There is great conflict in the modern church, even among evangelicals, about gender roles in the home and at the church. While there are extremes on both ends of the spectrums, evangelicals tend to fall into two groups. Egalitarians assert that the Bible regards all people equally and does not assign different roles on the basis of gender. Wives are not obligated to submit to their husbands, nor are pastoral or other church leadership roles limited to men. Complementarians believe that while men and women have equal value and standing before God, we have been assigned different roles. … [Read more...] about Genesis 3: Temptation, the Fall, and Gender Roles
Social Issues
Brick Wall Questions: Are “They” Real Christians?
When people consider the concept of the Brick Wall, questions arise as they attempt to identify which groups are inside the brick wall and which are on the outside looking in. The rubric I am using divides everyone into two groups – genuine Christian groups and those that have compromised the gospel. There are always a few groups that seem to defy easy placement, testing the limits of doctrinal compromise. Any metaphor, such as the one I am using here, has its limits. Many of these groups defy easy categorization. Privacy Fence Doctrine? I do not want to get too cute with the … [Read more...] about Brick Wall Questions: Are “They” Real Christians?
“Grinch Alert” – The Battle for Christmas Gets Just Plain Silly
Even good people can sometimes do some bewildering things. I have no axe to grind with either Dr. Robert Jeffress or the people of First Baptist Church of Dallas. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say that their foray into the "War on Christmas" was not a good idea. They created a website called "Grinch Alert." (grinchalert.com) At Grinch Alert, you can keep track of whether local businesses are "Naughty" or "Nice." The sole rubric for judgment here is whether the decorations and employees say "Merry Christmas" or whether they settle for, "Happy Holidays." Check out the website and … [Read more...] about “Grinch Alert” – The Battle for Christmas Gets Just Plain Silly
Is the Internet Good for Christianity?
Undoubtedly, the Internet is a dangerous place for Christians, or anyone else for that matter. With the unlimited access to pornography, gossip media, etc., there are a plethora of dark avenues that can be traveled while surfing the web. Beyond that, the Internet provides a way to present yourself as something that you’re not, replaces face-to-face relationships, and brings about laziness over hard work. The negatives can go on and on, but the question before us is this: Is the Internet good for Christianity? The easy answer is to say “no.” It would be easier and less tempting to … [Read more...] about Is the Internet Good for Christianity?
The Koran and the Gospel
Originally posted at Modern March This post was prompted by a poor “tweet” and the even poorer statement by Ray Bakke that led to it. Redeemer City to City, a church planting resource that I admire and respect, held the Movement Day 2010 Conference in New York City, the headlining speakers being Timothy Keller and Bill Hybels. Naturally, I was interested. I was at work at the time, so my following of the conference was via the Twitter hashtag #mday2010 on my phone. Things were going smoothly until this came across the #mday2010 feed: Now, I’m not one for trying to be the … [Read more...] about The Koran and the Gospel
AN IRAQI MEET AND GREET
A member of our Sunday School class asked if any of we ladies would be interested in visiting with an Iraqi lady for an hour or so a week to teach her conversational English. The class-member is a soldier and knows her husband from Iraq (he'd been his interpreter there). Now he is here furthering his education as a linguist/interpreter. A group of ladies volunteered to help his wife learn English, and I am among them. We'll meet this afternoon at 3 to just introduce ourselves, chat a bit, and let her acquaint herself with our faces. That way, when we show up at her door sometime in the … [Read more...] about AN IRAQI MEET AND GREET
WEIGHING IN ON THE MOSQUE AT GROUND-ZERO
When I first heard of the mosque being built at Ground Zero in New York City, I questioned the wisdom of choosing that site. It wasn't till conversations got heated, reheated, and burned to a crisp that I began to truly make up my mind about it all. I fluctuated between sympathies to one side, and "how dare they" to the other. Some say it's a matter of sensitivity to those who lost loved ones on 9-11 that the Muslim Mosque should choose another site. I empathize, I truly do. I have difficulty in sharing what I believe is more important. As a Christian, I think, it is because of the … [Read more...] about WEIGHING IN ON THE MOSQUE AT GROUND-ZERO
How Should Christians Respond to the Proposition 8 Debate?
This was originally posted at Modern March Unless you live under a rock, you have seen the latest news on the Proposition 8 case. Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that Proposition 8 violates the constitution, a ruling that could potentially overturn the California voters’ decision that same-sex marriage should remain illegal. Expectedly, Judge Walker’s decision has flared much debate over the issue of homosexuality. Many Christians, though not all, have been up in arms for years over the idea that same-sex marriage will be made legal … [Read more...] about How Should Christians Respond to the Proposition 8 Debate?
Baylor and Berkeley: A Liberal Pushback
College football in America was rocked to the core by recent news of conference expansion and realignment. Moderate spectators and rabid fans alike were no doubt anxiously anticipating the outcome of these sudden developments. With Nebraska’s departure to the Big Ten Conference and Colorado to the PAC-10 Conference, the Big 12 Conference was rumored to likely dissolve quickly thereafter, with Texas and and handful other Big 12 schools possibly headed to the PAC-10. One of the teams looking to follow the money train to the PAC-10 was Baylor University. Texas Governor Rick Perry has been … [Read more...] about Baylor and Berkeley: A Liberal Pushback
Do Potty-Mouthed Pastors Belong In The SBC?
I just caught this video blog from Ed Young Jr. dealing with the rise of pastors who cuss. He does a good job making the case for wholesome words without appealing to legalism. It reminded me of this next video by Paul Tripp, where he explains why the heart motive behind cuss words is what matters most. Now, I could imagine that Paul Tripp lost some "influence" in certain Southern Baptist circles and schools when that video made the rounds. Which brings me to the question behind this post title. How much flexibility should we have toward fellow pastors who use blue collar … [Read more...] about Do Potty-Mouthed Pastors Belong In The SBC?