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Jul 29
Love0

Going Against the Flow

By Christian Living, Evil, Faith, Holiness, Life No Comments

For most of us, the pressure to go with the flow is much stronger than we care to admit. The societal compulsion to think and live like everyone else can be intimidating, and the misguided values of our fallen world are often enticing. Following Jesus, though, requires the courage to move in the opposite direction by going against the currents of compromise.

Learning from one of Israel’s greatest failures at a pivotal moment offers us some practical guidance. After the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt through ten miraculous plagues, He led them safely through the Red Sea before feeding them manna from heaven and water from a rock in the middle of the desert. After years of journeying together, the Jews were finally on the verge of the Promised Land (Num. 13-14).

After Moses sent out twelve spies to survey the Canaanite territory over the span of forty days, the people heard reports of a land flowing with milk, honey, and abundant fruit (Num. 13:27). While Joshua and Caleb challenged the people to pursue God’s best for them, the ten other spies magnified the obstacles out of fear. In the end, the nation disobeyed God and refused to enter the land (Num. 14:1-3). Their contrasting responses teach us three important lessons as we seek the Lord’s will despite the pressures of our culture.

First, we should celebrate that God’s plans for our lives are always attainable. Despite the Lord’s clear direction, the presence of strong inhabitants in the land paralyzed the fearful spies (Num. 13:28). In other words, to them obedience seemed impossible.

We hear similar misleading voices today. You cannot maintain sexual purity in this culture, they say. You cannot guard your mind with so much wickedness around you, we are told. You cannot build your life around Scripture without becoming irrelevant, many insist. You cannot remain committed to church when others walk away, people speculate. You cannot speak openly about Christ without alienating people, others predict.

Do not believe those lies.

Though God never promises an easy road, He always equips us to walk the path He chooses. Every Christian is the “workmanship” of the Father, created in Christ Jesus for good works that the Lord prepared for us to walk in before we were born (Eph. 2:10).

Personal holiness can sometimes isolate us. Obedience will leave you standing alone. Biblical convictions will put you at odds with the mainstream. Godliness will always be antithetical to popular opinion. Salvation’s narrow road may put us out of step with the world around us, but our Savior does not demand what is impossible, nor does He require anything that is not for our good (Matt. 7:13-14).

Second, we can rest knowing that God’s power is always available. Joshua and Caleb never denied the presence of giant warriors in the land. Instead, they pleaded with their peers, reminding them that the Lord was present with them and for them (Num. 14:9). That realization changes everything.

Christians often look at our deteriorating culture and surrender to despair. We lament declining morality, fractured families, biblical illiteracy, sexual confusion, and increasing hostility toward Christian convictions. These concerns are real and deserve our attention, but fear should never define our response to darkness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God promises to enable our greater devotion (Rom. 8:5). Whatever He calls us to, He empowers us for. His plans are never out of reach, nor are His desires unattainable.

Because Christ lives within us (Gal. 2:20), we never face temptation alone (1 Cor. 10:13). The Holy Spirit cultivates a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6), enabling us to repent of sin, share the gospel, and serve others as salt and light in our communities (Matt. 5:13-16). Few feel strong enough to live the Christian life and, in reality, none of us are. Yet, the Lord has not left us powerless against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11-17).

Finally, we must never forget that God’s people are always accountable. Unbelief, not intimidation, was the root cause of Israel’s failure. Despite everything God had shown them, they refused to trust His Word. Consequently, an entire generation forfeited the privilege of entering Canaan (Num. 14:20-23). Their story reminds us that our choices have consequences.

Clearly, disobeying God is sinful. But knowing to do good, and refusing it, is just as egregious (James 4:17). The Lord holds us responsible for both. Our actions, or the lack thereof, have lasting implications.

Perhaps you keep postponing obedience. Maybe God is calling you to fuller surrender. Do you need to forgive someone? To abandon a sinful habit? To repent before God? Perhaps passivity plagues your walk with God? Do you spend enough time reading God’s Word? Are you active in a local church? Have you been putting off obedience of some kind?

Do not assume tomorrow will offer the same opportunity as today. Israel learned the hard way that our inaction is often rebellious. By the time they realized their error, it was too late (Num. 14:40-45). Going with the flow will rob us of God’s best for our lives. You can squander years chasing pleasure, possessions, approval, comfort, or success. By the time you recognize what those pursuits have cost you, the burden created may be irreversible.

So don’t be afraid to stand against the tide of cultural lies. The crowd may offer an easier road, but faith will choose another direction. Go against the flow. Trust God’s plan. Depend on His power. Remember your accountability. You won’t regret doing so.

Adam B. Dooley
July 29, 2026

Jul 23
Love0

Be Careful Who You Listen To!

By Accountability, Bible, Evil, False Prophets, Judgment, Ministry, Pastor, Preaching, Scripture No Comments

Jesus never told His followers to believe every spiritual voice they encountered. Instead, He issued the sobering warning that false prophets often clothe themselves in sheep’s clothing though they are inwardly ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:15). Those words matter more than ever.

Our generation enjoys unprecedented access to Bible teachers all over the globe. A smartphone, microphone, ring light, and internet connection allow anyone to present themselves as an expert on Scripture. Podcasts, YouTube channels, livestreams, and social media feeds place countless influencers at our fingertips. Unfortunately, popularity is not always a reflection of faithfulness. Algorithms reward confidence more than accuracy, and charisma often attracts a larger audience than biblical truth.

But imagine with me that your child suddenly developed a life-threatening heart condition. I am confident that you would not select a surgeon because his videos had gone viral or because online followers reached the millions. Instead, you would seek out someone with proven training, unquestioned integrity, and a track record you could trust. And rightly so. Yet, when it comes to matters of faith and the health of our souls, we are often much less discerning of those who manipulate God’s Word.

Ironically, Scripture accurately predicted this reckless cycle. “The time will come,” warned the Apostle Paul, “when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths (2 Tim. 4:3-4). If that weren’t bad enough, Jesus lamented the abundance of false teachers eager to scratch our heretical impulses (Matt. 7:22-23).

How, then, can we recognize the wolves among us?

Thankfully, Jesus answered with one simple phrase: “You will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16).” Because a good tree cannot bear bad fruit; and because a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, we can examine two distinct areas of a teacher’s life to determine if they deserve a hearing (Matt. 7:17-19).

First, is the matter of doctrine. Sound teachers submit themselves to the authority of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). They preach the whole counsel of God, not merely the portions that draw applause (Acts 20:27). They gladly proclaim God’s love without ignoring His holiness. They rejoice in grace while refusing to minimize sin. They call people to repentance because they understand that forgiveness only has meaning when we first acknowledge our guilt.

By contrast, false teachers often sound remarkably orthodox at first. Though they use familiar Christian vocabulary, they subtly redefine biblical terms. Some deceivers openly deny the plain meaning of Scripture. Others quietly ignore biblical truth. Sadly, what some refuse to say can be just as dangerous as what they do say. They might speak of forgiveness with no mention of repentance. They might promise salvation with no concern for the narrow road that precedes it (Matt. 7:13-14). Jesus’ substitutionary death, His coming judgment, or His claims of exclusivity are dangerously absent (John 14:6). Assurances of peace when there is no peace is the common invitation that wolves love to offer (Jer. 6:14).

Second, is evaluation of a messenger’s devotion. Right doctrine alone does not qualify someone to lead the Lord’s church. The character of a leader’s life is just as important as the content of his message. Truth was never meant to remain behind a pulpit. Practicing what one preaches is the key for avoiding spiritual manipulation. Regrettably, a preacher may possess remarkable communication skills, impressive academic credentials, or even a large ministry platform, yet still lack genuine godliness (Matt. 7:20).

The New Testament insists that spiritual leaders demonstrate integrity, humility, self-control, and faithfulness (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Their homes, relationships, and personal holiness should reinforce the message they proclaim. A man who faithfully preaches biblical messages on Sunday but habitually disregards it throughout the week undermines his own ministry. Eloquence is never a substitute for godliness.

Warnings like these extend far beyond the pastorate, though. Parents should teach and model Scripture to their children. Sunday School teachers will influence young minds by what they say and do. Every Christian who opens God’s Word should strive to live consistently with what he teaches. Doctrine without devotion produces hypocrisy, while devotion without sound doctrine leads to confusion. God desires both.

