Better Letters Than Fetters

How is Twitter, Facebook, and so on private companies if they are publicly traded? Would love some insight on this . . .

Cortney

Re: free speech post: “This is one of the great legacy items of Christendom. Why should we surrender it?” I suspect many onlookers (Christian and not) might be genuinely confused: “Is that not what American Christians DO? Their rapidity and abjectness of surrender once provoked the French to sue for copyright infringement, and subsequently lose when the defendant entered a guilty plea.”

History (Christian or French) is not widely known, you see.

Blessings,

Keith

Biblical Law as the Foundation of Free Speech | Overall. Great post. I only have hearty amens, and then some more. But I do have a question. Where you said, “With the pervasive influence of the gospel in society, freedom will collapse into form only . . . “, did you mean to say “WithOUT the pervasive . . . “

Trey

Re “Biblical Law as the Foundation of Free Speech.” I was excited about the topic of this article, because for some time I have been wishing I had better mastery of the argument that “religious liberty/freedom of speech is a Christian value, not a secular one.” When I have made this statement recently, I have had the nagging feeling I was making an assertion that, if pressed, I could not defend.

Sadly, that feeling will continue to nag for the present. That’s to say, I don’t believe your article delivered the goods. If there are more goods in storage, I anxiously hope they’ll be put on display. I track your argument 100% that religious liberty/freedom of speech is not and cannot be derived from secularism. Absolutely, borrowed capital, all that.

But I don’t see in the article a satisfying argument that the capital was borrowed from Scripture or specifically Christian reasoning, as opposed to being borrowed from Enlightenment ideals that may have very good pragmatic and wise reasons behind them (e.g., I want free speech for thee because I also want it for me), but are not specifically Christian.

The article ends with a few verses about Paul “reasoning” with folks, our weapons not being carnal, etc. But it seems to me it’s overloading those verses to make them carry the weight of, e.g., “free exercise of religion should be guaranteed for Mormons (or what have you).” The context cannot be ignored, which (in the case of the Acts verses) was not Paul expounding on how a just society ought to be properly constituted, but was him simply dealing with the situation in which he found himself, namely, one where he had the opportunity to attempt to persuade his interlocutor.

Again, I can think of 5 reasons the kind of freedom that guarantees free exercise for all, within particular limits, is a smart idea and desirable (not least because it protects Christians), and even how it’s consistent with Christian theology, but I don’t see how a specifically Christian theology gives rise to or compels the ideals of free speech and religious liberty.

I write this not as an antagonist, but as someone who desperately hopes you will convince me. I would really like to be able to tell my conversation partners, “you say you like free speech but reject Christ, but what you don’t realize is that Christianity provides the only consistent basis for free speech” without that nagging feeling that I can’t defend this if pressed . . .

Adam

Following a brilliant essay on the Ethics of Migrating to Gab, I would have expected a link at the bottom, alongside Facebook, Twitter, and Evernote, that allowed us to post this to Gab. Just a thought . . . :)

Malachi

Why do you continue to use platforms that hate Christians and support everything anathema to our worldview? Please take a stand and stop.

John

I’m writing to ask if there is any other place to purchase your books? I will not support or purchase anything off of Amazon. If you could please make your books Available elsewhere I’d greatly appreciate it.. Thank you

Ray

I’m writing to ask simply if you have any advice or wisdom regarding the situation I’m in. Given the current state of the union, I believe it is only a matter of time before our new administration makes good on their promises. We have seen a ramping up of the progressive agenda over this last year despite a supposedly conservative administration. Now that leftists are in a position to continue moving the ball with seal of government authority and approval, I don’t believe they will slow down. It is likely that before the year is out, we will see any number of policies and laws change that are in direct opposition to the Constitution and Biblical morality. Some of those could include but are by no means limited to: packing the Supreme court, eliminating the filibuster, codifying abortion into law, removing the Hyde amendment, continued degradation of first amendment rights, attrition of second amendment rights, etc. From where I’m standing, I want to be able to decide which is a bridge too far and when I need to resign my commission. I believe that without deciding objectively now, it will become more difficult in the moment.

