His sacrificial death on the cross was the plan all along. From the Exodus through the Law, sacrifices, and prophets, Jesus was and is the Great I AM. While everything around us will continue to change, God will not.

Dr. Adam B. Dooley
September 23, 2026

Sep 16
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Marks of a Healthy Church (and why you need it)

By Church, Community, Gospel, Ministry No Comments

What would you do to avoid going to church? Years ago, seven-year-old Preston Scarborough was so desperate to bypass the Sunday morning gathering that he stole his family’s white Dodge Intrepid in order to skip town. His actions led to a 40-mph car chase across Plain City, Utah, where the boy ran a stop sign, circled a high school parking lot, and nearly hit a motorist. Eventually, he drove home, jumped out of the car, and ran inside.

When authorities asked why he did it, Preston offered a remarkably simple explanation, “I didn’t want to go to church.” The local news anchorman summed up the public’s sentiment: “What jury would convict him for running from a long sermon?” While most would never take such drastic measures, plenty of Americans no longer see the value of congregating with other believers. Somewhere along the way, Christians have lost the sense that belonging to a local church is a sacred privilege.

 In a world of constant comparison and criticism, people have stopped asking “How can I contribute to God’s kingdom?” and focused more on “What can this church do for me?” Evaluating the music, critiquing the preaching, scrutinizing the programs, and measuring everything according to our personal preferences is par for the course in an age where people change churches almost as frequently as they change clothes.

Contrary to these trends, however, the New Testament pictures the church as a family that serves, encourages, teaches, gives, prays, worships, and carries the gospel into the world. The Apostle Paul’s description of the ekklesia in Thessalonica casts a biblical vision of how a healthy assembly will function (1 Thessalonians 1).

 First, a healthy church will demonstrate consistency in its membership. The Thessalonian Christians bore at least three tangible evidences of genuine salvation. Paul remembered their work of faith, their labor of love, and their steadfastness of hope (1 Thess. 1:3). In other words, their walk matched their talk. These descriptions serve as the reminder that the best church members are the saved ones (shocker, I know)!

Though God saves us by grace through faith, good works are the visible fruit of life-change. According to James, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Though we do not work in order to earn salvation, we do strive to obey God with a deep sense of gratitude for His forgiveness (Rom. 6:1-2). Genuine love will consistently motivate the people of God to serve strenuously with an abiding hope that enables perseverance in the faith (2 Cor. 5:14-15). Healthy churches have members who do more than occupy pews. God works among and through transformed people whose lives demonstrate the reality of their confession.

 Second, a healthy church will possess conviction about its message. The earliest congregations preached the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and with great conviction (1 Thess. 1:5). In a culture that foolishly celebrates the value of every individual’s “truth,” the mandate of the church is to proclaim “the truth.”

 Christ’s death on the cross, along with His burial and resurrection, does not represent a way, or even the best way to know God. No, according to the Scripture Jesus is the ONLY way and the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Churches do not exist to entertain, preserve tradition, or push political agendas. We cannot improve upon the gospel, and we dare not replace it in our efforts to be relevant. Simply put, biblical content matters.

  Houses of worship that shy away from or stubbornly deny what the Bible openly declares do more harm than good. Those that promise forgiveness without repentance, laud material prosperity over eternal reward, and jettison scriptural teaching on marriage, gender, and sexual morality may draw large crowds, but their buildings will not house biblical churches (Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).

 Third, a healthy church will display confidence in its ministers. Granted, no pastor is perfect and every servant makes mistakes (1 Tim. 1:15). Spiritual leaders have no right to demand blind loyalty or to abuse their God-given authority. Yet, Paul reminded the Thessalonians how he and his companions lived among them, remembering that they became imitators of the apostle and the Lord (1 Thess. 1:6). Similarly, the Apostle Peter instructed pastors to be “examples to the flock” as they serve (1 Peter 5:3).

 For every wolf in sheep’s clothing who exploits those under his care, there are dozens of faithful shepherds who do not lord over their congregations but daily impart both the gospel and their very lives to the people they minister to (1 Thess. 2:8). Every leader who carefully watches over the souls of those whom he oversees deserves the support and cooperation of his people (Heb. 13:17). Thriving churches understand this.

 Finally, a healthy church will maintain commitment to its mission. Despite tremendous persecution, the Thessalonians refused to remain silent and “the word of the Lord sounded forth” from their midst (1 Thess. 1:8). The vivid description depicts a trumpet blasting its message so clearly that everyone hears it.

