thestream--2020-12-12--Advent Reflections: Three Ways to Live as We Wait for Jesus’ Return

In this season of Advent , our thoughts are rightly on Christmas and the first coming of our Savior — but Advent is about Easter too .
We ’ re all familiar with the events of Easter : Jesus ’ life , crucifixion , burial , and resurrection .
In addition to the miracle of his conquering death , Jesus taught his disciples — and us — about his second coming and the end of this current age ( Matt 24 , Mark 13 , and Luke 21 ) .
Specifically , he gave us directions on how we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return .
Jesus told three parables to his disciples which offer practical instructions on how to conduct their lives after his departure to the right hand of God ( Acts 2:33 ) .
• The parable of the wise and faithful servant ( Matt .
24:45-51 ) • The parable of the ten virgins ( Matt .
25:1-13 ) • The parable of the talents ( Matt .
25:14-30 ) These stories explain that Christians should actively watch , be ready , and continue working during this season .
The Parable of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wise and faithful servant ( Matt .
24:45-51 ) , Jesus tells of a master who departs and leaves his servant in charge of his household .
When the master returns , will he find that the servant was wise and faithful , or was he wicked and hypocritical ?
This passage teaches us to always be alert and watchful for the return of our savior .
He has already risen from the dead and ascended into heaven , yet he reminds us to live our lives in anticipation of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can glimpse the way things are supposed to be through our own vocational work .
We are foreshadowing God ’ s ultimate work of restoration when he will truly make all things new — and better than we can imagine .
The Parable of the Ten Virgins In the parable of the ten virgins ( Matt .
25:1-13 ) , Jesus tells the scene of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom .
Half of them came prepared with lamps and spare oil , while half only brought lamps .
They had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridegroom to come .
Once he arrived , the five virgins with extra oil went into the wedding banquet , but the doors were barred against the five unprepared virgins who left to buy more oil .
This parable instructs us to be ever-ready for Jesus to come again .
We need to be faithful to what God has called us to today because we don ’ t know what tomorrow will bring .
The time and hour of his return is unknown , but we have a purpose in this season to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus ’ second coming .
The Parable of the Talents In the parable of the talents ( Matt .
25:14-30 ) , Jesus tells about a master who entrusts gold to his servants before he leaves for a journey .
One servant received five talents , another two talents , and the last was given one talent .
The first two put the money to good use and earned additional income on the original amount while the last servant didn ’ t even earn interest .
The master gave more wealth and responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lazy and fearful third servant was stripped of his talent ( which was given to the first servant ) and cast out into the darkness .
This example reminds us that we have work to do in this season of waiting .
When Jesus returns , he will expect that we have wisely used our resources and opportunities .
Every moment of our work contributes to eternity .
Jesus has entrusted us with things of value and will return like this master to see how we invested his gifts .
Easter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advent is about waiting for his return .
Both are because he rose from the grave , conquered death , and is redeeming his people .
As we wait for Jesus to come back , he has given his followers three clear commands : to be watchful for his return , to be ever-ready for him to come again , and to work while we wait .
May we be reminded of those things in order to truly orient our lives around the full extent of the gospel .
Hugh Whelchel is Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Work & Economics and author of How Then Should We Work ?
Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work .
Hugh has a Master of Arts in Religion and brings over 30 years of diverse business experience to his leadership at IFWE .
This article is republished with permission from the Institute for Faith , Work & Economics .
IFWE is a Christian research organization committed to advancing biblical and economic principles that help individuals find fulfillment in their work and contribute to a free and flourishing society .
Click here to subscribe to @ @ @ @ @ @

In this season of Advent, our thoughts are rightly on Christmas and the first coming of our Savior — but Advent is about Easter too.
Easter is about rejoicing in our risen Savior.
Advent is about waiting for his return.
Both are because he rose from the grave …
We’re all familiar with the events of Easter: Jesus’ life, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. In addition to the miracle of his conquering death, Jesus taught his disciples — and us — about his second coming and the end of this current age (Matt 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21). Specifically, he gave us directions on how we are to live while we wait for his return.
Watching, Ready, Working
Jesus told three parables to his disciples which offer practical instructions on how to conduct their lives after his departure to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33).
The parable of the wise and faithful servant (Matt. 24:45-51) The parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13) The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
These stories explain that Christians should actively watch, be ready, and continue working during this season.
The Parable of the Wise and Faithful Servant
In the parable of the wise and faithful servant (Matt. 24:45-51), Jesus tells of a master who departs and leaves his servant in charge of his household. When the master returns, will he find that the servant was wise and faithful, or was he wicked and hypocritical?
This passage teaches us to always be alert and watchful for the return of our savior. He has already risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, yet he reminds us to live our lives in anticipation of his second coming.
And while we wait, we can glimpse the way things are supposed to be through our own vocational work. We are foreshadowing God’s ultimate work of restoration when he will truly make all things new — and better than we can imagine.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
In the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), Jesus tells the scene of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Half of them came prepared with lamps and spare oil, while half only brought lamps. They had to wait a long time for the bridegroom to come. Once he arrived, the five virgins with extra oil went into the wedding banquet, but the doors were barred against the five unprepared virgins who left to buy more oil.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This parable instructs us to be ever-ready for Jesus to come again. We need to be faithful to what God has called us to today because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The time and hour of his return is unknown, but we have a purpose in this season to be prepared for that glorious day of Jesus’ second coming.
The Parable of the Talents
In the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), Jesus tells about a master who entrusts gold to his servants before he leaves for a journey. One servant received five talents, another two talents, and the last was given one talent. The first two put the money to good use and earned additional income on the original amount while the last servant didn’t even earn interest. The master gave more wealth and responsibility to the two trustworthy servants. But the lazy and fearful third servant was stripped of his talent (which was given to the first servant) and cast out into the darkness.
This example reminds us that we have work to do in this season of waiting. When Jesus returns, he will expect that we have wisely used our resources and opportunities. Every moment of our work contributes to eternity. Jesus has entrusted us with things of value and will return like this master to see how we invested his gifts.
Advent Reflections
Easter is about rejoicing in our risen Savior. Advent is about waiting for his return. Both are because he rose from the grave, conquered death, and is redeeming his people.
As we wait for Jesus to come back, he has given his followers three clear commands: to be watchful for his return, to be ever-ready for him to come again, and to work while we wait.
May we be reminded of those things in order to truly orient our lives around the full extent of the gospel.
Hugh Whelchel is Executive Director of the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics and author of How Then Should We Work? Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work. Hugh has a Master of Arts in Religion and brings over 30 years of diverse business experience to his leadership at IFWE.
This article is republished with permission from the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics. IFWE is a Christian research organization committed to advancing biblical and economic principles that help individuals find fulfillment in their work and contribute to a free and flourishing society. Click here to subscribe to the free IFWE Daily Blog.


