The Narrative of Struggle and Political Power
Everyone wants someone in the family tree who was a coal miner, an immigrant, a maid, a bartender, a handyman, or janitor
How should we assess this ever-present narrative of struggle? Is it good for American politics? Good for Christians? Good for the soul? Or are there dangers? Let me offer one observation, two appreciations, and three concerns.
Young Evangelicals and Politics
Many young evangelicals don’t want to pay the cost of [losing] cultural cache
“America is not the new Jerusalem,” Strachan said. “But we need to vote.” And he challenged Christians: “You have to fundamentally redefine history,” noting, “We have the ultimate… life changing transformative message.”
There is no right to not be offended
Homosexual activists claim that much offense and harm comes from those who espouse opposition to their lifestyle.
"The right to free speech and the unrealistic expectation to never be offended cannot coexist," rightly observed Philip Sharp. It seems, however, that the "unrealistic expectation" cited by the retired U.S. Army Ranger and author is being viewed increasingly as a right.
What’s His Is Ours
Christ's righteousness belongs to those who receive by faith God's promise of forgiveness.
The implications of justification by faith are vast. In the early church, it broke down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles, making unity between disparate ethnic groups possible. It challenged the medieval church for selling what God gives away abundantly and for free. It pops the bubble of well-behaved Christians who think their sanctified lives set them apart from the wretched and dissolute
Searching for Marriage “Rules”?
How can anyone obey all of these “rules” with no guarantee of success?
What I have learned is that there are really only four “rules” to a successful marriage and they all have to do with my perspective: Be his helper; Submit to his leadership; Always display respect; Pray for him daily
Pia Desideria
Some thoughts on Richard Doster’s “Politics: Why Christians Must Be Involved.”
Does that mean that Christianity has the wonder-working powers that Doster claims? And what about the times after the good times? What about America after Witherspoon, England after Wilberforce, Scotland after Chalmers, the Netherlands after Kuyper (not to mention Ephesus after Paul)?
Evangelicals and Mormons together
"I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for president, who happens also to be a Catholic." --John F. Kennedy
There are still evangelicals who, for theological reasons, would never vote for a Mormon. As an electoral issue, the question is whether there are enough evangelicals of that sort to make a difference in the handful of swing states that will decide the election in November.
Why Gay Marriage Is More Than a Legal Issue
The marriage debate shouldn't drive us to outrage or panic.
To sum up what we at Christianity Today have said before: We believe gays and lesbians should not be denied fundamental rights granted to every other American, nor should they suffer slurs or intimidation in any shape or form (and neither should those who oppose gay marriage).
Robert Godfrey’s proposal for Reformed unity: does anyone care?
It is not just that the Reformed witness is complicated. It is that broken up into a hundred fragments, it is incomprehensible.
True Christian unity must be able to allow variations of practice and conviction within the breadth of fidelity to the gospel and the authority of Scripture, not because we are willing to compromise the truth, but because each of us is humble enough to recognize that our interpretations, judgments, or practices are not the same thing as the truth itself.
Can You Risk Honesty in Church?
It seems me the church should be a place and a body where doubters and sinners are welcome
A rebellious Christian may come home at last and say to his heavenly Father, “Father I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight,” and be welcomed with embrace and kisses, clothes, shoes, and a ring, and, and have a party thrown by a Father who had compassion before the son ever got close enough to say a word. But what could what would happen to him at church? I wonder if it might take awhile to earn the robe, shoes, ring, and party