The Associated Press reports that one in four adults did not read a single book last year. “Of those who did read,” the story said, “women and older people were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.”
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Drs. Patterson Defend Homemaking Degree
You may have heard that the trustees at Southwestern Seminary approved a new homemaking degree for the College at Southwestern. The move has resulted in some controversy and a considerable amount of media attention (e.g., Baptist Press, AP story). Last week, Dr. Jerry Johnson interviewed the President of Southwestern Dr. Paige Patterson and his wife Dr. Dorothy Patterson about the new program. Drs. Patterson defended the program based on the Bible’s teaching about gender roles in the home. It’s an informative interview, and I think you should hear it. It’s available for download here: “Teaching the Biblical Model of the Home” – Jerry Johnson Live. Frankly, I don’t see what…
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Billy Graham Update
Perhaps you have heard that Billy Graham was recently hospitalized for intestinal bleeding. According to a newspaper in North Carolina, his condition is improving. (HT: Bruce Tomaso)
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High School Musical (please forgive frivolous post)
This is a frivolous post. But I’m doing it anyway. Is there anyone out there willing to admit that they are fans of “High School Musical”? Granted, the basketball “players” look like they can hardly even dribble, much less actually play basketball [Note to central casting: Next time you need to cast a realistic looking basketball player, try not to hire a Justin Guarini look-alike]. Talking about this movie is a capitulation to a cheesy pop culture phenomenon. But I’m still wondering who will fess up to making plans to watch “High School Musical 2” tonight? “To answer your question, it’s even better than the first one.” –Los Angeles Times…
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Another Misleading Headline about Abortion
Did you read the big news that a new study has found that the abortion drug RU-486 is safe? TIME magazine’s title says it all: “Study Finds Abortion Pill Safe.” It helps to read the fine print because in this case the title by itself is misleading. The study actually only addressed certain long-term effects of the drug. The article goes on to say that many doctors continue to question the drug’s safety in the short term. Here’s the relevant section from the TIME article:
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John Piper Takes on Rabbi Harold Kushner
Pastor John Piper responds to Rabbi Harold Kushner’s misguided comments about God’s inability to prevent calamities (like the collapse of the I-35 bridge last week in Minneapolis). Here’s the conclusion: “No, Rabbi Kushner. Your soft words offer no hope in the end. The foundation is false. And the consolation does not satisfy the God-given passions for truth and meaning in the human heart. May the Lord open your eyes to the One who died for your sins and rose again, Jesus Christ, so that if you would trust him, you would be saved from the wrath of God that your blasphemy and my contaminated anger deserve.” Amen to that. You…
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Before and After Pictures of Collapsed Bridge
A friend of mine just sent me a link to some before and after pictures of the collapsed bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The photos go back to 1967 when the bridge was under construction. Here’s the link: “Interstate 35W Bridge Collapse, Minneapolis, Minnesota.” Also, be sure to follow the Desiring God blog’s commentary on the disaster. The newest entries include a video from the scene and a poem by John Piper.
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The Gay Shibboleth
This is a follow-up to yesterday’s post on the Surgeon General and his stance that homosexuality is a sin. Christianity Today has an editorial out today titled “The Gay Shibboleth,” which takes basically the same position that I do, but states is much better: Affirmation of homosexual behavior seems to be shifting from an in-group shibboleth to an unwritten requirement for American leadership. Where does that leave biblical Christians? We may soon come to the point where supporting a sexual ethic based on an orthodox reading of Scripture becomes part of our cross to bear. . .
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Can a public servant call homosexuality a sin?
I don’t look to the editors at the New York Times to agree with Christian teaching on sexuality, but neither do I expect them to advocate a policy that effectively excludes Christians from government service. Yet that is precisely what they have done today in an editorial about President Bush’s nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. James Holsinger. They argue that Dr. Holsinger’s adherence to his church’s teaching on homosexuality should exclude him from being the Surgeon General. They write:
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Google’s Patriotic Graphic
Google always has a special graphic on its search engine on holidays. Pictured at the right is the one for this year’s 4th of July.