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Adam Dooley

Jun 24
Love0

Celebrating America’s Christian Heritage

By America, Christian Living, Faith, Freedom No Comments

As America celebrates her 250th birthday, citizens across our nation will gather beneath fireworks, wave flags, and remember the extraordinary events that gave birth to the United States. Two and a half centuries after the signing of our Declaration of Independence, we still enjoy freedoms that millions of people around the world only dream about. This national milestone deserves more than a casual acknowledgement. Gratitude, reflection, and an honest appraisal of the principles that made America exceptional are in order.

Celebrating America’s Christian heritage does not require blind assertions that all the Founders and our earliest citizens were orthodox Christians. History does not support such claims, though the modern insistence that the majority were deists is demonstrably false. Fifty-two of the fifty-five signers of the Declaration of Independence were Protestants, along with roughly 75% of the population.

Despite their rejection of a state church, the Founders possessed a deep conviction that Christianity was the necessary garden from which freedom would flourish. The men who established our nation overwhelmingly believed that a Christian foundation would protect broad religious liberty for minority groups.

The Declaration of Independence itself reflects sincere spiritual conviction. America’s founders grounded human rights not in government, public opinion, or political power, but in God. Because Scripture so clearly teaches that every human being bears the image of his Maker (Gen. 1:26-27), they insisted that all people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Those words changed the world.

For the first time in history, a nation unashamedly asserted that government does not grant rights; it merely recognizes the rights God has already given. The Founders submitted to governmental structures that exist under God’s authority to restrain evil and promote good (Rom. 13:1–4; 1 Pet. 2:13–17). Their goal was not to create truth, define morality, or to determine ultimate worth. At its best, government recognizes what God has already revealed.

Our forefathers feared what would happen if Americans abandoned the moral principles that Christianity supplied. George Washington famously observed in his Farewell Address that religion and morality serve as “indispensable supports” for political prosperity. John Adams wrote that the Constitution was made only for a “moral and religious people” and proved wholly inadequate for any other. Their concern aligns with Scripture’s repeated warning that righteousness strengthens a nation while sin destroys it (Prov. 14:34). To them, freedom could not endure among a people who lacked virtue, self-restraint, and moral conviction.

These concerns were not unfounded. Free societies demand something unique from their citizens. Tyrannies control behavior through force. Dictatorships rely on fear. Constitutional republics require citizens to govern themselves. When people refuse to exercise self-control, government eventually steps in to impose external control. As virtue declines, freedom dissipates with it. Lasting liberty requires moral restraint.

The Founders recognized that Christianity supplied the moral framework necessary for self-government. Scripture commands honesty (Eph. 4:25), personal responsibility (2 Thess. 3:10–12), humility (Phil. 2:3–4), justice (Mic. 6:8), compassion for the poor (Prov. 19:17), and love for neighbor (Mark 12:31). These virtues do more than shape private character; they strengthen public life.

Alexis de Tocqueville, the famous French observer who traveled America in the 1830s, noticed this spiritual connection immediately. “Americans,” he stated, “combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive one without the other.” The success of American culture, according to Tocqueville, was their willingness to exercise their freedoms within a moral framework shaped by biblical principles.

Today, many voices insist that faith and public life should remain entirely separate. Thankfully, our history tells a different story. America did not emerge from an ethical vacuum. Biblical ideas influenced our national understanding of right and wrong. Churches helped shape communities, Christian convictions informed public virtue, and religious faith strengthened the cultural foundations upon which constitutional republic rested.

Even Thomas Jefferson, who admittedly wanted more separation between church and state than his contemporaries, envisioned nothing remotely like the aspirations of the ACLU or the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. While governor of Virginia, Jefferson issued a prayer proclamation for the purpose of solemn thanksgiving and petitions to “Almighty God.” Additionally, he drafted bills outlining the governor’s prerogative to call for days of fasting and humiliation, as well his ability to punish Sabbath breakers and religious malcontents. Jefferson’s proposal for a national seal was depiction of the Red Sea crossing from the book of Exodus under the motto “Rebellion for tyrants is obedience to God.” Freedom from religion was the farthest thing from our third president’s mind.

Of course, Christians should not view America as the kingdom of God or confuse patriotism with discipleship. God’s family transcends every nation, including our own. Our highest allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20). No nation can replace the church, and no flag should receive the devotion that belongs to the cross. Yet believers can still thank God for the remarkable blessings He has given this country while recognizing the profound influence Christianity exerted on its development.

As we mark 250 years of American independence, we should celebrate both the freedoms we enjoy and the foundations that sustain them. Liberty remains a precious gift, but it requires moral responsibility. Freedom flourishes when citizens, even nonbelievers, embrace virtue, honor truth, strengthen families, and love their neighbors. A Christian worldview remains the secret ingredient for protecting the pluralistic realities of the American melting pot.

America’s founders understood these realities. They believed our experiment in self-government depended upon a people shaped by moral conviction. All these years later, their warning remains as relevant as ever. If we hope to preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must recover the virtues that made liberty possible in the first place.

Adam B. Dooley
June 24, 2026

Jun 18
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Narrow Faith in a Broad World

By Christian Living, Eternity, Evil, Heaven, Judgment, Obedience, Priorities, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sin, Surrender No Comments

Nearly every area of life depends upon narrowness and exclusivity. None of us are eager to be a surgeon’s guinea pig on an operating table, preferring instead a physician who understands the single most effective method for heart surgery. After we board a flight, we trust that the pilot understands the right and wrong way to land the plane. Need a prescription filled? You will not seek out a pharmacist who is comfortable throwing whatever pills are available into your medicine bottle. When making a deposit at our local bank we settle for nothing less than a teller who transfers our funds into a specific account, without changing even one digit in the account number.

Instances like these powerfully demonstrate that narrowness and exclusivity are not only kind, but also the keys to avoiding calamity and heartache. Yet, when it comes to spiritual matters, many strangely conclude just the opposite. Ours is a world that often views moral truth claims as harsh, and their messengers as hateful and bigoted. In this climate, insisting that Jesus is the only way to heaven is out of bounds. Articulating biblical morality falls into the category of hate speech. Speaking with confidence or certainty emboldens critics to chide your hubris and hypocrisy.

But how do we explain this?

Why do so many resist the straightforward claims of Scripture?

Simply put, the path of the majority is broad and deceiving. Jesus explained, “The gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it” (Matt. 7:13). Though we should take no pleasure in it, the popular course of the masses leads to damnation and destruction. Inclusivism and tolerance are buzz words on the broad road. With no boundaries or restrictions, those on this path are free to live however they choose.

We could rightly call it “Just Be Yourself Boulevard.” Live your truth is the theme, and following your dreams is the primary ambition. Rightly, Jesus contrasted this enticing road to hell with the narrowness of the heavenly highway. “The gate is small,” our Lord insisted, “and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:14).

The implications here are as necessary as they are sobering. First, hell is real and eternal. Gehenna (Matt. 10:28, 18:9) was the most common word Jesus used to describe a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:41-42). With fire that is unquenchable, the torment of hell is everlasting due to the imposing glory of God (2 Thess.1:9). Unfortunately, our discussions of these realities demonstrate that we have no idea what we are talking about. We tell people to go to hell. People talk about partying in hell. We speak so flippantly about God’s final judgment that there is little to no fear of its coming.

Yet, according to Jesus, the majority of people, those whom we know and love, are on a devastating path that secures their future condemnation. Populating the broad path are the likely suspects. The fornicator is there. The adulterer is there. The homosexual is there. The liar, thief, agnostic, atheist, and humanist are all there. But there are also scores of religious people who blindly walk along this expansive route. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and denominations of all stripes are there, all of which have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (2 Tim. 3:5).

That preacher who reduces salvation to earthly prosperity and gain? He’s on the broad road. That minister draped in a rainbow flag as she openly celebrates sin and encourages others to do the same? She’s on the broad road. Those denominations that brazenly ordain homosexuals to lead their congregations? They are on the broad road. The networks of churches across denominational lines that jettison biblical truth for worldly wisdom and philosophy? All of them are on the broad road.

So much of what passes for Christianity here on this earth is far from it in the eyes of God. It may sound harsh to point out the obvious, but isn’t warning those in danger really the most loving thing to do? The Bible repeatedly warns us to stay alert against falsehoods like these. “Certain persons,” lamented Jude, “have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”(Jude 4).

So, what are we to do? Walking through the narrow gate of salvation requires leaving everything behind in order to follow Jesus. None of our worldly achievement, ambition, or affluence earns our right to eternal paradise. The narrow path is a vivid picture of how we live our lives, reminding us that God’s grace saves andsanctifies (Eph. 2:8-10). The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus shared these words, is a record of the life changes that accompany a genuine walk with God. Obedience to Christ does not save, but it serves as powerful evidence that we are born again.

Thus, entering the kingdom of God begins with the realization that we are sinners deserving of death (Rom. 3:23, 6:23). Next, we are to repent of our sins in order to turn toward Christ (Acts 20:21). We respond to the gospel by confessing Jesus as our Lord in light of His resurrection from the dead (Rom. 10:9). Because these steps are the beginning rather than the end of our journey on the narrow road, we should repeatedly examine ourselves, looking for the signs of internal and external change, as the markers that our faith is real (2 Cor. 13:5).

If these claims were untrue, all talk of the narrow road would indeed be an insult. But, if Jesus was telling the truth, and He was, the most loving, compassionate act is to warn people of the deception and danger along the broad path. So which road are you traveling? All who are willing are welcome on the narrow road, but it requires total surrender. Choose wisely. Your eternity depends on it.

Adam B. Dooley
June 18, 2026

Jun 10
Love0

Cultural Lies and the True Gospel

By Homosexuality, Lies, Love, Righteousness No Comments

I was shocked recently to run across a sermon online where a self-proclaimed lesbian pastor in the Lutheran church boasted of her ability to “make just about any scripture gay.” Though blatant textual eisegesis is par for the course every PRIDE month, few are so willing to admit openly their unwillingness to let the Bible simply say what it says. In the same message, this false teacher also celebrated, “The first time another pastor told me that my gay sex was holy, I cried.”

