Category: Current Collection

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

With the Supreme Court hearing two cases last week about same-sex marriage, this issue continues to be huge.  As Christians, we need to think carefully about this issue.  Happily, a lot of good thinking and writing is being done.  Here are some posts for your consideration:

Marriage in the Dock – Albert Mohler
This is a helpful introduction to the Supreme Court and same -sex marriage.
For Christians, the issue of marriage is not merely a legal or constitutional issue. The Bible reveals marriage to be the sacred union of a man and a woman for a lifetime. The goods of marriage are revealed to be intimacy, union, companionship, friendship, procreation, children, and a host of related gifts. Christians must see marriage as essential for human flourishing and not open for human negotiation.

Why the Arguments for Gay Marriage Are Persuasive – Kevin DeYoung
A very helpful look at the issues behind the issue.
I don’t think the arguments for gay marriage are biblically faithfully, logically persuasive, or good for human flourishing in the long run, but they are almost impossible to overcome with most Americans, especially in younger generations….it fits in perfectly with the dominant themes and narratives shared in our culture. Gay marriage is the logical conclusion to a long argument, which means convincing people it’s a bad idea requires overturning some of our most cherished values and most powerful ideologies….

A Few Things to Consider Before Supporting Gay Marriage – Kevin DeYoung
By recognizing gay unions as marriage, just like the husband-wife relationship we’ve always called marriage, the state is engaging in (or at least codifying) a massive re-engineering of our social life. It assumes the indistinguishability of gender in parenting, the relative unimportance of procreation in marriage, and the near infinite flexibility as to what sorts of structures and habits lead to human flourishing.

Read the Fine Print Before Supporting “Marriage Equality” – Trevin Wax
As the Supreme Court considers the merits of adopting or banning same-sex marriage, many politicians are voicing their support for changing the law.  But just as smart shoppers know to look beyond an advertisement to read the fine print, Americans should look beyond the surface issues to the surprising details no one is discussing….

Bracketing Morality – Albert Mohler
The “seismic shift” on the issue of homosexuality is a profound moral revolution as well. And yet, what makes this moral revolution so vast in consequences and importance is this: the moral dimension has virtually disappeared from the cultural conversation….

Five Gay Marriage Myths – Robin Phillips at Salvo
Not sure if I agree with everything here, but there are some good points to consider.
The issue of same-sex marriage is often framed in terms of a choice between either preventing or allowing gay people to get married. When the issue is framed in these terms, that is usually a good indication that the person has fallen victim to another key myth. The reality is that legislation to introduce gay marriage would not remove a ban on same-sex couples getting married because no such ban exists. There is no more of a ban on same-sex couples getting married then there is a ban on two-wheeled unicycles or square triangles. The very nature of what marriage is necessarily excludes same-sex unions.

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Here are some good posts regarding some important recent news items:

Massachusetts Eliminates Gender Distinctions in Public Schools – Gospel Coalition
The long and short of it is that a boy can now claim to be a girl and shower with the girls, and the girls will be disciplined if they complain….

Arkansas Adopts Restrictive Abortion Law – NY Times
New law prohibits abortion after 12 weeks, but the lawsuit is coming….

Why Should Evangelicals Care About the Contraceptive-Abortifacient Mandate? – Gospel Coalition – Good overview for those who have missed past posts on this important issue.

An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI – Russell Moore
With the choosing of a new pope yesterday, here is a helpful reflection on the last one.

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Here is a collection of articles from the past few months related to the current administration’s attempt to force businesses and non-profits to pay for abortion-inducing contraceptives as part of their insurance package.  The last link is a good summary of where we are at.

11/17/12 – Tyndale House Wins Mandate Court Battle – Mickey McClean (World)

11/18/12 – Court Sides with Bible Publisher Challenging Abortion Pill Mandate – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)

11/21/12 – Who is Hobby Lobby? – Denny Burk

12/20/12 – Wheaton College Wins Partitial Victory in Religious Liberty Lawsuit – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)

12/28/12 – Does Anyone Care What Happens to Hobby Lobby? – Denny Burk

1/7/13 – Courts Issue Contradictory Rulings as Contraceptive Mandate Fines Begin – Melissa Steffan (Christianity Today)

1/8/13 – Why You Should Care About the Hobby Lobby Case – And Be Alarmed – Kevin DeYoung

1/8/13 – Pastor Rick Warren Releases Statement on Hobby Lobby Morning-After Pill Lawsuit – Deseret News

2/1/13 – Obama Administration Tweaks Rules on Contraceptive Coverage – Ted Olsen and Melissa Steffan (Christianity Today)

2/3/13 – The FAQs: Changes to the HHS Contraceptive-Abortifacient Mandate – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)

Over 50 Million

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Since Roe vs Wade 40 years ago, over 50 million babies have been killed by abortion.  Fifty million.  That is a number hard to grasp.  50 million people we should be rubbing shoulders with, working with, going to school with, going to church with.  Gone.  Killed.

Instead of Passion Points this week, here are some good posts to explore and ponder as we remember those who have died and cry out to God for mercy and change.

10 Questions a Pro-Choice Candidate Is Never Asked by the Media – Trevin Wax

Why Your Friends Are Pro-Choice (And What To Do About It) – Scott Klusendorf

Do Pro-Life Policies Even Matter – Kevin DeYoung

Washington Post Article Shows Pro-Life Progress – Michael New

9 Things You Should Know About Roe v Wade – Joe Carter

It Has Fingernails – A brief clip from the movie “Juno”

Thank You, Mr. President, for these Pro-Life Marching Orders
Okay, so our president was talking about another tragedy, but it fits remarkably well.

