“This has produced the extraordinary phenomenon of radical Islam—which denies female equality and preaches death to gays—marching under the banner of human rights. The self-styled progressives on the British left, for whom human rights have replaced Christianity as the religion for a godless society, have formed a jaw-dropping axis with militant, fundamentalist Islamism. These two …
Gotta Monger Something
“The executive director of the National Religious Broadcasters Association sums up what he calls an unwritten law of all television preachers: ‘You can get your share of the audience only by offering people something they want’” (Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death, p. 105).
The Born-Again Lobotomized
“The evangelical Church at large has opted for the superficial in worship. Devotees whoop and holler their way through trite upbeat songs; sometimes the songs are even blasphemous. At a conference, I once saw grown Christians jumping up and down, lustily singing away, with hand motions, splish-splashing in the blood of Christ. And when the …
Sides and Parts
“It is not peace but party that they mind. The greater part of their studies is to study sides and parts” (Burroughs, Irenicum, p. 168).
Information as Gold
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 120 “There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel” (Prov. 20:15). This is the verse that requires—for all who would prosper in business—spread sheets, financial reports, budgets, and so on. Information …
When You Are Being Run Out of Town, Get Out in Front and Make it Look Like a Parade
“In Britain, by contrast, the Church of England has been in the forefront of the retreat from the Judeo-Christian heritage. At every stage it has sought to appease the forces of secularism, accommodating itself to family breakdown, seeking to be nonjudgmental and embracing multiculturalism” (Melanie Phillips, Londonistan, p. xxii).
Now This
“We have become so accustomed to its discontinuities that we are no longer struck dumb, as any sane person would, by a newscaster who having just reported that a nuclear war is inevitable goes on to say that he will be right back after this word from Burger King; who says, in other words, ‘Now …
There Had to be an Explanation
“Whenever a culture’s goal becomes entertainment, a law of degeneration immediately sets in. In the field of economics, Gresham’s Law states that bad money drives out good. In the same way, bad entertainment displaces that which is not quite as bad. In a sinful world, poor comedians will go for the easy laugh with dirty …
Let Us Feed Cheesecake to our Horses
The famous story tells of the minister who wrote in the margin of his notes, “Argument weak. Shout here.” Whenever anyone is unalterably attached to a position, and that position is wrong, there is always a strong temptation to shout. Moreover, the sillier a position gets, the more shouting is required to keep people from …
Give to Get to Give Again
In the hearts and minds of the faithful, the prohibition of covetousness is grounded in a right relationship of grace, obedience, and blessing. This blessing is of course grace, which leads to grateful obedience, and more blessing. We receive, and we give, in order to receive again, so that we might grow mighty in giving. …