About Marsha West

Marsha West is the owner and managing editor of Christian Research Network, Apprising Ministries (the late Ken Silva’s blog) and On Solid Rock Resources. She is also co-founder of Berean Research. For two decades Marsha was the owner and managing editor of Email Brigade website as well as the EMB News Report, a bi-weekly email report for conservative people of faith. For many years Marsha was a regular contributor to several blogs including CRN, RenewAmerica, News With Views and Web Commantary as well as popular websites she no longer endorses: American Family Association, Worldview Weekend, Stand Up For The Truth, The Christian Post and Christian Headlines. Although Marsha still blogs, her primary focus is CRN. Marsha also writes Research Papers (White Papers) on various topics that are published on CRN, Berean Research and On Solid Rock Resources. Visit Marsha’s other sites: On Solid Rock Resources https://www.onsolidrockresources.com/ Apprising Ministries http://apprising.org Marsha’s RenewAmerica Column http://renewamerica.com/columns/mwest Marsha’s Facebook Page http://facebook.com/marsha.west.77

The Gospel Coalition Adds Woke Preachers In Latest Keller Center Class

(Ray Fava – Evangelical Dark Web) A couple of years ago, The Gospel Coalition announced the Tim Keller Center For Cultural Apologetics, whilst its namesake was still alive. They had an inaugural class of fellows for the think tank outlet. The Keller Center sought to be an incubator for liberal Evangelical elites. Its first class notably included Gavin Ortlund, Michael Keller (son of Tim Keller), Sam Allberry, Trevin Wax, and Rebecca McLaughlin. Now, The Gospel Coalition has announced six more fellows to the ranks of the woke incubator.

See Alex Harris’s comment on the site. Continue reading

‘We Don’t Want his Likeness on Campus’: Protesters Move to Block Kirk Memorial at UVU

(Jonathan Turley) A plan at Utah Valley University (UVU) to create a memorial to Charlie Kirk has been met by protests and a petition signed by thousands to block the effort. One protester declared, “We don’t want his likeness on campus.” That is hardly a new sentiment since Kirk was assassinated on the campus on Sept. 10, 2025. However, the protest shows the sense of license that many have in opposing anyone with conflicting views, including those represented in memorials.

I have a long history with UVU and was pleased to receive the Madison award from the university, and was declared an honorary faculty member years ago. It is a wonderful academic institution with a growing and vibrant intellectual community. Continue reading

What is Needed for Successful Spiritual Gardening?

(Robb Brunansky – The Cripplegate) By way of review, let us look at the fruit of the Spirit again at a high level:

  • Love: A holy, divine affection toward others
  • Joy: An unshakeable, dynamic feeling of divine gladness in the Lord
  • Peace: The supernatural experience of reconciliation, harmony, and freedom
  • Patience: The expression of a heartfelt trust in God’s sovereign plan
  • Kindness: Concern for others leading to acts of grace for their benefit
  • Goodness: Morally upright generosity toward others
  • Faithfulness: An unwavering commitment to the truth
  • Gentleness: A courageous, compassionate humility
  • Self-control: Mastery over natural desires

There’s one vital part omitted from each of those definitions, which is that the virtue is being produced by the Spirit in all believers, which links all the fruit. The Holy Spirit’s involvement separates Christian virtue from pagan virtue.  Continue reading

Gavin Orltund: Barrack Obama Is Sincere, I Like Him

“Naturally, Gavin Orltund complements Obama, prefacing his love for reading alternative views, a claim which itself is dubious. Nevertheless, this is a mask slip moment for Gavin Ortlund, who has shown over the last two years that he is the next Russell Moore.”

(Ray Fava – Evangelical Dark Web) Gavin Orltund has built a successful YouTube platform, making him the most viable option for people like Russell Moore and those at The Gospel Coalition to retain their influence over the next generation. Gavin Ortlund is the son of Ray Ortlund who endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024…. Continue reading

Guess Who Donated to the White House Ballroom Project? The Left Is Gonna Flip!

“In the end, this ballroom isn’t about vanity; it’s about practicality. Trump is reshaping the White House the way he’s reshaped Washington—unapologetically, efficiently, and to the absolute horror of his critics.”

(Matt Margolis – PJ Media) Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard that President Trump’s latest project at the White House is causing quite a stir. A grand ballroom worthy of hosting foreign leaders and dignitaries is now underway in the location where the East Wing once stood. Critics are fuming, pundits are pearl-clutching, and yet again, Trump is living rent-free in the heads of liberals everywhere. But when you cut through the melodrama, the facts tell a very different story—a practical and even historic one. Continue reading

King and Pope Join Together in Historic Prayer Service, First of its Kind in 500 Years

(Anna Reese Green – Premier Christian News) Pope Leo, King Charles and the Archbishop of York have joined together for a special prayer service in the Sistine Chapel.

It is the first time that leaders of the Church of England and the Catholic Church have joined in prayer since the 16th Century Reformation.

As monarch, King Charles is the Church of England’s supreme governor, whilst the Archbishop of York is acting as its spiritual head until Dame Sarah Mullally is installed in March. Continue reading

Putting the Authority Back in the Gospel

(Kevin Schaal – Proclaim & Defend) I sat across the table from a young man with whom I have been having Bible studies for about two months— I will call him Dave. He was not a believer but clearly interested in the gospel message. I did not need to cajole him to meet with me. We had been working through The Exchange—a four part gospel presentation that starts with the holiness of God, moves on to the justice of God, then the love of God, and finishes with the gospel message of grace. It is an excellent presentation that introduces people to the nature of God and appropriately emphasizes the nature of sin. Continue reading

Policing Erika Kirk’s Grief Is Heartless and Hypocritical

“Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one understands that grief doesn’t come with a uniform protocol. Every person’s internal timeline, emotional rhythm, and public face are different. You only see fragments of anyone’s process — especially in our era of reels, short posts, and soundbites.”

(Samantha Koch – The Patriot Post) When Erika Kirk lost her husband, Charlie Kirk, in a shocking public assassination, she entered a space most of us can’t even begin to imagine being in. Not just the sudden death of her spouse, but the fact that live footage of the horrific event was circulated on social media for the world to see, and immediately afterward, the entire organization that Charlie had spent over a decade building now rested on her shoulders. Continue reading

Too Bad ICE Agents Can’t Round Up Dems Who Are Trying to Get Them Killed

“It’s sickening and stunning to watch all of this play out. This isn’t some leader of a violent radical group who’s aiding and abetting criminals while ginning up hatred for law enforcement; it’s a sitting member of the United States House of Representatives. He did it while standing alongside the mayor of the second-largest city in the country.” 

(Stephen Kruiser – PJ Media) Here we are again, another discussion about how far off the reservation the Democrats have gone when it comes to their everyday approach to politics. I mean, it’s really Cuckoo Land over there…. Continue reading

The Genesis of Transgenderism

The second outside-inside turn is from objective truth to subjective truth. This is the rise of relativism and the denial of objective truth. Instead of truth being outside of us, it’s inside. Instead of being fixed, it’s flexible. Truth isn’t out there to be discovered. Rather, it’s inside and relative to you—the subject. As the saying goes, “What’s true is up to you.”

(Alan Shlemon – Stand to Reason) Carl Trueman began his landmark book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, with a provocative question: How did the statement “I am a woman trapped in a man’s body” come to be regarded as coherent and meaningful? A few decades ago, such a claim would have warranted psychotherapy. Today, men who say they’re women are affirmed. Girls who say they’re boys are declared “brave.”…. Continue reading

On Today’s Episode of ‘Orange Jumpsuit Dreaming’ — John Brennan

(Stephen Kruiser – PJ Media) The big difference between the previous administration’s Department of Justice and the current DOJ is that this one is going after people who actually did something wrong. That isn’t the story that the Democrats tell, of course, but their relationship with reality and truth is tenuous at best. They would have the public believe that President Trump has directed the DOJ to go after people just because he doesn’t like them. Continue reading

Four Things You Can’t Do Without the Holy Spirit

(Jacob Crouch – Aliens and Pilgrims) At the end of His life, Jesus said something astounding. He was speaking with His disciples on the night that He was betrayed, and He said, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away” (John 16:7). Can you imagine Jesus saying that? An advantage for Jesus to leave. Really? What in the world could be better than having Jesus in His first coming? Jesus answers this: “for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). So what is more advantageous for the disciples of Jesus than having Him in the flesh?… Continue reading

VP Vance: Peace Holding, Stop ‘Rooting for Failure’

“There’s this weird attitude I’ve sensed in the American media and the Western media, where there’s almost this desire to root for failure. Every time there’s an act of violence, there’s this inclination to say, ‘This is the end of the ceasefire.'”

(Newsmax) Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday denounced what he called “a weird attitude” in the American and Western press, accusing some in the media of “rooting for failure” as a historic Middle East peace plan moves forward. Continue reading

Steven Furtick and the Carnival Church

(The Dissenter) I watched the clip—again and again—Steven Furtick laughing, giving some guy a piggyback ride in what he calls a church. The people around him cheering, clapping, filming on their phones like the presence of God is some novelty sideshow act. Honestly, this stuff just makes me sick. It should grieve us when what is meant to be holy is dragged through the mud and turned into a circus.

There was a time when men trembled to enter the sanctuary and especially when one took the pulpit. When the thought of the Most High, holy and righteous God stirred awe and fear in their bones. Continue reading

A Compelling Theory of ‘Woke’

“The battle between the “woke” and their opponents has dominated our politics since the late Obama era, at least. It is easy to see that beneath the woke ideology is a streak of cultural Marxism, but knowing this does not explain why woke ideology has come to dominate our key institutions.”

(David Strom – Hot Air) Certain essays can define how you see an issue or a time. Jeanne Kirkpatrick’s “Dictatorships and Double Standards” helped change the way a generation of people thought about foreign policy, setting the stage for the Reagan era. Francis Fukuyama’s “The End of History” set the intellectual stage for the 1990s post-communism vacation from history. The stakes of the 2016 election were laid bare in The Flight 93 Election. Continue reading

The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

For many, self-control is the most difficult virtue of the Spirit’s fruit. Our society has, for the most part, given up on modeling self-control. What used to be considered a virtue is now labeled restrictive, legalistic, controlling, old-fashioned, and even foolish. Our culture tells us: “Be controlled by self, don’t control yourselves. Whatever impulses, desires, feelings, and thoughts you have, follow, do, and indulge those.”

(Robb Brunansky – The Cripplegate) As Christians, we must not follow the world down a path of self-indulgence. In fact, faithful obedience to Jesus requires self-control. A Christian who lacks self-control will find his sanctification short-circuited and his holiness hindered. Many Christian virtues are connected to self-control, which raises a few questions, starting with, What is self-control?  Continue reading

Should Christians Participate In Halloween?

REPOST

Is it appropriate for evangelicals to celebrate Halloween? Some say, “absolutely not” while others say, “what’s the big deal anyway?” Bible study author, speaker and podcaster Michelle Lesley goes right to the scriptures to help Bible believing Christians make their decision. She writes:

Since there is no specific Bible verse that says, “Thou shalt/shalt not participate in Halloween and its related activities,” this is an area of Christian liberty that must be decided by each individual or couple on the basis of scriptural principles and prayer. If there are Halloween activities available to you that do not violate scriptural principles or your conscience or cause you to become a stumbling block to someone weaker in the faith (which may even be your spouse or child), you are free to participate in those aspects of Halloween.

Here are some Scriptures and principles that may be of help as you make your decision: Continue reading

Are You Going Against God ‘Just for Fun’?

“God forbids any sort of participation in paganism for our own protection. His reason is simple: its roots are steeped in pagan idolatry and drug use. The occult world is an open door to Satan’s world. Those who enter find themselves on a quest for ‘hidden wisdom’ or ‘deeper truth.’ And, not surprisingly, the sought after ‘hidden wisdom’ is not meant for everyone, it’s meant for a select few such as New Age disciples and gurus.”

(Marsha West – First published in 2013) Today we’re hearing a lot about Spiritism or Spiritualism, not to be confused with spiritual or spirituality, as in “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual,” or “I’m into spirituality.” The term Spiritism has replaced what was once called animism and other religious practices involving the invocation of spiritual beings.

