“When offenses abound, it is often most safe to be least appearing, except a man’s call is the more clear and convincing. For as in the multitude of words there wants not sin, so in much meddling there wants not offense” (Durham, p. 36).
Rationalized Lust
“The evidence, however, is all in, and the verdict is clear: modernity is rationalized lust . . . . Critical parlance notwithstanding, there is no postmodern age, just thinkers following the ever-constricting ruts of sexual liberation in increasingly compulsive, increasingly self-negating ways. If there is ever to be a postmodern era, it will have to …
Contentious Souls Breed Contention
“That is the meaning of the word (Rom. 14:22), Hast thou faith? that is, clearness is such a particular, have it to thyself; that is, make your own private use of it without troubling others with the same. And we will see, that this spirit of contention, and the abounding of offense, have ever been …
Outpacing the Cornpones
“Because the artistic community has its own eleventh commandment: Thou shalt grant federal funds to art that’s too intellectual for you to understand, you rube.” [Richard Grenier, Capturing The Culture (Washington, DC: Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1991), p. 320].
Thank You, Thank You
“‘Sentimentality,’ by definition, is an outpouring of false emotion—for sentimental people do not feel much genuine emotion, wallowing in substitutes. (‘You’re a wonderful audience; I love you all.’)” [Richard Grenier, Capturing The Culture (Washington, DC: Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1991), p. 313].
Some Basic Political Principles
Another election is approaching in the fall. Many Christians are distressed at the condition of the country, and they are equally distressed over the choices they have in elections. While it is never appropriate to use a Christian pulpit as a partisan platform, it is equally unacceptable for Christians to be left without biblical direction …
More Just and Safe
“Now is it more just and safe that the strong should condecend to the weak, because that is within their reach, than that the weak should be driven up to the strong, which were to overdrive them” (Durham, p. 35).
And This From An Industry That Specializes in Brazen Hypocrisies
“Low-cast Hindus, in short, suffered humiliations in their native India compared to which the carrying of identity cards in South Africa was almost trivial. In fact, Gandhi, to his credit, was to campaign strenuously in his later life for the reduction of caste barriers in India—a campaign almost invisible in the movie, of course, conveyed …
Secession As Obedience
As the evening of the Fourth of July approaches, I thought I would offer a few words that might salve the consciences of some sensitive Christians when it comes time to set off the fireworks tonight. And no, I am not here talking about the conscience issues raised by firing off what citizens have affectionately …
Against Clamorous Mouths
“Thus Paul rather hazards upon what might follow upon his refusing to take wages than to take them, because taking is of itself more apt to give offense than refusing, and does not look so single-like, and there is not so easy access to vindicate that against clamorous mouths” (Durham, p. 29).