What is Islam?

A Manifesto for Wholeness in a Fractured World: A Reformed Biblical Vision for Identity, Suffering, and Community

Preamble: Our Foundation

We confess that the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—created humanity male and female in His image, endowed with dignity, purpose, and ordered design. The Fall corrupted every aspect of creation, including our bodies, emotions, and identities. Redemption in Christ offers reconciliation with God and the restoration of our humanity, though full renewal awaits the coming Kingdom.

In an age of confusion, therapeutic individualism, and identity fragmentation, we affirm a vision of human flourishing grounded in Scripture, guided by Reformed theology, and lived out in covenantal community.

In Search of Wholeness: A Biblical View of Identity in a Broken World

Today, conversations about identity are everywhere—and they are often deeply personal, painful, and polarizing. From classrooms to social media, from surgeries to church halls, we’re being asked big questions:

3 Lies Your Kids Want To Believe

https://youtu.be/WKobdoB5STs?si=qpmtJtIk7DmEYm-P 

"When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear."

- Thomas Sowell

The Enemies of God’s Plan and His People

The Doctrine of Satan and Demons

Even though the entertainment industry capitalizes on the ongoing conflict between good and evil, few people truly understand the spiritual forces behind that clash. In the distant past, Satan led a large angelic force in rebellion against God.1 Throughout human history, Satan has opposed God’s people, His plan, and His Son. Only Satan’s fury can explain the uncanny and repeated hatred spewed against God’s people—the Jews and believers in every age. Satan unsuccessfully sought to eliminate Jesus in Bethlehem2 and tempted Jesus to seek glory apart from the cross.3 Though a terrible enemy, Satan does not share God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, or omniscience. Because of Christ’s death on the cross, Satan remains a defeated foe who will unscrupulously deceive and destroy people until his final and inevitable defeat when Christ returns. 

Haman’s deadly scheme reflects Satan’s desire to eliminate the Israelites, through whom God had promised to send the Messiah as humanity’s Savior. Satan prowls the earth, looking for ways to deceive and devour people4 and defeat God, which he cannot do, even in the final battle at Armageddon.5 While Satan wreaks havoc upon God’s people, he cannot and will not ultimately defeat them.6 

People fall prey to Satan’s masterful deception when they fail to understand His insidious nature. He knows the sinful appetites of fallen humanity and seeks to turn people away from God. With cunning strategy and manipulation, Satan makes sin look appealing and following God appear foolish. He does everything he can to keep people enslaved to sin and his power. His evil influence should not be underestimated. 

God’s people should guard against Satan’s deception but primarily focus on God’s overcoming power. Aware of Satan’s temptation and wily ways, God’s people trust the Holy Spirit for power to resist him.7 God will prevail over every deadly strike of an already defeated foe. How will you trust God as you seek to live unswervingly for Him in this world? God is stronger than Satan. God lives within His people. In His power, they can overcome.

1. Satan’s fall: Luke 10:18; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:7-8 
2. Murder at Bethlehem: Matthew 2:16-18 
3. Satan and Jesus: Matthew 4:1-11; 16:22-23 
4. Satan’s deception: John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8-9 
5. Armageddon: Revelation 16:16 
6. Ultimate victory for God’s people: Matthew 16:18 
7. Resisting Satan: James 4:7

God Breaks The Man He Wants To Use

 

Voddie Baucham March 11, 1969 - September 25, 2025