thestream--2020-12-12--A Messy Faith, But a Merry Christmas

A Messy Faith, But a Merry Christmas

How do you believe something when everyone around around you says that what you believe is ridiculous ?
How do you question anything when everyone around you says that your doubts are ridiculous ?
Faith can get messy .
Should we believe ?
Can we believe ?
This Christmas especially , many people may be questioning their faith .
God sent baby Jesus .
Can he not send a vaccine ?
Science seems to be doing well on that front .
As the Christmas story unfolds in the Gospel of Luke , we encounter someone whose faith gets messy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for yourself : When Herod was king of Judea , there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah .
He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah , and his wife , Elizabeth , was also from the priestly line of Aaron .
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God ’ s eyes , careful to obey all of the Lord ’ s commandments and regulations .
They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive , and they were both very old .
One day Zechariah was serving God in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on duty that week .
As was the custom of the priests , he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense .
While the incense was being burned , a great crowd stood outside , praying .
While Zechariah was in the sanctuary , an angel of the Lord appeared to him , standing to the right of the incense altar .
Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him .
But the angel said , “ Don ’ t be afraid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Your wife , Elizabeth , will give you a son , and you are to name him John .
You will have great joy and gladness , and many will rejoice at his birth , for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord .
He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks .
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit , even before his birth .
And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God .
He will be a man with the spirit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people for the coming of the Lord .
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children , and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.
” Zechariah said to the angel , “ How can I be sure this will happen ?
I ’ m an old man now , and my wife is also well along in years.
” Then the angel said , “ I am Gabriel !
I stand in the very presence of God .
It was he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news !
But now , since you didn ’ t believe what I said , you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born .
For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.
” Zechariah had all the credentials of a good religious man — he was as a priest , he was mature , he was righteous — yet he wavered in his faith .
It is clear that when the angel appeared , he was not prepared for an experience of the supernatural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people today who are not prepared for an experience of the supernatural .
Christianity exists as a response to the supernatural , as an outcome of God ’ s direct involvement in our world .
Though there are many examples , let us focus on three occasions : • The creation .
Everything we consider to be “ natural ” is a result of the supernatural .
• The incarnation of God in Jesus through the virgin conception .
• The resurrection of Jesus from the dead .
When Christmas comes along , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Claus is for real , some adults and youth begin to question if a virgin conception is for real .
Faith wavers .
If we believe there is any possibility that God exists , that God conceived the universe then brought it into being , then for God to be involved in the conception of a child is no problem at all , especially if there was good reason to do so .
And there was good reason .
It is often said that “ extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
” That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good evidence .
There are many books and resources available regarding that evidence for the reality of God and Jesus .
Let us try this statement instead : “ God ’ s extraordinary love provides extraordinary evidence.
” The story of Christmas with the miracle of the incarnation is extraordinary evidence of God ’ s love .
The story of Easter with the miracle of the resurrection is extraordinary evidence of God ’ s love .
Questions and Doubts Are Part of a Growing Faith Zechariah did all the godly things , yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do we ?
Faith gets messy when we doubt the power of God .
Faith gets especially messy when we doubt the love of God .
There is another side to this coin .
Zechariah had his moment of doubt , of asking a question .
Since the angel seemed to scold Zechariah for his doubt , we might be tempted to scold anyone , including ourselves , for ever doubting or questioning .
However , to do so is to miss the bigger story here .
Zechariah ’ s doubt did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s people , from being a priest , or from the wonderful calling of being John the Baptist ’ s Dad .
You will not be disqualified for asking a question , for sharing a doubt .
As messy as our faith gets , it does not mess up God ’ s love .
Questions and doubts can sometimes be a necessary part of faith .
Wouldn ’ t the world have been a safer place if the men that took control of planes to fly them into the Wold Trade Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While we might claim that their faith was different , for they were Muslims of a fundamentalist variety , does it sometimes happen that we as Christians cause harm by our certainty on things where perhaps room for doubt or questions would be better ?
A friend shared a video with me of a woman dealing with panic attacks and depression .
Turning to Christian friends and professionals she was told to look for whatever sin was hindering her , or to have more faith .
She eventually got better help beyond the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can bring harm into people ’ s lives by our certitude .
We have questions and doubts .
Questions and doubts are part of a growing faith , a growing relationship with God .
We want to be careful that we are not acting like we know everything when the Bible does not tell us everything .
While faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit , certitude is not .
Zechariah was not disqualified because he expressed doubt .
On the contrary , just imagine how his faith must have grown when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
Perhaps our questions and doubts can be an important part of the journey of faith .
We may feel a pressure from society to never believe anything the Bible says .
We may feel a pressure from our faith community to never doubt anything the faith community says about what the Bible says .
As a father seeking a miracle from Jesus for his child said : Is it time to take a step toward trusting the power and love of God , of trusting Jesus ?
Is it time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts ?
When our faith is messy , it does not mess up God ’ s love .
Zechariah ’ s faith was messy .
It didn ’ t ruin Christmas .
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg , Ontario .
He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com .

