The Strength of Patience

Impatient people are weak.  It takes strength to wait.  And, as John Piper points out, faith in God's glorious might is the channel through which the power for patience comes.

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy" (Colossians 1:11).

"Human Rights Since Birth"

So very sad that the UN presents human rights as coming into effect at birth and thus implies that, prior to birth, one lacks rights or is not human, or both.  [Link to the above image and page.  See also my FB post on this disturbing image.]

Day of Mourning

Today is a day of mourning, after the US Senate refused to protect babies born alive after failed abortions:  44 senators gave their approval for leaving these little ones to die--babies who have been born, are alive, are outside the womb... yet may be left to die, gasping for breath.  In other words, 44 US senators gave their approval for infanticide.  Talk that this legislation would have actually clashed with existing abortion law was utterly unfounded and incorrect--sheer deception and falsehood (see text of bill).

Author of the bill, Senator Ben Sasse (pictured), discusses the sad fact that 44 senators could not bring themselves to actually stand up for the weak, the vulnerable, the defenseless.  Their rejection of this legislation calls into question the genuineness of so many of the 44 who claim to advocates for the disadvantaged and exploited and for those who are discriminated against.  If a desperate newborn lying on a table is not a classic example of such voiceless and vulnerable people, who is?  Note also Sasse's speech prior to the vote.

I do want to acknowledge the courage and conviction of three Democratic senators who defied the majority in their party and stood up for the weak and defenseless, and who thus caused the support for this bill to be truly bi-partisan:  Bob Casey (PA), Joe Manchin (WV), and Doug Jones (AL).  

Pride of Cowardice

Pondering John Piper's remarks about pride--how it not only takes the form of boasting but also cowardice.  So helpful as a word of challenge to all who follow Jesus, and especially to all who are leaders.

The Critical Question

Slanted Scripture for Social Media?

Jen Wilkin threw the Christian social media world a curve with her post last year, "Beware the Instagram Bible."  Recently she was interviewed and discussed ways that the social media platform can favor a slanted or incomplete picture of the Bible's message.  This raises great questions for every Christian to consider:  What presuppositions (self-imposed) or pressures (from external influences) are getting in the way of our believing and sharing "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27)?  And how does a given forum of communication (e.g., social media) tilt conversations in one direction or another?  What are the unwritten rules about things you "can" and "cannot" say?

The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon

Tony Reinke interviews Alistair Roberts about the ideas and impact of Jordan Peterson.  I appreciate how this overview steers listeners away from simplistic responses by pointing out that Peterson's message both resonates with certain Christian ideas and yet also deeply contradicts key foundations of Christianity.  Helpful, as well, is the way Roberts addresses questions about what the church can learn from the impact Peterson is having in today's world.

Basic yet Vital Truths about Love

I really appreciate Christopher Ash's summary of key truths about love, including how love factors into marriage according to God's design.  Ash provides a "big picture" view of how human love makes sense in light of the love of God.

The De-Conversion Playbook

Michael Kruger provides a very helpful overview and analysis of the "de-conversion playbook" followed by numerous post-evangelical leaders as they seek to justify revisionist readings of Scripture and draw still-evangelical Christians to follow their lead into progressive enlightenment.  Kruger's penetrating analysis centers on Jen Hatmaker's recent interview with Peter Enns and Jared Byas.

Kruger's conclusion:

In the end, there’s no doubt Hatmaker’s de-conversion story will be persuasive to our postmodern world.  And I am sure some will adopt her newfound theology as a result.

But, upon closer examination, it is rife with problems.  While claiming to be non-judgmental, she declares the fruit of those who believe in traditional marriage as “rotten.”  Despite her insistence that the Bible should be read without certainty, she offers all sorts of dogmatic claims about what the Bible teaches. While claiming her views are due to a deep study of Scripture, she offers only simplistic explanations for the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality, while disregarding 2000 years of church history.

Yes, we should not settle for pat answers.  But, sometimes the Bible does give clear answers. And when it does, we should be willing to listen and receive them.

Finding Fault to the Left and to the Right

Plenty of fault to go around for the political "rot" of these times--as Rod Dreher points out.

Myopic News Coverage

Today, on the day after a bombing/shooting in a mosque in Egypt took over 300 lives, I made an informal review of the coverage priorities of the major cable news TV channels (those leaning both left and right), such as CNN, Fox, and MSNBC.  Today they decided it was important to focus the nation's attention on domestic political spats and holiday shopping stories and stats.  One wonders:  What does it take on the world scene to get the attention of small-minded, profit-driven American news media?

Sorrow on an Enormous Scale

The life of Hugh Hefner led to sorrow on an enormous scale.  To be sure, there are those who consider his pioneering Playboy endeavors to have been liberating and wonderfully progressive, and a source of great happiness.  But, at root, what he did was encourage millions and millions of men to objectify women and diminish them into "roles not souls"--see Jon Bloom's thoughtful analysis along these lines.  So sad.

"ON THE ANTI-GOSPEL OF ALT-RIGHT WHITE SUPREMACY"

The Southern Baptist Convention's important 2017 resolution on this topic is posted here.

Joni Eareckson Tada's Reflections

It's been 50 years since that diving accident that left Joni a quadriplegic.  I really appreciate her balanced biblical message about suffering and healing and honoring Jesus this side of heaven.

"Dignitary Harm" and the Debate over Religious Freedom

Albert Mohler reviews a new two-views book on religious liberty and LGBTQ concerns.  Especially important is the discussion of "dignitary harm."

About Preaching

Sam Storms has a very thoughtful article on why preaching has fallen on hard times, including some direct challenges both to the preacher and to church communities as well.

Transgender Controversy

Russell Moore strikes a wise and helpful balance of compassion and truth in his recent post at TGC.

On Theological Diversity in Early Christianity

Michael Kruger cuts through the fog in the discussion about the supposedly radical theological diversity in and around the early church.

"All Things for Good"

Helpful big-picture Bible reflections from John Piper on our great and good God!  "If you are given singleness instead of marriage as your life, it’s because the blood of Jesus secured the eternal good that singleness will do for you. Or if you’re given a disability or a disease that’s never healed in this life, it is because the blood of Jesus secured the eternal good that this disability will do for you."

The Benedict Option and the State of the Church

A serious, sobering, and important conversation about the North American church in our age of cultural upheaval.  Rod Dreher's message deserves careful, prayerful consideration.