I predicted privately some months ago that it would only be a matter of time before the media sniffed out the views of the Duck Dynasty guys about sexuality. I also predicted that when they did, their reception in the popular culture would turn on a dime. Well, here we are. In a wide-ranging interview with GQ, the “Duck Commander” Phil Robertson spoke candidly about his views. In particular, he identified homosexual behavior as sinful. In response, the A&E network has suspended Robertson from the television series indefinitely with this explanation:
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ETS inerrancy debate featured in “The Economist”
The most recent print edition of The Economist features an article on the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and the controversy about inerrancy at its meeting last week. Among other things, the article portrays the ETS discussions as an intramural debate among a dying breed of Christians—a discussion that has no relevance to the modern world, much less to the droves of young people who are leaving the evangelical faith of their parents.
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Albert Mohler on JFK, C. S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley
As many of you know, today is the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. You may also know that on this very same day 50 years ago, both C. S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley died as well. Three very significant but very different lives ended at nearly the same moment, and we are still living with their enormous legacies today. Albert Mohler has a fascinating discussion of all three of them, explaining that President Kennedy was a “cultural humanist,” Aldous Huxley an “ideological humanist,” and C. S. Lewis a “Christian thinker.” The discussion is wide-ranging, and I commend it to you. Download it here, or listen…
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Mothers tell their abortion stories
Sunday’s New York Magazine features testimonials from twenty-six women who have had their unborn children aborted. The stories are raw and revealing. These are not stories of feminist liberation and power. They are the stories of women who have pangs of conscience over what they have done. Some of them have muddled through the aftermath by suppressing their consciences. One woman even says, “There’s no room to talk about being unsure.” Other women aren’t able to pretend and are obviously living with a heavy burden of grief and regret. The first story is from a 19-year old named Nicole (pictured at right). She writes,
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A juxtaposition: Miley Cyrus and Elizabeth Smart
Did anyone happen to notice that The Today Show hosted two interviews with young women this morning? One was with Miley Cyrus and another with Elizabeth Smart. I don’t know that these two videos require much commentary. I simply found them to be a fascinating juxtaposition. In fact, I would say that the wisdom of Solomon is in this juxtaposition (Prov. 11:3; 12:15; 21:2; 26:12; 28:11). Sometimes on accident popular culture offers us something worth pondering, and I think this may be such an instance. You can watch both interviews below.
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Sweet Lorraine
I promise you’ll be glad you took the time to watch this video all the way through. I’m not going to spoil the story by describing it to you. You just need to watch it for yourself. Thank you Dane Ortlund for highlighting it. What a story. What a song. What a life. Download “Sweet Lorraine” here.
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Transgender Teen Named Homecoming Queen
It’s amazing that stories like the one above are becoming more and more commonplace. The report is about a young man in California who was recently chosen by his classmates to be the homecoming queen. The boy identifies as transgender—which means that he is biologically male but wishes to identify as a female.
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A beautiful video about generosity
Thanks to @22Words for sharing this. Really well done.
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The Mindset List
The annual “Mindset List” from Beloit College has been released in time for the new school year. If you are unfamiliar with this annual treat, here’s an explanation from the school’s website: Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List, providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall. Prepared by Beloit’s former Public Affairs Director Ron Nief and Keefer Professor of the Humanities Tom McBride, the list was originally created as a reminder to faculty to be aware of dated references. It quickly became an internationally monitored catalog of the changing worldview of each new college…
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Okay to change a child’s sex but not his gender?
James Kushiner asks an insightful question that exposes the moral confusion of our day. In essence he asks why it should be legal to change a child’s sex but not his gender. The question is provoked by the recent bill signed into law by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The law prohibits any attempt to change a child’s “gender expression.” That means that if a parent has a young boy who likes to put on dresses and wear make-up, New Jersey law prohibits licensed counselors from helping that boy. Counselors must approve and support whatever gender that child chooses regardless of the child’s sex. This law reveals the rising social…