Some religions meld Spiritualism with Christianity. For example, a blend of Christian and African folk beliefs that originated in Brazil is now practiced in the U.S. Spiritualism is much the same as Spiritism only it has adopted Christian rites and prayers. People visiting Spiritualistic services can be misled into thinking they’re Christian churches. The problem is Christianity cannot be melded with any other religion or practice. Continue reading

Russell Moore Steps Down as Editor in Chief of Christianity Today, Replacement Named

(Protestia) Russell Moore has stepped down from his position as editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, with senior news editor Marvin Olasky taking his place, according to a press release issued by the company.

Olasky was editor in chief at World magazine from 1994 to 2021. He served as a professor at The University of Texas at Austin from 1983 to 2008. Olasky is the author of 30 books on journalism, American history, abortion, and public policy, including The Tragedy of American CompassionProdigal Press, and Compassionate Conservatism. Continue reading

Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd: The Three Voices of Christian Cultural Engagement

“These voices are not enemies but allies. The church doesn’t need fewer voices, the church needs a unified voice that covers the full range of Christian witness. Prophets must keep speaking hard truths, evangelists must keep reaching the lost, and shepherds must keep tending the flock. But each must learn to appreciate the others. Each serves a different need, and the church suffers when one is elevated at the expense of the others.”

(Michael Clary – American Reformer) Christians need to have a strong voice in the public square, but different voices are needed for different moments. My aim here is to identify three different voices of Christian cultural engagement – prophetevangelist, and shepherd–show the pitfalls and opportunities of each and conclude with a call for greater unity on the Christian right.

For my purposes here, I’m assuming a faithful, Bible believing, conservative Christian audience. In other words, this is a friendly word to faithful leaders within my own circles. Continue reading

Don’t Beat Your Swords into Ploughshares Just Yet

(Robert Spencer – Front Page Magazine) Monday was a festive day, with the whole world seemingly celebrating the dawn of peace in the Middle East and hailing President Trump for bringing it about. The president himself, while speaking about the release of the hostages in his speech to the Knesset, promised a bright new world unencumbered by past hatred and animosities: “After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families. Twenty-eight more precious loved ones are coming home at last to rest in this sacred soil for all of time. And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace.” Continue reading

New Poll Show Churchgoers Are Caving To The Devil At An Alarming Rate

(Protestia) The Family Research Council (FRC), in collaboration with the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, surveyed over 1,000 monthly churchgoers on their views about marriage, family, and related moral issues, and the results are dispiriting, showing a sharp dip from even two years before. Key findings include:

  • Marriage and Family: 68% support marriage as a union between one man and one woman, but only 46% define ‘family’ as a husband, wife, their children, and relatives united by God’s design. Continue reading

Transgender Identity Numbers in Free Fall Among American Students

“Transgenderism is effectively over. We destroyed it. Clearest and most decisive cultural win that conservatives have ever achieved.”

(Rick Moran – PJ Media) A new survey of published polling data by Eric Kaufmann, a professor of politics at the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and an adjunct fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute, shows a nearly 50% drop in the number of college students who identify as transgender. Kaufmann believes the data shows the gender identity trend is going “out of fashion.” Continue reading

Trump at Kirk Medal Ceremony: ‘I Wouldn’t Miss This for Anything in the World’

“Trump has awarded a string of presidential medals going back to his first term, including to golf legend Tiger Woods, ex-football coach Lou Holtz and conservative economist Arthur Laffer as well as to Yankees Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, the latter of which came during the 2020 State of the Union….”

(Newsmax) President Donald Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded America’s highest civilian honor to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated leader who inspired a generation of young conservatives and helped push the nation’s politics further to the right. Continue reading

Pope Leo Puts a Muslim Prayer Room in the Vatican

“The papacy did it as a gesture of hospitality. Who can forget how they allowed a display with a keffiyeh on Baby Jesus in the Vatican? They are very hospitable.”

(Mary Dowling) Pope Leo supports the invasion of millions of Islamists into Western countries although their values and culture are at great variance from that of the West. Now, he is arranging for a prayer room in the Vatican for them. However, we are still waiting for Vatican City to take in migratory Islamists to live. Continue reading