So, be careful who you listen to. Many who stand before the Lord one day will hear the devastating words, “Depart from Me. I never knew you (Matt. 7:23). Christ also calls us to exercise discernment. We should never surrender our minds to charisma, celebrity, or popularity. Instead, we must test every spiritual voice by the unchanging truth of God’s Word and by the unmistakable fruit of a godly life (1 John 4:1).

In an age overflowing with religious content, Jesus’ warning has never been more relevant. The safest teachers are not necessarily the most entertaining or the most influential. They are the ones whose doctrine faithfully reflects God’s truth and whose daily lives consistently reflect God’s Son.

Adam B. Dooley
July 23, 2026

Jun 18
Love0

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

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

Sep 17
Love0

Charlie Kirk and the American Soul

By America, Evil, Murder, Politics, Trials, Truth No Comments

Like so many of you, I am still trying to process the horrific reality of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10. Words escape me as I wrestle with both the loss of a generational voice and the seeming death of our cultural conscience. Only time will tell if this tragedy is the beginning of America’s needed renewal or its impending ruin.

While I recognize that political violence stems from both the right and left, the tragedy surrounding Charlie Kirk is almost as predictable as it is painful. We should welcome calls to “turn down the rhetoric,” but doing so without recognizing the patterns that preceded this tragedy is futile.

For years, opponents who disagreed with Kirk repeatedly labeled him as part of the dreaded fringe, a right-wing activist who was divisive, extreme, and incendiary. Fearing his persuasive arguments, many on the left painted Charlie as a xenophobic and homophobic white supremacist unworthy of debate. In other words, they hurled ad hominem insults because they could not counter his ideas.

Think I am overstating it? The sheer glee by some online is the very definition of bigotry. The number of videos with individuals laughing hysterically, shouting enthusiastically, and clapping uncontrollably in celebration is breathtaking. Insensitive one-liners and obnoxious memes littered the feeds of most users on every social media platform. And why? Because a loving husband and father of two is somehow less than human simply because he saw the world differently than his critics. God help us.

The breadth of the cruelty has been staggering. The conversation turned so vile that teachers, college professors, authors, firefighters, journalists, healthcare workers, pilots and Secret Service members necessarily lost their jobs for their calloused, disrespectful remarks. Then, just as predictably, these same mockers are now playing the martyr card in defense of their hateful behavior. Imagine, after grotesquely suggesting that a 31-year-old family man in his prime deserved an assassin’s bullet simply for exercising his First Amendment right, emotionally pleading your victimhood because you lost your job for speaking freely. The disconnect is remarkable.

Though laws vary slightly from state to state, generally employers have every right to terminate employees due to online or social media comments deemed inappropriate. While the First Amendment guarantees our freedom to say what we want, when we want, where we want, it does not prevent businesses from parting ways with workers who violate “company values” (a phrase repeated a lot recently). Conduct seen as damaging to the reputation or profitability of a corporation is grounds for dismissal according to the law. Rightly so.

Among the most visible offenders was Matthew Dowd, a political analyst at MSNBC who had the gall to imply that Kirk deserved to die because he was so divisive. “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words,” he contended, “which then lead to hateful actions.” As an aside, if your rhetoric is too extreme for MSNBC, you really need to tone it down. But what exactly was so malicious about Kirk’s going to college campuses and listening to skeptics and critics alike in order to engage in debate and dialogue?

Herein, we stumble upon the great offense of Charlie Kirk. He dared to speak the truth. And not just greeting card pleasantries. His audacity to share openly biblical positions on gender, marriage, homosexuality, abortion, the role of government, judicial activism, etc. quickly drew the ire of critics anxious to label him as Christian nationalist.

Unfortunately, we live in a generation that not only resists the truth, but also sees it as hateful and cruel. With pinpoint accuracy, Scripture anticipated our current climate. “For the time will come,” wrote the Apostle Paul, “when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths (2 Tim. 4:3-4).”

Though I did not agree with every position Charlie Kirk took, his consistent effort to demonstrate the veracity of Scripture in everyday life was inspiring. Far too many Christians hide their faith in public spaces, fearing the backlash of political correctness and secular priorities. Even after his death, the name calling is wickedly cringeworthy.