The analogy I’ve been using to ask those around me this question is this: if you were a pilot in the Luftwaffe and could go back to say 1935, do you wish you would have done something different? At what point between finishing pilot training and bombing downtown London should you have quit?

There are two common objections, the first being the salt and light argument. To which I ask, how much salt and light are you providing while standing on the guard tower at Auschwitz?

The other one is the Roman Centurion from Luke 7. Jesus didn’t tell him to quit his day job and isn’t Rome so much more evil than America? But this is an argument from silence (as is the counter). We don’t know whether the Centurion began to study the law and decided that his occupation was incompatible with the Christian faith.

My oath is to support and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Regardless of if we got here legally or illegally, or even if the new laws and amendments are changed legally or not, there are bridges that are too far. I believe that this year, there will be a bridge too far for me. I will not be willing to kill for or train others to kill for such an evil government that has abandoned its’ own governing documents, let alone the Biblical principles that served as the source. If my thinking is wrong on this, please challenge it. Other thoughts that I’ve had on this issue include people like Daniel or Joseph but I think that being a civil leader in an evil administration is different that waging war on behalf on the administration.

Ethan

Thanks again for your insight on current affairs. My question is not related to any of your posts, which is why I’m asking it:

Could you give me your take on the Calvary Chapel movement as a whole and then how you would steer a family living in a town where the Calvary Chapel is the most faithful Bride?

Thanks so much for your time.

Joe

Your piece on success and failure was magisterial in its simplicity— thank you. I am now feeling suitably uncomfortable, and wondering is there any possibility that if I repent I will not have to give an account of every idle word that I’ve ever spoken? God Bless

Brendan

My name is Nigel Butler. I am a Christian filmmaker and recently made a clean, family sitcom about a small Christian Church titled, “Problems Higher Up” that is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. I would appreciate any support and a mention of the show, if you think that would be appropriate for this blog. I truly believe that in this day and age, most of the media is not appropriate for the whole family, however, this show was made with a Christian family audience in mind.

Thanks,

Nigel

I’ve often appreciated your scorn-proof approach to politics and ability to take a punch without becoming vengeful. However, as I’ve been following you over the last year or so, I have not heard you address the topic of being a peacemaker and how that fits into your overall theology of culture wars. I’m wondering what you think that looks like in today’s political and cultural climate.

Much appreciation from Greenville, SC.

James

You give winsome & cogent defenses against unbiblical ideologies so I thought this might be something you could address. I was curious if you’d blog on how the average Christian tells or defends why he won’t/can’t use preferred pronouns. While HRs don’t yet have the backing of law, how do I present that it is a matter of religious freedom to not say the “emperor is wearing clothes” so to speak. I’ve decided, before the issue has arrived that this is my line on the ground that I won’t move on and am willing to be fired over. But HR will waffle a bit on religious vs. identity issues, out of fear of lawsuits, until the law gives them a way out, so there is a time frame where I will still be able to keep my job by being able to give my religious objection . . . hopefully. But I am not familiar enough with the biblical theology of sexuality or experienced enough with rhetoric to give a case. If you could help I’d appreciate it.

