Suppose with me for a moment. Suppose that about fifteen nano-seconds after the Big Bang all the trillion-plex trillions of atoms all joined hands together, forming their molecules, and then they all ran pell mell down the corridors of the space/time continuum, making history as they went. Some scientists think they all yelled whee! but …
Temptation, Effeminacy, and Christian Leadership
The subject of temptation, same-sex attraction and sin is one that seems to call for ever more follow-ups. First, let us consider some questions with regard to temptation. If the stirrings of sin are themselves sinful, as I have been arguing, then how did Adam first sin? He was created perfect. As I was telling …
A Fine Collection of Butterhearts
When a society rejects common sense, natural law, right reason, and Scripture — taking those worthy authorities in alphabetical order — that society has no way of resolving the internal contradictions that will inevitably arise, and no way of fighting off external assaults, however absurd. The good news is found in Herbert Stein’s law, which …
Feel the Touchies
Here is a different kind of update on the debate precipitated by the unfortunate Gospel Coalition post from Ed Shaw. In one of my responses to it, I said this: “Same sex attraction is an attraction to sin. If we lose that understanding, we have lost everything. This is not a trifle.” I have been …
Book of the Month/December 2015
If you were to try to sum up the significant contributions of Anglican theologian Richard Hooker in the words of a Broadway musical, you could do no better than to point to the lyrics of Gershwin’s It Ain’t Necessarily So — referring of course to the chorus and not the verses. Now I am not …
Thanksgiving 2015
Thanksgiving is a holiday with a beautiful orientation. Scripture tells us that we are to give thanks at all times (1 Thess. 5:17-18) and for all things (Eph. 5:20), and so this day should not be a day to set aside a year-long disobedience of ingratitude. Rather it should serve as a capstone of our …
The Little Roosters of Christendom
Andrew Sandlin posted this on Facebook today. “It might be known as “‘biblical’ patriarchy,” but if it demeans women, created in God’s image; if it treats strong women as threats rather than allies; if its default is to take the (male) church leadership’s side almost invariably in every dispute with women; if it believes that …
Jezehellsbells
Update: Laura Turner has quietly corrected her article in line with at least one of my criticisms of it, but without acknowledging that she was doing so. Just so you know. I do need to respond to this article, but I am also in two minds about it. In order to interact with this stuff …
Moving Out of Range
I have written before of the problems faced by a trapped wife, and I wanted to lay out some exegetical guidance for a woman in that position. I want to assume that we are talking about a genuinely destructive relationship, and that it is a marriage between two professing Christians. The reason for limiting the …
Evan and Joy
As both scientists and poets have noted, men and women are completely different. At the same time, they are clearly created by God to be one. As a violin and bow are one instrument, or a lock and key one mechanism, so also a bride and groom are one. God made them to be one, …