By now, you’ve no doubt seen the undercover video showing a Planned Parenthood executive explaining about how Planned Parenthood traffics the body parts of unborn babies (see above). It’s difficult to sit through a casual explanation of how Planned Parenthood traffics the body parts of babies killed in their abortion mills. Even if what they are doing isn’t illegal, it should be. And even if the unedited video tells a different story than the edited one, it’s no less an atrocity. Anyone whose conscience isn’t completely burned-over can see that. We need this video to be disseminated far and wide. People need to know what Planned Parenthood is—the kind of…
-
-
Wheaton staffer announces support for gay relationships
Julie Rodgers has resigned her position in the Wheaton Chaplain’s office on the same day that she reveals her support for gay sexual relationships. Eric Teetsel has a report here, and I encourage you to read it. In the meantime, some initial observations: 1. Biblical authority is missing. Rodgers’s explanation of her change of heart is long on personal experience and short on Bible. If she has a reasoned biblical rationale for her views, she didn’t share it. It shouldn’t be lost on readers that other considerations seem to be driving her embrace of gay relationships, not God’s word.
-
Oregon now offering state-funded sex-change operations to minors without parental consent
The state of Oregon is now allowing children as young as 15-years old to get state-funded sex-change operations without parental consent. I don’t know if I would have believed this had I not seen it with my own eyes, but it is true. Watch the news report above.
-
“The View” talks about Christian bakers in Oregon
I think it’s instructive to remember how the average person is processing the national debate over legal gay marriage and religious liberty. It is very clear that many people aren’t even aware of what exactly the dispute is about. A recent discussion on “The View” is a case in point (see video above). The panel was discussing the Christian bakers in Oregon who were recently fined $135,000 for refusing to participate in a lesbian wedding.
-
What are our options in post-Obergefell America?
David Gushee has a stimulating column at RNS arguing that “strident” calls for civil disobedience in the wake of Obergefell are empty. Yes, federal policy now disfavors those who adhere to a traditional definition of marriage, but there really isn’t any relevant way for Christians to disobey the government—at least not where things stand now. Instead, he argues that Christians will have to face the crushing consequences of their views and that they have no appropriate way to “disobey” in order to resist:
-
Hymn to God the Father
One of my favorite poems of all time is “Hymn to God the Father” by John Donne. If you are not familiar with this poem, you need to be. Donne composed this piece near the end of his life when he was facing death (circa 1631). As he contemplates his demise, he is overcome with a sense of his own sinfulness, and he wonders how he will stand at the judgment. Donne evokes all the anguish of the “wretched man” in Romans 7:24 before he sounds a final note of hope that Jesus will rescue him at the last day. There is a wonderful play on the word “done” in…
-
The Heav’n rescued land
In the short story “No Refuge Could Save” by Isaac Asimov, the main character exposes a German spy by quizzing him on the third verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” When the suspected spy reveals that he knows the lyrics to the third verse, he blew his own cover. Why? Because no American knows the third verse of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Americans only know the first verse. Only a spy would know any of the lyrics beyond that. The story is correct. Americans don’t know the second, third, or fourth verses of the National Anthem. By custom and tradition, we only ever sing the first verse. So the other verses…
-
What your average evangelical is concerned about after Obergefell
The video above is from a Roman Catholic group, but I can testify that many evangelical Christians are feeling the same way these folks are. I am a pastor, and the testimonies in this video sound very similar to what I have been hearing from the folks in my church. Our members by and large don’t have questions about the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality and marriage. They get that. Nor do they have questions about their obligation to love their neighbor, to seek their good, and to be at peace with everyone (Mark 12:29; Luke 6:33; Rom. 12:18). They get all of that.
-
How the propaganda works
The LA Times reports that Mississippi’s Attorney General has put a halt to gay marriage in that state in spite of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling legalizing gay marriage. This is no surprise. Everyone knew that the high Court’s decision wouldn’t come down without some resistance. A similar thing is happening in Texas right now as well. But it’s important to note that the AG’s effort is not going to work. At least not permanently. At best, this is a delaying tactic. Gay marriage will go forward in Mississippi just like it will in every other state of the union.
-
Although we are weeping, Lord, help us keep sowing
<a href=”http://bifrostartsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/he-will-not-cry-out-2″>He Will Not Cry Out by Bifrost Arts Music</a>