Likewise, if you dare to hold and voice a biblical worldview that informs your politics, many will just as rapidly label you a threat to democracy, a domestic terrorist, or even worse, a fascist. The names change, but the playbook remains the same. How do I know? Because Charlie Kirk is not the first Christian to die for boldly proclaiming what God’s Word says.

Both the apostles Paul and Peter also lost their lives for telling the truth. If each were alive today many of the same dissenters would anxiously mark them as political extremists on the far-right fringe for addressing many of the same issues Charlie Kirk spoke so passionately about.

For instance, both apostles promoted a limited government that exists primarily for the punishment of evildoers (Rom. 13:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-14). While appearing before the Sanhedrin, Paul admonished that the council judges rule according to settled, external law outside of themselves (Acts 23:3). Judicial activism of any kind runs contrary to the established standards of written legalities.

Notions of government handouts or wealth redistribution were also foreign to Paul and Peter. Though they advocated for helping the poor (Gal. 2:10), they also insisted that those who refuse to work should not eat because rewarding laziness is foolish (2 Thess. 3:10-11). Being sensitive to real needs was hardly an endorsement of equity outcomes for all.

Regarding race, what fundamentally mattered to these leaders of the early church was not the color of a person’s skin but their identity in Christ (Gal. 3:28). For them, creating winners and losers, victims and oppressors, contradicted the unity found in the family of God. Paul sought to preach the gospel to all people without discrimination (Rom. 1:14-16). The Apostle Peter likewise maintained that what makes us distinct is not our skin color but who we are in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 2:10). Fellowship came across socioeconomic and cultural lines, not through obliterating them. In other words, the gospel is more powerful than what the world says should divide us.

When speaking about gender and marriage, Paul and Peter acknowledged that only a man and woman can become one flesh through holy matrimony and that both, as a picture of the gospel, have unique assignments in the home (Eph. 5:22-31; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Echoing the words of Jesus, Paul taught that divorce was never permissible except for reasons of adultery and desertion (Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19:1-12; 1 Cor. 7:10-16).

Additionally, Paul declared homosexuality in all its forms to be unnatural and idolatrous (Rom. 1:26-27), incompatible with sound teaching and Christianity itself (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:9-10). Peter grimaced over the prospect of such reckless sensuality and the consequences it is sure to bring (1 Peter 2:4-11). According to both men, the freedom promised by the sexual revolution is a deceptive fabrication that only leads to bondage and shame (1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Peter 2:18-9).

When it was all over, Paul lost his head and Peter suffered upside down on a cross for their views. The world was not worthy of these early martyrs for the faith nor the thousands who have come after them (Heb. 11:35-38). Outcomes like these should not surprise us, though. Jesus Himself contended that the world would insult, persecute, and say every kind of evil against His people (Matt. 5:10-12).

But how was He so sure? Because the light of creation experienced the same rejection and hate when He came into the world (John 1:9-10). He, too, spoke boldly about two genders (Matt. 19:4), the permanence of marriage (Matt. 5:31-31; 19:1-12), the reality of hell (Matt. 7:21-23, 8:12, 18:9; Mark 9:43-48), and loving our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48). Perhaps most offensive of all, He claimed to be the promised Messiah who is the only way to God (John 14:6).

Disagreement is part of life. Robust debate and engagement, though, are not threats worthy of violence. Quite the contrary, contending with others is an expression of their value as God’s image bearers (Gen. 1:26). Denouncing bad ideas is not an act of hatred, but an effort to promote human flourishing for those with whom we disagree.

So, even as some voices continue to suggest that Charlie Kirk was a stain on our society, let’s do better. In fact, I encourage you to listen and decide for yourselves. His videos are everywhere. Judge for yourself if you believe he was unkind or harsh. Refuse to listen to partisan voices desperate to spike the ball in this historical moment.

Adam B. Dooley
September 17, 2025

Aug 05
Love0

When Evil Demands an Audience

By Capital Punishment, Evil, Murder 3 Comments

The apprehension of quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond on Tuesday morning in Jackson, Tennessee, was one of those rare events that reminded all of us how fragile life and the freedoms we enjoy can be. The search began one week before its conclusion after police discovered four victims in Tiptonville and an abandoned child left on a random lawn in the heat.

