A few thoughts about the Bible, homosexuality, and SCOTUS

We are now about 10 days past the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States preventing states from denying marriage licenses for homosexuals. The decision may be final, but the discussion about it is not. Because this topic includes both politics and faith, virtually everyone has an opinion on the topic. And because […]

Can the government do that?

Two days ago, Fox News reported that, The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor. And those ministers who fail to comply could be held in contempt of court. [The Religion News Service […]

What should we think about yesterday’s Supreme Court decisions?

Yesterday the Supreme Court of the United States handed down two significant rulings concerning homosexual marriage. What should we think about them? First of all, Joe Carter tells us, “9 Things You Should Know About the Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Cases.” His article helps to simplify the complexity of these cases and provides an overview […]

Two articles worth reading today

From Justin Taylor: I recommend that you read Russell Moore’s “Christians, Let’s Honor the President” and Collin Hansen’s “From Me, Yesterday.” Both exemplify Christian engagement with politics in the best sense. Here’s an excerpt from Moore: We are going to disagree with the President on some (important) things; there will be other areas where we […]

The election is over. Now what?

Yesterday was election day. Today the election is over. And the results are (mostly) in. If your candidate or referendum won, then you likely are happy. If your candidate or referendum lost, then you likely will be tempted with sadness or discouragement or even despair. But for the believer in Christ, nothing has changed. Not […]

Praying for today’s election

Sunday, I reprinted the pastoral prayer I offered that morning for our congregation and country. Since then, I have seen Al Mohler’s list of ten components of a prayer for our nation and this election. Here is a summary… First, we should pray that God will bless America with leaders better than we deserve.… Second, […]

A prayer for election week

“To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He is gracious to us. […]

As the election approaches…

As the election approaches, there is much discussion about how to think about whether or not to vote and what kinds of issues should weigh most heavily in determining our votes. Here are a couple more resources (in addition to yesterday’s resources) that are worthy of your consideration as you prepare to vote in 18 […]

John Piper: I Am Going to Vote

There has been much discussion among believers in this election year about whether or not to vote. There are many who are discouraged and disenchanted over the political process. Many don’t believe there is a godly and biblical choice (Thabiti Anyabwile is one who has articulated the position particularly well). But John Piper has some […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles spotted recently: The timeline for the transition between John Piper and Jason Meyer as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church has changed again. Read the plan and rationale from John’s pen. Addressing the same theme that I did in the post, “Satan and sin — two defeated foes,” Mike Riccardi writes about “Freed from […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles from the last week: Here are two helpful resources on Mormonism: Russell Moore writes how “How Christians Should Engage Latter-day Saints.” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted a panel discussion on the topic, “The Mormon Moment? Religious Conviction and the 2012 Election” (audio | video) George Lawson writes that, “Reliable Source Reveals […]

When unrighteously accused

As Peter notes, when a believer sins and is accused of that sin and suffers for that sin, he is not to be considered patient for enduring that sin — he has suffered what is just (1 Pt. 2:20a). But what about when one suffers unjustly? What if accusations are made against us that are […]

Sunday Leftovers — Me and the Government

For two weeks, we’ve been thinking on Sunday morning about the relationship between the believer and the government from Titus 3:1. The primary principles and their implications in this passage could be summarized this way: Our responsibility before the Lord is not to change the government but to submit to it (v. 1). We are […]

When we’re unhappy with the government

Several years ago I had a conversation with another believer after a Sunday worship service about a believer’s relationship to the government. We differed on when it was appropriate to disobey the government. He was refusing to pay taxes. I wrote a follow-up letter, which I reproduce below (with some modifications) as a reflection on […]

It’s Chick-Fil-A Day

Jesse Johnson, over at Cripplegate, has some biblical and timely thoughts about today’s Chick-Fil-A Day. An excerpt: Today is Chick-Fil-A appreciation day. Organized by Mike Huckabee (former Governor of Arkansas), the event is intended to show public support and appreciation for the restaurant chain’s founder, who has been vilified because of his support for the […]