What’s Wrong with Living Together Unmarried?
A pastoral answer to a common question
That sounds a touch harsh, and it will need to be said in the context of a pastor who loves and cares; but it does need to be said to any professing Christian couple who really think it is moral to live together unmarried. For although they think they love one another, actually they do... Continue Reading
The parallel universe of home-schooled students
A reporter discovers that home-schoolers don't fit the stereotypes
According to Murphy, home-schooled children do well academically. They enter higher education in proportions similar to those who attended public or private schools and score as well or better on college entrance exams. Yes, but what about the social-backwardness of the home-schooled students? According to Murphy, home-schooled students are not socially backward. Most, he says,... Continue Reading
How Can I Explain the Trinity to a Child?
Without moralistic illustrations or logical arguments that go over their heads
At the Ligonier conference, Sinclair Ferguson spoke of the need to add catechism instruction to consecutive Bible exposition. He said that catechism teaching is like Velcro strips that the Bible’s teaching sticks to. So, add the shorter catechism to your Bible reading: “There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the... Continue Reading
Allegorical Preaching: What Would Calvin Say?
The real issue is that we avoid arbitrary and completely subjective readings of the text
On the one hand, Calvin thought it was frivolous and often unnecessary or unfruitful to look for allegories. He stressed the simple sense of Scripture, which allegories could too easily distort. He felt that allegories had often been used as a shortcut to Christ that didn’t take the original message seriously enough. Yet on the... Continue Reading
Back to the Bible
Economics and new technology rekindle Hollywood's interest in Old Testament epics
Everything about the set of Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming biblical epic, Noah, cries big budget. From the ark (a towering, multi-level construction built to Genesis’ specifications); to the A-list cast (Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins); to the large, meandering crews of teamsters (whose strict lunch and break rules are pushing shooting hours off schedule),... Continue Reading
My Brittle Bones
Have we reached the point where the belief that some humans command a favored right to life simply because of their physical strength is now unquestioned orthodoxy?
…. “we will need to obtain blood samples from some members of your extended family to allow DNA testing.”….I naively asked why the genetic data was required. Waving a dismissive hand toward our daughter, who until this point had tried her darndest to win the doctor’s attention with coy smiles and giggles, this gifted physician... Continue Reading
Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture
How can parents raise children in a pornified culture?
We can’t simply tell our kids to stop doing certain behaviors; we must also teach them to delight in what God has made. I’ve been trying to make a discipline of pointing out all the good in God’s creation….In short, I want my kids to know that sexual perversion is the height of idolatry (Rom.... Continue Reading
Obama Administration to Judge: We Can Force Your Wife to Violate Her Religion
Has there ever been a presidential administration as dismissive of religious liberties as the Obama Administration?
In reference to the judges concerns, the government lawyer says, “I actually don’t think it is that important.” What he does believe is important is contraceptives, since they are “important to the health and well-being of women and to advancing gender equality.” Yet even if we concede this point, the Administration has given no rational explanation for why... Continue Reading
Thinking Biblically About C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries
Exploring how we can think about Mahaney in what I hope is a distinctly Christian way
In a situation as difficult as this one, especially in a situation as difficult as this one, the Lord calls me, he calls each of his people, to pursue peace and love and unity. I take this as a call to consider carefully what information I learn, to keep in mind that none of us has access... Continue Reading
Stand Up for Scouting on Firm Ground (Part 2)
Looking at the policy change proposal from the perspective of principles rather than consequences
Scouts inherently believe in a moral law (almost certainly emanating from the Divine). The outline and summary for these principles can again be found in the Scout Law as well as the Slogan. Previously, this moral law was undergirded by both social norms and common American religious institutions, especially churches and synagogues….The BSA so assiduously... Continue Reading