Don't Be Fooled

Three things have come to my attention recently.  Three things which are great examples of how our society does not have strong critical thinking skills.  Three things that highlight our inability to recognize fallacy.  Three things that demonstrate the willingness of most Americans to be duped by 30 second sound bytes and comments taken out of context.

So here they are...

1)  President Obama's comment being taken out of context.

There has been some serious uproar over a comment that Obama made as part of a recent speech on July 13th.  The infamous line is "If you have a business, you didn't build that.  Someone else made that happen."

Taken out of context I can see why that would infuriate small business owners who pour their life into their entrepreneurship.  However, if you read the entire speech you can see that Obama's point was much larger...

 Look, if you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own. I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something — there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.

If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business — you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.

The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together.There are some things, just like fighting fires, we don't do on our own. I mean, imagine if everybody had their own fire service. That would be a hard way to organize fighting fires.

So we say to ourselves, ever since the founding of this country, you know what, there are some things we do better together. That's how we funded the GI Bill. That's how we created the middle class. That's how we built the Golden Gate Bridge or the Hoover Dam. That's how we invented the Internet. That's how we sent a man to the moon. We rise or fall together as one nation and as one people, and that's the reason I'm running for President — because I still believe in that idea. You're not on your own, we're in this together.

You can disagree with Obama and his policies, you can argue that the role of government should be minimal, you can vote against the guy if you think he is a socialist...what you should not do is fall victim to the twisting of words by media and political outlets.  Have better reasons for your beliefs than a text without context.

Looking at the entire speech, it is clear that Obama was making a point about the partnership between government and business.  He wasn't slamming small business owners.  Seek truth more than a validation of your preconceived worldview.

2)  Romney's "Racism."

An anonymous adviser to Mitt has apparently said something like:

We are part of an Anglo-Saxon heritage, and he (Romney) feels that the special relationship is special.  The White House didn’t fully appreciate the shared history we have.

This comment (while disavowed after the uproar) has caused some to label Romney as a racist.  They have implied that the contender's campaign is saying that a white man has a better understanding of Britian than a man of African heritage.  This is absurd.

First off, Romney is telling the truth.  America and Britain do share a long Anglo-Saxon heritage.  We speak English and we still hold on to many of the customs from our old Mother Country.  Saying that Obama may not be best suited to understand that is a dig at when Obama returned Churchill's bust.  It isn't racism, its just an attempt to stir up some Brits who love Churchill.

I am not saying that the phrase (if said) was the best line for Romney to use, but racist...hardly.  Americans need a lesson in history.  There is a special relationship with the Brits, it is our heritage.  Which candidate is best qualified to maintain that relationship is up for debate, the racism of the reported remark is not.

3)  Chic-Fil-A's stance on marriage.

Another major news story this week has been the quote of CFA Chief, Dan Cathy.  Dan is quoted as saying some anti-gay remarks to the Baptist Press in their July 16th story.  Here are those "horrible" remarks in context.

The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners.

It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center modeled after the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.

"That morphed into a marriage program in conjunction with national marriage ministries," Cathy added. 

Some have opposed the company's support of the traditional family. "Well, guilty as charged," said Cathy when asked about the company's position.

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.

"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.

"We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."


As a result of those remarks, the mayor of Boston and a Chicago alderman have made efforts to block or ban Chic-Fil-As from their city/ district.  Really?  So this is what it has come to.  A corporation being denied the opportunity to do business based on their company principles.

People need to understand the difference between predjudice and discrimination.

The word prejudice is most often used to refer to preconceived judgments toward people or a person because of gender, social class, age, disability, religion, sexuality, race/ethnicity, nationality, or other personal characteristics.


Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on his or her membership - or perceived membership - in a certain group or category. It involves the group's initial reaction or interaction, influencing the individual's actual behavior towards the group or the group leader, restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to a group, leading to the exclusion of the individual or entities based on logical or irrational decision making.


Prejudice is covered as free speech under the 1st Amendment.  Discrimination is illegal for a business.

CFA can support traditional families all they want, even if that means they disagree with homosexuality and same sex marriages.  That is their right.

What CFA can't do is refuse to serve homosexuals or refuse to hire homosexuals who qualify for employment.

CFA released a statement to address the furious uproar that came from the media and LGBT groups after Cathy's interview:

The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.

Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that closing on Sundays, operating debt-free and devoting a percentage of our profits back to our communities are what make us a stronger company and Chick-fil-A family.

Our mission is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.

Again, this CFA story is an example (like the other two) of citizens who fail to think critically, apply logic, recognize fallacy and use common sense.  We are, as a nation, getting so polarized and so led by irrational emotive responses that I fear for our future.

PLEASE, think for yourself.  Don't buy the hype.

The Real Dark Knight

I just read an article at The Christian Post that was very good.  I want to post some selections from it here.  The author is Greg Stier.

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Along with the rest of America I'm shocked and saddened at the mass shootings that took place in Aurora, Colorado at this morning's 12:01 am premiere of "Dark Knight Rising" the latest and last of the Batman trilogy. As of this writing twelve people are confimed dead and many more are in the hospital. My heart breaks for the victims and their families as I'm sure yours does to. I hope we are all committed to praying for these families and the recovering victims in the days and weeks to come.

