On Same Sex Marriage and Transgender Issues

In a move that should surprise almost no one, the Supreme Court ruled a week ago Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry nationwide.  It’s probably no coincidence that this ruling comes just weeks after a very high profile man in our culture has publically re-identified himself as a woman.  Many challenges have been raised as to the wisdom and/or propriety of these massive cultural shifts and as an orthodox Christian pastor, I speak for many who have their own.  What has perhaps been the most astonishing feature of these recent seismic cultural changes is—no one has bothered to seriously think through some of the predictable (not to mention, unintended) consequences of these changes for our children and grandchildren? 

This sea change is immeasurably larger than for instance, the legalization of marijuana.  Most reasonable people would assumedly hold that before the Supreme Court decides to legalize this drug nationwide, it might be a good idea to see how Colorado and Alaska look in five years.  Yet we have no sociological, longitudinal data for this much more essential change to argue for it.   As a nation, we’re running full-speed into a pitch black expanse without bothering to investigate if our journey will terminate in some form of societal abyss.

Evangelicals and Homosexuality

The recent controversy surrounding “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson has exposed several common misunderstandings about evangelicals and homosexuality.  It must be admitted that, although some of Robertson’s statements represent an orthodox understanding of Scripture, his sweeping and coarse statements have brought little light to the discussion.

The Creator of marriage ALONE has the right to determine the definition and parameters of marriage

As we approach the inauguration of gay marriage in Minnesota, let’s think about why this is a very bad idea.  First, on a purely practical level, changes impacting the culture as profoundly as this one should never be made in a hurry.  It’s difficult to miss the obvious irony of people’s deeply held and dogmatic support of gay marriage today when it was in fact, hotly debated—even among social liberals less than two years ago. 

Supreme Court decisions in support of gay marriage

How are those of us who hold to the sanctity of traditional marriage to respond to the recent Supreme Court decisions in support of gay marriage? Rather than take the well-travelled road of bluster followed by retreating to lick our wounds until the next cultural crisis, let me suggest a better way. That is—instead of exerting our energies criticizing the dark forces that are tearing down yet another treasured traditional institution, let’s look in a mirror. If you look at the roots of this cultural decline, you will see that—as with many broad and seemingly rapid cultural shifts, (e.g. the sanctity of life) this breakdown of our understanding of marriage has been neither rapid, nor is the homosexual community and their powerful advocates the fundamental perpetrators. We mustn’t think the recent Supreme Court decisions are the cause of this current cultural change; they are instead, symptoms of it.

Respecting Authority and Staying Alive

MESSAGE FOR MAY 5, 2013 FROM ECCLESIASTES 8:1-9

The section of Ecclesiastes we are looking at today was originally intended for a very narrow audience. The author Qohelet, who describes himself in chapter one as a former king of Israel, addresses this first half of chapter eight to that very specific group who personally attend the king as his advisers—members of his royal court. We may wonder what if anything this text has to say to us who have never even met a real earthly king. As we’ll see, there are a few words of wisdom here that apply only to royal counselors. However, many of these truths are transferable to us as we seek to know how to relate to all authority figures—in the home, in the state or workplace--some of whom can abuse their authority over us. As we’ve seen in other sections of the book, the author begins by giving a general tribute to wisdom. Verse one says, "

MESSAGE FOR APRIL 21, 2013 FROM ECCLESIASTES 7:23-29

All sincere believers yearn for a time when sleepy Christians wake up, nominal-in-name-only Christians are genuinely converted and very hard-hearted unbelievers are miraculously transformed by the gospel.
1 Traditionally, when these things happen with any great frequency these periods in the church are called "revivals" or "spiritual awakenings."

The Root Problem...our ever-quickening departure from God

At times, certain things happen that quite literally make us feel sick.  Normally, a big news event would have us chirping about it—getting other perspectives—feeling anxious to share the big news with those who hadn’t heard.  Not this one.