Month: September 2014
In recent years blogger Rachel Held-Evans has amassed a following of sorts. Mostly for her neo-evangelical views that continue to move away from biblical theology and increasingly embrace a more liberal doctrine. She has publicly embraced homosexuality as compatible with Christian doctrine and appears to hold serious contempt for the Complementarian view of gender given in the Bible.
But the evidence that Evans is straying into a liberal theology rife with dangerous ideas can be seen in her “God as Mother” language used in an article that is now two years old. Like many people, I missed the article when it first came out but recent reviews of it by Owen Strachan and Karen Swallow Prior caught my eye. In the article Evans says:
“Mary was not the first, nor the last, mother to hold the broken body of her child in her arms. … And, because of today, because of the cross, it is a pain that God Herself understands.”
Did you see the two little words that have very big implications?
The Gospel Coalition Asks: “Should I Attend a Same-Sex Wedding?”
Posted on September 15, 2014 in Marriage, Theology by Nathan Cherry
The following article was written by Matthew Hosier, pastor of Gateway Church in the United Kingdom, for The Gospel Coalition. The homosexual culture has been more overt and prevalent in the UK much longer than it has here in the United States. For this reason I find Hosier’s article compelling. His use of Scripture to present a clear picture of marriage and give an introduction to a biblical sexual ethic for believers is spot on. Hosier doesn’t claim to have all the answers or say his position is the best one, but he does give a great place to start the discussion because, as he mentions, it won’t be long before every Christian will face this question.
Take a few moments to read through the article and be sure to visit the original article here.
Should I Attend a Same-Sex Wedding?
Probably sooner than later, every Christian must decide whether or not you will attend a same-sex wedding. Those of us who are pastors will also need to be ready to give advice to church members. I’ve chewed this one around, in my own thoughts, with my elder team, and with others. I offer these preliminary thoughts, in the form of Q&A, to help you make your own decision.
Healthy or Declining? Every Church Has a Choice to Make
Posted on September 12, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
Over the last few years I have sought to become a student of church health and growth. I grew up in churches that were of varying sizes and was always struck by the differences. What exactly makes a church grow? Why do some churches grow strong and healthy while others seem to limp along barely surviving?
The answers to those questions are vital to the health, growth, and longevity of the church.
In my search to understand the difference between a growing, healthy church and a declining church I read a lot. I make it a point to read the research and studies of church health and growth experts. In reading so much I have noticed trends among the experts regarding what it takes to reach younger generations and have a growing, healthy church. Let me share a couple of those trends with you.
I’m just looking at three of the most recent articles I’ve come across relating to church health and growth. But in each of these three articles several consistent trends appear to contribute to the decline and death of the church.
Gender Issues: After Gender Identity Comes “Gender Stereotyping”
Posted on September 11, 2014 in Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
What is the logical end of the new sexual revolution that seeks to erase inherent differences between the genders and make sex a matter of cognitive choice rather than biology?
Chaos.
Nope, I’m not overstating it even a little bit. If anything that might be an understatement. But just in case you still aren’t convinced by my fool-proof logic and obviously sound reasoning, let’s look at a couple of recent accounts to see if my hypothesis holds up to scrutiny.
Bryan John Ellicott was born a woman, but now identifies as a man. According to a recent article the 24-year-old went to a Staten Island public pool where “he” changed into swim trunks and a t-shirt. A little while later when “he” returned to change shirts an employee of the pool told the transgender man that he had to either use the women’s locker room or leave.
Porn Use Among Christians Higher Than Non-Christians!
Posted on September 10, 2014 in Uncategorized by Nathan Cherry
No sooner had I finished writing about the connection between Christians supporting homosexuality and supporting other forms of immorality and I come across a new study showing the epidemic porn use among Christians. (See the charts below for study results)
A collaborative effort between Proven Men Ministries and the Barna Group has revealed the results of a new study showing just how addicted to porn many Christians really are. Proven Men Ministries founder Joel Hesch says this is an “epidemic” that may “spiral out of control” if left unchecked.
