Did you know that if you have ever substituted “he or she” for generic “he,” then you have been made the accomplice of feminist propaganda? That is precisely what David Gelernter argues in his must-read article “Feminism and the English Language: Can the damage to our mother tongue be undone?” Among other things, he says that feminist idealogues have pushed generic masculines out of English style manuals and have made it a cultural sin to use them at all.
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Robbie Sagers and Friends on Elmer Gantry
My friend Robbie Sagers commented on the fictional character Elmer Gantry on NPR’s “All Things Considered” this week. He contributes along with two other students from Southern Seminary, Jenny Clark and Philip Bethancourt. You can read about and access the audio here, or you can listen below. [audio:http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/17914370/19355657/npr_19355657.mp3] (HT: Russell Moore)
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William F. Buckley, R.I.P.
The New York Times reports: ‘William F. Buckley Jr., who marshaled polysyllabic exuberance, famously arched eyebrows and a refined, perspicacious mind to elevate conservatism to the center of American political discourse, died Wednesday at his home in Stamford, Conn. ‘Mr Buckley, 82, suffered from diabetes and emphysema, his son Christopher said, although the exact cause of death was not immediately known. He was found at his desk in the study of his home, his son said. “He might have been working on a column,” Mr. Buckley said.’ Here’s the rest: “William F. Buckley Jr. Is Dead at 82.” See also the AP story: “William F. Buckley Jr. Dies at 82.”
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Can You Affirm the Bible and Egalitarianism?
Wade Burleson is a Baptist pastor in Enid, Oklahoma who recently observed that both complementarians and evangelical egalitarians profess to have a high view of scripture. Burleson also noted a comment made by complementarian author Mary Kassian that evangelical feminists “compromise” the Bible—a comment which appears on the home page of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
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Tommy Nelson on the 60’s
Pastor Tommy Nelson says that the 1960’s were the best of times and the worst of times. He also says that understanding the philosophical and theological questions driving the upheavals of that decade is essential for the Christian to understand—like “the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). This particular series is a bit of a departure for Nelson, who is a consistent and tenacious verse-by-verse expositor of scripture.
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D. A. Carson on Private Prayer Language
I am teaching a course on 1 Corinthians this semester, and one of the textbooks that I assigned my students to read is D. A. Carson’s 1987 work Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14. I required the book primarily because, for all the years I’ve been studying New Testament theology, I still had not taken the time to read it myself. Moreover, Carson is a reliable guide when it comes to studying the Bible, and I had confidence in advance that this book would not disappoint. I was right. His handling of the text and his assessment of the modern charismatic movement was thoughtful, pastoral, and…
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Bart Ehrman on God’s Problem
Bart Ehrman has a new book out titled God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question–Why We Suffer. I have not yet read this book, but I note it here because I just listened to an interview with Ehrman in which he talks extensively about the book and his reasons for leaving the Christian faith. You can listen to the interview by pushing the play button below or by visiting NPR’s website. [audio:http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/13/19186602/npr_19186602.mp3] I won’t give a point-by-point analysis of this interview, but I do have a couple of reactions that I will write here. 1. First, grief. It’s not a happy thing to listen to…
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CT interviews Keith & Kristyn Getty
Perhaps Keith and Kristyn Getty are best known for writing the worship song, “In Christ Alone.” It’s doctrinal and devotional depth have made it a favorite among English-speaking evangelicals. There are few people writing music like the Getty’s. Christianity Today interviewed the Getty’s and asked them a series of questions about their songwriting. Their music really contrasts with the vacuity of much of the songs coming out of the modern worship movement. Here’s are a couple of exchanges that go directly to this point:
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Bush Dances in Africa
This is just for fun. It’s always entertaining to see the President cut a rug. He’d better not leave his day-job . . . not for another year at least. From Reuters.
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My Interview with Greg Gilbert
Last week I alerted readers to Greg Gilbert’s article “Against Music.” On Friday, I was able to interview Greg for a radio program here in Dallas. You can listen to the program below or download it here. [audio:https://www.dennyburk.com/JJL/2008_02_15.mp3]