Knox Blog

In the last few decades, the term Reformed  has become increasingly popular among evangelical Christians. At the same time, there is significant confusion around what the word actually means. My goal here is not to defend a tribe, but to explain a theological identity. For some, Reformed  means traditional, rigid, or overly intellectual. For others, it simply means Calvinist . While these characteristics may often be found in Reformed churches, they do not tell the whole stor

This past Sunday, we had our last church gathering of the year. In applying the text of Isaiah 9:6–7, I drew our attention to the truth that Christ’s reign is a present and ongoing reality, not merely a future one. At Christ’s second coming, what we will witness is not the inauguration or establishment of His kingdom, but the consummation of it. Some take this as mere speculation about eschatology (our theology of the end of this age) and therefore as something of little impo

Some Christians are deeply suspicious of Santa. They see him as nothing more than a fictional character, detached from reality, and for that reason, many Christian parents are quick to shatter their children’s illusion. They don’t want their kids believing in a lie. That concern is understandable. But when we treat the Santa tradition in such a strict either–or way, we often miss a valuable opportunity to teach our children about church history, truth, and the role of traditi

Every December, the question resurfaces: Is the Christmas tree pagan? The short answer is no, and the longer answer helps us think more clearly about history, creation, and Christian symbolism. It was while I lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that I first became acquainted with the story of Saint Boniface, after visiting a well-known church named after him. His story is often brought into this discussion. Boniface was an eighth-century missionary to the Germanic peoples. Tradition

There is a hard truth to admit, but it is as clear as Christmas lights: many of us love the feeling of Christmas more than the Christ of Christmas. When you read the biblical accounts of Christ’s birth, you encounter fear, rage, political upheaval, paranoia, deception, flight in the middle of the night, and the brutal murder of innocent baby boys. You see a child born in poverty, humble even by the standards of that time. And when the curtain is pulled back on the spiritual r

It is almost inevitable for us, as human beings, to compare things. And comparison is not necessarily bad. Scripture teaches us to grow in wisdom, and much of wisdom involves discernment—comparing people, situations, and behaviours in order to choose what is good and reject what is harmful. In that sense, comparison can be a tool for growth. But significant moments in life tend to heighten our tendency to compare, and Christmas is no exception. It becomes natural to compare o

The Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. One thing even unbelievers often appreciate is that many people get time off during this season. After a full year of hard—and often stressful—work, it is good to rest, to be with family, and to enjoy good food. That, in itself, is a gift. But there is a hidden danger here. The danger is not rest; the danger is spiritual laziness. There is an interesting and troubling phenomenon among Christians: we often rest from God during th