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The debate on homosexuality is huge in our country today.  Here are some helpful perspectives:

When Even Joel Osteen Is Treated as a Bigot – Justin Taylor

How I Wish the Homosexuality Debate Would Go – Trevin Wax

Homosexual Parents Study: Summary of Findings – Peter Sprigg

The New Sexual Identity Crisis – Jeff Buchanan

The Unique Struggle of Same-Sex Attraction – Haydn Sennitt

Vaughan Roberts on Same-Sex Attraction – Justin Taylor

 

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Here are a few posts worth considering:

Can Cities Really Block Chick-fil-A? -Michael Foust (via Christianity Today)
Attempts by Chicago and Boston politicians to block the opening of Chick-fil-A restaurants because of the company president’s views on marriage would be unconstitutional and also set a dangerous precedent for other businesses, say several attorneys.

Defining Religious Liberty Down – Ross Douthat (via NY Times)
If you want to fine Catholic hospitals for following Catholic teaching, or prevent Jewish parents from circumcising their sons, or ban Chick-fil-A in Boston, then don’t tell religious people that you respect our freedoms. Say what you really think: that the exercise of our religion threatens all that’s good and decent, and that you’re going to use the levers of power to bend us to your will.

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

It has been awhile since I posted the first Passion News, but there seems to be a lot in the news as of late that should interest or concern those who love God and people.  Here are some helpful posts to consider:

Colorado Movie Theatre Shooting:

The True Knight Is Risen – Collin Hansen (via The Gospel Coalition)
Jesus had no illusions about why the nations rage. They rage in their sin, against their God, going so far as to put God in human flesh to death. But such evil plots in vain, because the ascended Jesus promises to return in justice. He will hold his and the Aurora movie theater’s murderers to account. And he will usher in the safety and security of the new heavens and new earth for all who believe in him.

Homosexual Boycott on Chick-fil-A:

Chick-fil-A and the Irony of the Tolerance Police – Denny Burk
Apparently, Christian business owners are no longer allowed to express religious opinions in Boston if they run crosswise with the Mayor’s views on marriage. If that doesn’t send a chill down your spine, I don’t know what will.

Two Lies about Chick-fil-A Perpetuated in the Press – Denny Burk
The President of the company, Dan Cathy, simply expressed his point of view on the issue of marriage—a point of view rooted in his Christian beliefs. And now at least two mayors of America’s two leading cities are saying that they will use their power to punish Chick-fil-a for those views. This is a moral outrage and a violation of the first Amendment to the Constitution. Every American—no matter what your view of gay marriage—should stand against this kind of tyranny.

The Same-Sex Marriage Debate:

Gay Is Not the Next Black – Voddie Baucham (via The Gospel Coalition)
It should be noted that the right to marry is one of the most frequently denied rights we have. People who are already married, 12-year-olds, and people who are too closely related are just a few categories of people routinely and/or categorically denied the right to marry. Hence, the charge that it is wrong to deny any person a “fundamental right” rings hollow. There has always been, and, by necessity, will always be discrimination in marriage laws.

Our Culture’s Moral Reasoning:

The Currency of Conviction – Kevin DeYoung
It’s been remarkable to see the relativists head for the hills in light of the Penn State sex abuse scandal. The moral outrage has been loud and immense (and justified). I’ve heard no one appeal to diversity, multiculturalism, situational histories, or different ways of being…. Which has me wondering why some sins are so obviously scandalous in our culture and others are not. The difference, as best as I can figure it, has to do with victimization.

Religious Organizations and Health Care Coverage:

Co-Belligerency and the First Freedom – Jennifer A. Marshall (via The Gospel Coalition)
Last week Wheaton College joined a lawsuit opposing the Health and Human Services (HHS) Preventative Services mandate, which forces the evangelical school to violate its religious convictions by covering abortion-causing drugs in its employee health plan. Equally noteworthy is the story’s subhead: Wheaton joined the lawsuit with the Catholic University of America (CUA).

Passion News

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Today I am beginning a new semi-regular feature called “Passion News.”  The point is to address important items of news for people seeking to live with a passion for God and compassion for people in response to Christ’s passion for us.

For this first post, we need to consider the Obama administration’s plan to require even religious organizations to include birth control in their health insurance policies.  This is a big problem for Catholic organizations, as the Catholic Church rejects the use of birth control.  But it should also concern anyone who is pro-life, because the birth control that must be included in these policies includes methods that cause abortions.  And it should concern anyone who believes in freedom of religion over anyone’s pet policy whether it be from the left or right.

To learn more, a good place to start is this article from Christianity Today.  You might also check out this FAQ at the Gospel Coalition.  Influential evangelical leaders like Rick Warren and Charles Colson are calling evangelicals to stand with the Catholic Church and have raised the possibility of civil disobedience.  The Catholic Church has pledged not to give in.  Considering that 1 in 6 people in this country use Catholic hospitals, I’m betting that the government will have to give in if the Catholic Church stays firm on this issue.  The Obama administration can hardly fine that many hospitals out of existence – talk about a medical and political nightmare! 

In response to the backlash, President Obama offered what he called a compromise, which does nothing to end the issue or solve the freedom of religion infringement. 

Meanwhile J. E. Dyer at Patheos points out that the more things we want (or allow) the government to control, the less room there is for relious freedom. 

And in the most recent news, a House committee held a hearing to review the administration’s policy, inviting several clery from various religions.  Read this article to see the incredible disdain some of our government officials have for clergy and the freedom of religion.  Compassion for people requires us to act better than these folks.