Category: Ethics
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have fun
Yesterday’s post introduced Tertullian’s classic defense of Christianity. This week I will post one lesson each day from his Apology, an open letter to the Roman emperor. I should mention two caveats. First, Tertullian was firmly planted in what H. Richard Niebuhr called the “Christ against culture” camp. He famously said, “What has Athens to…
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malchus in the middle
In my morning devotions I read John 18, and saw something that may help us in this hotly contested Holy Week. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest (18:10). How embarrassing for Jesus! Jesus was…
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Tim Cook is right
Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in this morning’s Washington Post, “There’s something very dangerous happening in states across the country.” I think everybody agrees on that. We may disagree about where the largest danger lies. As far as I can tell, everyone agrees that we must never discriminate against another human being. We must never…
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Indiana
The backlash against Indiana’s religious freedom bill doesn’t look good for people who wish to be left alone to practice their sincerely held religious beliefs. Money talks, and if enough money walks, Indiana may be compelled to eliminate the constitutional freedoms of both religion and speech (both are at stake here). Here is the key…
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higher calling?
The most difficult part to write of Becoming Worldly Saints was p. 104-5. Throughout the book I emphasize how the unified story of Scripture means that all callings matter. Every wholesome task, regardless how small it seems, can be done unto the Lord and receive his reward (Col. 3:23-24). And yet, there are two distinctions…
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preaching on homosexuality
The lead story (above the fold) in this morning’s Grand Rapids Press is about a small protest yesterday outside First Baptist Church of Zeeland. Two weeks ago the pastor was explaining that the practice of homosexual was a sinful choice and said this: “For instance on another, a completely other playing field, if tomorrow I…
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The Internet Is Public Space
Some Christians, churches, and ministries purposefully avoid hard or controversial issues that might offend their non-Christian friends. They will talk a long time about the love of God, but almost never about his wrath. They will mention the cross, but not the conquest of Canaan. They will preach on family, but try to avoid the…
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what kind of war?
Many Christians find it hard to justify earthly pleasure when so many people around them are going to hell. How can loving people do anything but use all their time and money to save others? C. S. Lewis partially answers this question in his important essay, “Learning in War-Time.” He says that even soldiers listen…
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why the west cannot defeat Isis
In his Friday New York Times column, David Brooks explained that President Obama mistakenly underestimates the attraction of ISIS. He thinks that people join ISIS because they lack jobs and economic opportunity, when actually they are motivated by religion. They believe they are serving God and ushering in the last days. What is a job…
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plea for sanity
Like any American with both a head and a heart, I am appalled that Washington State is about to destroy the livelihood and savings of Barronelle Stutzman, the kind grandmother whose florist shop enjoys serving homosexual customers but doesn’t wish to participate in the celebration of their marriage. Stutzman’s response should make every Christian proud.…
Mike Wittmer 