A great set of posts by Greg Forster (PhD, Yale University) on what he sees as key disadvantages in employing either natural law arguments or explicitely Christian/biblical defenses of marriage in today's cultural landscape. In short, he sees both as unconvincing to those predisposed to endorse same-sex "marriage." Instead, he offers a new path forward. Excerpt: We must speak the truth about sexuality and romance in the language of sexuality and romance. This can't be a special, private sexual language for Christians that others will need to learn. It must be a language that speaks to people … [Read more...] about We Need New Methods in the Fight for Marriage
Practical Ministry
Pastoring Christians for the Workplace
The most recent edition of the 9 Marks journal is on Pastoring Christians for the Workplace. Here's the table of contents: What Makes Work "Christian"? By J.D. Greear 7 Things Pastors Should Teach Those in the Marketplace By Lukas Naugle Pastoring the Wrongly Ambitious By Jamie Dunlop Preaching to Women Who Work in the Home By Bari Nichols Pastor, Teach Your Businesspeople to Tend the Vine By Sebastian Traeger Businessperson, Help your Pastor Build Trellises By Sebastian Traeger There are also book reviews and a few other columns. Check it out. … [Read more...] about Pastoring Christians for the Workplace
Begin with Creation, Not Sin
Nancy Pearcey:Beginning with sin instead of creation is like trying to read a book by opening it in the middle: You don't know the characters and can't make sense of the plot. --Total Truth, p. 88 … [Read more...] about Begin with Creation, Not Sin
Louis Giglio, Tim Tebow, and Us
Louis Giglio was disinvited to pray at President Obama's second inaugaration (either that, or he withdrew his acceptance). Tim Tebow was invited to speak at a very prominent Baptist church, only to later cancel. Albert Mohler nails it in this CT article: No statement short of celebrating and affirming the normalization of homosexuality will be found acceptable to those now demanding an answer. Writing for Yahoo! Sports, Jay Busbee stated what is now obvious: "Whatever the reason for his cancellation, Tebow is fast approaching the point where he'll need to make more definitive stands on his … [Read more...] about Louis Giglio, Tim Tebow, and Us
Contend: Defending the Faith in a Fallen World
I haven't yet seen this book, but it sounds very promising. I had the pleasure of meeting Aaron last year and enjoyed a few good conversations with him. He's a sharp guy, and this is an important topic in our day of increased hostility to the historic, exclusive, pride-offending Christian message. Two blurbs: “Exactly the kind of book the church needs in our moment….will equip the church to be as bold as a lion, and to roar as Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, and Machen before us.” Owen Strachan, Boyce College “A balanced and passionate appeal especially to young believers….May this call be … [Read more...] about Contend: Defending the Faith in a Fallen World
Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture
Great post from Pastor Zach Nielsen on Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture. His points: 1. Aim to give our kids a huge view of God who is gloriously delightful. 2. Teach them the gospel. Our kids are spring-loaded legalists. 3. Teach them that boundaries bring freedom and obedience is a blessing. 4. Talk to them sooner than later about sex and internet porn. … [Read more...] about Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture