Zondervan will be releasing later this year a new book on homosexuality in their Counterpoints series—a series I appreciate and have recently contributed to. This new volume features two writers who believe homosexuality is not sinful and two writers who do. I have not read this book yet, but I am eager to see it as soon as it is available. Having said that, here are a few things to be watching for: 1. Framing Sexual Immorality as an Evangelical Option – The publisher’s description has a section that caught my eye: Until recently most books fit neatly into two camps: non-affirming books were written by evangelicals and affirming books…
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Eugene Peterson and Bono talk about the Psalms
From the YouTube description: This short film documents the friendship between Bono (lead musician of the band U2) and Eugene Peterson (author of contemporary-language Bible translation The Message) revolving around their common interest in the Psalms. Based on interviews conducted by Fuller Seminary faculty member David Taylor and produced in association with Fourth Line Films, the film highlights in particular a conversation on the Psalms that took place between Bono, Peterson, and Taylor at Peterson’s Montana home.
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Prince: “Don’t die without knowing the cross.”
I’m still absorbing the news that Prince has died. I confess that this was like a punch in the gut for me. Little known fact: I’m a huge fan of the artist formerly known as “the artist formerly known as Prince.” His music was the soundtrack of about a decade of my young life. In some ways, that is a sad commentary because so much of what he sang about was foul and salacious. But that is not why I was listening. I was listening because he was a musical genius—a kind of post-modern cross between James Brown and Jimi Hendrix, but better than both of them.
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Some reflections on a church that has recently embraced egalitarianism
Last night I watched Pastor Pete Briscoe give his rationale for leading his church to welcome female elders to their leadership structure (see above). Briscoe pastors Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, a large congregation in the metro area of Dallas, Texas. His sermon amounts to a recitation of long-standing egalitarian readings of scripture. I admire that Briscoe and the elders made a public presentation of the decision and their justification for it. They have laid their cards on the table, and that is a good thing. But I still think their reasoning is flawed on many points. I am not going to give a point-by-point rebuttal. That would go beyond what…
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This is not the right side of history… University of Washington edition
The video above came out last week from The Family Policy Institute of Washington. It began making the rounds over the weekend after David French posted it at National Review. It is a stunning look at the way college kids think (or don’t think) about the moral revolution that is upon us. I offered brief remarks on Twitter, which you can read below.
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Free Speech Zone
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Secretary Clinton defends the greatest human rights crisis of our time
At last night’s Democratic debate, Secretary Clinton went on a tear about abortion. She insisted that she would do everything in her power to make sure that it remains legal to kill unborn humans at any time and for any reason–even at or during the ninth month of pregnancy. In short, both she and Senator Bernie Sanders will not accept any limitation on legal abortion. They want it to be a legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy. No compromise. In her own words:
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Bono and Eugene Peterson Team-up in Short Film
Apparently, Bono is a big fan of The Message, Eugene Peterson’s idiomatic English translation of the Bible. Bono has been known to quote from it during his concerts. He has even read to his dying father from Peterson’s rendering of the New Testament. Now Bono and Peterson have teamed up for a conversation about the Psalms. The teaser trailer is above. It is produced by Fuller Seminary, and here’s the description from the teaser’s YouTube page: What happens when the lead singer of U2 and the writer of The Message meet to discuss the Psalms? Find out in a new short film on Bono and Eugene Peterson premiering exclusively on…
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Brothers convince little sister of zombie apocalypse
I just had the biggest belly laugh. I hope you do too because this is awesome. Expect to see this on the annual Top 10 YouTubes list. Should we go to Costco first?… No, it’s going to be a bloodbath in there! Ha! Greatness.
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Following-up about porn-use among young men
Last Monday, I wrote at length about the TIME magazine cover story concerning porn-use among young men. The response to it over the last week has been overwhelming. I thought there were several items worth mentioning here. The author of the TIME cover story is Belinda Luscombe, and she took issue with my characterization of her reporting. In the comments section, she writes: