This week, Joe Biden will become the 46th president of the United States. He deserves our support and respect as Christian citizens. Here is some of what that means.

We are responsible to pray for President Biden. The Bible says, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). If your church has prayed publicly for President Trump, you should continue the pattern and pray publicly for President Biden. If this troubles you, it reveals what should be an alarming confusion of Christian Nationalism with healthy patriotism. The biblical call to prayer applies to all governmental leaders, not just those in your preferred party.

We are responsible to respect President Biden. The Bible says, “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1). Respect means honoring the officeholder, recognizing their role in God’s governing economy, and trusting God to supervise and intervene as He wills. Respect means speaking truthfully about others, even people in public life. Respect means evaluating actions and basing our response on facts, not prejudging and demeaning every proposal or action.

We are responsible to communicate with President Biden about his policies. Jesus said he came to “proclaim justice to the nations” and that his ministry would lead “justice to victory” (Matt. 12:18, 20). As Christian citizens, we have a responsibility to call for justice and work to achieve it. Admittedly, the word justice has become politically loaded and means different things to different people. While we continue to debate those meanings, we can still use every ethical and legal means—but not false narratives and destructive actions—to influence decisions made by governing authorities to promote justice as best we understand it. We live in a culture of competing ideas and must advocate and vote for policies and decisions that express what we believe.

Christians are fragmented right now over what it means to be a Christian citizen. The recent appropriation of Christian symbols and vocabulary for criminal purposes has embarrassed, disgusted, and divided many of us. Finding a way forward will be difficult but begins by taking purposeful, intentional steps to fulfill core Christian responsibilities like those summarized above. Doing this will not solve every problem, but prayer, respect, and meaningful communication can put us on a healthier trajectory this week.


Read More

Lessons from Twenty-Five Years of Preaching God’s Word

I am unashamedly an expository preacher. My first sermon, however, was not.

Josh Hutchens
Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Missions at Overland Church
Dr. Joshua Caleb Hutchens is a biblical theologian serving as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Missions at Overland Church in Fort Collins, Colorado and leading the Northern Colorado teaching site of Gateway Seminary.

“Faith is a tree known by its fruits”: The Gisle Johnson Project

The Gisle Johnson Project is a new research endeavor spearheaded by Robb Torseth

Robb Torseth
Public Service Librarian & Adjunct Professor at Gateway Seminary

Listen

The Study Podcast
August 19, 2025

Prophets | Isaiah Part 1

Dr. Wegner takes us through a general overview of the first half of the book of Isaiah. To get a more in depth look you can go back and watch our first season which goes chapter by chapter through the entire book of Isaiah.

From Here to Eternity
August 18, 2025

Ministering as a Seminary Professor with Scott Hildreth

Dr. Scott Hildreth is associate professor of missiology and dean of ministry studies at Southeastern. He has recently published several books including “A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions” and “Serving Jesus without Burning Out”. He joins Dr. Hopkins to unpack s


Watch

Jonathan Edwards and the Asbury Revival

Chris Chun and Chris Woznicki discuss the signs of true revival, signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, and why it is important to critically assess the characteristics of revival in a spirit of charity.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Jonathan Edwards and the Baptists | Douglas Sweeney, Nathan Finn and Chris Chun

Dr. Douglas Sweeney and Dr. Nathan Finn joined Dr. Chris Chun for a panel discussion on Jonathan Edwards, recorded live at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Get updates on new content!