How do you believe something when everyone around around you says that what you believe is ridiculous? How do you question anything when everyone around you says that your doubts are ridiculous? Faith can get messy. Should we believe? Can we believe?
This Christmas especially, many people may be questioning their faith. God sent baby Jesus. Can he not send a vaccine? Science seems to be doing well on that front.
As the Christmas story unfolds in the Gospel of Luke, we encounter someone whose faith gets messy. I will let you read the story for yourself:
When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” — Luke 1:5-20 (NLT)
Zechariah had all the credentials of a good religious man — he was as a priest, he was mature, he was righteous — yet he wavered in his faith. It is clear that when the angel appeared, he was not prepared for an experience of the supernatural!
A Response to the Supernatural
Perhaps there are many good religious people today who are not prepared for an experience of the supernatural.
Christianity exists as a response to the supernatural, as an outcome of God’s direct involvement in our world. Though there are many examples, let us focus on three occasions:
The creation. Everything we consider to be “natural” is a result of the supernatural.
The incarnation of God in Jesus through the virgin conception.
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
When Christmas comes along, while some children begin to question if Santa Claus is for real, some adults and youth begin to question if a virgin conception is for real. Faith wavers. If we believe there is any possibility that God exists, that God conceived the universe then brought it into being, then for God to be involved in the conception of a child is no problem at all, especially if there was good reason to do so.
And there was good reason.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It is often said that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” That is not true. Extraordinary claims require good evidence. There are many books and resources available regarding that evidence for the reality of God and Jesus.
Let us try this statement instead: “God’s extraordinary love provides extraordinary evidence.” The story of Christmas with the miracle of the incarnation is extraordinary evidence of God’s love. The story of Easter with the miracle of the resurrection is extraordinary evidence of God’s love.
Questions and Doubts Are Part of a Growing Faith
Zechariah did all the godly things, yet he doubted the power of God. Do we? Faith gets messy when we doubt the power of God. Faith gets especially messy when we doubt the love of God.
There is another side to this coin. Zechariah had his moment of doubt, of asking a question. Since the angel seemed to scold Zechariah for his doubt, we might be tempted to scold anyone, including ourselves, for ever doubting or questioning. However, to do so is to miss the bigger story here.
Zechariah’s doubt did not disqualify him from being part of God’s people, from being a priest, or from the wonderful calling of being John the Baptist’s Dad.
You will not be disqualified for asking a question, for sharing a doubt. As messy as our faith gets, it does not mess up God’s love.
Questions and doubts can sometimes be a necessary part of faith. Wouldn’t the world have been a safer place if the men that took control of planes to fly them into the Wold Trade Center had less certainty and more doubt? While we might claim that their faith was different, for they were Muslims of a fundamentalist variety, does it sometimes happen that we as Christians cause harm by our certainty on things where perhaps room for doubt or questions would be better?
Zechariah was not disqualified because he expressed doubt. On the contrary, just imagine how his faith must have grown when he saw the power of God at work.
A friend shared a video with me of a woman dealing with panic attacks and depression. Turning to Christian friends and professionals she was told to look for whatever sin was hindering her, or to have more faith. She eventually got better help beyond the Christian circles she was moving in. We can bring harm into people’s lives by our certitude.
We have questions and doubts. Questions and doubts are part of a growing faith, a growing relationship with God. We want to be careful that we are not acting like we know everything when the Bible does not tell us everything. While faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit, certitude is not.
Zechariah was not disqualified because he expressed doubt. On the contrary, just imagine how his faith must have grown when he saw the power of God at work. Perhaps our questions and doubts can be an important part of the journey of faith.
Messy Faith
We may feel a pressure from society to never believe anything the Bible says. We may feel a pressure from our faith community to never doubt anything the faith community says about what the Bible says. As a father seeking a miracle from Jesus for his child said:
“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” — Mark 9:24 (NLT)
Is it time to take a step toward trusting the power and love of God, of trusting Jesus? Is it time to give yourself permission to have questions and doubts? When our faith is messy, it does not mess up God’s love. Zechariah’s faith was messy. It didn’t ruin Christmas.
(The full reflection can be seen as part of this “online worship expression.”)
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg, Ontario. He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com.
Originally published on Clarke’s blog. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-12-12--Preach Christianity’s Weird Stuff

Preach Christianity’s Weird Stuff

An agnostic historian just offered some interesting advice to Christians who want to be heard in a skeptical culture : “ Preach the weird stuff.
” In a recent video interview with Glen Scrivener of Speak Life , Tom Holland , the award-winning historian of the ancient world and author of the book Dominion , said that Christians shouldn ’ t shy away from the things that make the Faith unique .
For example , the idea that Jesus of Nazareth is both God and man , said Holland , “ sets everything on its head.
” In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holland calls Christianity ’ s “ strange singularity.
” Christians , especially in light of modern sensibilities , are tempted to downplay the supernatural dimension of the faith .
Yet Holland asserts that Christians should insist on things like angels , demons , and miracles .
Not only are these beliefs non-negotiable within historic , confessional Christianity , they are foundational to much of the world ’ s great art and literature .
Christianity ’ s greatest contributions , the ones that literally transformed the world , as Holland documented in Dominion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of Christianity .
Even better , these truths have stood the test of time .
Perhaps that ’ s because they ’ re true !
In the early third century , the church father Tertullian wrote that the death and resurrection of Christ “ is entirely credible , because it is unfitting … [ and ] it is certain , because it is impossible.
” Tertullian understood that Christianity makes claims that people will find , at best , weird , and , at worst , offensive .
Even back then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to skeptical ears .
For example , the Gnostics , thinking the Incarnation and bodily resurrection were philosophical non-starters for the pagan world , remade Jesus into a sage and dispenser of hidden wisdom , and His physical resurrection into a spiritual one .
Fifteen hundred years later , in the so-called “ Age of Enlightenment , ” Christian ideas like the divinity of Christ , the Trinity , miracles , and the authority of Scripture were deemed to be insurmountable stumbling blocks for sophisticated minds , so , attempts were made , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christianity to suit the spirit of the age : Jesus was a great teacher but not Divine , miracles had “ reasonable ” explanations , and Scripture could be scientifically scrutinized but still teach good morals .
Of course , the Jeffersonian attempts to remove the supernatural left no reason to accord Jesus a higher status than any other moral teacher or philosopher , despite the best attempts of people such as Friedrich Schleiermacher to win the intellectual approval of Christianity ’ s “ cultured despisers.
” The Result is Always the Same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christianity to appeal to skeptics and unbelievers is nothing new .
The result is always the same : We end up with a Jesus who looks nothing like the Jesus of history but looks an awful lot like the person doing the reinventing .
In the 1960s and 1970s , many American churches attempted to become “ relevant ” by embracing fashionable political causes while downplaying and even denying historic Christian orthodoxy .
These churches have been hemorrhaging members ever since .
Today , many have chosen to reimagine Jesus into the image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champion of the sexual revolution .
Many of these churches face extinction .
Scholars may debate ( and they do ) whether or not the loss of members is caused by these attempts to be relevant , but a church that merely repeats The New York Times doesn ’ t give anyone a compelling reason to get out of bed on Sunday morning .
Why sit through a boring sermon when there ’ s NPR ?
What ’ s relevant to the larger culture will always be a moving target .
As William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Cathedral , once put it , “ Whoever marries the spirit of this age will find himself a widower in the next.
” Trying to win the approval of non-Christians by changing the message of Christianity is as much of a waste of time as it was in Tertullian ’ s day .
Plus , the message of Christianity is true , which means we don ’ t have to make it relevant .
It already is relevant — to reality !
Tom Holland is right .
Let ’ s preach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
Jesus is God incarnate .
He actually rose from the dead .
Teach that He cares how we live , that He ’ s coming again to judge both the living and dead .
You know , all that “ weird stuff.
” John Stonestreet serves as President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview .
He ’ s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture , theology , worldview , education and apologetics .
Originally published on Breakpoint.org : Republished with permission of The Colson Center @ @ @ @