Except, it isn’t.

The whole scene reminds me of an eventful trip to St. Jude Hospital years ago when my son was battling childhood leukemia. In those days, we lived in a different city, requiring us to fly to Memphis each week over a three-year period. Once, while passing through security for our flight home, a Ziploc bag containing a bottle of medication tested positive for a small amount of glycerin, which can be used to make explosives. Quickly, TSA workers surrounded us with a bomb sniffing dog. They pulled us aside and began a battery of tests.

Thankfully, our faces were familiar and employees recognized us. My son’s glistening, bald head also gave away our recent trip to the hospital. Still, it was only after several minutes of awkward suspicion and investigation that security personnel allowed us to pass through the checkpoint. Turns out it was a false positive caused by a melting icepack that was cooling the medication. The whole ordeal got me to thinking about the misleading consequences of false impressions, which can leave us happy or scared depending on what they report.

You might, for example, be overjoyed initially only to be disappointed later if a pregnancy test falsely reveals that the child you’ve prayed for is on the way. Or, you might be immediately frightened when airport security suspects foul play as you travel, even if you are able to laugh about it afterward. The problem, though, is that neither reaction is trustworthy. False positives are dangerous because they invite us to live outside of reality based upon something that is not true.

Unfortunately, American Christianity has its share of false positives. Each year misguided churches, and entire denominations, line up to parade their inclusiveness and identify themselves as allies of the LGBTQ community. Doing so and pressuring others to follow suit offers a positive spin on the nature of the gospel, sin, forgiveness, and God Himself that is entirely false and deceptive.

Theological false positives are abundant today. Many Bible teachers are anxious to assure their listeners that God’s primary goal is our personal happiness. Others insist that hell cannot be real because a loving God would never allow anyone to go there. Notions of remaining in sin while following Jesus are the most damning false positive of all. Most will enthusiastically receive these untruthful assertions even though they create a false narrative about WHO Jesus is and WHAT He came to do.

The historical reality that God would sacrifice His Son to deal with our sin problem is insulting to some and downright barbaric to others. Retired Methodist theologian, William Willimon, fairly critiqued, “If you listen to much of our preaching, you get the impression that Jesus was some sort of itinerant therapist who, for free, traveled about helping people feel better.”

Thankfully, Jesus had a way of turning our temporal ambitions on their head in order to focus on what we really need. Take, for example, the familiar story of Jesus healing the paralytic (Matt. 9:1-8). Without question, this man’s burdens were significant. He could not walk, eat, or bathe without the help of others, making him an outcast in society. We can hardly blame his friends for attempting to help him.

Rather than heal the man immediately, though, Jesus said to him, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven (Matt. 9:2).” By doing so, Jesus reminded us that our temporal burdens are merely symptoms of our greatest needs. He is not a Savior who came to improve the quality of our lives (though He often does), but who came to forgive our sins. Yet, popular false positives deceive us into believing that God solving our earthly problems is more important than His addressing our eternal condition.

Because the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matt. 9:3), He immediately exposed their blindness with a piercing question. Is it easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Get up, and walk (Matt. 9:5)?” Amazingly, Jesus chose to heal the paralytic in order to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, not distract from it (Matt. 9:6). The real goal was much bigger than the man’s physical healing. In fact, had Jesus only forgiven the paralytic’s transgressions it would have solved his greatest threat.

Tragically, expressions of temporary grace often grip us more than eternal realities. Our need for forgiveness, though, is so urgent that we ought to be willing to lose this life entirely in order to receive it from Christ (Matt. 16:24-27). Nothing is more necessary, and nothing is more remarkable than the glorious truth that Jesus would come to seek and to save the lost!

So, don’t fall victim to the cultural moment. Homosexuality is not an unforgivable sin, but it is a sin. Celebrating what the Bible condemns does not make us allies of those in error; it makes us accomplices to their demise. Defending wickedness is the opposite of Christianity, and loving others requires telling the truth. The gospel is too wonderful and the grace of God is too powerful to substitute a false positive for the good news that Christ offers to all who will call out to Him in genuine repentance and faith.

Adam B. Dooley
June 10, 2026

Jun 03
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Light of the World

By Darkness, Light, Testimony, Witness No Comments

Like a silver lantern hanging in a midnight sky, a full moon possesses a gentle yet striking beauty, casting mysterious shadows while also inviting sacred reflection. Remarkably, these astronomical events occur worldwide every 29.5 days, albeit at different times throughout the calendar day. Few heavenly scenes captivate us so deeply. Nightly, regardless of their fullness, the rays of the Moon remind us that the dawn is coming.

What might surprise you, though, is the realization that the Moon emits no light of its own. Instead, Earth’s closest satellite merely reflects the beams of the Sun, creating the appearance of a natural glow. Each night when I look up at the pale luminary, I cannot help but think of what appears, at least initially, as an apparent contradiction in the teaching of Jesus.

In His second I AM statement within the gospel of John, Jesus famously identified Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12). Yet, in His Sermon on the Mount, our Savior claimed that His followers are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). So, which is it? How can both these statements be true?