A recent article at The Blaze shares details about the study:
New Study Shows Connection Between Christians Supporting Homosexuality and Other Immorality
Posted on September 9, 2014 in Marriage, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
When asked about everything from pornography to casual sex, co-habitation and abortion; Regnerus found that support levels for such immorality were higher (sometimes higher than national averages) among Christians that support homosexuality. For example, when asked about pornography only 4.6% of Christians that oppose same-sex “marriage” said they believe viewing porn is acceptable. But among Christians that support same-sex “marriage” that number jumps to 33.4%, while the national average is only 31.4%. In other words, Christians that support same-sex “marriage” are more likely than the average American adult to believe viewing porn is acceptable.
WOW! Watch “9 Months of Development” in Only 4 Minutes
Posted on September 8, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
The below video is amazing. In very graphic detail we are given a glimpse into the development of an unborn child from the moment life begins at conception to birth. Details that we never get to see such as the heart beginning to beat, eyes opening for the first time, and blood flowing through the unborn child’s veins are captured in brilliant detail. It’s worth 4 minutes of your time to see the miracle of life and human development.
The science of fetal development has helped confirm the humanity of the unborn. No longer can Planned Parenthood and other abortion activists lie and tell us it’s just a “blob of cells” inside the mother’s womb. There is now no doubt that what is growing and developing inside the mother’s womb is a human being.
Watch the video and be amazed. If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser.
What? Michael Sam Was Cut by the Rams? But…He’s Gay!
Posted on September 5, 2014 in Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Did you hear the latest excitement from the NFL? No, not that opening day is coming or the new rules that no one likes. I’m talking about the fact that the first openly gay NFL draft choice, Michael Sam, was cut by the St. Louis Rams.
A few months ago Sam made all sorts of headlines for being the first openly gay player to enter the NFL draft. In fact, that’s all anyone could talk about. They talked about his sexuality even more than his on-field accomplishments or his future potential as a NFL player. Some dared to discuss his talents and abilities, saying he was too small and slow for his position and would not make it in the NFL. But they were quickly shamed into silence by everyone else that was elated over his sexuality.
This is the problem when a person’s sexuality becomes more important than anything about him or her. Even as LGBT activists argue that sexuality and sexual-orientation are private matters and no one’s business, they want to parade their sexuality in front of everyone as the singular accomplishment of their life.
Will Legalizing Gay “Marriage” End the Culture Wars? Don’t Be Silly
Posted on September 4, 2014 in Marriage, Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
No, no, no, no, no. Hoping the Supreme Court legalizes same-sex “marriage” in all fifty states is not a good idea. Yes, the issue is undoubtedly headed back to the high court and, yes, the court will be forced to rule whether or not individual states have the right to define marriage for themselves. But, to want the Supreme Court to decide for us all what the definition of marriage should be is an absurd proposition.
I get it, the writer of this article saying that such a decision by the high court would be a great thing for the Republican Party is thinking along secular political lines. His end game is a strengthened GOP that doesn’t have to deal with an unpopular cultural issue. Nonetheless, not only do I think it is a political strategy nightmare, I think it’s a moral disaster of epic proportions.
The writer starts off his support for a Supreme Court decision by saying: “Like it or not, opponents of gay marriage are losing the battle…A substantial majority of voters now support it, 59 percent in the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll.”
Planned Parenthood Tells “15-Year-Old” That Painful Sex is OK
Posted on September 3, 2014 in Life, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Planned Parenthood just can’t keep from giving terrible, awful advice to underage girls. It’s almost as if they are trying to see how dangerous or perverted they can be, always pushing the limits.
The latest example of the systemic failure of Planned Parenthood comes from the ongoing undercover video series carried out by pro-life organization Live Action, led by Lila Rose. In the latest undercover video a Planned Parenthood staffer at a clinic in Eden Prairie, MN, tells the undercover girl, posing as a 15-year-old, that painful sexual activity is fine as long she consents to it.
Watch the video below to see just how dangerous the advice given by Planned Parenthood is.