"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Ephesians 4:15

Christians who engage in the culture wars of our day must be committed to doing so in a distinctively Christian manner. One issue in which this presents a particular challenge is homosexuality. As strident voices are calling for the legalization of same-sex marriage and preferential rights for homosexuals, the Christian community needs to take a stand for a Biblical view of sexual morality and marriage. But how we take a stand is as important as that for which we stand.

(Why Were These Movies Chosen?)

Films of hope
In this fourth part reflection on recent movies that were nominated for Best Picture in this year’s Oscars, I have made the suggestion that in addition to the excellence in filmmaking that each of the nominees evidence, there was also a cultural connection, a thematic interest that served as a hook to capture the attention of the viewer.

Rather than nostalgia being the common bond that linked many of these movies together — an oft repeated claim — it was rather the fact that most of the nominees offered stories that helped put the anxiety and cultural dislocation that most of us feel in the present into a wider perspective.

Gnosticism & Evangelicalism 3

“It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:44

I used to teach history at a private Christian school. Like many schools in the classical education movement, we couldn’t afford our own building and had to rent from a church. One day as I was walking to my classroom, I stumbled over a piece of paper in the hallway. Stooping to pick it up, I saw that it was a hand-out from one of the church’s Sunday school classes, titled “Ten Great Doctrines of the Bible.”

(Why Were These Movies Chosen? Part Three)

A different type of hope
In parts one and two, we observed how Oscar nominees” The Artist, Moneyball, and The Descendants gave viewers a portrayal of hope, each in their own particular way. Given life’s random and difficult circumstances, a new paradigm was called for.

The essence of the Kingdom of God is to increase.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end... Isaiah 9:7

The essence of the Kingdom of God is to increase. The Lord Jesus commanded His followers to pray for the coming of the Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). In heaven the rule of Christ is total, everywhere, all-encompassing, and the cause of continuous joy, rejoicing, singing, and celebration (cf. Ps. 29:9).

(Why Were These Movies Chosen? Part Two)

Wrestling with life
The Artist was not alone among this year’s Oscar selections in wrestling with life’s fast-changing and unpredictable circumstance. Moneyball, with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, is a fictional adaptation of the true story of Billy Beane who realized that with a fraction of the money of rich baseball franchises like the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, his Oakland “A’s” had no chance of winning if they simply mapped out their strategy the same way as others who had more resources. Instead, if the A’s were to be successful in building a championship team, a new business paradigm (a new way to look at “life”) was needed.