May I suggest that Jesus’ analogy is accurate in the same way we correctly speak of both the Sun and Moon’s light? The Old Testament prophet Isaiah frequently utilized the concept of light as a descriptor of the coming Messiah. He was to be a “great light” in a dark land (Isa. 9:2) as well as a “light to the nations” (Isa. 49:6). After His birth in Bethlehem, we beheld the glory of Jesus, knowing He disclosed the Father to us (John 1:14).

Thus, by linking Himself to the metaphor, Jesus was rightly claiming to be the Savior promised long ago. He is the unrivaled brightness of God! But, if this is true, why does Jesus proclaim that His followers are also the light of the world? Thankfully, He quickly explained, “He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life (John 8:12b).” In other words, Jesus celebrates that we can reflect the light which He reveals. Just as the Moon has no intrinsic radiance, believers lack even a faint glimmer apart from the glory of the Son. Ours is a shared glory and a borrowed appeal.

Both clarity and guidance emerge in light of this humbling comparison. First, the goal of our faith is not to make much of ourselves. Frankly, far too much of American Christianity reeks of self-centered narcissism. Simply peruse the best-selling book title lists and you might conclude that God’s primary agenda is to make you rich, healthy, and happy. Messages about denying yourself and taking up your cross (Matt. 16:24) in order to build God’s kingdom rather than our own (Matt. 6:33) rarely resonate with the masses.

Yet, just as the Moon does not compete with the Sun, neither should we seek to make ourselves known. The goal is that others would see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). To succeed, like John the Baptist, we must decrease in order for Christ to increase in our lives (John 3:30). Our single ambition must be to reflect the glory of the Son in every place, every day.

Next, sanctification requires that we orient our lives to the Son as much as possible. Only one side of the Moon reflects the Sun’s light toward Earth, and in varying degrees. At times, only a sliver of illumination emerges because the Moon, from our perspective at least, angles away from the Sun. Likewise, Christians can sometimes go through periods of weakness, doubt, and struggle, decreasing the amount of God’s glory that glistens upon our lives (Rom. 7:14-25). Fortunately, the disciplines of worship, prayer, Bible reading, and obedience are divine means which transform us as the Holy Spirit works within us. Staying close to the Lordenables us to point other people to Him (2 Cor. 3:18).

Finally, the greater the darkness around us the more pronounced the light of Jesus will be. We seldom notice the Moon during the day because the rays of the Sun shower us. A pitch-black horizon, however, makes the reflection of the Moon all the more powerful. In a similar way, God calls His people to point unbelievers to Christ even as, or especially as, our world grows increasingly dark.

Light and darkness frequently contrast good and evil in the Scripture. Every Christian formerly walked in darkness before coming to the light of the Lord (Eph. 5:8). Jesus also explicitly warned that people love the darkness more than the light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). The evidence around us is undeniable. We shed innocent blood while applauding it as a justifiable choice. We devalue the sanctity of marriage while insisting that no one is at fault. We play identity politics under the guise of social justice. We deny our Christian heritage in the name of political correctness. Throughout the course of this month, we are told to celebrate perversion as a matter of PRIDE. We continually expect God’s blessings while simultaneously ignoring His Word.

No wonder the prophet Isaiah pronounced woe on those who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness (Isa. 5:20). As difficult as these times are, though, we do well to remember the light of our Savior, whom we seek to reveal, shines the brightest in the darkest places. Even as hostilities toward genuine, biblical faith grow, this world needs the witness of the church now more than ever.

Adam B. Dooley
June 3, 2026

May 28
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A Holy God in an Unholy Age

By God, Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Surrender, Worship No Comments

Before his passing in 2017, the late theologian R.C. Sproul remarked, “The greatest spiritual need in people’s lives today is to discover the true identity of God.” Those words are just as convicting today, if not more so, than they were a decade ago. Though many in our world would never reject God outright, multitudes are content to reinvent Him.

Modern versions of Christianity continue to shrink God to a size that is more manageable to our senses. We prefer a tame deity who stays in the background. One who shows up when we need Him because He fancies us the center of the universe. This god is anxious to take his marching orders and eager to remain quiet when we disagree with him.

Isaiah 6 offers a much different picture. With a vision of the Lord enthroned, untamed, glorious, and burning with holiness (Isa. 6:1-4), Scripture confronts us with the unrivaled identity of the only true God. This prophetic picture shatters our sentimental preferences. The living God far exceeds the watered-down mascot who cheers our every ambition, no matter how misguided.

 The background of Isaiah’s glorious image was a season of national uncertainty in Judah. After a reign of more than 50 years, King Uzziah died, leaving a hole inhabited by instability and anxiety (2 Chr. 26:3). Yet, when God’s prophet looked toward heaven, he did not see the Lord panicked or pacing, but reigning from His throne without interruption (Dan. 4:34-35). History does not rattle Him. Evil does not overcome Him. The future does not intimidate Him (Isa. 46:9-10).

Around the throne flew seraphim—angelic servants—who antiphonally sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory (Isa. 6:3)!” We prefer to speak more casually about the God we serve, eagerly reducing him to the man upstairs, our life coach, or even worse, our co-pilot. Yet, Isaiah’s description leaves no room for such frivolities.