An agnostic historian just offered some interesting advice to Christians who want to be heard in a skeptical culture: “Preach the weird stuff.”
A Unique Faith
In a recent video interview with Glen Scrivener of Speak Life, Tom Holland, the award-winning historian of the ancient world and author of the book Dominion, said that Christians shouldn’t shy away from the things that make the Faith unique. For example, the idea that Jesus of Nazareth is both God and man, said Holland, “sets everything on its head.” In fact, it is the Incarnation that provides what Holland calls Christianity’s “strange singularity.”
Christians, especially in light of modern sensibilities, are tempted to downplay the supernatural dimension of the faith. Yet Holland asserts that Christians should insist on things like angels, demons, and miracles. Not only are these beliefs non-negotiable within historic, confessional Christianity, they are foundational to much of the world’s great art and literature. Christianity’s greatest contributions, the ones that literally transformed the world, as Holland documented in Dominion, are grounded in “the weird stuff” of Christianity.
Even better, these truths have stood the test of time. Perhaps that’s because they’re true!
Reimagining Jesus
In the early third century, the church father Tertullian wrote that the death and resurrection of Christ “is entirely credible, because it is unfitting … [and] it is certain, because it is impossible.” Tertullian understood that Christianity makes claims that people will find, at best, weird, and, at worst, offensive.
Even back then, people tried to make Christianity more palatable to skeptical ears. For example, the Gnostics, thinking the Incarnation and bodily resurrection were philosophical non-starters for the pagan world, remade Jesus into a sage and dispenser of hidden wisdom, and His physical resurrection into a spiritual one.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Fifteen hundred years later, in the so-called “Age of Enlightenment,” Christian ideas like the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, miracles, and the authority of Scripture were deemed to be insurmountable stumbling blocks for sophisticated minds, so, attempts were made, once again, to reinvent Jesus and Christianity to suit the spirit of the age: Jesus was a great teacher but not Divine, miracles had “reasonable” explanations, and Scripture could be scientifically scrutinized but still teach good morals.
Of course, the Jeffersonian attempts to remove the supernatural left no reason to accord Jesus a higher status than any other moral teacher or philosopher, despite the best attempts of people such as Friedrich Schleiermacher to win the intellectual approval of Christianity’s “cultured despisers.”
The Result is Always the Same
In other words, reimagining Jesus and Christianity to appeal to skeptics and unbelievers is nothing new. The result is always the same: We end up with a Jesus who looks nothing like the Jesus of history but looks an awful lot like the person doing the reinventing.
In the 1960s and 1970s, many American churches attempted to become “relevant” by embracing fashionable political causes while downplaying and even denying historic Christian orthodoxy. These churches have been hemorrhaging members ever since. Today, many have chosen to reimagine Jesus into the image of a social revolutionary or as a champion of the sexual revolution. Many of these churches face extinction.
Scholars may debate (and they do) whether or not the loss of members is caused by these attempts to be relevant, but a church that merely repeats The New York Times doesn’t give anyone a compelling reason to get out of bed on Sunday morning. Why sit through a boring sermon when there’s NPR?
What’s relevant to the larger culture will always be a moving target. As William Inge, the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, once put it, “Whoever marries the spirit of this age will find himself a widower in the next.” Trying to win the approval of non-Christians by changing the message of Christianity is as much of a waste of time as it was in Tertullian’s day. Plus, the message of Christianity is true, which means we don’t have to make it relevant. It already is relevant — to reality!
Preach the Truth
Tom Holland is right. Let’s preach the Truth. God exists. Miracles happen. Jesus is God incarnate. He actually rose from the dead. Teach that He cares how we live, that He’s coming again to judge both the living and dead. You know, all that “weird stuff.”
John Stonestreet serves as President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics.
Originally published on Breakpoint.org: Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.


thestream--2020-12-12--SCOTUS Rejects Texas Lawsuit, But the Fight Roars On

The Supreme Court Friday evening rejected Texas ’ lawsuit against Pennsylvania , Georgia , Wisconsin and Michigan .
But the fight roars on .
Texas , joined by 17 other states , argued those four states unconstitutionally changed their election procedures in the months before the election , using COVID as an excuse .
Those procedures opened the door wide open for mischief and mayhem in the national election , thus harming the states that did act constitutionally .
The Supreme Court in a 7-2 ruling declared that Texas did not have standing to bring the case .
Basically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mess in another state ’ s election business .
Even if it ’ s monkey business .
They weren ’ t the ones harmed .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEneny said the Supreme Court “ dodged.
” She told Fox News , “ They hid behind procedure and they refused to use their authority to enforce the Constitution.
” Naturally , the media declared the SCOTUS decision the end of Donald Trump ’ s “ baseless ” efforts to “ overturn ” the election .
The Biden campaign issued a snarky statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and speedily rejected the latest of Donald Trump and his allies ’ attacks on the democratic process , ” they declared .
“ Clear and commanding ?
” On what planet ?
Joe Biden admits in leaked audio the GOP “ beat the living h*** out of us ” nationwide .
Yet somehow tainted results in four swing states Trump was winning handily that pushed Biden over the top by mere thousands of votes is “ clear and commanding ” ?
Remember : This is the same media and Joe Biden that insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were Russian misinformation .
And if you put your ear to the wind , you will not hear any fat lady singing .
Instead you hear the sound of the fight for election justice continuing .
Commentator Tracy Beanz was quick to jump onto Periscope to point out to disheartened Trump supporters that the Texas lawsuit had been unexpected ; that lawsuits in individual states … lawsuits involving plaintiffs with standing … were still working their way towards the Supreme Court as planned .
And sure enough , late last night and early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filings in the Supreme Court for Georgia and Michigan and Arizona , with Wisconsin on the way .
“ These cases raise constitutional issues and prove massive # fraud .
Our plaintiffs have # standing .
# WeThePeople will not allow # rigged elections.
” You ’ ll be able to see the filings at Powell ’ s website DefendingtheRepublic.org .
Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani is saying the fight isn ’ t over , at least until the evidence is heard .
“ The people of this country are entitled to a hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannity .
“ They should have at least given us a hearing so that we can present our facts and not just pushed it off to the side so no one would ever get to hear these facts.
” On Saturday , Giuliani announced the Trump team was “ retooling , ” and set to file lawsuits in the individual states .
More Witnesses , More Hearings , More Enraging Testimony : Hiding the Evidence and Robbing the Elderly Meanwhile , we ’ ve seen more hearings , more witnesses , more evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done of 22 Dominion machines in Michigan .
Yet , the results of that audit were ordered sealed by a judge at the request of Michigan ’ s Democratic ( and radical ) Attorney General Dana Nessel .
Does anyone believe for a second that if those Dominion machines had not been compromised Nessel would have sealed the results ?
She ’ d be shouting “ Dominion ’ s Clean !
” from the top of Ford Field .
Perhaps the most heartbreaking testimony came out of yesterday ’ s hearing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Elections .
WISN radio host Dan O ’ Donnell shared statements he had received .
This included dead people voting and , most gut-wrenching and nauseating , nursing home residents who wanted to vote for Trump , but were pressured by workers to switch to Biden .
Here ’ s a clip from the testimony .
Democrats walked out of the hearing .
A woman named Susan who works with disabled came forward weeks ago to share how her more than 20 patients told her they ’ d been pressured into voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled out for Biden before they ever had a chance to see it .
This abuse of the elderly is not isolated .
In November , a Texas nurse was charged with 134 counts of election fraud for doing this very thing .
Gateway Pundit reported in August that Democrats in Nevada rammed through — with no public present — several mail-in ballot measures that could facilitate cheating , including one that “ allows people not related to or friends with elderly voters to fill out their ballots and turn them in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the election he was investigating an illegal Democrat ballot harvesting scheme in Pennsylvania that may have netted as many as 25,000 votes .
Systematically abusing the voting rights of our most vulnerable voters ?
And people think Donald Trump should stop fighting this election ?
Two rallies are being held today in Washington , DC .
The first is the Jericho March for Election Integrity , Transparency and Reform .
Protesters will march seven times around the Supreme Court , U.S. Capitol and Justice Department , followed by a “ Stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that event include Gen. Michael Flynn and Mike Lindell .
Eric Metaxas is hosting it .
This march , with its biblical overtones , recognizes that this battle for our country is spiritual .
“ Let the church roar.
” The Jericho March will be followed by a “ March for Trump ” event from 12-3 pm .
March for Trump has been hitting the swing states , and is now rolling into the Nation ’ s Capitol .
It is tempting after last night ’ s Supreme Court decision to feel a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goes to Washington after establishment politician Sen. Paine wheeled in the carts filled with telegrams telling Sen. Smith to quit his fight against corruption .
The message from director Frank Capra to us today : Keep going until you drop .
Someone will listen .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

The Supreme Court Friday evening rejected Texas’ lawsuit against Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin and Michigan. But the fight roars on.
Texas, joined by 17 other states, argued those four states unconstitutionally changed their election procedures in the months before the election, using COVID as an excuse. Those procedures opened the door wide open for mischief and mayhem in the national election, thus harming the states that did act constitutionally.
The Supreme Court in a 7-2 ruling declared that Texas did not have standing to bring the case. Basically, the court said Texas can’t mess in another state’s election business. Even if it’s monkey business. They weren’t the ones harmed.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEneny said the Supreme Court “dodged.” She told Fox News, “They hid behind procedure and they refused to use their authority to enforce the Constitution.”
The Media, Naturally, Agreed
Naturally, the media declared the SCOTUS decision the end of Donald Trump’s “baseless” efforts to “overturn” the election.
The Biden campaign issued a snarky statement: “The Supreme Court has decisively and speedily rejected the latest of Donald Trump and his allies’ attacks on the democratic process,” they declared.
This is no surprise — dozens of judges, election officials from both parties, and Trump’s own attorney general have dismissed his baseless attempts to deny that he lost the election. President-elect Biden’s clear and commanding victory will be ratified by the Electoral College on Monday, and he will be sworn in on Jan. 20.
“Clear and commanding?” On what planet? Joe Biden admits in leaked audio the GOP “beat the living h*** out of us” nationwide. Yet somehow tainted results in four swing states Trump was winning handily that pushed Biden over the top by mere thousands of votes is “clear and commanding”?
Remember: This is the same media and Joe Biden that insisted the emails and allegations against Hunter Biden were Russian misinformation.
And if you put your ear to the wind, you will not hear any fat lady singing.
Instead you hear the sound of the fight for election justice continuing.
WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2020
Sidney Powell Files Emergency Lawsuits
Commentator Tracy Beanz was quick to jump onto Periscope to point out to disheartened Trump supporters that the Texas lawsuit had been unexpected; that lawsuits in individual states … lawsuits involving plaintiffs with standing … were still working their way towards the Supreme Court as planned.
And sure enough, late last night and early this morning, Sidney Powell announced emergency filings in the Supreme Court for Georgia and Michigan and Arizona, with Wisconsin on the way.
“These cases raise constitutional issues and prove massive #fraud. Our plaintiffs have #standing. #WeThePeople will not allow #rigged elections.”
You’ll be able to see the filings at Powell’s website DefendingtheRepublic.org.
https://twitter.com/SidneyPowell1/status/1337597433283571712?s=20
Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani is saying the fight isn’t over, at least until the evidence is heard.
“The people of this country are entitled to a hearing on this,” he told Sean Hannity. “They should have at least given us a hearing so that we can present our facts and not just pushed it off to the side so no one would ever get to hear these facts.”
On Saturday, Giuliani announced the Trump team was “retooling,” and set to file lawsuits in the individual states.
If the state doesn’t have standing, surely the president of the United States has standing. And certainly the electors in the states have standing. So they will be bringing those very cases right in those courts, starting today,” Giuliani told Newsmax. “And let’s see what excuse they can try to use to avoid having a hearing on that.”
More Witnesses, More Hearings, More Enraging Testimony: Hiding the Evidence and Robbing the Elderly
Meanwhile, we’ve seen more hearings, more witnesses, more evidence of fraud.
A forensic audit was done of 22 Dominion machines in Michigan. Yet, the results of that audit were ordered sealed by a judge at the request of Michigan’s Democratic (and radical) Attorney General Dana Nessel. Does anyone believe for a second that if those Dominion machines had not been compromised Nessel would have sealed the results? She’d be shouting “Dominion’s Clean!” from the top of Ford Field.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking testimony came out of yesterday’s hearing of the Wisconsin Assembly’s Committee on Campaigns and Elections. WISN radio host Dan O’Donnell shared statements he had received. This included dead people voting and, most gut-wrenching and nauseating, nursing home residents who wanted to vote for Trump, but were pressured by workers to switch to Biden. Here’s a clip from the testimony.
A nursing home resident said she wanted to vote for @realDonaldTrump. But a nursing home staff member said "No no. He's a bad man. We're voting for Biden," and instructed the resident to do so against her wishes. pic.twitter.com/XqJbr5IO8s — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) December 11, 2020
Democrats walked out of the hearing.
A woman named Susan who works with disabled came forward weeks ago to share how her more than 20 patients told her they’d been pressured into voting for Biden, or had their ballot filled out for Biden before they ever had a chance to see it.
This abuse of the elderly is not isolated. In November, a Texas nurse was charged with 134 counts of election fraud for doing this very thing. Gateway Pundit reported in August that Democrats in Nevada rammed through — with no public present — several mail-in ballot measures that could facilitate cheating, including one that “allows people not related to or friends with elderly voters to fill out their ballots and turn them in to be counted.” Lindsay Graham said right after the election he was investigating an illegal Democrat ballot harvesting scheme in Pennsylvania that may have netted as many as 25,000 votes.
Systematically abusing the voting rights of our most vulnerable voters? And people think Donald Trump should stop fighting this election?
Nuts to that.
Marching on Washington
Two rallies are being held today in Washington, DC. The first is the Jericho March for Election Integrity, Transparency and Reform. Protesters will march seven times around the Supreme Court, U.S. Capitol and Justice Department, followed by a “Stop the Steal” prayer rally. Speakers at that event include Gen. Michael Flynn and Mike Lindell. Eric Metaxas is hosting it.
This march, with its biblical overtones, recognizes that this battle for our country is spiritual. “Let the church roar.”
The Jericho March will be followed by a “March for Trump” event from 12-3 pm. March for Trump has been hitting the swing states, and is now rolling into the Nation’s Capitol.
“I’m Not Licked”
It is tempting after last night’s Supreme Court decision to feel a bit like Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington after establishment politician Sen. Paine wheeled in the carts filled with telegrams telling Sen. Smith to quit his fight against corruption.
Give up. It’s a lost cause.
Please watch:
The message from director Frank Capra to us today: Keep going until you drop. Someone will listen.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-12-12--Is It Possible the Disciples Were Fooled About the Resurrection?

