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.

Secularism and the Ongoing Culture Wars

Peter Beinart writes at The Atlantic about "Breaking Faith: The culture war over religious morality has faded; in its place is something much worse."  The hunch that reduced attendance of organized religious services would lead toward a truce in the culture wars was naive.  Religiously unaffiliated Americans to the right and the left are not paving the way toward a tolerant, inclusive, and harmonious society.

In conclusion Beinart muses, "Maybe it’s the values of hierarchy, authority, and tradition that churches instill. Maybe religion builds habits and networks that help people better weather national traumas, and thus retain their faith that the system works. For whatever reason, secularization isn’t easing political conflict. It’s making American politics even more convulsive and zero-sum."

"Baby" and "Fetus"

Interesting that this article in the NYT about pregnancy consistently refers to the "baby" and not the "fetus."  How would it come across if the terms were switched?  Could it be that we have conferred on parents the right to define the unborn as a baby if a baby is wanted, and the right to relegate the unborn to the status of a fetus if a baby is not desired?  Makes me think of the chilling but important commentary of Matt Walsh:  "Apparently Unborn Babies Are Only Human When They Belong To Beyonce."

The Ends of the Earth

J. D. Greear shares an amazing report from a remote setting in Asia--a story that shows God's missionary heart for all the people groups, and the way he transforms lives and plants his church in connection with the witness of his people!

Losing Focus?

Is the rush of breaking news and counter-claims and 24/7-commentary tempting Christians to lose their focus on the Gospel?  And what's more, is our way of handling the current-events-mania causing unnecessary divisions within the church?  Erik Raymond has a very helpful warning along these lines:  "Keep Your Eye on the Ball."

Affirming Biblical Authority

Don Carson's recent article in Themelios is terrific--good, challenging, urgent words for all believers to consider:  "Subtle Ways to Abandon the Authority of Scripture in Our Lives."

Questioning Christian Slogans

Michael Kruger has a helpful series of posts on "Taking Back Christianese," where he looks closely and critically at what people seem to mean when they say various stock spiritual phrases.  Like "it's not my place to judge" and "America is a Christian nation" and "preach the gospel--use words if you have to."  All in all, an excellent reminder not to just pass along the going religious slogan.

Post-Election Action

Nicholas Kristof at the NYT offers some food for thought encouraging Americans to resist the pull of both gloating and despair now that the election is over.

A Third Party in American Politics?

David Brooks makes the case for a third party here in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election.  No doubt it would (will?) be difficult for a third party to get serious traction in an American election, but the potential advantages for the nation would be very great.

Jen Hatmaker Veers Away from Biblical Teaching

Justin Taylor offers summary comments and links to four articles that respond to Jen Hatmaker's recent decision to speak out in favor of same-sex marriage.

Always Reforming?

Kevin DeYoung makes vital distinctions about semper reformanda here on the threshold of Reformation Day.  The notion of the church "always reforming" provides no valid basis for revisionist teachings that set aside classic biblical doctrines in order to keep up with the times.  See also Michael Horton's article on how the church should, and should not, be perpetually reforming.

"Think It Not Strange"

The team at Desiring God has released a collection of essays on "navigating trials in the New America."  John Piper's introductory video is brief but very helpful as we seek to understand the changing cultural landscape and the place of the church in the West.  The title echoes 1 Peter 4:12, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."
 

Images from North Korea

Fascinating glimpses into joys and struggles of life in North Korea.

The Main Thing About Heaven

Consider:  "Heaven Is a Person."

Non-Optional Christianity

I appreciate the way Ray Ortlund challenges the "small Christianity" which people see as an option to consider between Sunday soccer practices.  "Christian conversion is not God sprinkling his pixie-dust blessing on our typical routines."  "Real Christianity is massive.  But is that our Christianity?"

Reflections on Trump-Clinton Debate

Reflections on the first presidential debate from Russell Moore--thoughts worth pondering.

Tim Kaine's Careless Hermeneutics

Trevin Wax responds to Tim Kaine's reckless reading of the Bible.  Kaine's approach provides a classic illustration of how not to read--not just how not to read the Bible, but how not to read, or even to think.  No doubt Kaine would cry foul if anyone handled his words in this kind of sloppy, manipulative way.

Unpacking "Once Saved, Always Saved"

"Whether from fear or ignorance, sizeable segments of the Christian church avoid the New Testament teaching that pursuing purity in this life is necessary for entrance into the next." That's how John Piper begins his very helpful article, "The Legacy of One-Point Calvinism and Casual Churchianity."  He clarifies that this necessary pursuit of purity is the fruit and not the ground of justification.  All in all, a serious and good word!

Russia Muzzles Church

"Under the guise of implementing “anti-terrorism” measures, Russia has adopted new laws that restrict religious freedom and criminalize missionary activities."  See Joe Carter's article on this chilling development.  And pray for the advance of the Gospel despite all obstacles.

Hillary Clinton and the Question of Intent

Andrew McCarthy makes an important claim about how the question of Hillary Clinton's intent is neither here nor there when it comes to whether charges should be brought against her or not.  He contends that the FBI has effectively rewritten federal law so as to let Clinton off the hook.

Are Old Testament Promises to Israel Applicable to Gentile Christians?

In his "Look at the Book" video lab, John Piper explains why it is valid--and urgent--for Gentile Christians to take OT promises, such as Isaiah 41:10, as applying to them.  The line of reasoning presented here has far-reaching implications for how Christians handle the Word of God.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

Oh Canada

A car dealer in Minneapolis may have captured our national angst this campaign season!

Me Before You?

Joni Eareckson Tada is someone with the credibility to speak to the question of physician-assisted suicide when it comes to cases of disability.  We do well to take note of her thoughts in connection with the recent movie, "Me Before You."

"Seek the Welfare of the City"

Stephen McAlpine makes a strong and urgent case for what it means for Christian communities to love the cities where God has placed them.  "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7).

Reasons to Worry!

Justin Taylor has a terrific post giving many of the foolish "reasons" Christians worry--he also points to God's Word in response to our anxieties.

"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10).

Questions about Transgender Theories

Trevin Wax is asking important questions about transgender theories and their implications.  See here and here.

Sobering Reflections on Politics and Civilization

I appreciate Matthew Lee Anderson's strong words (here and here) regarding the disintegrating Republican Party and the corresponding sad partisan captivity of the Religious Right:  serious considerations in connection with the rise of Trump.

Multitasking and Stewardship

Jessica Schaeffer asserts, "There are far-reaching, personal benefits of monotasking, but the biblical call to stewardship ought to be the primary motivator for believers."

Are the Culture Wars Over?

Carl Trueman says yes.  Consider his important analysis.

Trevin Wax has raised some of those questions which are off limits in today's Western anti-culture, as Trueman notes.  But the questions are valid, and urgent.

Christian Nation?

Is America a Christian nation?  Depends on what you mean.  Russell Moore offers helpful input on this topic.

Trump's Theology

Michael Horton has a terrific and important article on "The Theology of Donald Trump" at Christianity Today.