The seraphim did not chant, “Love, love, love,” even though God is love (1 John 4:8). Nor did they cry, “Merciful, merciful, merciful,” even though the Lord delights in mercy (Mic. 7:18). Instead, they selected the single attribute that most fully captures God’s essence. Holiness does not stand beside God like one trait in a list of many. Holiness defines God, along with all the glory and majesty that accompanies Him (Lev. 11:44–45; 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 99:3, 5, 9).

Even the repetition matters. The three-fold declaration marked the emphasis that should grip us. Our God is in a category all His own, without rival or equal. The scene echoed Sinai, where the mountain quaked and smoke rose like a furnace due to Yahweh’s awesome presence (Ex. 19:18). The glorious holiness of God is heavy, and none swagger into His presence.

Isaiah certainly did not.

With a confession that cut through every self-illusion of righteousness, he lamented, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:5). Notice that there is no excuse for or dismissal of his sin. Holiness means that God stands completely separate from wickedness. Evil cannot corrupt Him. The darkness of our transgressions has no fellowship with the light of His purity. We cannot celebrate our sins and embrace God at the same time.

Tragically, our contemporary efforts to rush toward God’s love with no mention of His holiness forfeit the very grace we desperately need. Yet, the greatest testimony of God’s compassion for sinners is not His affirmation of our waywardness, but His transformation of our lives. Though we were formerly dead in our trespasses, walking according to the course of this world, God has made us alive together with Jesus (Eph. 2:1-5). Christ did not die to save us from nothing, but to rescue us from our vile disobedience.

In his humility, Isaiah experienced what countless Christ followers would later find out for themselves. When one of the seraphim took a burning coal from the altar and touched the prophet’s lips, his iniquity was taken away (Isa. 6:6-7). Therein is a picture of the same gospel Christians preach today.

Notice that God took the initiative. The coal came from a place of sacrifice where the consuming fire of God cleanses our shame (Deut. 4:24; Heb. 12:29). The Lord does not negotiate with sin; He destroys it. Thus, God transferred Isaiah’s guilt to the offering, satisfying His holy wrath. Simultaneously, God covered His servant with grace and forgiveness.

The same mercy is available to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. He was pierced through for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, as God transferred our guilt upon Him (Isa. 53:5-6). Through His scourging we find healing and by means of His chastening He purchased our well-being (Isa. 53:5). Christ became sin for us, not because the Lord was eager to embrace our rebellion, but so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). God loves us enough to send His only begotten Son, not to wink at our sin, but to do something about it (John 3:16).

How holy is our God? So much so that He put His Son to death to save sinners like you and me. Our world does not lack opinions about God. What is missing, though, is reverence (Rom. 3:18). Many laugh at the idea of holiness. Others rewrite reality altogether (Isa. 5:20). Far too many demand affirmation, then punish dissent. Thankfully, our God does not take cues from this fallen age. He reigns from His throne in strength and power, knowing that He will have the last word (Ps. 2:1–4).

Adam B. Dooley
May 28, 2026

May 22
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Finding the Gospel in Adoption

By Adoption No Comments

Did you know that more than 8000 faith-based adoption agencies currently serve our nation? Or that evangelicals are twice as likely to adopt as are their secular counterparts? Names like Amy Carmichael and George Mueller are historical reminders of heroic saints who started orphanages and schools in order to rescue endangered children.

I do not mean to imply that only Christians value life; nor do I wish to insinuate that followers of Jesus have never fallen short of the standards and expectations of Scripture. Yet, the argument that all Christ followers care about is abortion, or that believers do little to promote human flourishing after birth, is demonstrably false.

Since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, churches and parachurch ministries have continued embracing new opportunities and responsibilities within the pro-life movement. While standing against the culture of death is never less than protecting life in the womb, it also encompasses much more. With every crisis pregnancy, Christians must be ready to stand in the gap by providing homes for children with parents who cannot or will not take care of them.

Even followers of Christ sometimes miss how adoption care is a beautiful picture of our faith, though. First, God’s love for orphans requires believers to express the same. Psalm 82:3 instructs, “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute.” Isa 1:17 says, “Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan . . .” These verses are but a brief sampling revealing God’s commitment to the weakest among us.

In addition, we sometimes overlook that God the Father sent His only begotten Son into the world to be adopted by Joseph of Nazareth. Though the two were not connected biologically, Joseph became a real father to Jesus. The simple carpenter provided for Jesus; he protected Jesus; he loved Jesus.

Lest you think the point is warm but insignificant, we should also realize that salvation for you and me would not be possible apart from this sacrificial adoption. The Old Testament explicitly taught the Messiah would be a son of Israel’s most famous king, David (1 Chron. 17:11-12). Thus, the gospel of Matthew and Luke both trace the lineage of Christ back to David through the house of His earthly father, Joseph. Apart from this connection, Jesus was not qualified to die on the cross as our promised Savior.

Finally, the Bible describes the concept of salvation as an act of adoption. Christ came so that we might receive the adoption as sons (Gal. 4:5). Later we read that God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself (Eph. 1:5). Isn’t that remarkable? Adoption is a picture of the gospel precisely because it communicates both the choice and commitment to bring another into your family. There is no such thing as an accidental adoption! A parent might say, “Oops! I’m pregnant,” but you will never hear the words, “Oops! I adopted a child.”

All of this means that God loves those who are in Christ unconditionally. He chose to invite us into His family; He willingly died to make a way for us; and once we are in, we are always in. Thus, those who choose to adopt become living examples of God’s love toward us.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, went so far as to say, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of ourGod and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27).” In other words, the man who watched his father raise the Son of God as his own uses orphan care as an example of godliness. Thus, the church must encourage and celebrate adoption even more than we already do. We must create a culture where those who cannot care for a child feel less shame from choosing life and adoption than they do for choosing abortion.

Worldwide, 152 million orphans need someone to love them, and those numbers are growing. Those called to adopt must answer that call. Those who are led differently must sacrificially support those who do. All Christians have a role to play because we know firsthand what it is like to be spiritual orphans adopted by a Heavenly Father. None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something—and for vulnerable children waiting for hope, doing something matters.

Adam B. Dooley
May 22, 2026

May 13
Love0

Building Men, Not Just Players

By Discipleship, Mentor, Ministry No Comments

Sports have been a big part of my life over the years, though admittedly I have no major accolades to boast of. In my youth I enjoyed being a participant on numerous teams, and as an adult I have relished opportunities to coach my kids and cheer them on from the sidelines. Beyond the thrill of competition itself, key lessons about life and eternity readily emerge on the fields and courts of play.

Not surprisingly Scripture is full of athletic references. From running your race (Heb. 12:1-2) to the discipline of boxing (1 Cor. 9:26-27), the Bible continually admonishes us through the imagery of physical contests. Utilizing the backdrop of competing, Christians can learn to live according to God’s rules (2 Tim. 2:5) if they want to win the prize that accompanies a faithful, self-controlled life (1 Cor. 9:25).  By arguing from the lesser to the greater, personal fitness can teach us the eternal value of godliness (1 Tim. 4:8).

For these reasons, I genuinely appreciate coaches who not only understand but also seize the opportunity to leverage sports as a tutorial on life. As you might expect, the leader of any team has an incredible opportunity to develop his players while displaying strong Christian faith. Let me tell you about a local hero in our corner of the world who has excelled in this way.

For five years now, I’ve had a front-row seat to the extraordinary leadership of Coach Dexter Williams, who lives out his faith both on and off the court. With a total record of 102-46, multiple district titles, two state tournament runs, and numerous players moving on to compete at the next level, Coach Williams has led our small Christian school to new heights in the sport of basketball. These are not, however, his greatest accomplishments.

The best coaches are servant leaders. Rather than seeking to relive their previous glory through others, they prioritize the growth, maturity, and success of their players. In keeping with Jesus’ command, those who wish to become great must be willing to serve the people around them (Mark 10:43). Coach Williams has numerous decorated past achievements as a coach and a player, but you would never know it. For him, it’s always about his boys. He understands that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

The best leaders are willing to hold people accountable as well. Being a Christian athlete does not mean, as some assume, that you settle for mediocrity. The faithful wounds of a friend are what make us all better (Prov. 27:6, 17). Pushing players to be their best has been a hallmark of Coach Williams’ leadership. Through the discipline of hard work, consistency, and great patience, he pulls the very best out of each of his players, often exceeding everyone’s expectations (Eph. 4:2, 1 Thess. 5:11). Many will run from high expectations, but skilled mentors will refuse to lower the standard.

Wise coaches also understand and insist that the team must come before any single personality. Everyone has a role to play, and the good of the whole diminishes if one member exalts himself too highly (1 Cor. 12:14-26). Rather than hamper individual success, though, a team mindset empowers players like a rising tide. During Coach Williams’ tenure, numerous players have broken school records, including two new all-time scoring leaders. Each milestone, while acknowledged, was never prioritized above the success of the group.

Finally, memorable coaches love their players well (1 Cor. 16:14). Playing any sport is tough, both physically and mentally. The challenges of personal development, rival atmospheres, and enormous time commitments are not for the weak or timid. Knowing that you have a coach who cares about you as a person outside the lines of competition often makes all the difference. I am thankful for how Dexter Williams cares for each member of his teams. Because of our leader, we value star athletes and role players equally, functioning as a family that works and plays together.

Overall, my greatest admiration for Coach Williams stems from his unwavering commitment to lead his players to be more like Christ (Prov. 10:9, 1 Cor. 11:1). Early on he invited me to serve as his team chaplain, giving me a front row seat to his leadership. Not once have I ever doubted his faith or integrity. Even during the most intense moments, I have never heard a single profanity fall from his lips. He takes copious notes during our team devotions. He repeatedly points his players to Jesus, challenging them to live as Christian men.

Obviously, the biblical principles mentioned above apply to our lives in more areas than just sports. Winning and losing; putting in the practice and performing under pressure; working hard when everyone sees and when no one sees; striving to succeed and learning to stay humble; doing your best and prioritizing others—these are life skills that live far beyond your final game. Having the right people in place to pass them on to the next generation is essential. Thank you, Coach Williams, for being that kind of man.