Edward

As you provide analysis on recent political events, a topic that you may want to consider discussing again is the topic of character and personal integrity. I was a reluctant Trump voter (which you may or may not agree with), but I have, to the best of my recollection, always believed that character matters in politics. Which is why the Never Trump movement’s critique of evangelicals who make a studied dismissal of the importance of character resonates with me. What I find, though, and what I tonight had even more evidence of in interacting with people on Twitter, is that even professing Christians’ definitions of character differs. For instance, I believe Trump has bad character, though I reluctantly voted for him as what I thought was the best viable presidential option in the 2020 elections. Maybe I was right or maybe I was wrong, but I came to that conclusion because I believe that Biden’s promotion of baby-killing or of biblically problematic sexualities is also evidence of bad character. But tonight, I find that some apparent Never Trumpers seem to have different views. To them, practiced sexuality—biblical or unbiblical—is no evidence of character one way or the other, even if it is contrary to God’s Word. I do not know if this link will work, but if it does, you may find that Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile has also publicly endorsed this view: Read the thread up and down if the link works, note who liked key posts, and please pardon my snarkiness, which was excessive. The subject is both disheartening and confusing to me. I know that common grace speaks to varying forms of integrity in Christians and non-Christians alike, but I am doubtful the needle is being threaded correctly here. Regardless of what one thinks of Trump, who is peripheral to the underlying theological questions, I am hesitant at views that decry conservative evangelicals for supposedly abandoning character considerations but praise those on the left for supposedly displaying competence and integrity whatever their personal lives may look like. It feels like a double-standard, and that double-standard is sowing bad seeds in evangelical churches. If you have any thoughts you could share via your blog or with me personally, I would be grateful. I do not agree with all of your viewpoints, but fresh perspectives for our nation’s current state could be helpful. Thanks!

Daniel

I attend a reformed church and am meeting with my pastor and elder next week, at their request, to discuss civil disobedience and my interpretation of Romans 13. They have asked me twice to consider meeting virtually as a small group (of which I am the leader) because our health department/governor’s decree is that no more than two families may gather in a household. Their interpretation is to obey, as long as corporate worship is not restricted (we are in a state that allows churches to meet, for now). They are not making us wear masks and the church is not woke.

My group is unanimous in continuing to meet in person despite the recent edicts. My interpretation of Romans 13 is that any worship (corporate/family/group, etc.) is good, commanded by God’s Word and therefore should not be dictated by any magistrate. I also believe it is a prescriptive passage, not descriptive, and we are not called upon to obey civil authorities in all things. Render to God what is God’s. I don’t believe I will fall under church discipline (at least I hope not), but I want to be gracious in my conversations as these are respected brothers in Christ.

Thank you for your diligent work and for the Canon app (new subscriber),

Ben

Re: Plodcast 177 If the the passage in Psalm 19 “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever,” refers to the scriptures, does it then follow in Proverbs 1 that the scriptures are the beginning of knowledge?

Eric

I work at a Christian college as a custodian. In getting to know many of the young men who live in those dorms, I was given an opportunity to be a part of a discipleship program for students run by staff and am going through Ploductivity with a freshman guy. It’s been a great primer for understanding Godly ambition, legacy building, and dominion taking as a young man (in fact for both of us, being that I’m in my late twenties, married, and in seminary). So, as a supplement to Scripture reading, are there any other books you might recommend for a young man like the one I’m mentoring which might be beneficial for me to go through with him?

Thank you for your volume of work and faithfulness in preaching.

B

I have one question and would love to hear your thoughts about it.

Recently, I heard in a church there is a mention of “collective conscience” and “community conscience,” like the local church has a group conscience. All the verses about conscience in the Bible are personal and not one of them is used in the context of the group of people. So, is the term “community conscience” biblical? Thank you!

Aleksandar

I was recently listening through “Standing on the Promises” (I think) while at work. I believe you mentioned something along the lines of the dangers of being too doubtful of the validity of our young children’s faith in the church.

The members of my local church seem to be very cautious about allowing their children to participate in the Lord’s table. Although my children are only 1, 3&4 years of age and have not participated yet, I want to be an encouragement to their faith as they grow. What are your thoughts on young children participating in the Lord’s table?

Pardon my ignorance, I’m sure you’ve addressed this often.

Chris

In reference to your post The Sabbath Mind and the Tithe, does giving to a health sharing organization such as Samaritan ministries ‘count’ as tithing? We are a bit strapped for cash and giving 10% of our family’s income to our local church in addition to the about 20% we are paying into Samaritan has been beyond us for several years. We want to do the right thing but are not sure how. Thanks!

Elizabeth