New Group Wants to Start a Conversation About Marriage Redefinition With Christians. But…
Posted on September 23, 2014 in Marriage by Nathan Cherry
There’s a new group seeking to change evangelicals’ minds about the definition of marriage. It’s not a LGBT activist group or even a “liberal” same-sex “marriage” group. It’s a…evangelical group?
The group calling itself “Evangelicals for Marriage Equality” wants to start a “new evangelical conversation about civil marriage equality,” according to a recent ad by the group.
I’m not sure what is wrong with the old conversation, but, based on what I’ve seen so far from the group, the new conversation isn’t worth having.
The group’s spokesman said that the intent of EME is to show that Christians can be faithful to Scripture while supporting civil marriage equality.
“As spokesperson for the organization, I represent a growing number of millennial evangelicals that believes it’s possible to be a faithful Christian with a high regard for the authority of the Bible and a faithful supporter of civil marriage equality.”
For the record the group makes it clear that they are talking about “civil marriage equality” and seem to distance themselves from marriage as a religious institution. This is a positon many of my libertarian friends hold as they see marriage as both a civil and religious institution. The argument goes something like this: Pertaining to civil marriage the government cannot “discriminate” based on sexual orientation and should therefore allow homosexuals to marry. In keeping with the religious freedom of the country the government should also defend the right of pastors and churches to refuse performing these civil marriages if they violate their religious convictions. Continue reading…
In recent years it has become normal for celebrities to share their abortion stories. Some share their story out of pride as supporters of abortion. They seek to encourage other women to have an abortion and say they feel no sorrow for their decision. But other celebrities are sharing their story for another reason: to heal.
Christian hip-hop star Lecrae just released his new album “Anomaly.” The CD contains a song called “Good, Bad, Ugly” in which Lecrae talks about his own abortion experience. The chart-topping rapper has been open about his experience in the past, but that doesn’t stop him from making the pain of his decision known once again to his audience.
Lecrae knows all too well that even though our sins are forgiven under the blood of Jesus, the pain of our decisions can stay with us for a long time. So Lecrae is sharing his story in the hopes of helping other young men and women decide against abortion. A recent article about the song gives some of the background to the lyrics: “The verses of the song dealing with abortion details life over a decade ago when he was waged in a war between his new found faith and his sin. You can hear this part on the iTunes preview here:”
Here is some of the lyrics: Continue reading…
The Only Thing Christians Can Do Is Disobey
Posted on September 19, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
Christians have a responsibility to be obedient to civil government. Verses such as Mark 12:17 and Romans chapter 13 make it clear that Christians have a duty to be obedient to civil government because God has ordained government “for your good.”
Knowing that Christians have a responsibility to civil government makes it hard for some to understand why we resist and fight some laws. If, they suppose, Christians are to obey government, why fight the HHS mandate or the redefinition of marriage?
For those leading the charge in these particular areas of culture change it makes no sense for Christians to expend all their energy fighting the government when they should, as the Bible teaches, submit to and obey the government. Rather than risk the loss of livelihood or be fined for resisting and opposing laws mandated by the government, Christians ought to submit and obey.
While that is, technically true, it is not entirely true and stands outside the context of Christian responsibility.
Yes, Christians are to obey government. But only to the extent that government agrees with biblical principle and truth. Continue reading…
On the Issues of Gender, Sexuality, and Marriage – Christians Cannot Change
Posted on September 18, 2014 in Marriage, Theology by Nathan Cherry
It seems that with each new attack on marriage by those seeking to redefine it Christians resolve all the more to stand for the true, traditional definition and image of marriage that has been foundational throughout civilization for centuries.
This fact draws the ire of activists that can’t understand why Christians are being so stubborn and resistant to change. After all, at times in history Christians have changed their position on issues that were controversial in culture (think slavery). And even issues that are not contentious in society have been debated by Christians (think alcohol). So if Christians have changed their views on various issues at times, why won’t they change their view on marriage?
A recent article ponders this very question:
“The false premise goes something like this: Christianity, as a historical social phenomenon, basically adjusts its moral doctrines depending on the prevailing social conditions. Christianity, after all, gets its doctrines from “the Bible,” a self-contradictory grab bag of miscellany. When some readings from the Bible fall into social disfavor, Christianity adjusts them accordingly. There are verses in the Bible that condemn homosexuality, but there are also verses that condemn wearing clothes made of two threads, and verses that allow slavery. Christians today find ways to lawyer their way out of those. Therefore, the implicit argument seems to go, if you just bully Christianity enough, it will find a way to change its view of homosexuality, and all will be well. After all, except for a few shut-ins in the Vatican, most Christians today are fine with sexual revolution innovations such as contraception and easy divorce.” Continue reading…
Pastor Tells Christians to Avoid Lawsuits by Compromising Religious Convictions
Posted on September 17, 2014 in Religious Freedom, Theology by Nathan Cherry
What if rather than adhering to biblical convictions, Christian business owners just agreed to perform services for same-sex weddings and donated all the money from those events to Christian organizations dedicated to defending traditional marriage?
That’s the suggestion from one pastor that is urging Christians to be “wise” in their business dealings by compromising their convictions.
In an article for WND, Pastor Jesse Lee Peterson says that “Too many Christians lack real wisdom when dealing with evil; and as a result, they are losing their livelihoods and suffering unnecessarily.”
Peterson’s solution? Compromise your convictions, take their money and donate it to a family organization.
This idea came to Peterson in response to the couple in New York that was sued for not allowing a same-sex wedding at their bed and breakfast farm in order to be true to their religious convictions. Rather than compromise the couple opted to stop allowing weddings altogether and, as a result, lose part of their income.
Peterson says that instead of closing their farm for weddings altogether and losing money, what if the couple allowed the wedding to take place, but with one notable caveat; “told the lesbian couple upfront that they would take their money and donate it to a conservative Christian law firm to fight against same-sex marriage? In other words, what if they took the sinners’ money and used it for good?”
Uh…no. Continue reading…
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 use of the phrase “God herself” reflects an idea that has been around for quite some time. The “God as Mother” theology has largely died out because of where advocates ended up theologically. It seems adherents to ‘God as Mother” theology often find themselves soon endorsing other non-biblical ideas such as homosexuality and radical feminism. Continue reading…
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. Continue reading…
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. Continue reading…
Gender Issues: After Gender Identity Comes “Gender Stereotyping”
Posted on September 11, 2014 in Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
16-year-old Chase Culpepper wants to wear makeup for his driver’s license picture.
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.
Then we have Chase Culpepper, a 16-year-old boy that considers himself “gender non-conforming” and chooses to live most days a girl. Young Chase went to the DMV to get his license and was told he could not wear makeup for his photo because he did not look like a boy. Reportedly, the DMV was just following protocol.
Each of these accounts shows the inevitable outcome of the new sexual revolution that wants to eliminate gender differences and make sex and gender a personal preference instead of a biological fact. Continue reading…
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:
“Results were derived from a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults across the U.S., with a sampling error of ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Read the complete results here.”
The survey seeks to determine the frequency of porn consumption among adults. What is shocking, looking at the results, is that in the categories of “several times a day,” “at least once a day,” “several times a month,” and “at least once a month,” Christian men scored higher than non-Christian men. This means that on average Christian men are viewing porn more regularly than non-Christian men. Continue reading…