Don’t ever underestimate the value of a godly coach.

Adam B. Dooley
May 13, 2026

May 06
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It Was Never About Us

By Brokenness, Faith, Hope, Hope When Life Unravels, Peace, Trials No Comments

There is an appointed time for everything . . .

A time to weep and a time to laugh . . .

A Time to mourn and a time to dance . . . (Ecc. 3:1, 4)

More than a decade after our family’s fight against childhood cancer, we are in the midst of a joyful season of celebration and gratitude. Watching my son beat leukemia was one of God’s greatest gifts in my life. To see him graduating from high school and thriving as a young man is a profound blessing that has me carrying around a box of Kleenex.

A few years back, I wrote a book called Hope When Life Unravels (still available wherever books are sold) in order to capture many of the lessons God taught us during those more difficult years. This week, two particular reminders from the past weigh heavily on my mind as we rest in the beauty of the present.

Fatherhood Matters

Why did God make me sick, Daddy? The question took my breath away. His big blue eyes peered over his medical mask as the plane engine hummed beneath us. My son was searching for answers, trying to make sense of the God who loved him and the trial that shattered his childhood innocence. That was just one of many moments when my son looked to me for reassurance and stability.

Children need an active, spiritual father to guide them through life. Motherhood is equally important, to be sure, but fathers play a unique role in the spiritual development and nurture of their kids. Because God expects husbands and fathers to lead their families, refusing to do so creates a damaging vacuum in the home. Teaching my children to love and trust God at all times was, and is, my responsibility. I must connect with them. They need my example. I should encourage them while also holding them accountable. I cannot delegate this sacred duty (Deut. 6:5-7).

Though I would like to tell you this always came naturally for me, I cannot. Despite believing that my son should be a better kid because of his dad, in reality, I am a much better father because of him. Battling leukemia left no room for my laziness, and I’m grateful. The testing of our faith produced an endurance that still strengthens us today (James 1:3).

Life Is Not About Me—or Even the People I Love

 The most surprising realization that came during my son’s ordeal was that, despite God’s willingness to mold and teach our family through it all, the trial was not primarily about the Dooley family. Over the course of three years, I continually reminded my son that God had a plan for his sickness even if we didn’t know what it was and even if it did not relate directly to us. With childlike faith, he accepted my assurance as true. Amazingly, I do not remember one instance when he complained about his illness. Instinctively, he seemed to know that more was at stake than the outcome of his suffering.

The same is true for you.

How can I be so sure? The story of Job is often a source of strength for those facing hardship, but tucked behind the drama of the opening chapters is a powerful truth to help us face tragedy with a different perspective. After Satan mocked the notion that people worship God for who He is rather than what He does for them, the Lord presented Job as a test case (Job 1:9-12). The real focus of the scene, however, is the glory of God rather than the faithfulness of His servant.

Despite our tendency to look insatiably for the cause and effect behind every burden we face, sometimes we are mere background characters in a much bigger story. Yes, we can learn important life lessons during seasons of pain, but even then, the promotion of divine glory is often the main agenda. Our stories are to be living testimonies of the beauty and worthiness of our great God.

If you find yourself in a season of hurting, I’d love to pray for you. Feel free to email me, and I will gladly lift your name and situation before the Lord.

Adam B. Dooley
May 6, 2026

May 03
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Count Your Blessings

By Brokenness, Hope When Life Unravels, Peace, Sovereignty, Suffering, Trials No Comments

A few days from now my son will graduate from high school. His long, slender frame mirrors his mother. His jawline and gait mimic his grandfather. His confidence and ambition remind me of a younger version of myself. Yet behind the handsome eyes of a young man ready to take on the world, I still see the little boy that brought my theology to life more than any textbook ever could. Frankly, my greatest joy in this season is that my son is still here with us.

Over a decade ago, sitting in a tiny examining room with paneled walls, we heard our pediatrician say the one word no parent ever wants to hear. “I wish I had better news,” she began, “but I believe he has leukemia.” Leukemia? Not my son. Fear rushed in as tears fell from our cheeks. How can this be?

Now, with graduation just days away, the tears are still falling but for a different reason. After 128 weeks of chemotherapy all those years ago, my son remains cancer-free. During his high school days, I often found myself overwhelmed with gratitude while watching him play sports, laugh with his friends, or sing in church. God has been so good to us. My son is not just alive but excelling now that cancer is in our rearview mirror. Next fall he will be a freshman at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Yet, even as we celebrate this milestone, I cannot help but remember many of the lessons we learned through the furnace of affliction. What were they?

First, it is okay to ask God why. Occasionally, well-meaning Christians or Bible teachers will either explicitly or implicitly caution that asking God why is out of bounds. Yet, the Bible nowhere teaches that it is sinful to ask God why. Job asked God why twenty different times. Moses asked God why He sent him to lead the nation of Israel (Ex 5:22), Joshua asked God why He was allowing Israel to be defeated (Joshua 7:7), and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah asked God why He dealt so harshly with Israel (Is 63:17; Jer 14:19). Perhaps most stunning of all, however, is the remarkable lament of Jesus on the cross when He cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me (Matt 27:46)?”

In none of these instances will you find God irritated or angry because of the inquiry. Questioning His work in your life is permissible, even though demanding a response is not. Feel free to ask God why, just don’t chastise Him if you don’t like the answer.

Second, Jesus really is enough. The issue is not whether God is real, but whether He is enough during seasons of difficulty. For years, I preached and encouraged others who were hurting to trust God no matter the circumstances. Though I sincerely believed this, I lacked an experience that tested my conviction. That is no longer the case. My son’s cancer helped me to see that having God in your life is always better than any answers He might give to explain your plight. I found God to be faithful, not because I read it in a book, but because I lived it during our worst days (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Third, faith does not give us the power to eliminate trials, but to endure them instead. It took great restraint to hold back my anger when a man prayed over my son in the airport one day. His treatment was nearly half over when this man stopped us and requested to intercede for him. No problem there. But when this stranger began rebuking the spirit of cancer in his body before boldly declaring that my son was healed and no longer needed chemotherapy, I almost hit him. The health and prosperity gospel has always been offensive to me, but more deeply so after battling this disease as a family.

I do not mean to say that God cannot or does not heal at times. However, the notion that all sickness can be removed by faith is patently false. Sometimes God develops us through trials rather than rescuing us from them. I have no doubt that my boy will be a better man because of what he faced. Others also benefitted from the pain he endured. Our family grew in the Lord, several friends trusted Christ as their Savior, and a number of St. Jude families dared to believe they could beat cancer too as they observed our milestones. Perseverance is something to celebrate, not avoid (James 1:2-4).

Adam B. Dooley
May 3, 2026

Apr 22
Love0

Jesus’ Most Difficult Command

By Evil, Forgiveness, Hate, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Revenge No Comments

A shocking act on a dark New York highway once left a nation demanding justice, but what followed told a far deeper story about the power of love and forgiveness. In 2004, Victoria Ruvolo drove through freezing rain when a group of teenagers hurled a frozen turkey through her windshield. The impact shattered her face and nearly ended her life, leading to hours of surgery and a long, painful recovery. Yet what happened in the courtroom months later stunned far more people than the crime itself.

When the young man responsible, Ryan Cushing, stood before her, the world expected anger and vengeance. Instead, Ruvolo asked the court for leniency. She embraced her attacker, whispered forgiveness, and expressed hope for his future. Observers sat in silence, witnessing what many called a “moment of grace.” The entire scene powerfully echoed the words of Jesus: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

Such love feels unnatural because it runs counter to how most people choose to live. We tend to love those who love us, support those who support us, and avoid or even resent those who hurt us. Though these patterns seem logical, even fair, Jesus challenged them directly. “If you love those who love you,” He insisted, “what reward do you have?” (Matt. 5:46). His words expose how self-serving expressions of love can sometimes be.

Stepping outside of what is comfortable and convenient, however, is where the greatest acts of compassion reside. Loving your enemies—those who oppose, offend, or wound you—requires something deeper than human nature or instinct allows. Only by deliberately choosing to act against our impulse can we heed our Savior’s instructions to do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27). Doing so does not excuse wrongdoing. Yet, mature believers must refuse to let hatred determine our responses to others.

How does this play out in real life? It means extending kindness to a coworker who undermined you or showing patience toward a neighbor who treated you with contempt. Scripture repeatedly reinforces practical kindness with no strings attached. The Apostle Paul instructed, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Rom. 12:20). Actions like these move love beyond the theoretical into reality.

Living with radical devotion to others does not come easy. Thankfully, God graciously embodies and empowers every principle of faith He establishes. Stated differently, the Lord faithfully and compassionately shows love to His enemies before challenging us to do the same. Need proof? He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good while also sending rain for both the righteous and unrighteous (Matt. 5:45).

Even more powerful, though, is the fact that God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ Jesus died for us (Rom. 5:8). Long before we sought the Lord in any way, He chose to love us. In fact, we only love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

These truths revolutionize how followers of Jeus understand godly love. When we grasp the depth of God’s grace toward us despite our failures, it changes how we see others. For the sanctified, love becomes less about evaluating worthiness and more about reflecting God’s character. Loving others well is our greatest opportunity to display the family resemblance of those who belong to Him.

Still, ideas that are easy to understand are not always simple when it comes to living. Emotions often refuse to cooperate, especially when wounds run deep. Yet, in this context, the key is increasing our commitment in order to break free from the bondage of our feelings. Prayer will be foundational to our efforts (Matt. 5:44b).The goal is overcoming evil with good, rather than vice-versa (Rom. 12:21). Like a muscle that grows stronger with exercise, we small efforts will increase our capacity to love well over time. Slowly, our hearts can change.

Ultimately, godly love proves its substance through action. It seeks good for others, even when they have done harm. It prays, forgives, and moves toward reconciliation whenever possible. Jesus summarized this calling with a challenging command to be perfect, or holy, even as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48). Despite our tendency to fall short, God’s desire is that we love others perfectly, even as He loves us.

Adam B. Dooley
April 22, 2026

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