After Drummond fled to Jackson, residents remained on edge for several days as local authorities and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation searched the area. Agencies like these should be applauded for their bravery and diligence to keep our community safe. Other well-documented details appear in numerous news outlets, so I would like to take a moment to think through a few obvious theological realities in light of the ordeal.

First, evil is real and prevalent in our world. Both natural and moral evil are the consequential effects of humanity’s fall into sin (Gen. 3:1-6). The former occurs without apparent design or intent simply because creation groans in pain due to the moral collapse caused by the presence of wickedness in the world (Rom. 8:20-22). As a result, cancer, tornadoes, freak accidents, etc., plague our existence, causing untold suffering all around the globe.

Jesus spoke about an unpredictable, seemingly senseless example of evil when a tower in Siloam fell on eighteen unsuspecting victims (Luke 13:4-5). Tragedies like these leave us scratching our heads and wondering why horrible things happen. Indirectly, all such heartache and pain find their root in Eden’s curse. The universe is broken and does not function as God designed it because of sin.

Moral evil, on the other hand, traces itself directly to the volitional transgressions of men and women who are far from God. Since the Garden of Eden, all people everywhere (except the Lord Jesus) have been born sinners (Psa. 51:5; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:23, 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3). Our Lord illustrated this as well by recalling Pilate’s murderous actions against a group of Galileans (Luke 13:1-2).

The moral relativism that often accompanies modernity often resists the Bible’s straightforward diagnosis of our societal problems, opting for psychological explanations with therapeutic solutions instead. Yet, Scripture is resolute that right and wrong exist. Even worse, apart from the grace of Jesus Christ, we are lawbreakers by nature who love the darkness more than the light (John 3:19). Taking the lives of four people is wrong, regardless of the motivation. It is evil. No amount of spin changes the obvious.

Second, the presence of evil must be met with consequences. One of the hallmarks of our nation is that all people are innocent until proven guilty. Time will tell if Austin Drummond is guilty or innocent as evidence is brought to bear, but whoever is responsible for these crimes must face severe consequences.

God has woven governing authority into the fabric of civilization precisely because of the presence of evil. Community laws should promote what is good and punish what is not (Rom.13:1-5; 1Tim. 1:9; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Life in prison or death by execution are fair possibilities in a case like this because the state of Tennessee defines mass murder as taking the lives of three or more persons in a single episode.

Admittedly, the Christian perspective on capital punishment varies, but from my perspective, the Bible not only permits but also advocates the practice. Before God handed down the Old Testament Law, He instructed His image bearers to preserve the sanctity of human life by punishing those who murder. Given during the wicked days of Noah, the Lord said, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man (Gen. 9:6).”

Meant to be both a punishment and a deterrent to sin, these instructions are just as permanent as the covenant sign of a rainbow in the heavens. God uses human government as a means of His wrath and justice. Though we should never seek vengeance for ourselves, we should applaud the righting of wrongs through God’s ordained means. We should prayerfully wait and pray for the correct outcome for all involved in this recent tragedy (Rom. 13:3-4).

Third, we should remember that all people are made in the image of God. Horrific crimes like these elicit our common cries for justice because of our innate understanding that every human being bears the image of his Creator (Gen. 1:26-27). The young adults who lost their lives in Tiptonville deserved better than being cut down in the prime of their lives. Diminishing the consequences for the heinous crime committed against them would be an insult to the sacred image of God within them.

Just as true, but drastically less popular, is the reality that Austin Drummond is also made in the image of God. While it is true on the one hand that he should, if guilty, face the full penalty of the law for his actions in this life, it is equally true on the other hand that life does not end with death (Heb. 9:27). Those who live lawlessly and step into eternity apart from Jesus Christ will face weeping and gnashing teeth in the eternal fire of hell (Matt. 13:41-42). This is what all of us deserve unless God intervenes.

So, even as we pray for his victims’ families, we should also pray for Austin Drummond’s soul. If that sounds too drastic, remember the words of our Savior, who said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt. 5:44-45).”

Adam B. Dooley
August 5, 2025

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