Tim Enloe and I are continuing our conversation. Not much of an exciting conversation, because I agree with what he has posted here. But he does raise a question worth considering. “Pastor Wilson has said in his earlier post that the solution to abusive lay discussions is not a simple gag order. I agree, and …
More for You, Less for Me
“Restrictions on speech are justified by the assertion of a compelling need to promote freedom for some by limiting freedom for others. To the code writers, as to Marcuse, freedom is a zero-sum game” (The Shadow University, p. 83).
Viva Las Worship
“I have heard soloists in church working the crowd like a lounge singer, striding into the audience with a Las Vegas patter, crooning into the mike, costumed for a screen test.” [Gene Veith, State of the Arts (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991), pp. 202]
Three Significant Columns
“This democratic impulse exploded into full revolt near the beginning of the nineteenth century, and three significant columns began to march on the older established order of Christendom. The political revolution was accomplished in the election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency in 1829. The ecclesiastical revolution was ushered in during the Second Great Awakening, …
The Pentagon Finds Out About the Serrated Edge
Now here’s something interesting. Some of the good guys have finally figured out a basic feature of warfare. This would include the war on terrorism. You can find out more about the power of ridicule in war here. And you can see some tentative application here. Joel Belz has a solid take on self-criticism for …
Presbyterians and Presbyterians Together
I would like to direct your attention to an important statement here. A group called Presbyterians and Presbyterians Together has drafted a statement, and they are inviting you to attach your signature to it. I would strongly encourage the same thing. The importance of this can hardly be overstated. This is not an abandonment of …
Apostles of Uplift
“Much Christian art today of the sort sold in bookstores is ‘uplifting’ in a sentimental and optimistic way, as if looking on the sunny side were a cure for the cancer of human sin.” [Gene Veith, State of the Arts (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991), pp. 172]
Cherishing the Banned
“On the one hand, the codes claim to cherish free speech and academic freedom, including the freedom to express even the most challenging and offensive ideas; one the other, certain categories of ‘offensive’ speech are banned in order to create a ‘comfortable’ and ‘inclusive’ learning atmosphere” (The Shadow University, p. 79).
The Difference Between the Two
“The nature of this rebellion was democracy — the rule of demos, the people. The people en masse were thought of as having final authority — over traditions, kings, customs, historic loyalties, and churches. We have grown accustomed to thinking of our democracy as a good thing, and it surprises us to learn that the …
Our Educated Fog-Mongers
A week or so ago, I posted something on laymen and Scripture here. I invited Tim Enloe to respond, which he has now done here. To this, let me add just a few additional comments. I agree with the drift of Tim’s comments, and share his loathing of egalitarianism. And I agree that the fact …