http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/magazine/11punk-t.html?_r=1&em=&pagewanted=all

I don’t have commentary. Just thought it was an interesting article.

Written at 12:12 pm         ||         7 Comments

Lisa Miller at Newsweek Magazine recently published an article claiming that the Bible is in favor of practicing homosexuality. Although most conservative Christians will be able to clearly see the falsity of this suggestion, it is beneficial to make ourselves acquainted with 1) how people try to argue for homosexuality from Scripture (which she does precious little of in her piece) , and 2) how to reply to these ideas.

So, first, here’s the article.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653/output/print

Second, here are some thoughtful responses.
http://www.biola.edu/news/articles/2008/081212_newsweek.cfm
http://www.getreligion.org/?p=4204
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2881

If you have come across other intelligent replies to these arguments, I’m interested in hearing them.

Written at 9:40 pm         ||         Add a Comment

Kate and I started reading John Piper’s book “Contending for Our All: Defending Truth and Treasuring Christ in the Lives of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen.” So far (part way through the introduction) Piper has been defending the idea that controversy and disagreement are not contrary to the healthy growth of the church. In fact, he wants to claim that certain kinds of controversy are beneficial to the church. Here are some quotes that we came across that I liked.

“It is perfectly true, of course, that argument alone is quite insufficient to make a man a Christian. You may argue with him from now until the end of the world; you may bring forth the most magnificent arguments—but all will be in vain unless there is one other thing: the mysterious, creative power of the Holy Spirit in the new birth. But because argument is insufficient, it does not follow that it is unnecessary. Sometimes it is used directly by the Holy Spirit to bring a man to Christ. But more frequently it is used indirectly.”
J. Gresham Machen

I appreciated the above quote because I need to be consistently reminded that argumentation is not sufficient to bring a person to Jesus. Even if I’ve thought of every possible recourse a person may have for avoiding Christ and can challenge those one after the other, the person will remain resistant to the beckoning invitation of Jesus until God works sovereignly to move the heart of the individual. At the same time, I offer my hearty support to Machen’s insistence that God does use argumentation as one possible instrument in the opening of a person to the beauty and truth of Jesus Christ.

“Historically, controversies that have swirled around the meaning and implications of the Gospel, far from damaging the Church, have contributed to its vitality. Like a refiner’s fire, intense theological debate has resulted in clarified belief, common vision, and invigorated ministry.”
Parker Williamson

“Awakening and reformation are caused and carried by more clear perception of the glories of Christ and the repugnance of sin; and when these are seen more clearly and spoken of more precisely, division is more likely than when Christ is spoken of in vague terms and people care little for his name.”
John Piper

This book is available on John Piper’s website for free in PDF format:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/2401_Contending_For_Our_All/

It can also be purchased at DesiringGod.org (cheaper than Amazon.com):
http://www.desiringgod.org/Store/Books/ByTopic/All/658_Contending_For_Our_All/

Written at 6:44 pm         ||         Add a Comment

Kate tagged me with this survey. Fun stuff.

four things I did today:
+ made a math test covering stem-and-leaf plots and adding & subtracting fractions
+ slept in till 9 a.m.
+ checked out at the Wal-Mart jewelry counter with more food than non-food
+ told my boss my class schedule won’t permit me to teach for her next semester

four things on my to-do list:
+ RSVP to Friday’s Christmas party my department is having at my house
+ call my cousin Joe to let him know my phone number changed
+ switch registration for a Spring class to a section that’s not for Korean students only. oops.
+ call about a jury summons I got for Abilene, TX

four of my guiltiest pleasures: (Actually, I’m opposed to feeling guilt at these pleasures…)
+ Hulu.com – shows like Chuck, Bones, and Monk
+ Slay and Conquest – very simple games from windowsgames.co.uk
+ Christmas lights
+ Pop-Ice

four random facts about me:
+ I take a great deal of pleasure in being organized.
+ I take way too long to think about and fill out these surveys!
+ cooking = very fun
+ swimming in the ocean is about 285 times better than swimming in a pool

I tag: Jen

Written at 3:02 am         ||         2 Comments

I came across an L.A. Times article today about anti-Mormon protests resulting from the LDS church’s involvement in getting Prop 8 passed in California. This proposition amended the state constitution to specify that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Many call it the “Same-sex marriage ban” proposition. Though that’s one of its effects, it’s more accurate to call it the “Definition of marriage” proposition. Oh well. I’m not quite sure why the Mormons were specifically targeted for these protests. They contributed a lot of money, but so did other groups, religious and otherwise. Apparently some think that religious people should not participate in politics? What’s up with that? Churches are permitted to (and I would say “ought to”) speak about political topics from the pulpit. It’s the endorsement of specific candidates that’s not allowed. The article is a good read, though.

Here’s the story: Prop. 8 protesters target Mormon temple in Westwood

Written at 2:44 pm         ||         4 Comments