Christ, The Word, The Church, The Republic
I’ve been thinking a lot about “restlessness” and “contentment” lately, because I’ve concluded a great deal of what I do to seek the latter consists of drowning the former in spreadsheets or wine or binge-TV or travel or sleep or any reverie that fixes the mind somewhere else–captivated, soothed, or just put away. We seek..
God Truly Hates Hypocrites A friend of mine was removed from a Facebook group today for simply observing that women should sometimes have sex with their husbands when they don’t feel like it — just as they sometimes wash the dishes when they don’t feel like it. We do things for people we love because..
So here’s the difficult thing about confronting the modern false church: it’s a slippery little snake. I listened to a sermon today about God’s abiding love, about a just God of the old testament who may judge and scourge His people but who never gives up on them. Who could possibly object to such a..
Just who is in charge here, anyway? I’ve studied enough history to know there is a kind of terror that befalls a region when competing armies contend for territory–when the only protection you might have against fickle martial law, plunder, rape, and murder is the conscience of a battle-hardened sergeant who has been living off..
..before it heals So I’ve taken to a new diet of contention on YouTube — theological debates. Roman Catholics vs. Protestants. Reformed vs. Arminian. Saturday vs. Sunday, Gifts vs. No Gifts. I’m beginning to believe the serious inquirer, on any subject, won’t need anything like a “channel” anymore, not because content consolidators aren’t useful, but..
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (more…)
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13 and the Persecution-Seeking Christian Whenever we ponder Christianity and government, you can almost wager some well-meaning believer will argue that we can’t expect rulers to be just because Paul actually..
Brittle melancholies.. I’m only ten years old but there’s something in Karen Carpenter’s voice that sends me into a third heaven. I can feel sugar effervescing across my shoulders and down my arms. “White lace and promises, a kiss for luck and we’re on our way.” I don’t think I have the words, yet, to..
Psalm 149, Just Sayin’.. I live in California — which on many fronts, is led by certifiably insane political leaders — but, countering that, my small town has more than 40 different Christian churches. I know enough about scripture to entertain a forlorn hope: that means there are 40 men in this town who consider..
The Evil of Playing it Safe.. It seems to me that a number of historic American liberties are edging closer to the perils of mob rule, judicial fiat, or executive order. In conversation after conversation, I hear people worrying about their 2nd Amendment rights, their ability to express their beliefs publicly, and even their right..
