"Want a Capri Sun?" Those were the first words he said to her afterwards. Rachel White, age fifteen, had been anticipating this moment for at least a year. She'd sneaked out on a snowy school night, shoes in hand. Then, wearing nothing but her wet socks, Ginuwine playing in the background, it was finally happening! Oh my god, she told herself, this is sex! Just move your hips … [Read more...]
Pro-Family
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Often missed in the debate over the meaning of marriage is the question, “What is marriage?” Before a meaningful debate can be had over any issue, terms must be defined. Marriage, from a secular view,can be defined … [Read more...]
The Meaning of Marriage
A Review of The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller Sometimes perspective is everything. Against a cultural backdrop in which feminists declare marriage outdated and no longer necessary (Newsweek Magazine, “I Don’t,” June 11, 2010) even as LGBT couples clamor for it be redefined to confer on them its benefits, New York City pastor Timothy Keller, along … [Read more...]
Emergent Christianity in Memphis, Part 2
Emergents are Tolerant, Uncertain, and Relativistic, Except When They are Not In Part 1, I introduced a gathering of Emergent Christians in Memphis to honor Phyllis Tickle, Memphis' resident Emergent, and the forerunner in Emergent thinking. While the first post focused on Tickle's opening talk, and the claims she made in it, this post will focus on her controversial closing … [Read more...]
Dialogue with a gay activist
The dialogue recorded at this link is a fabulous example of doing many things right in a conversation with somebody you disagree with. Peter Kreeft was taking a class that was being taught by a homosexual activist. Kreeft hoped to chat with his professor (whom he calls "Art") about his views, striving to open and clarify their respective views on the subject. Kreeft is right to … [Read more...]
Why I am opposed to same-sex marriage
I confess that the title to this post was meant to be blunt, but please don’t think it was intended to be rude. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is an unfortunate tendency in our culture today for people to be drawn to the sensational and controversial. So I avoided the temptation to go with a more philosophical title in hopes that by being straightforward and blunt … [Read more...]
Why the “Born This Way” Argument Fails
I doubt there’s much disagreement that it’s the number one argument in play today. In debating the issue of same-sex marriage, and homosexual behavior in general, a very common line of reasoning used by our culture to defend homosexuality is that people are born with their sexual orientation. In Christianity, those espousing a pro-gay theology oftentimes declare, “God made me … [Read more...]
Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Gay Rights, and God
Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, is evidently not a moral-relativist or a multi-culturalist. She has stated that “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” and she’s so sure about this that she’s imposing this equation on the rest of the world. This means that human rights - moral absolutes – ought to take precedence over the laws and traditions of the … [Read more...]
A Reponse to Phil Snider: Highlighting A Secular Response
When something goes "viral", it's a good idea to pay attention. Here's the newest viral sensation: a Missouri pastor, speaking at a city council meeting, opens up his speech by taking a stance against gay marriage - or so everyone thought. In a stunning turn of events, he closes the speech by saying that his speech up until that point consisted of quotes from preachers gone by … [Read more...]
The Rev. Phil Snider in Missouri: Argument or Theatre?
It's truly viral: the Rev. Dr. Phil Snider's message to the Springfield City Council on gay rights. Unfortunately it's a great example of truth tanked by theatrics, reason steamrolled by emotion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u4Z3n2Fnyc It leaves a powerful impression, but what's his argument? How would you fill in the following blanks to express his point in rational, … [Read more...]