Early Christian Online Dictionary / Fighting Phone Idolatry / Synapse & Soul / Solomon didn't love his Egyptian wife?

When we scroll immoderately, we become idolaters, hopelessly hooked into a drip feed of sweet-tasting poison that will never satisfy.

If we can’t break free, we’ll scroll ourselves to spiritual death. KEEP READING

Author: Brett McCracken, for Crossway.

Related to the article on phone use, Synapse & the Soul: IS MY BRAIN ME? came to my attention through BioLogos.

Our brain shapes who we are. But is there more to you and me than our neurons? Wonderology asks if 3 lbs of gray matter determine who we are.

Featuring guests Diane Lane, Jim Stump, and Carlos Whittaker. CHECK IT OUT

“What is IBTM? What is the overarching goal?” These are legitimate questions, and they deserve clear answers.

From the IBTM webpage: “The goal of IBTM is to promote biblical literacy and Christian education worldwide… The means are (1) enabling qualified teachers to travel to locations worldwide… (2) mentoring or otherwise supporting potential teachers globally (through underwriting graduate level tuition, conference attendance, and… continued education), (3) producing biblical resources, and (4) supporting a biblical resources website.”

Since 1995 the ministry has supported and mentored 100s of disciples through biblical training, fellowship, correspondence, and consulting. Sometimes the road is lonely, and through IBTM these men and women find much-needed support and encouragement.

IBTM is also a place where questions are welcome. Why do people trust this ministry? They know they can ask questions without being shamed. And they can search our resources—like the Living NT Commentary—and find answers.

For several years now IBTM has enabled teachers / future teachers—promising men and women who otherwise would not be able to afford it—to travel to conferences, often in the biblical world.

For example, IBTM has invited 20 Christian teachers to join the 2026 Antioch Seminar—a conference but also a journey, tracing the path of Paul and Barnabas from Syrian Antioch to Cyprus and back to the mainland of Asia Minor (the route of the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)!

These brothers and sisters hail from India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, D. R. Congo, Nigeria, the US, and the UK. In conferences like this there is a great dynamic: new relationships, cross-pollination theologically, and fresh perspectives.

Did you know that the major theological conferences are attended by 100s or even 1000s? (For example, this month some 10,000 biblical scholars will converge on Boston!) But through smaller events, we provide opportunities to interact with world class scholars—providing a safe place to ask questions, broaden minds, and keep abreast of exciting developments in apologetics and theology.

These special events also afford room to think. The Spirit works in these spaces.

The 2026 Antioch Seminar is a significant financial investment, and so we want to express special thanks to our financial supporters!

If you’d like to fund any of these 20 individuals—perhaps by providing airfare for those coming from the poorest nations—please reply to this email, and I’ll share some possibilities.

IBTM is a charitable corporation, a 501(c(3)—with full deductibility for US citizens—overseen by a board of directors.

We are grateful not only to our board, but to all who have volunteered their time to advance the ministry.

In my opinion, the most valuable work of IBTM is relational: connecting teachers from different churches, affording theological training, strengthening relationships, and fostering mutual understanding and respect.

This sort of networking is what our ministry is all about.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK…

In a few minutes I will board a plane to North America. This weekend I join fellow professors Robert Carrillo and Steve Kinnard in Mexico City for the graduation ceremony of Mountain Theological Seminary (Spanish language division). It’s also a national teaching weekend. My topic: church history—plus preaching on Sunday.

Next I’ll meet my wife in Los Angeles for a teaching weekend (see brochure, R.), then proceed directly to Boston, where this year’s annual theological conferences take place. The first conference, “Creedal Christianity,” focuses on positive lessons from Nicaea. This should be informative, and a nice counterbalance to my critique of Constantine and the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) in a recent Nicaea series.

After a few days back in Atlanta, it’s back to England for two nights, then on to Africa (the last trip of the year).

In Africa I’ll join my friend Daniel Bertholet (Geneva, Switzerland) for a brief visit to Nairobi, Kenya, and then a longer stay in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Your prayers for us in all these locations are highly valued. And thank you for reading our bulletin.