Did an impostor pretend he was the risen Christ ?
Were the apostles fooled ?
How can we be sure @ @ @ @ @ ?
This clip was taken from J. Warner Wallace ’ s interview with Ragnhard Petersen @ @ @ @ @ the student movement in the Faroe islands called KFS ( the Faroese version of Intervarsity @ @

Did an impostor pretend he was the risen Christ? Were the apostles fooled? How can we be sure one way or the other? This clip was taken from J. Warner Wallace’s interview with Ragnhard Petersen, the general secretary of the student movement in the Faroe islands called KFS (the Faroese version of Intervarsity).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-12-13--Feds Slap Hunter Biden With Subpoena for Foreign Business Records: Report

Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Hunter Biden on Tuesday for records for his business dealings with more than two dozen entities , including Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings and companies based in China , the Associated Press reported .
Biden announced on Wednesday through his father ’ s transition team that his attorney had been notified that he was the target of an investigation into his “ tax affairs.
” The younger Biden did not disclose any other details of the investigation in his statement .
A source familiar with the probe told The Daily Caller News Foundation that the investigation started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his presidential campaign .
According to the Associated Press , the subpoena , issued through the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Delaware , seeks records related to Burisma Holdings and Chinese companies that are not named in the report .
Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings in April 2014 , months after his father had taken over as the Obama administration ’ s chief liaison to the Ukrainian government .
Burisma executives were at the time seeking to expand the company ’ s business outside of Ukraine .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s owner , Mykola Zlochevesky , who was under investigation for bribery .
Burisma paid Hunter Biden and his business partner , Devon Archer , more than $ 80,000 per month as board members .
Biden also consulted for CEFC China Energy , a major Chinese energy firm whose chairman had suspected links to the People ’ s Liberation Army .
A Senate report released on Sept. 23 revealed that CEFC wired Biden nearly $ 6 million from August 2017 to September 2018 .
The report said that U.S. banking regulators flagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal activity .
The Republican senators who released the report said that Biden ’ s financial dealings raised “ criminal financial , counterintelligence and extortion concerns.
” Joe Biden has refused to answer questions from reporters about the investigation of his son .
“ I ’ m proud of my son , ” he said Friday when a reporter asked if he believes Hunter Biden had committed any crimes .

Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Hunter Biden on Tuesday for records for his business dealings with more than two dozen entities, including Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings and companies based in China, the Associated Press reported.
Biden announced on Wednesday through his father’s transition team that his attorney had been notified that he was the target of an investigation into his “tax affairs.”
The younger Biden did not disclose any other details of the investigation in his statement. A source familiar with the probe told The Daily Caller News Foundation that the investigation started in 2018, before Joe Biden launched his presidential campaign.
According to the Associated Press, the subpoena, issued through the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware, seeks records related to Burisma Holdings and Chinese companies that are not named in the report.
Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings in April 2014, months after his father had taken over as the Obama administration’s chief liaison to the Ukrainian government.
Burisma executives were at the time seeking to expand the company’s business outside of Ukraine. They also hoped to quash various investigations into Burisma’s owner, Mykola Zlochevesky, who was under investigation for bribery.
Burisma paid Hunter Biden and his business partner, Devon Archer, more than $80,000 per month as board members.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Biden also consulted for CEFC China Energy, a major Chinese energy firm whose chairman had suspected links to the People’s Liberation Army.
A Senate report released on Sept. 23 revealed that CEFC wired Biden nearly $6 million from August 2017 to September 2018. The report said that U.S. banking regulators flagged some of the wire payments for potential criminal activity.
The Republican senators who released the report said that Biden’s financial dealings raised “criminal financial, counterintelligence and extortion concerns.”
Joe Biden has refused to answer questions from reporters about the investigation of his son.
“I’m proud of my son,” he said Friday when a reporter asked if he believes Hunter Biden had committed any crimes.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-13--New Book Offers Biblical Reassessment of Purity Culture

Does purity culture need a reevaluation ?
Author Rachel Joy Welcher says yes .
She offers a thorough one in Talking Back to Purity Culture : Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality .
Raised by a pastor and now married to one , Welcher talks back “ out of love for the church , not a vendetta against her.
” She argues that purity culture endorsed unbiblical notions , hurting those it intended to help .
Most sobering , she argues that in our desperate attempt to promote sexual purity , we overshadowed the gospel itself .
In just 10 chapters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ purity culture ?
” It ’ s not easy to define .
If you grew up in church at the height of the movement — the late 1990 ’ s through early 2000 ’ s — you probably don ’ t need a definition .
Welcher believes purity culture was “ an earnest response to the age-old problem of immorality and the modern crisis of STDs and teenage pregnancy.
” Churches attempted to tackle these issues , and rightly so .
In the process , however , many elevated problematic teachings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aptly summarizes “ purity culture ’ s complicated legacy—its idolization of virginity , its mixed messages about modesty and lust , and its promise of a healthy marriage and great sex for those who follow the rules.
” Defining books of the movement included I Kissed Dating Goodbye , And the Bride Wore White and Every Man ’ s Battle , to name a few .
In Talking Back , you may be angered , heartbroken , or baffled to read how certain teachings harmed different people .
There are stories of wives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virgin ” as part of their identity , and young girls who believed they tempted grown men into abusing them .
( I was an adolescent in church during purity culture ’ s zenith .
I can verify that the types of stories Welcher references are common . )
Chapter 3 , “ Female Responsibilities , ” exposes the mixed signals purity culture sends women and girls .
Females are supposedly damsels , temptresses , and guardians of purity all at once .
“ This rhetoric is confusing to young women , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ princes , or are they dragons that must be tamed ?
” A large part of this confusion comes from a twisted view of modesty .
Welcher doesn ’ t attack the biblical teaching of modesty itself .
In fact , she spends ample space discussing ways we can exercise selfless love in our dress .
But “ when modesty rhetoric confuses culpability , consistently blaming women for the actions of men , we have ceased to be biblical in our approach .
… No one gets to blame someone else for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blame when life doesn ’ t turn out as we expected , even when we “ followed the rules ?
” Thankfully , Welcher doesn ’ t shy away from this painful question .
Dealing with it is necessary .
It ’ s a common one for those who graduated from purity culture into the tumults of real life .
To incentivize abstinence for teens , Christian leaders regularly stressed the good things that would come to those who waited .
These included marriage , an effortlessly great sex life and children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t always work that way .
Multiple testimonies recorded in Talking Back , including Welcher ’ s own , illustrate this .
She also highlights how emphasizing personal reward turned pursuit of purity into a selfish endeavor , rather than a God-honoring one .
These teachings are not only misguided .
They ’ re exclusionary .
Welcher shows how purity culture often ignored sexual abuse survivors , same-sex attracted Christians , and singles that are divorced or widowed .
None of these groups fit into purity culture ’ s usual target audience — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search of their first love .
But all of these groups are called to biblical sexual purity .
The Source of Our Purity It ’ s hard to teach a holistic vision of purity when “ purity ” is conflated with virginity .
As Welcher helpfully reminds us , “ virginity … is not a badge of holiness , a sign of sexual purity , or a ticket to heaven.
” It ’ s within this theme that Welcher offers her most crucial critique .
Purity culture tried to provide a blueprint for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we would avoid trouble and heartache .
Soon , we would find sexual and relational satisfaction .
But in creating these rules , purity culture led us away from the very God we were trying to please .
Welcher powerfully declares : “ Virginity does not provide our purity .
Jesus does.
” Talking Back is a both an incisive critique of a church-led movement and a passionate call for Christians to return to our Savior .
Even the sincerest believers need reminding that only Jesus can purify us .
Only he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from erecting a new set of rules or creating a looser sexual ethic , Welcher remains unflinchingly loyal to God ’ s Word while identifying where human efforts went wrong .
Buy this book for your teen , your pastor , your married and single friends or yourself .
But follow Welcher ’ s advice and don ’ t let it be read alone .
She concludes that one of purity culture ’ s biggest problems was its isolation of conversations about sex from Scripture and community .
She includes discussion questions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help readers avoid this same pitfall .

Does purity culture need a reevaluation? Author Rachel Joy Welcher says yes. She offers a thorough one in Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality.
Raised by a pastor and now married to one, Welcher talks back “out of love for the church, not a vendetta against her.” She argues that purity culture endorsed unbiblical notions, hurting those it intended to help. Most sobering, she argues that in our desperate attempt to promote sexual purity, we overshadowed the gospel itself. In just 10 chapters, she makes a convincing case.
Defining Purity Culture
What is “purity culture?” It’s not easy to define. If you grew up in church at the height of the movement — the late 1990’s through early 2000’s — you probably don’t need a definition.
Welcher believes purity culture was “an earnest response to the age-old problem of immorality and the modern crisis of STDs and teenage pregnancy.” Churches attempted to tackle these issues, and rightly so. In the process, however, many elevated problematic teachings.
Talking Back’s back-cover blurb aptly summarizes “purity culture’s complicated legacy—its idolization of virginity, its mixed messages about modesty and lust, and its promise of a healthy marriage and great sex for those who follow the rules.” Defining books of the movement included I Kissed Dating Goodbye, And the Bride Wore White and Every Man’s Battle, to name a few.
Mixed Signals
In Talking Back, you may be angered, heartbroken, or baffled to read how certain teachings harmed different people. There are stories of wives who struggled to let go of “virgin” as part of their identity, and young girls who believed they tempted grown men into abusing them. (I was an adolescent in church during purity culture’s zenith. I can verify that the types of stories Welcher references are common.)
Chapter 3, “Female Responsibilities,” exposes the mixed signals purity culture sends women and girls. Females are supposedly damsels, temptresses, and guardians of purity all at once. “This rhetoric is confusing to young women,” Welcher writes. “Are men brave princes, or are they dragons that must be tamed?”
Far from erecting a new set of rules or creating a looser sexual ethic, Welcher remains unflinchingly loyal to God’s Word while identifying where human efforts went wrong.
A large part of this confusion comes from a twisted view of modesty. Welcher doesn’t attack the biblical teaching of modesty itself. In fact, she spends ample space discussing ways we can exercise selfless love in our dress. But “when modesty rhetoric confuses culpability, consistently blaming women for the actions of men, we have ceased to be biblical in our approach. … No one gets to blame someone else for their own sin.”
Where’s My Reward?
Who do we get to blame when life doesn’t turn out as we expected, even when we “followed the rules?” Thankfully, Welcher doesn’t shy away from this painful question. Dealing with it is necessary. It’s a common one for those who graduated from purity culture into the tumults of real life.
To incentivize abstinence for teens, Christian leaders regularly stressed the good things that would come to those who waited. These included marriage, an effortlessly great sex life and children.
The problem? Life doesn’t always work that way. Multiple testimonies recorded in Talking Back, including Welcher’s own, illustrate this. She also highlights how emphasizing personal reward turned pursuit of purity into a selfish endeavor, rather than a God-honoring one.
These teachings are not only misguided. They’re exclusionary. Welcher shows how purity culture often ignored sexual abuse survivors, same-sex attracted Christians, and singles that are divorced or widowed. None of these groups fit into purity culture’s usual target audience — young, virgin, heterosexual and in search of their first love. But all of these groups are called to biblical sexual purity.
The Source of Our Purity
It’s hard to teach a holistic vision of purity when “purity” is conflated with virginity. As Welcher helpfully reminds us, “virginity … is not a badge of holiness, a sign of sexual purity, or a ticket to heaven.”
It’s within this theme that Welcher offers her most crucial critique. Purity culture tried to provide a blueprint for success. If we followed certain rules, we would avoid trouble and heartache. Soon, we would find sexual and relational satisfaction. But in creating these rules, purity culture led us away from the very God we were trying to please. Welcher powerfully declares: “Virginity does not provide our purity. Jesus does.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Talking Back is a both an incisive critique of a church-led movement and a passionate call for Christians to return to our Savior. Even the sincerest believers need reminding that only Jesus can purify us. Only he can fully satisfy our longing.
Far from erecting a new set of rules or creating a looser sexual ethic, Welcher remains unflinchingly loyal to God’s Word while identifying where human efforts went wrong.
Buy this book for your teen, your pastor, your married and single friends or yourself. But follow Welcher’s advice and don’t let it be read alone. She concludes that one of purity culture’s biggest problems was its isolation of conversations about sex from Scripture and community. She includes discussion questions and activities at the end of each chapter to help readers avoid this same pitfall.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives north of Dallas with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-12-13--The Source of Salvation

