Insular Thinking About the American Nuclear Family
Countervailing Arguments Against the Family
For all his castigation of the nuclear family (complicit, according to Brooks, in the many modern American societal ills that he catalogs), he offers no real alternative means for achieving the goal he desires — complex and deep networks of individuals in extended families supporting each other. Though distorted in numerous ways by fallen mankind,... Continue Reading
Missouri Presbytery Admits PR Mistakes But Nothing Has Changed
It is good Public Relations (PR), but nothing changed with regard to the ordination of men in the PCA who publicly identify as being a homosexual.
My intent here is…simply to remind the PCA generally and the GA commissioners specifically, that the Bible plainly teaches that an officer in the church must be above reproach and have a good reputation with those outside of the church. Men who publicly proclaim their status as homosexuals (even though they practice celibacy) should not... Continue Reading
The Dysphoria of Modern Life is Its Obvious Weakness
The irony of postmodernism, a critical metaphysics which dwells on irony for sustenance, is that there is no there there.
The lie of postmodernism is in its very name—it is neither “post” nor “modern.” It is parasitic. Its unabashed success is primarily due to the wealth of its host. Western culture was fat. With a loss of faith amplified by war in the 20th century, science and politics had replaced religion and philosophy. Science, understood... Continue Reading
Encouragement and Caution for Culture Warriors
The fog of war makes it easy for allies to be treated as enemies.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cultural engagement. Christians with a different political calculus, with various regional sensibilities, temperaments, or experiences, may choose different courses of action. Debate over the best course of action is good and necessary. But culture warriors and culture engagers alike must be careful not to criticize unfairly or demean brothers... Continue Reading
The Children Who Kill Children
We have become a society filled with very young men who are ready and willing to throw away their lives and the lives of others.
Whatever we’ve been doing isn’t working. Even granting that the temptation in moments like these is to overstate the frequency of mass killings, the fact remains that the social and spiritual condition of young American men accords perfectly well with their ascendant role in these horrific events. Ted Kaczynski, aka the Unabomber, was thirty-six... Continue Reading
A Culture That Celebrates Dismembering Children in the Womb Can’t Understand Why It’s Afflicted with Mass Shootings
We’ve created a culture of death, and now we have to live with it.
We have set this scene, yet when the predictable script plays out, we ask, “Why do we keep letting this happen?” Neither rifle bans, tougher background checks, nor any other “do something!” policy aimed at mass shootings will actually stop the carnage. As the country reels over the Texas massacre, where 19 children and... Continue Reading
When MAID goes to Church
Can faithful Christians “baptize” medical assistance-in-dying (MAID) to make it an act of religious worship in the house of God?
Although faithful Christians know that “to depart and be with Christ is far better”, we patiently choose to remain until our work on earth is done and our Lord calls us home. Glory awaits those who wait patiently. I was recently taken aback to read that medical assistance-in-dying (MAID) was performed in a church in Manitoba.... Continue Reading
Queer Nation Is No Nation At All
The Pride flag itself is now in the state of flux to which the notion of inclusion detached from any objective foundation must inevitably lead.
For a flag to be a powerful, sacred symbol of unity and purpose, it has to symbolize a real common sense of unity—a unified moral vision around which individuals can rally as part of a larger imagined community. That the Pride flag already has so many variations reveals the lack of unity that has always... Continue Reading
Homosexuals: Who Really Loves Whom the More?
Who really loves whom more with regard to homosexuals and lesbians?
When it comes to “who really loves homosexuals and lesbians more?” the only answer is those who also love the divine revelation of God and are willing to speak the truth in love to their homosexual and lesbian family members and friends. With a month of national promotion, embracing and engaging in “Pride Month,”... Continue Reading
The Standing Judicial Commission Just Violated the PCA Constitution and Standards—Again.
What rights do PCA members have to present their cases before the church courts?
The Bible I read gives a strong impression that the King and Head of the Church looks none too kindly on this kind of brazen rebellion—especially when perpetrated by those who claim to be His shepherds. “It belongs to His Majesty,” reads the BCO Preface, “from His throne of glory to rule and teach the... Continue Reading