  Taking the gospel to the “highways and hedges” is the core assignment for those called to be Christ’s witnesses (Luke 14:23; Acts 1:8). Evangelism seldom happens accidentally. Compassion ministries and social efforts have their places, but the main business of the church is to make disciples who make disciples through the spread of the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20). Our primary goal is to help people turn from idols to serve the living God (1 Thess. 1:9-10).

May the Lord bless you with a healthy home church to worship, serve, and spread the gospel!

Dr. Adam B. Dooley

September 16, 2026

Sep 09
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The Seasons of the Soul

By Evil, Sin No Comments

You can almost feel it coming. The days are slowly growing shorter. Darkness arrives a little earlier each evening. Soon, the oppressive heat of summer will surrender to cooler mornings, changing foliage, football weekends, and the unmistakable advent of fall. We may not know exactly when the first cold front will blow through or when the leaves will reach their peak, but we know the change is coming. Summer always gives way to fall, just as fall eventually yields to winter. The seasons alternate with a rhythm so predictable that we arrange our lives around their transitions.

So much of life remains unpredictable. We cannot know what tomorrow will bring (James 4:14-15), yet certain trends emerge with remarkable consistency. Routine cycles govern the pace of our circumstances even when we cannot predict the particulars of every situation that unfolds.

Likewise, the changing seasons remind us that some patterns are so familiar we can anticipate their arrival. Consider the familiar path of water as well. Rain falls from the heavens, collects on the earth, evaporates from the surface, and accumulates in clouds only to follow the same process again. These fixed realities are as consistent as the earth’s rotation or clock’s ticking.

In a similar way, a common sequence emerges as we chart our relationship with God over time. Examining the spiritual ups and downs of ancient Israel reveals a painfully familiar spiral away from God before returning to Him (Judges 2). Sure, the temptations and struggles will vary from person to person, but the cycle of waywardness and restoration is quite predictable. Typically, all of us are in one of six categories as we live out our faith.

  • We show dedication to God.
  • We become disillusioned with God.
  • We are disobedient to God.
  • We face God’s discipline.
  • We become desperate for God.
  • We receive God’s deliverance.

Obviously, complete dedication to the Lord is how all true believers aspire to live. Remembering the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice for us is key to maintaining our commitment (Judges 2:7). We cannot ride the experience of others if we want to live holy lives. Each generation must choose the path of faithfulness for itself.

Sadly, we are often quick to become disillusioned with God, ironically, due to the blessings of God in our lives. Rather than respond with hearts of gratitude, we sometimes perceive ourselves to be entitled to His provisions. A generation that does not know the Lord will be quick to squander His good gifts (Judges 2:10). The surest sign of disillusionment is the discomfort we sometimes feel with talk of faith, obedience, and holiness. When God’s Word seems old-fashioned to our modern ears, we’ve taken a step away from the Lord.

Next comes the season of disobedience. Ultimately, Israel forsook the God of their fathers and worshipped false gods (Judges 2:11-12). We, too, choose to disobey our Savior far more than we care to admit, chasing the idols that capture our hearts. Much like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, we put question marks where God has placed periods. “Did God really say?” is the mantra of a rebellious spirit. During this stage we justify what God hates and ridicule those who dare to disagree.

Contrary to the reckless permissiveness of our day, God’s love for us does not demand His affirmation of our carnality. The chastening discipline of God is just as real as His unwavering commitment to His people (Judges 2:14). The perversions of Israel evoked the anger of the Lord, leading to His swift correction. Our wickedness does the same. Just as earthly fathers discipline their children with genuine care and concern, so does our heavenly Father (Heb. 12:5-11).

Finally, in desperation we often cry out to God in repentance (Judges 2:15). These moments of renewal and recommitment lead to the deliverance that we need. God saves us from the consequences of our defiance and opens the door for us to be dedicated again. In the Old Testament, He did so through judges who rescued the Jewish people from their enemies (Judges 2:16). Unfortunately, when each leader died, the downward spiral of transgressions started all over again.

God is willing to set us free from this cycle of sin through the atoning work of His Son. Though He was dead, He is alive, and He lives forever to make intercession for His saints (Heb. 7:25). Whatever category you might be in today, God has made a way for you to be fully dedicated to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Dr. Adam B. Dooley
September 9, 2026

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