The Bible screams like its hair is on fire about selfishness, materialism, self-righteousness, and pride. We Christians make a huge mistake when we think sexual sin is the only kind of sin that needs to be confronted, or that it's a sin worse than all others. Let me be explicit: YES, sexual sin is sin. … Continue reading When Does the Bible Shout? And What About?

"They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech." (Jer 32.35) Canada's "Medical Assistance in Dying" regime is truly ghastly. Advocates imply that they are offering "death with dignity" to people whose lives are unbearable, emphasizing the laws' applicability to … Continue reading Sons & Daughters of Molech

“Torture data long enough and it will confess to anything.” Then, once you get the confession you want, you can HARK, or hypothesize after the results are known — Ah, yes, this is what we expected to find all along. I knew the pill would help fight high blood pressure. In a situation like this, … Continue reading Jesse Singal on Bad Science & Trans Youth

From the great Michael Bird: [Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ question] “is usually taken as an affirmation of two spheres of sovereignty, one belonging to the world of human government, and the other belonging to the sovereignty of God. Human governments should receive taxes from their citizens, while all those who bear God’s image owe … Continue reading “What ‘Render unto Caesar’ Really Means” (Michael F Bird)

I have a wonderful granddaughter. She is 2.5 years old. Beautiful and precocious and frustrating and an absolute delight. When we were in Albuquerque for my dad's memorial service a couple of weeks ago, she was walking around our VRBO singing a song she had learned: "Mimi's alright, Bapi's alright, ..." (that's my wife and … Continue reading The Center of My Universe

During the current hostilities in the culture war, I have heard Christians say, "Doing things Jesus' way won't work." Turning the other cheek, blessing those who curse you, etc., those are for a kinder, gentler time. They don't work today. "Things today are too desperate, Christians and Christianity have never been under such attack as … Continue reading “Doing Things Jesus’ Way Won’t Work”

From Roger Olson's blog: I am very interested in studying the mores and norms of contemporary American Christians today (2019) compared with what I know they were fifty and more years ago. Let me explain one example of where I think contemporary American Christianity, especially evangelical Christianity, has nearly totally forgotten a biblical principle that … Continue reading Olson: We Have Forgotten the NT’s Teaching on Strong and Weak

If Christians want to "win" the culture war, then they should fight it the way Jesus fought it. Follow his example. Obey his teachings. Quit trying to get out of carrying his cross. (This is where the myth of "Christian" America is most pernicious, it makes us confuse the kingdom of this earth with the … Continue reading How Christians Can Win the Culture War

Timothy Miller, writing about deep depression & suicide, reflecting on the suicide of his friend, journalist Blake Hounshell. Some people wear the love of their kids on their sleeves, and Blake was one of those people. Last June I was delighted and rather floored when he came to cover my book eventwith his kids in … Continue reading “The Mystery of Suicide” (Tim Miller, The Bulwark)