This morning I got a text from my friend and fellow preacher Derwin Gray. He is a church planter and pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina but is best known for being "The Evangelism Linebacker." Derwin traveled with Dare 2 Share for two years and we have grown a powerful friendship as a result.

Our text exchange was this,

"It's crazy how shootings take place in Colorado," he sent

"I don't understand," I replied


"I meant Columbine and now the shootings last night at the Batman movie."

"I know. I just meant I don't understand why this happens so much in Colorado."

"I wonder if there is a demonic stronghold…."my friend asked

My one word response was "probably."

This little text exchange got me thinking. It got me thinking about another "Dark Knight" who ruled the heart of a gunman in Aurora last night. It got me thinking about Satan's role in the Columbine massacre on April 20th, 1999 when he invaded the hearts of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. It got me thinking about Satan and the stranglehold he has in the souls of so many. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that this dark knight, "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" and he did just that last night. He used the trigger finger of this twisted madman to steal innocence, kill people and destroy hope.

Frankly, as broken hearted as I am for the victims I'm infuriated with Satan. I'm sick and tired of his twisted, anti-God, anti-life ways. Yeah, yeah, I know that James Holmes is the 24 year old suspect the police have in custody and the judge won't buy "the devil made me do it" defense. But, according to Jesus, we can't hate James. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 that we are to love and pray for our enemies.

But, in times like this we have to hate someone, and the best person to hate is the worst…Satan himself. I hate him for the deception he unleashes in the hearts of so many. I hate him for the destruction he has been directly or indirectly involved with since the beginning of time. I hate him for his hatred of everything God and everything good.

I'm dedicating myself afresh and anew to destroying his kingdom through intercessory prayer, rescuing lost souls from his grip and reeking havoc amongst his demonic minions. Join me.

Join me in this holy uprising against the unholy dark knight...

That dark knight who once led worship for all of heaven and was the chief guardian of the mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:12-15)

That dark knight who led a mutiny against the King of kings (Ezekiel 28:16-19)

That dark knight who was cast out of the presence of God and thrown to the earth in disgrace (Isaiah 14:12)

That same dark knight who whispered in Hitler's ear whispered in another ear last night.


And I am sick of it. I am asking you to be sick of it with me. I am angry and I'm asking you to be angry with me.

So here is our battleplan against the dark knight who rages and raves against God's kingdom and rips and ravages the people God created:

1. We are going to start praying with passion.


We are going to pray for Satanic strongholds to be torn down (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) and for God's kingdom to be built up (Matthew 16:18.) We are going to pray for the lost people in our sphere of influence to experience the hope, forgiveness and transformational power of Jesus Christ. We are going to pray for our communities to turn to the only one who can rescue them from Satan's strong grip. We are going to intercede on behalf of the surviving victims, the familes of all the victims and for the gunmen himself to experience the forgiveness of heaven (along with justice on earth in the form of a stiff sentence.)

2. We are going to reach out.

The gospel ain't going to preach itself. We must preach it. We must love those around us and reach out to them with the gospel message. Who knows? Your next door neighbor may be the next lone gunmen that does something crazy, stupid and dangerous. In either case you have the gospel message that can rescue your friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates and co-workers from sin and Satan, from crimes big and small, from a wasted life.

3. We are going to live our lives to the fullest.


We are not going to hole up in fear. We are going to live life in faith. We are going to live our lives in boldness because, for those of us who have faith in Christ, Satan can't ultimately win against us. Hebrews 2:14,15 makes it clear that Jesus, "…too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

Jesus' death on the cross destroyed Satan's ability to keep us afraid of death. How? Because Jesus destroyed death for those who put their faith in him. Sure we will die physically someday but we will live in eternity forever through faith in Jesus!

Let this tragedy remind us to live life to the fullest, to pray to the max and to reach out with a renewed sense of urgency. And let it remind us to live lives of love, drenched in the power of God and alive with hope. For it is these kinds of lives that will destroy the kingdom of the true dark knight.

Horton on Homosexuality

Mike Horton sums it up wonderfully (as usual)...

Can Christians embrace a same-sex lifestyle and still be members in good standing in a Christian church?

I've been asked to comment on the controversy provoked by a recent interview in the Atlantic with Alan Chambers, the president of Exodus International—an evangelical ministry founded to help Christians and non-Christians find freedom from the guilt and power of a same-sex lifestyle.

Christians may debate public policy, but in this interview, Chambers raises issues that are very clearly addressed in Scripture. Especially when we are dealing with human lives, daring to draw our counsel from God, we need to affirm the simplicity of biblical teaching on the subject while rejecting an over-simplifying of the issues involved.

The problem (sin and death) as well as the solution (redemption in Christ through the gospel) are simple, but hardly simplistic. In terms of sin, Scripture is quite clear about the condition (original sin—guilt, bondage, corruption leading to death) and the acts that arise from it. There are versions of the pro-gay and anti-gay agenda that assume a simplistic rather than simple understanding of the issue—at least from a biblical perspective. Reject it or embrace it: that's the easy choice that makes for great sound-bites but ruins lives.

So let's apply this "simple but not simplistic" formula to homosexuality.

Simple … 

First, the Bible's teaching on the subject is simple in the sense of being straightforward and unambiguous. Does Scripture forbid homosexual behavior? Of course it does. Jesus and his apostles taught that God's intention in marriage is for a man to leave his parents and join himself to one woman (Matt. 5:27-32; 19:3-6). Furthermore, the New Testament clearly teaches that homosexuality is immoral (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:10) and that those who embrace a sexually immoral lifestyle will not inherit Christ's kingdom (Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-9; Eph 5:5; 1 Thes. 4:2-8). Isn't it more complicated than that? After all, doesn't Paul have in mind relationships based on temple prostitution or perhaps slavery, rather than committed relationships? No, the noun arsenokoitēs means "those who practice homosexuality." It is an unusual compound, but it makes Paul's point. And it's not like prohibitions against eating shellfish or pork chops: part of the old covenant law that distinguished Israel visibly from the nations as a theocratic nation, which foreshadowed Christ and is now obsolete since the reality (Christ himself) has arrived.

As with the law, Scripture is also marvelously simple in proclaiming the gospel: Christ has won for us that victory over sin's guilt, dominion—and ultimately, presence—that we were helpless to defeat.

… Without Being Simplistic

However, just at this point the complexity of both sin and redemption come into the picture. If sin were just a behavior, we could stop it. If we had done it a lot, we might need some help in stopping it, but eventually—if we tried hard enough—we could. However, sin is not just a behavior. Long before they made any choice about what to do with it, people were predisposed toward same-sex attractions. Affirming original sin, Christians don't have trouble accepting this. We reject the Pelagian reduction of sin to an action that one can overcome with enough will-power. We are depraved (warped) in every respect: spiritually, morally, intellectually, volitionally, and physically. Long before genetics became a flourishing field, Christians have spoken about sin as an inherited condition. Furthermore, we can inherit specific sins—or at least tendencies—of our fathers and mothers. Then add to that the ways in which people are sinned against by the attitudes and behaviors of others, especially in childhood. So even before we actually decide to take that first drink, place that first bet, unleash our first punch, or fool around with our best friend, we are already caught up in the tangled web of solidarity in sin. At the same time, we are responsible for our choices, which reinforce or counter the specific sins toward which we are especially disposed.

There is no reason to think that Christians who struggle with these attractions are any less justified and renewed by God's grace in Christ than are those who wrestle especially with greed or anger or gossip. The gospel frees us to confess our sins without fear of condemnation. Looking to Christ alone for our justification and holiness, we can finally declare war on our indwelling sin because we have peace with God.

If there is no biblical basis for greater condemnation, there is also no scriptural basis for greater laxity in God's judgment of this sin. It is as unloving to hold out hope to those who embrace a homosexual lifestyle as it is to assure idolaters, murderers, adulterers, and thieves that they are safe and secure from all alarm. Nor will it do to say, "Well, we're all idolaters, etc.," since here—in 1 Corinthians 6—Paul's concern is not to beat down legalistic self-righteousness but to warn professing Christians that they cannot worship Diana on Tuesday and Jesus on Sunday. Paul's point is clear: For Gentiles, sexual immorality (including homosexuality, within proper social boundaries) is normal, but to take that view is to exclude oneself from the kingdom of Christ. A proud sinner defiantly ignoring the lordship of Christ while professing to embrace him as Savior is precisely what Paul says is impossible. These passages do not threaten believers who struggle with indwelling sin and fall into grievous sins (see Romans 7 for that category); rather, they threaten professing believers who do not agree with God about their sin.

At the end of his rope, a young man called me at the suggestion of a mutual friend. After a summer of discussing these questions and building new categories, with the support of a good church, he returned home. He told his parents that he was neither "gay" nor "straight." Secure in Christ's sufficient work, he was a Christian struggling with same-sex attraction yet who rejects the gay lifestyle. It was not a category for these folks. After his pastor informed him that he was one of those Gentiles whom Paul refers to as "given up" by God to their depraved desires, this friend and brother committed suicide. Superficial views of sin can be deadly, especially when the lethal weapon was a misuse of Scripture.

Yet for every simplistic condemnation there are 20 simplistic approvals. Given that only decades ago psychologists and psychiatrists were torturing LGBT patients in the name of science, it may have been on balance salutary when the American Psychological Association issued dire warnings against those who regard homosexuality as a "disorder." However, psychology exceeds the boundaries of its competence when it imagines that taking a behavior off of the psychological disorder list means that it cannot be considered a disorder (or sin) in a moral and spiritual sense.

One problem of simplistic views of sin is that they always generate simplistic views of redemption. Scripture speaks of salvation in terms of a tension between the "already" of salvation and the "not-yet" that still awaits us. Unwilling to embrace the paradox of being "simultaneously justified and sinful," we reject either justification or sanctification. However, a simplistic view of sin as acts requires as its solution nothing more than red-faced threats or smiling therapies for getting our act together. "Just stop doing it," says the simplistic anti-gay position. "Just embrace it," says the simplistic pro-gay position. There is even a version of the gospel today that is just as simplistic as the legalistic alternative. In many ways, it sounds like a thinly Christian veneer laid over a basically therapeutic message: "God loves you unconditionally" (with no mention of repentance, faith, or even Christ); "no matter what you do, God isn't angry toward you," and so forth. Anyone who imagines that how we live does not affect our relationship with God has not taken seriously the warnings and exhortations throughout the New Testament. Self-trust is not the only sin that distracts us from looking to Christ alone in faith.

Conformity to Christ's image can only be driven by the gospel. And yet it is directed by the specific commands and exhortations of God's word. How many times are we admonished to flee temptations in Scripture? Sin is attractive largely because it is always a corruption of something good, true, and beautiful. One may have a greater propensity for inordinate eating, drinking, or workaholism than others. Yet it is the duty of Christian wisdom to resist situations that inflame our fallen tendency to pervert God's good gifts. Lust is a perversion of sex and homosexuality is a perversion of philia—that profound love that men and women have for each other that is wonderfully different from the love of husband and wife.

A repentant Christian is one who agrees with God about the nature of sin and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Even when such a person falls, the face is set against the besetting sin and fixed on the faithful Savior at the Father's right hand.

Refusing to agree with God about the nature of such behavior as sinful, those who embrace sexual immorality as a lifestyle reject the gospel. One cannot even seek forgiveness for something that one does not regard as sinful in the first place. Repentance means "change of mind." It does not mean that one never struggles with that sin again; in fact, the struggle indicates repentance! Rather, it means that has decisively set his or her face against it. And we repent together, not just by ourselves.

"A Hospital for Sinners"—Really?

We like the idea of the church as a hospital for sinners-in-general; it's specific illnesses that we'd rather not have to treat.

Often in our churches there is a tendency to idolize marriage and the family. From the New Testament perspective, the church as God's family is more ultimate and intimate than our natural one. Yet if someone asks what our church has to offer families, most of us can think of something to say, while we might be at a loss for words if someone asks what our church has to offer single people—especially Christians struggling with same-sex attraction.

And yet, when it comes to cross-bearing, what greater testimony to Christ's cross can there be than that a sinner would find his or her sufficiency in Christ to the extent that even sexual pleasure could be surrendered? Like other single Christians, freed from many domestic responsibilities, these brothers and sisters are able to invest more of their lives in the fellowship of saints. It changes the rest of the congregation, too, as others have to wrestle with their own responses and vulnerabilities. Children growing up recognize the seriousness of their own sin and the call to holiness; they also see firsthand just how true the gospel is on the ground, as they receive Communion together with brothers and sisters who have been forgiven much and therefore love much. This witness to Christ's Cross expands beyond the local church. The unbelieving world may express hostility toward the traditional denunciations of homosexuality by churches, but it's more difficult to mock people who have actually turned up their nose at the culture's prized idol: the self with its unlimited range of identities. No, there is something more ultimate in reality and therefore more ultimately worth knowing than sexual pleasure.

It may sound like compassion, but it's actually self-righteous pride to deny to some sinners that privilege of church membership and discipline that the rest of the body enjoys and from which it grows up into its head, Jesus Christ. We are all under church discipline: that is, the obligation to mutual accountability in the body of Christ. This is exercised, by Christ's own appointment, through pastors and elders. Even in the extreme case of excommunication, where, after long-suffering admonitions and tearful pleas, unrepentant members are excluded from Communion in Christ's body and blood, the goal even of this "tough love" is repentance and restoration to fellowship. Christians who fall are not under this threat. Rather, they are guided, encouraged, absolved, and admonished along with the rest of us. However, members who refuse the yoke of Christ are not Christians. It is one of the most obvious teachings in the New Testament that without repentance no one can be saved.

We dare not try to cut Christ in pieces, as if we could receive him deliverer from sin's guilt but not from its dominion, or as Savior but not as Lord. Nor can we cut ourselves in pieces, severing our body from our soul—as if we could give our heart to Jesus and keep the title deed to our body. It's precisely because our bodies are too important to the biblical drama that they cannot be exempted from biblical discipleship. As Paul put it:

The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, 'The two will become one flesh.' … Flee from sexual immorality … You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:13-20).

Michael Horton is professor of theology and apologetics at Westminster Seminary, California, and editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine. He is author of many books, most recently, The Gospel Commission: Recovering God's Strategy for Making Disciples (Baker), the thesis of which will be the focus of a cover story in CT in the coming months.

Today's other related articles on salvation, grace, antinomianism, sexual ethics, and other matters include a news story on Alan Chambers's recent statements, a Wesleyan Arminian response from Ben Witherington, and a CT Classic on "Lordship Salvation."

50 Shades of Grey and Magic Mike: Pornographic

Here is some insight on a recent phenomenon that I didn't comment on yet.  Now that Laura has written this, I don't have to.

* This is to prove a point.  I wouldn't be glad and I don't watch porn.

"Comparison is the thief of joy."  


I read that somewhere recently and was struck by how true it is.  If I compare myself to other women, I will always fall short.  And then instead of being thankful for the unique gifts and talents God has given me, I can fall into the trap of coveting.  The same is true when we compare our husbands to other men; especially men that aren't "real".

Eric and I were both virgins when we got married and I can say that there is no better gift you can give your spouse than the gift of freedom.  The gift of not having to worry about being compared.  It is the best gift Eric has ever given me and I thank God for it constantly!  

I'm sure we've all felt the sting at one time or another of being compared to someone who wasn't "real".  We drive by a billboard of a barely dressed, airbrushed model and feel insecure.  We know our husband saw the picture and we feel pressure to measure up.  In our minds we are supposed to look like her- even though SHE doesn't even look like her since she's so airbrushed.  It is a horrible feeling.  Why would you want to make your husband feel that way?  So, since we know the sting of comparison, why are we venturing into the waters of setting our husbands up for failure?  Christian Grey is not real.  Neither is Magic Mike.  Instead of drooling over them, thank God for the husband He gave you (or will give you) and resolve to love your husband by not comparing him.  These artificial men might seem not to have faults, much as the airbrushed women seem, and then we become exasperated with our husband for not being perfect.  He might not talk about it as much, or at all, but YOUR HUSBAND DOES HAVE FEELINGS!

50 Shades of Grey and Magic Mike are pornography!  I would have never heard of either of these if it weren't for FB.  So many of my friends are very excited and openly lustful about this book and movie.  Why is this dangerous?  First of all, because it is sinful.  Sin is always dangerous because, though it might look appealing and acceptable, it always leads us further away from God further into a pattern of disobedience.  Sin always leads to our own harm- every single time.  Also, the book and movie are dangerous because they are creating unreal standards for our husbands to live up to. (If you are not married, it is still sinful.  And it can harm your future relationship.)  

Let me pause here and say that I'm not intending for this to be my own condemnation of anyone.  The Bible itself condemns this and though I haven't read 50 Shades of Grey or seen Magic Mike, I have certainly lusted before.  So, this is not me standing here pointing fingers and pretending to be perfect.  I'm not and I'm pretty sure all of you know that.  However, this issue has been huge lately and very openly celebrated- even by some professing believers.  My intent is to shed light on the darkness, show that God does not condone this behavior, and encourage all of us to examine ourselves, recognize sin as sin, and repent.

Apparently, the book 50 Shades of Grey includes themes like bondage and sadomasochism.  Sadomasochism is "the receiving of pleasure—often sexual—from acts involving the infliction or reception of pain or humiliation".  What a perversion of what sex was designed to be!  In the Song of Solomon we have a beautiful, pure picture of what sex should be.  It should be between a married couple.  It should never involve pain or humiliation.  It is about loving your spouse, not hurting or humiliating him/her. 

"Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful." 
Song of Solomon 1:16

"His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me." 
Song of Solomon 8:3

Do you hear the chasteness here?  It is not at all the same as the trash we are being told we should read and/or watch.  

Please don't say "Well, men have their version of pornography and now women have an option."  Is someone else's sin a justification for your own?  No.  When you stand before God the "Well...HE did it, too!" excuse will seem just as flimsy as it actually is!  Those of you with children can recognize the irrelevance of that argument.  Children love to blame their sin on each other. (And if we're honest with ourselves we adults still do it sometimes as well.)  Little Jimmy steals and cookie and says, "Well, Susie took one, too!"  Has that ever worked on you as a parent?  "Well, shucks Jimmy.  I suppose you're right.  It's not fair that Susie gets to sin and you don't.  Go ahead, son!"  That's absurd.  The same is true of us when we use that excuse. True intimacy is never fostered by seeing or imagining sexual encounters with anyone other than your husband.  In fact, your intimacy with your husband is hurt every time you lust.   

Focus your energies on loving your own husband.  Focus on respecting him as the Bible says to do. 


"...let the wife see that she respects her husband."  
Ephesians 6:33  


If you caught your husband viewing pornography would that make you feel respected? Umm...no!  So, do not disrespect him in this way.

**It doesn't just stop here.  Posting pictures of celebrities with captions like "yummy" is also showing that you are lusting.  How about instead of leaving you children with your husband while you go out to a "yummy" concert or movie with your girlfriends, you stay home and be the wife your husband needs?  Be a wife that refuses to compare him to other men.  Be the wife that recognizes the dangers of pornography in all of its forms.  Be the wife that chooses to respect her husband by longing only for him.

Get to this place of longing only for him by thanksgiving.  Be thankful to God for you husband!  

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
Ephesians 5:15, 16, & 20

A Recent Conversation

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor 1:18 (NIV)


Below is a transcript of a recent conversation that I had with someone whom I will name "Sue" to protect their personal information.  I think it is an enlightening look at how people converse about matters of faith.  I re-post it here in the hope that you will read it, point out my blunders, pray for all involved, and use it to strengthen your own ability to converse about such things.
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Sue,


Since you had some strong opinion based upon my recent post of a Joel Osteen greeting card advertisement, I wanted to open up a dialogue and create a forum where you can discuss your thoughts in a respectful way and we could possibly learn from each other.

Perhaps these few articles will get you thinking and can provide some basis to continue the conversation. Take a look at them and let me know what you think.

http://jasonallenglover.blogspot.com/2011/05/do-right-thing.html

http://jasonallenglover.blogspot.com/2012/05/gay-marriage.html

I hope you will take the time to look at the articles.  I would love to hear back from you after you read them.

Jason

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Jason,

WOW... let me start here... "If we can conclude that same-sex attraction is sinful/ wrong despite any genetic proclivity, due to either objective or normative morality, we can obviously make the plea for those facing such urges to exercise a great deal of self-denial for the good of themselves and our society. It is actually quite heroic to be predisposed towards something and overcome it. We certainly applaud those genetic alcoholics who remain sober." 

You are actually asking a gay person to not act on their desires? Seriously? And the whole predisposed theory... comparing your temper, or the mind of a pedophile, to a gay person is MORALLY wrong. I know that no matter what any of our opinions are..... this is simply your opinion, my opinion etc. Please keep one thing in mind.... as a parent of 3 children... if you raise them to believe this, what happens when one or more is gay? You would rather them life a life of lies and sadness not being able to be happy with whom they are because they know their parents will not accept them? I am not gay. Nor are any of my children, (for which I am thankful for the simple reason that life is hard enough and I dont want people with such beliefs to make it any harder on them) but what I wonder.. why do you care what other people do with their lives? Why do you care who marries who? How is being born gay any different from being born black, white, or being born with retardation, etc. 

Sadly I know many people feel the way your family and friends apparently do. I lost my best friend to cancer a few years ago, she was gay. She was the kindest, woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing. She was also a devote christian. As she lay on her death bed begging for a minister to come pray with her, he came in her room and after being her accepting minister for her entire life, stood there and told her he hoped she rotted in hell for choosing the lifestyle he was so accepting in his congregation of. I of course told him to fuck off and kicked him out of her room. He was happy to be her minister and take her money every sunday but couldnt say a kind word to her on her death bed? I had to reassure my dying friend the one thing I was always told.... "god forgives ALL sins... in his eyes no one sin is worse than another". She died worrying that she was going to hell when that thought had never crossed her mind before. 
I respect you and your opinions, and meant no disrespect but I think you need to keep in mind who may be reading things posted like that and who you could be hurting.

A fav quote of mine.... "to be a christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in You" by CS Elliot

Sue

PS - And here is a good point since you want to follow the words of the bible so closely....

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law. I have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 20:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

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Sue,

Let me start by saying that I am very sorry that your friend was treated that way by the minister. His actions were un-Christ-like and absolutely reprehensible. I understand your pain and your vigorous opinion on this subject because of your personal experience. Again, I am horrified by his actions and so sorry for that ordeal.

As for some of the questions you posed, let me try and answer them point by point:

1) I am saying that we should ask people with homosexual tendencies not to act upon their desires. We ask married men not to cheat even if they want to, we ask teenagers not to have sex when they are first hitting puberty, we ask poor people not to rob others...There are lots of examples within society where we ask people not to act upon their proclivities, even if they would be happier should they do so.

2) It is vital that we ask for this restraint because of two reasons...One, the Word of God is plain in telling us that homosexuality is morally wrong. Your "Dr Laura" quote talks about some other laws and I will address those later in this reply, but for now we can stand firm that both the Old and the New Testament are clear about the immorality of homosexuality. I can provide text references if requested. Two, homosexuality is naturally abhorrent. Throw God out of the window and look at the natural world. It is clear that males and females (of all species) were created/ evolved for the specific purpose of coupling for procreation. To usurp that natural order defies common-sense. Yes, there are examples of homosexual acts within other species but that is always the exception, not the rule and can be easily explained by the Fall. We can't appeal to the Bible to condone homosexuality and we can't look to nature to see it as the norm. No matter where we look, the verdict is the same...it is not moral or intended behavior.

3) I am unsure how me comparing my genetic temper or a alcoholics genetic proclivity to booze, or a pedophiles genetic desire for kids is "morally" wrong. Can you elaborate? All I am saying is that people are born into sinful natures, we all struggle with different things. The question isn't "was he born that way?" The question is "is that thing right/ good?"

4) I have 3 kids too. We are looking to adopt internationally soon. My primary concern isn't about my kids sexuality, its about their relationship with Jesus. One of my boys could grow up gay. I would continue to love him, have him (and his partner if he has one) over for dinner, etc...I am not to be lumped into the fanatical camp of people who write gays off. Homosexuality is a sin, so is fornication, theft, unrighteous anger, dishonoring ones parents, etc...I would not disown my child if he was gay. I will teach them that being gay is immoral, because God says it is. I will try an steer them towards counseling if they have homosexual feelings as a teen. I won't beat them or throw them out or condemn them though. My primary concern is that their heart knows Jesus. They can still do that and struggle with being gay. And if they choose to embrace a gay lifestyle in total, I will love them as always and pray for them constantly.

5) I care what people do in their lives and who they marry because God cares and because the normalization of homosexuality has historically been a bad thing for societies. Nothing good comes out of this self-edification that the gay movement has so successfully propagated. Christ isn't glorified, families are not made stronger, culture isn't advanced.

6) Being born gay is very different that being born black or retarded. Homosexuality is a proclivity AND a choice. Black people don't get to choose their shade of color and retarded individuals can't usually overcome their disabilities. Its the difference between choice and no choice.

7) I am aware that my opinions can hurt people's feelings. I use that knowledge to be very careful in the way that I express my thoughts. I pray that God allows me to express truth, in love. I won't be silent just because it may offend someone else and I wouldn't ask anyone else to be silent for fear that they may offend me. I believe that healthy, well-reasoned, and respectful discourse is a vital (and missing) component of our lives.

8) The quote, by CS Lewis is an excellent one. It is from "The Weight of Glory", which sits on the back of my toliet at this moment. I would remind you to read it in full context and note that Lewis marks a clear differentiation between asking for forgiveness and asking to be excused. Too often, we want God (and others) to excuse those sins that we commit or that we don't think are all that bad. Forgiveness of sin is our salvation and it only comes by way of confession in the finished work of Christ and repentance. There is no biblical mandate to suggest that God will forgive the unrepentant. We should, as believers, forgive others. However, forgiving others does not mean turning a blind eye to blatant sin.

9) In a sense I hate that our conversation is stuck on gay marriage because the truth is so much more broad. Our society is overrun by sexual immorality, idol-worship, and evil. At the core of all of these things is Pride. It is the unrepentant heart of man that says "what makes me feel good, not what God commands." This talk could be applied to any number of other sins...divorce, abortion, spousal abuse, etc...

10) As for the various Old Testament laws that the Dr Laura quote brings up...there were three types of laws in the time of ancient Israel. Moral law, Judicial law, and Ceremonial law. Moral law (such as the Ten Comandents) are eternal and unchanging. They make a broad statement that a certain thing is wrong. The declarations against homosexuality in the OT are rooted in Moral law and often expressed in Judicial law. Judicial law is the bedrock of rules that God gave to govern, and set-apart, his people. The other people-groups of that era had little restraint in their wickedness. God enacted certain laws to keep his people pure in their adherence to him. The guy working on the Sabbath is an example there. Lots of those Judicial laws appall us today. Of course, we must remember that God is most concerned with His Glory, not human comfort, so even the "distasteful" laws served the highest good. Ceremonial laws were just that, used for ceremony...how to sacrifice bulls and all. It is a category error to try and lump all of these types of laws in with each other.

11) I am a Reformed Evangelical Protestant Christian. I wasn't raised that way. I was agnostic until I was 27. I explored Islam, Buddhism, and plain old Hendonism while I was in the military. All of those left me with a longing for truth. I found that truth in Christ 7 years ago. Since then I have devoted myself to studying the Word and trying to live a sanctified life that bring Glory to God and which extolls the name of Jesus. I have only come to the place where I could have strong, but respectful, dialogue in the last year or two. I know that lots of people out there express their opinions with rhetoric laden with fallacies. I try hard not to do that and I hope that you may have had some thoughts spark, even as you disagree with me on this (and other) issues.

Jason

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A friend (Kim) chimes in...

Jason, I am in 100% agreement with what you wrote, the words you chose and examples you picked. I'm a serious drug addict. but I have a choice to use or not to use. I choose NOT to use and haven't used in years!!!!! God's word tells me NOT to do certain things and it is VERY clear on them all. Homosexuality is in there. It's not a sin to be gay but it is indeed a sin to act upon it. You did a GREAT job, Jason. When does you Sunday School Class begin? I think you would be REALLY good at teaching. Give those boys a hug and kiss from me. Haven't seen the newest one YET and have n't seen the other two since I painted their faces in the Fall!!!!

I reply...

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Kim,

I know that you have a first-hand account of what means to struggle deeply with a sin that seems to want and control you AND to overcome it daily through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I agree with you that the Bible is very clear on a great number of issues that the world sees as fuzzy today. That is usually because of one of three different problems:

1) People don't really believe the Bible to be the inherent and infallible Word of the Living God

2) People have not studied the Scriptures in a sufficient manner to understand what is being said within context and within the grand narrative.

3) People want to have their cake and eat it too. They want to say that they believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible but then they want to disregard the parts of His Word that they don't like. That is a logical non sequiter. Folks can't claim to be Christian and then pick and choose from amongst the verses they like.

That said, I would disagree with you on this point...Having homosexual tendencies or feelings IS a sin in itself. Remember, it is the nature of the heart that is sinful, not our actions. Jesus is clear on this in Matthew 5. Lust is as bad as Adultery. Hate is as bad as Murder. The condition of our heart is the spiritual problem, not our outward actions. Only by trusting in Christ can the condition of our heart be "made right" before God and the process of becoming more like Jesus begin.

Of course, there is a practical side to sin and, while all sins are spiritually equal and result in eternal death without the work of Christ in our life, some sins do carry more obvious consequences than others. A man looking at porn is just as spiritually wrong as him having an affair, but there are certainly practical consequences of each that are far from equal.

In that same way, having homosexual feelings is just as bad of a sin as acting upon them would be in terms of the spiritual consequence. Yet, Paul makes it clear that one can be expected to struggle with the pruning of our heart, even after we come to faith, but the expectation for actions within a believer's life is held to a higher standard. 

Take a look at 1 Cor 5. We are told not associate with a person who calls themselves "brother or sister" and who simultaneously engages in a lifestyle of sin. 

Everyone struggles with issues like envy, anger, pride, etc... Some people struggle deeply with addiction, lust, homosexuality, greed. Everyone in these struggles will slip sometimes and say or do something to act upon those proclivities. The problem lies not in an occasional slip-up that leads to repentance. The issue is when people who claim to be Christian willingly engage in a grievous and habitual lifestyle of blatant sin with no conviction over their actions.

We are told to "expel" or excommunicate that person. Of course, we don't do that harshly. There are steps we take and Jesus outlines them in Matthew 18:15-17. We give those people every chance to repent and be restored, but we may have to cast them out of they refuse.

I think we need more church discipline in the world today. It is something that the mainline Protestant denominations have failed at miserably. To be honest, the Southern Baptists have been lax at it also. Only the PCA has been consistent with it in my experience. Elders and Pastors are called to love AND guard their flock. We need more guarding.

Thanks for all your kudos. Tiff and I teach a small LifeGroup for our church. I have been blessed with a gift for learning and teaching. I hope that it is being well used to bring Glory to the Lord. I will certainly give the kids many hugs and kisses!

Jason

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Jason,

Fwiw, I have read the bible cover to cover many many times as I went to catholic school. I dont think its wrong to believe in God and yet question "the word", considering God himself did not write the bible. People did. I know this is an issue that many have problems with, but in the end this was created by man, who sins, and who was given free will to say their opinions and write them down, for people to still read today. Granted, I understand people believe God spoke to the men who created this book, but what would anyone think if I stood up to the world and said God came to me in a vision, and told me ....... (anything). I would be laughed off the planet. This has happened so many times thru out history and makes me sad because how do we know what they saw? Anymore than what the men that wrote the bible saw? 

We all have our internal struggles we have to deal with. But I must say I still feel one day you will understand that being a drug addict, or whatever is not anything to be compared to being gay. Sadly this is something you will never understand on a personal level until you watch someone you love dearly struggle with it, then all your opinions slowly start to melt away and all you know is love and protecting the one you cherish. 

There are proven statistics about the number of teenage suicides that are linked to parents trying to get their gay children "help" for those feelings, or trying to sway them another way. Imagine the courage it took that child to come to his/her parents and tell them this to receive this something like that? Instead of open arms, and a "that doesnt matter, you are always my child" period. 
I wish I knew why this issue was so close to my heart and why I want to strangle people who are less than accepting of others in all that they are.... It always has been. Perhaps because I was raised that we are all the same and none should be treated differently. I have been told I was going to hell for having sex before marriage, for marrying a black man, for having a child with him, for getting divorced, and the list goes on and on. As Im sure it does for all of us. But hiding behind quotes from the bible does not answer right or wrong. Even our judicial system doesnt. 

I respect your opinions, yet asked to be removed from this message feed, as I have made myself sick from worrying that people I know are being raised with such beliefs. I dont mean that cruelly, and apologize if that sounds harsh, but I cannot think about this anymore. It tears me apart. Sorry.

Sue

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Sue,

I will certainly remove you from the feed if you desire. I am sorry that you have been hurt so many times by people who would tell you that you are going to hell for who you marry, who you divorce, etc. People only go to hell for one reason, they did not trust in (I say trust, not believe because trust conveys giving ones whole life over, not mere mental assent) to Jesus. 

Please don't assume that I have no interactions with homosexuals. I have (and have had) gay neighbors whom I have a great relationship with. I care for them deeply. I have worked with many gay people and seen some of their struggles. I am not cloistered from the gay community or people's very real issues just because I disagree with them. A physician comes to help the sick and be amongst them, not to stand at a distance and say "too bad." Although we may disagree on the subject, I am not akin to the people you may have met that distort God's Word to spread hate towards homosexuals. I hope you can see the difference despite the life experiences that have hurt you.

I don't understand why I can't both say "you are my child always with open arms" and "I disapprove of that choice" at the same time. God does that to us everyday and we do it as parents about a number of other things. I am not swayed by statistics. As a PoliSci major in college I understand how stats get distorted and manipulated for specific agendas. I am concerned with real life cases that I have influence over. I firmly believe that my children, gay or not, will be just fine as long as I keep Christ as the central message of my parenting.

As for the authenticity and inspiration of Scripture. To be an orthodox Christian, that is to believe the historical foundational tenets of the faith, is to believe that the Bible is "God-breathed." See 2 Tim 3:16 If you and I disagree with that premise, then we disagree at the "molecular level" about our faith and we would obviously disagree with secondary things like homosexuality.

I must tell you that I see things on facebook (and in the world) everyday that worry me. I was disturbed about your recent post highlighting you taking your teenage daughter to see a movie about male strippers and drugs. I don't think that is very edifying to her spirit or her view of relationships, sexuality, men, sobriety, etc... However, I didn't feel compelled to inform you of how sad that made me or remove you from my feed. I prayed for you to recognize the debauchery inherent in a movie like that and what it could do to her impressionable mind.

What I am saying is, don't flee from the hard discussions because they make you upset. It is in well-reasoned but difficult dialogue that we can often find the most powerful ideas. 

I appreciate your concerns but I am not ashamed of my beliefs nor that I am raising my children with them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to bring salvation. (Romans 1:16).

I will respect your desire to not think on this anymore, but I would be happy to discuss matters of faith with you in the future. We could start with our fundamental level of disagreement, the nature of Scripture, if you ever decide you want to continue our talk. Until then I will continue to pray for your wisdom and your faith. I would hope you will do the same for me.

Thanks for the discussion!

Jason