In today’s Washington Post, Eugene Robinson posts his reflections on The Supreme Court’s recent declaration that gun ownership is an individual right. In essence, Robinson says that The Supreme Court interpreted the second amendment correctly but that he would nevertheless favor restrictions on the right to bear arms. The meaning of the Constitution is clear on this point, he says. Robinson just disagrees with the Constitution. What caught my eye about Robinson’s column, however, was the last two paragraphs. He writes:
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Let’s Get Technical: The Meaning of authenteÅ
WARNING: This post is going to be a little bit technical. Enter at your own risk! Commenters under my previous complementarian posts have been debating the meaning of authenteÅ in 1 Timothy 2:12—whether it has a negative meaning (“usurp authority, domineer”) or a neutral one (“exercise authority”). In particular, the comments have called into question the work of Henry Scott Baldwin who has argued that authenteÅ does not have a negative meaning.
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Gender-Debaters Point the Finger at Themselves
Christianity Today has published two essays in which an egalitarian and a complementarian point the finger of critique at their own movements. John Koessler represents the complementarian point of view, and Sarah Sumner represents the egalitarian. I’m not going to comment on this exchange point-by-point. But I do have a question about one of Koessler’s statements. He writes: “When God created humankind in his image, he created them to be male and female (Gen. 1:27). It is often said that men and women bear the image of God equally. But it might be more accurate to say that men and women bear God’s image together. Men and women collectively reflect…
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Dobson Says Obama Distorts the Scripture
Dr. James Dobson sharply criticized Senator Barack Obama yesterday on the “Focus on the Family” radio program. If you missed it, this is one you’ll want to hear. Among other things, Dr. Dobson said of Obama, “He’s deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology.” Dobson says that Obama is “dragging biblical understanding through the gutter.” Dr. Dobson is responding to a speech that Senator Obama gave in 2006 in which Obama compares Dr. Dobson to Rev. Al Sharpton. You can listen to the broadcast below, or visit CitizenLink.org and listen to it there. [audio:http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/c4daily/2008-06-24-daily-c4.mp3] The speech to which Dobson is…
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Bruce Ware’s Complementarian Reading of Genesis
On Sunday, Dr. Bruce Ware delivered one of the finest, most succinct presentations of the Complementarian point of view that I have ever heard. His address was the second of a Complementarian series of sermons being hosted by Denton Bible Church (the first address is here). The message is deeply biblical and powerfully delivered. The audio is available from DBC’s website, or you can listen to it below. The substance of Ware’s address consists of ten reasons “why we should affirm that God designed there to be male headship” in the original created order. In essence, Dr. Ware explains how Genesis 1-3 teaches male headship as a part of God’s…
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Not-so-evangelical Evangelicals
You’ll be hearing a lot about a recent survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Among the most disturbing findings is that 57% of evangelical church attendees say that they believe many religions can lead to eternal life. Watch NBC News’ coverage above, and then read the “Summary of Key Findings.” Dr. Albert Mohler talked about the survey on his radio program today. You can listen to the audio below, or download it from AlbertMohler.com. [audio:http://www.sbts.edu/MP3/totl/2008/AMP_06_23_2008.mp3] Also, David Van Biema interviewed Dr. Mohler about the poll for Time magazine.
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Unorthodox Baptists
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) is a splinter-group of moderate to liberal Southern Baptists who do not agree with the conservative orientation of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the past, CBF annual meetings have included worship services to “Mother God” and controversies over homosexuality. One presenter at the most recent meeting of the CBF openly questioned the deity of Christ. According to David Roach of the Baptist Press, John Killinger said the following words at a CBF workshop in Memphis, Tennessee:
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N. T. Wright on ‘The Colbert Report’
Bishop N. T. Wright appeared last night on the Comedy Central program “The Colbert Report” to promote his book Surprised by Hope. You can watch the video below. Two thoughts:
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Johnny and Chachi: “The Don’t Songâ€
Johnny and Chachi are back! You may remember the blockbuster short film that they released last year called “Teamwork.” This year, they have released a music video called “The Don’t Song.” This is not just any music video. It will improve your relational skills with your spouse. Please don’t miss “The Don’t Song.”
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To Spank or Not To Spank?
What do you do when the Bible conflicts with expert sociologists? Especially when the sociologists are warning against spanking your children as a means of discipline? U. S. News & World Report recently interviewed spanking “expert” Murray Straus, professor of Sociology at the University of New Hampshire. Among other things, Straus argues that children who are spanked are more likely to grow up to be violent and sexually deviant. Pretty scary, right? Well, I think that’s was the point. The spirit of the age is virulently opposed to spanking of any sort and is unable to distinguish between abuse and corrective discipline. At the end of the day, I think…