It Can’t Happen Here
That's the title of a Sinclair Lewis novel about the coming of fascism to America. The Nobel Prize winning writer contended that, if it could happen in civilized Europe, it could happen in the United States as well. Here's one form it will take: The Evangelical...
The Shaming of Wayne Grudem
Dr. Wayne Grudem once believed and taught that physical abuse was not, in itself, grounds for divorce. Recently, he has changed his mind. I welcome the change and have long believed unrepentant chronic abuse constitutes an abandonment of the marriage by a...
My Imago Dei Is So Awesome
Providence has been kind this week and brought into my way several ridiculous creeds and prayers written probably by committees of people who can’t remember why they’ve been lugging themselves into those old, crumbling…what are they called? Ah, “church” buildings all...
Jesus was Jewish? Who Knew?
Before reading the New Testament for the first time at the age of 18, I didn't know Jesus was Jewish. Thing is, I grew up Jewish myself. I didn't know anything about Christianity, except for Christmas carols. What's this guy's excuse? From the Jerusalem Post: A local...
Louie Clay Has Died
A funny thing happened while we were fighting each other. We became friends.
First Amendment repealed in New York State
I can't tell you how happy I am that Stand Firm is back in business. Partly it's because we have a great team of writers and thinkers here, and interacting with them is a joy. Partly, it's because as Gandalf declared, "There are many powers in the world, for good or...
The Gospel and Gratitude
I was once invited to speak at a Mormon church here in Binghamton. The Mormon bishop asked me to discuss our “common faith in Jesus Christ.” I told the bishop that I could not in good conscience do that since I do not believe that we share a common faith in the same...
How to be a Good Person
It’s not just me, I have confirmed my impression by complaining about it personally to everyone I know. It’s true, some members of the American family—lots actually—this year put up their Christmas decorations the day after Halloween. And, though I judged them...
Christ the King
“I’ve accepted Jesus as my Savior but I just don’t think I’m ready to accept him as my Lord.” Perhaps you’ve heard someone say this or something like it. Perhaps you’ve said it yourself. Beneath the comment lies a particularly bifurcated and uniquely American...
GQ’s Benign Masculinity, Transcending the “Binary,” and the Love of God
As part of our adult discipleship hour at Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant, I have the privilege of leading a weekly cultural analysis of contemporary news and events. I call it the “Weekend Review,” and am grateful for the Rev. Dr. Albert Mohler’s inspiration via his...
3 Reasons We Still Can’t Be Friends
I have watched with interest over the last two weeks as a small Anglican tempest has brewed in the small Anglican teapot. Anyone who is unfamiliar with our old “trouble” will probably want to pass along by on the other side of the road, but some of you might want to...
Collaboration
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) came into being because the Episcopal Church departed from Apostolic teaching regarding human sexuality. Had our differences with the Episcopal Church concerned nonessentials; what shall we eat, what shall we drink, what shall we wear, there would have been no need or legitimate cause to leave. Division in the visible body is no light thing.
Controlled Injuries
There’s a surgery that brings pain in exquisite excess compared to life’s other owies, but also the greatest benefit.
“Oh, holy mother of…
The various voices here at SF have heard NO, just like the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Joke’s On Them
If you’re transitioning, as it were, from one gender to another, your body will carry on having some of the functions of the original gender, even though you have, as it were, spiritually moved past the unacceptable limitations of biology and other sort of sciency things.
Jesus Goes to Church
I have been preaching through John’s Gospel for the last year and have been struck by how much of the action in John takes place during the Great pilgrim feasts of the Old Covenant. Jesus, God’s own Son, submits himself to the Mosaic festal calendar, which he, as the...
I Was Hoping For A Chair
I have often been in the way of visiting older people and hearing the anxiety that heaven, though nice, will probably be boring. Sitting around on a cloud, praising God for all eternity, stuck with all the relatives who will probably be just as irritating in heaven as...
No One Walks Away Unscathed
Until I repent in dust and ashes, my original Twitter account has been locked (don’t worry, I’ve respawned without a word of remorse). Why you ask? There is a man living in Canada who has made a name for himself by attempting to legally compel female spa-workers to...
Here We Are Again
Are you here again then? But where to begin? The ACNA has published a new prayerbook. The Episcopal Church has embraced situational congregationalism. The only Episcopalian bishop with a backbone is about to be deboned for it. Archbishop Welby continues, unflinching,...
Niceness is Not a Virtue
I first posted this article on Stand Firm in 2011 soon after Rob Bell published “Love Wins”. At the time many were upset that those responding to Bell's writings used harsh language and tone, describing him as a false teacher and apostate. Where is the dialog, the...