Gender Roles: Titus 2 Newest Article May 18, 2023

 

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"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.... For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.... Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you" (Titus 2).

First of all, let me say the obvious: don't be mad at me. I didn't say it, God did. God is very clear in how he defines the functions of men and women. Today, however, we don't live according to the Word of God. It's not that the teaching isn't clear; it's just that we don't like it. Our culture has been influenced by feminism is so many ways that we can't help but be in opposition to God's Word. We need to be instructed in God's ways and have our thinking transformed (see Romans 12:1).

Let me be clear: feminist ideology embodies one of the greatest lies of hell and is one of the most destructive forces in our world today.

Scandal of Grace May 16, 2023

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I was reading Psalm 94 this morning. Here are the first few verses:

O LORD, God of vengeance,
O God of vengeance, shine forth!
Rise up, O judge of the earth;
repay to the proud what they deserve!
O LORD, how long shall the wicked,
how long shall the wicked exult?
They pour out their arrogant words;
all the evildoers boast.

When we as Christians read this, it makes us feel funny, doesn't it? The Psalmist, like us, is calling on the God of judgment to judge the wicked. Through this psalm, we are calling on God to bring forth his wrath, his vengeance, against all those who do evil and who are proud.

The Greatest Problem Facing The Current Generation January 24, 2023

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"And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12).

Raising a family is difficult. But why is it difficult?  In past generations, it may have been difficult because food was scarce, perhaps during a time period like the Great Depression. Or maybe it was difficult because dad was away in Europe during World War II. Or perhaps the greatest difficulty was that mom died during childbirth, leaving dad to take care of all the children.

But today, I think the greatest difficulty facing families is inconvenience. I know this first-hand. We have four kids, and I find the messes, the noise, and the general distractions of children to be inconvenient to me. Even now, as I am trying to type this, my daughter is asking me question after question, distracting me from what I want to do. She is sticking toys down the middle of our new couch cushions, crawling over our clean pillows, and knocking things on the floor. And she is trying to tell me that it's raining when it's clearly not. All of these are inconveniences to me.

A Time to Disobey January 11, 2023

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We live in a culture that is increasingly political. Americans are very concerned with who our leaders are and what they are doing. Our citizenry has become obsessed with litigation. We are sue happy. Liberals, specifically, want everyone else to accept and affirm them. But a Big Brother is needed to enforce these lawsuits. So, whether on the side of the prosecution or the defendant, we are obsessed with the government.

But no political candidate ought to be adored or lifted up above God. The one in government office simply ought to perform his God-given duty, and the one underneath him ought to obey. Furthermore, all Christians ought to stand behind conservative and traditional - words I believe are synonymous with true - values because God is truth.

But is there ever a time when a Christian should or even must disobey the government?

Reconciling Diversity December 02, 2022

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"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

A couple of years ago, I became aware of a Christian school that was instituting a Diversity Committee, partially in response to the recent events of the summer of 2020 (e.g., BLM movement). Red flags immediately flew up in my mind: I know the word "diversity" is catchy today and it seems to signal wisdom - but wait.