Greetings.  I am glad that you have come across this website.  As the web address suggest my name is Brian Keith Evans.  I am from Georgia.  I am also a seminary graduate and a minister of the gospel.  The views expressed are mine and not necessarily those of my family, friends, church, neighbors, pets, enemies, etc.  So I hope you find this page helpful to you in your walk with the Lord.

I have read and heard the stories of those who live in constant fear of persecution, and sometimes in constant persecution for their uncompromising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Prison, beatings, bombings, and even death itself does not deter them from worshipping and serving their Savior.  I am ashamed when I read their stories.  Comparing myself to these believers is akin to a minor league pitcher comparing himself to Roger Clemmens.  What have these people learned that I haven't yet?  What do they know that I don't?

1. SUFFERING.  These believers truly know what it means to suffer for the Lord.  Like most American christians my idea of suffering is having someone laugh at me for wearing a TShirt that says "Jesus Saves."  But there are those who face prison for simply reading a Bible.  There are those who have been killed for evangelizing.  Jesus promised His followers that they would indeed suffer, several times. 

2. SERVICE.  They know what service means as well.  Service is something most Americans do when and if they can fit it into their otherwise busy schedule.  However, the Biblical comparison is that of a slave/master relationship.  A slave's sole purpose is to further the cause of his master.  Many of those overseas see themselves in that light.  For many Christians in America, serving the Lord is what we do in our off time.  Jesus has called us to deny self.  Not to do so is to be in rebellion.  A servant does not worry about his own safety and welfare.  Many believers overseas give no concern to the very lives, but seek only to further their Lord's Kingdom.

3. SACRIFICE.  Like the widow at the temple, many of the believers abroad have given all they have.  Paul said that for him "to live is Christ and to die is gain."  Many overseas know that sentiment very personally.  Giving up personal belongings, personal well being, freedom, or even life itself is done regularly by these people.  For many in the USA, giving stuff up is unheard of.  Not only are we not going to give it up, we want more.  Jesus said once that one's life does not consist in the amount of stuff he owns.  For one who understands that, sacrifice is not as difficult.

4. SURRENDER.  Perhaps this is the key to the above three things mentioned.  They understand that they are not their own.  They have surrendered to Christ and are His.  As stated above, they have denied themselves and are not in rebellion.  For them, their Lord is more important than their own lives.  In reality, their stuff, their welfare, their freedom, and their lives isn't theirs at all, it all belongs to Christ.

It is my prayer, that I, and many other believers, can learn valuable lessons from our brothers and sisters abroad.  It would be one of the greatest things that could happen for the church in America.

Are the debates that occur within the evangelical community healthy or unhealthy?  By debates, I don't mean the trivial and usually silly arguments over the color of the curtains in the sanctuary and other ridiculous squabbles.  By debates, I mean the disagreements over doctrinal matters that have often gone on for centuries (and probably will for centuries more).  Before answering the question as to whether or not such debates are healthy or not, it would be helpful to first examine some of the matters over which evangelical christians disagree.

Here are some of the major areas of disagreement:

1. Calvinism vs. Arminianism.  Involved in this debate are the matters of election, predestination, free will, and eternal security.

2. Cessationism vs. Continuism.  This is the debate over the gifts of the Holy Spirit in today's church, especially the gifts of prophecy and tongues. 

3. Premillenialism vs. Postmillenialism vs. Amillenialism.  This is the debate over the end times (also called eschatology).  The issues of the rapture, the antichrist, the return of Christ to earth, the nature of the millenium, as well as others are involved in this debate.

4. Paedobaptism vs. Credobaptism.  Who should be baptized?  Should it be believers only (credobaptism) or infants also (paedobaptism)?

5. Complimentarianism vs. Egalitarianism.  What are the roles of men and women?  Should women serve as pastors?  Should wives submit to their husbands?

These are some of the major debates within the evangelical world.  Other matters of debate include creation, church government, worship style, and the relationship between the Law and the Gospel. 

So, are these debates healthy or not?  I liken these matters to that of exercising the physical body.  Exercise can be both healthy and unhealthy.  For example, running is healthy in that it burns calories, and strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.  It can be unhealthy in that it puts a lot of pressure on the joints in the knees and can cause dehydration.

I can see at least two ways that these debates can be unhealthy for the church.

1. Those involved can become so involved in the areas of disagreement that they forget the areas of agreement.  All those involved in the debates mentioned above agree on many other matters.  All agree on the doctrine of the Trinity, the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the virgin birth of Christ, the sinless life of Christ, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the sinfulness of humanity, humanity's need of redemption, and salvation in Christ alone.  These areas of agreement are far more important than the areas of disagreement.  The areas of agreement are matters of essential Christian doctrine, the areas of disagreement are nonessential.  Unfortunately, the areas of disagreement overshadow the areas of agreement with some and become a test of orthodoxy.  This isn't to say that nonessential matters are unimportant, but when they eclipse beliefs that are more important they have become too important.  When this happens, the debate is unhealthy.

2. Somewhat related to the first way, debates can be unhealthy when the participants in the debate allow disagreements over nonessentials to become personal.  The result can be character assassination of a fellow believer.  Jesus told His disciples that the world would know they were His disciples because the love each other.  Also, it tends to happen that arrogance and pride come into the hearts of those involved.  They  believe that they are right and everyone else is wrong.  When arrogance and pride replace love and humility, it is unhealthy for the body of Christ.

Debates can be healthy though.  Christians are called to love the truth.  Debates, even over nonessential matters, help us to discover the truth.  They also cause us to think.  That may be one of the great plauges facing the church today, most Christians do not think much about theological matters.  We are called to love God with all our mind.  When done is a spirit of love and humility, debates can be very helpful.

I'll close with an old saying.  IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NONESSENTIALS LIBERTY, AND IN ALL THINGS CHARITY.

IN ESSENTIALS UNITY

There must be agreement on matters of essential Christian doctrine, such as the Trinity, the Person of Christ, and how one comes to know God.

IN NONESSENTIALS LIBERTY

In nonessential matters there is room for disagreement.  We should seek the truth on these areas, but recognize others have disagreements.

IN ALL THINGS CHARITY

We should always be loving.  Even toward those who disagree in matters of essential doctrine we are to be loving.  These people need the gospel message.  God loved sinners (Jonh 3:16 and Romans 5:8).  His people must relate to them with the same spirit.