An Ontology of Marriage
Marriage is “between a man and a woman,;” it’s better to define it as being between a “husband and wife;” this is closer to a tautology and analytically true
A husband without a wife is a contradiction — it is ontological nonsense. A wife without a husband is impossible — an ontological absurdity. A marriage without a husband or a wife is a contravention — an ontological irrationality. A female husband or a male wife, likewise, falls into the category of the absurd. And... Continue Reading
Single Americans Are Rapidly Multiplying
Kiley Crossland
Although the number of divorced, separated, or widowed singles has increased since the 1970s, the larger increase, from 22.1 percent to more than 30 percent, came from a growing number of singles who never marry, Yardeni found. Some argue this increase is the result of more couples deciding to cohabitate instead of marry. (WNS)–Singles... Continue Reading
Mars Hill Church Board of Elders: Mark Driscoll Resigned Instead of Entering a Restoration Plan
More questions over Mark Driscoll's resignation
This statement does not address the reasons Driscoll was asked to step away from the pulpit. Did the BoE report disqualify him or not? Having a restoration plan certainly sounds like disqualification. From what would Driscoll need to be restored, if not disqualification? Since the congregation is footing the bill for the severance, shouldn’t they... Continue Reading
Hillsong: We Haven’t Shifted After All
Is it wrong to expect the pastor of one of the world’s most influential churches to have a sound theology of sexuality and marriage—and to offer it when asked?
I think this is a teaching moment for Christian leaders. The refusal to speak clearly when asked remains a problem, which is what precipitated this to begin with. Given that this issue may be the hottest cultural topic and given the swiftness with which society and, increasingly, the courts have accepted gay marriage, prominent Christian... Continue Reading
Pick on Someone Your Own Size
Thoughts on "domestic discipline"
I knew someone once who told me (quite unashamedly) that he did this, on the alleged basis that the Bible encourages it. Ephesians says marriage is like the relationship between Christ and the church, he told me. And since Christ disciplines the church, ergo he should physically discipline his wife, especially when she was displeasing... Continue Reading
Pray for the Pastor’s Wife: Love
Each pastor’s wife will encounter individuals she finds it difficult to love. Pray that, in the strength of Christ, she will.
I have a friend who frequently asks me , “Would you pray that I could be what my husband and kids need?” Every time she asks, I am freshly astounded by her humility and love. She is a very gifted woman who would have much to offer her family. She understands the Scriptures, the human... Continue Reading
The Old Testament in the New Testament
8 points on the relationship between the Testaments
In many cases the NT writers, illumined by the Holy Spirit, perceived with greater clarity than the OT writers themselves God’s intended meaning behind some prophecies. What the prophets had seen only dimly and in terms of general principle, the NT writers saw in the glowing light of fulfillment in a perspective in which a... Continue Reading
Jonathan Edwards (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
The Christian Biographies for Young Readers series introduces children to key figures from church history
This book is a joy to page through. Full color illustrations, photographs, portraits and maps, buildings and vistas appear at the appropriate time on each page. After the biographical sketch, a time line of Edward’s life is included, as is an excerpt from a letter to one of his daughters. Also included is a “Did... Continue Reading
Five Ways to Glorify God While You Wait
There is a sovereign purpose behind our in-between.
Whatever our in-betweens are, how do we live while we wait? How do we wait for God to act, to answer prayer, to move in the desperation of our lives? How do we live by faith while we wait to hear if we need another test, for the long hoped for engagement ring, for the... Continue Reading
The Hopeless Marriage
Hopelessness is a small step from spiritual neediness, which is the foundation of all change
Most marriages have times when one spouse does not like the other, and the dislike is usually mutual—at least my “friends” tell me that is accurate, though I’m confident that even when my wife thinks she doesn’t like me, she secretly—very secretly—likes me. For some of us, these times happen less frequently and we manage... Continue Reading