Love and Obey: For There’s No Other Way
Our culture is consumed with romantic love. Admittedly, sexual gratification is often confused for love. Even so, pop songs are filled with promises of eternal happiness in the arms of another, romantic comedies remain a perennial favorite for moviegoers on dates, and the Valentine’s Day industry is as strong as ever even amid massive inflation and economic turmoil. However, such understandings of love are extremely shallow. Love is...
When Even Our Heroes Are Flawed
Few things are more discouraging than learning that one of your heroes had significant flaws, erred theologically, or committed grievous sin. Even when your heroes are historical figures, making such a discovery can leave you feeling disoriented and potentially unsure about the otherwise valuable contributions that person made. “If my hero did this or thought that,” we might ask, “then does it discredit all of the other things I love...
Food: A Good Gift from a Good God
(Part I/II) We find ourselves eating all kinds of food (especially desserts) this time of year. Yet amid the feasting and celebrating, have you ever thought about food Christianly? Is there a proper Christian view of food? Is it merely a means to an end, or is it nobler than that? Is it somehow less important—less spiritual—than, say, Bible reading and prayer? Over this two-part essay, we will consider five principles regarding...
The Shack: A Pastoral Reflection
I have a confession to make: I saw The Shack. I had not planned to, but I did. I write with some trepidation for I know the potential reaction from some believers. Reaction ranging from unease to outright hostility can be glimpsed among many conservative Christians toward William Paul Young’s 2007 bestselling novel. Such sentiments have resurfaced in light of the film’s release on March 3. I’ve also observed a significant (and...
Everyone’s A Winner: Raising a Generation of Losers
by Anna McAffee In our world today, there is a governing philosophy to educate youth with the idea that they can do anything they set their mind to do. “Believe, achieve, succeed”—this is what my former alma mater engrained in me as we would repeat this refrain during morning announcements. No one loses, and everyone wins. But is this true? And is it right? Have we created an impossible reality for a fallen creation? Mentally,...
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