The thing is, I stopped going to "my" bar on a regular basis (it's a long story), so I haven't been sampling as many unusual brews. Here, however, are some standbys.
All in Culture
A Cultureless Faith
According to Schindler, the Christian church quietly obeyed the voices of the Enlightenment which told the church which compartment of the modern life it could have a say in; namely the realm of spirituality and personal religion.
John Calvin and the Civil Magistrate (Part 5)
Get our troops off of foreign soil and return to a true Christian magistrate.
Objections to Holy Deception
It should not be surprising that a slew of posts on "why it is okay to lie" might receive some push back. It is time for me to address a couple of objections that went untouched in my posts.
Personhood & Abortion
In the end, it should not matter whether the fetus is human life or not. Humans are to view the world through the understanding that they are in dynamic relationship to everything around them.
Defying Evil Through Deception
This is not merely God using poor circumstances. This is God reversing a false judgment set forth by humanity. This is God overturning the false righteousness of the world.
Deception in Genesis
Joseph is actually a pre-fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. The whole world is blessed through him. Genesis 41:57 says "all the earth" came to him for bread <cough> and wine <cough>.
An Anti-War Gem from "Gone With the Wind"
Especially in today’s climate where we seem to be increasingly okay with war, Rhett Butler’s words are music to the ears. It always strikes me as odd that those who are so adamant about being duped by the government never stop to think that the government could be duping them when it comes to war. If you listen to the rhetoric about Israel then it is so clear the way that we attempt to make war sacred in our own day as well.
Man's Holy Deception
Studying Rahab, Jael and Solomon certainly seem to indicate a positive Scriptural response to deception to preserve life and administer proper justice.
John Calvin and the Civil Magistrate (Part 4)
Molech is alive and well at any Planned Parenthood. Asherah poles are regularly called TVs now. Under the guise of
God's Holy Deception
Does God lie? Does He participate in deception? Does He endorse deception? These are important questions that Christians have discussed throughout church history. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I do think the Scriptures present a more convoluted answer than we would like to believe.
if the sea was whiskey
If you missed it, well, GO GET CAUGHT UP. If you're still with me, tally-ho.
I've had a few more bourbons and whiskeys since then, and I have thoughts about them.
Wrapping the Violence Up
In his essay 'On Evil Euphemisms', Chesterton points out that “when someone wishes to wage a social war against what all normal people have regarded as a social decency, the very first thing he does is find some artificial term that shall sound relatively decent.”
John Calvin and the Civil Magistrate (Part 3)
There are no perfect systems. They each have potential flaws due to the sinfulness of man. Ultimately, Calvin supports aristocracy since "Owing, therefore, to the vices or defects of men, it is safer and more tolerable when several bear rule."
C.S. Lewis on "Unrealistic" Stories
We value “realistic” stories over “fairy-tales.” The problem is that these realistic stories are all too often void of true beauty and imagination yet blatantly promote some “social or ethical or religious or anti-religious ‘comment on life.’” This is one of the main avenues that we have been deceived as a culture. We have sought to avoid deception through the very means that deception is most likely to come: “realistic” literature.
Not a Book Review of Is God Anti-Gay by Sam Allberry
This is
use and enjoyment
I still advocate for educating your taste, in all things - food, drink, music, film. It is important to know what is worthy and what is cheap. I'm not saying that only religious music is worthy.
John Calvin and the Civil Magistrate (Part 2)
"It is our duty, therefore, not only to pray for those who are already worthy, but we must pray to God that he may make bad men good." - John Calvin
Book Review: Understanding Gender Dysphoria by Mark Yarhouse
“We do not want to artificially endorse rigid gender stereotypes that make cultural normative expression of gender roles a marker of obedience to God or something along those lines.” (150-151)
John Calvin and the Civil Magistrate (Part 1)
The church cannot suffice as a law unto itself. Calvin says, "they stupidly imagine her to be such as she never can be found in the community of men."