The Source of Salvation

Remember that ’ 80s song “ I Need a Hero ” ?
This whole year has me singing the chorus quite a bit .
That ’ s why Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are Time magazine ’ s “ Person of the Year.
” Meanwhile , the fact of the matter is the kind of salvation people are looking for does not come from politics , no matter how much we may want it to .
I ’ ve often thought of Pope Francis ’ prayer service early on in the pandemic .
You couldn ’ t have scripted it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night in Rome , with the sounds of ambulances and other emergency vehicles constantly in the background .
And he prayed and he prayed .
And , as it happens , numbers of deaths did start to go down after that point in Italy .
Maybe prayer is , in fact , action .
In his homily , Francis kept hitting a theme that resonates to this day : “ Why are you afraid ?
” Haven ’ t we all asked ourselves this question this year ?
Many , if not most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s also the very practical and understandable fear of making someone more vulnerable than us sick .
“ Love your neighbor ” took on a new urgency , but then so should an appreciation that all of life involves some level of risk .
Francis said : “ You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing .
It is not the time of your judgment , but of our judgment : a time to choose what matters and what passes away , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is not .
It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you , Lord , and to others.
” That ’ s what this year has been about : priorities in this short life .
And getting it right is an ongoing process , so be humble and kind .
Pope Francis went on that day , repeating the questions about fear and faith , adding : “ Faith begins when we realize we are in need of salvation .
We are not self-sufficient.
” Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to President Donald Trump or then-candidate Joe Biden or any other mere mortal as the possible source of salvation .
He pointed to God : “ Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them.
” He added : “ God ’ s strength [ is ] turning to the good everything that happens to us , even the bad things .
He brings serenity into our storms , because with God , life never dies.
” The Feast of the Immaculate Conception On Dec. 8 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an occasion that cities in Europe normally mark with fireworks displays , Pope Francis declared a year dedicated to St. Joseph , Jesus ’ earthly father .
Pope Francis has been telling of his fondness for Joseph since he came on the international scene .
He made popular an image of Joseph sleeping .
He has a statue of him on a table in his room , and he writes down things that are burdening him and gives them to Joseph .
It makes a lot of sense that at this time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety and uncertainty , especially concerning families , Francis would point to Joseph .
There is a silent confidence about the man who raised Jesus , and in this selfie age , where so many rush to an opinion before even basic information is known , Joseph is someone who might help us cultivate silence and listening .
And he ’ s a Jewish father , at a time when anti-Semitism is rearing its evil head again .
One of the things Francis says in his letter about Joseph is : “ St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation .
A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.
” There is tremendous power in virtue .
Live well and that will be more important than all the politicians in the world .
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics : Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

Remember that ’80s song “I Need a Hero”? This whole year has me singing the chorus quite a bit. That’s why Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are Time magazine’s “Person of the Year.” Meanwhile, the fact of the matter is the kind of salvation people are looking for does not come from politics, no matter how much we may want it to.
Pope Francis’ Prayer Service
I’ve often thought of Pope Francis’ prayer service early on in the pandemic. You couldn’t have scripted it better; it occurred on a rainy night in Rome, with the sounds of ambulances and other emergency vehicles constantly in the background. And he prayed and he prayed. And, as it happens, numbers of deaths did start to go down after that point in Italy. Maybe prayer is, in fact, action.
In his homily, Francis kept hitting a theme that resonates to this day: “Why are you afraid?” Haven’t we all asked ourselves this question this year? Many, if not most, of us obviously fear death. There’s also the very practical and understandable fear of making someone more vulnerable than us sick. “Love your neighbor” took on a new urgency, but then so should an appreciation that all of life involves some level of risk.
Francis said: “You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing. It is not the time of your judgment, but of our judgment: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.”
Priorities in this Short Life
That’s what this year has been about: priorities in this short life. And getting it right is an ongoing process, so be humble and kind.
Pope Francis went on that day, repeating the questions about fear and faith, adding: “Faith begins when we realize we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient.”
Of course, Pope Francis didn’t point to President Donald Trump or then-candidate Joe Biden or any other mere mortal as the possible source of salvation. He pointed to God: “Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them.” He added: “God’s strength [is] turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God, life never dies.”
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
On Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, an occasion that cities in Europe normally mark with fireworks displays, Pope Francis declared a year dedicated to St. Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. Pope Francis has been telling of his fondness for Joseph since he came on the international scene. He made popular an image of Joseph sleeping. He has a statue of him on a table in his room, and he writes down things that are burdening him and gives them to Joseph.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It makes a lot of sense that at this time of unrest and division, of so much anxiety and uncertainty, especially concerning families, Francis would point to Joseph. There is a silent confidence about the man who raised Jesus, and in this selfie age, where so many rush to an opinion before even basic information is known, Joseph is someone who might help us cultivate silence and listening. And he’s a Jewish father, at a time when anti-Semitism is rearing its evil head again.
One of the things Francis says in his letter about Joseph is: “St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.”
There is tremendous power in virtue. Live well and that will be more important than all the politicians in the world.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-13--Former Cuomo Adviser Accuses NY Gov of Sexual Harassment: ‘I Am Not the Only Woman’

One of Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s former advisers on Sunday accused the New York Democrat of sexually harassing her “ for years , ” saying , “ I *know* I am not the only woman.
” “ Yes , @ NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years , ” