New Definers of Christian Community
Some years ago, I opined the defining issues establishing Christian community in the future would be marriage and morality. Specifically, how a church or denomination defines marriage and interprets biblical morality will position it relative to historic, orthodox Christian beliefs – more than past confessional statements or doctrinal creeds. A Christian’s position on these issues […]
The Toughest Issues
Some of the toughest pastoral challenges today are handling issues related to gender, sexuality, morality, and marriage. A friend recently confided in me his son is now identifying as a woman and asked for guidance on how to respond. Another friend’s son recently got married, to a man, and he also asked me for counsel […]
Three Fatal Flaws in the “Gender as Social Construct” Position
Typical Southern Baptists are barraged with the message that gender is a social construct, which means that gender is something subjective and not the result of nature, purpose, or design. They hear this message on television, in movies, in popular songs, in schools, and even in corporate training material. Southern Baptist churches need to educate […]
The Struggle is Real: The Power of Culture
There is a great concern regarding the impact that mainstream culture has on each one of us, our communities, and importantly, the church. Culture is incredibly beautiful – allowing humans to express an immense depth of creativity as we use culture to communicate, cooperate, and ultimately, thrive. As a working definition of culture, I appreciate […]
The Value of Women
My pastor, Dr. Brian Kennedy, devoted his Mother’s Day message to a stirring challenge to contemporary definitions of marriage, the significance of mothering, and the value of women. He also called men to fulfill their biblical responsibilities as husbands, fathers, and sons—part of which is honoring women and celebrating their significance. To rousing applause from […]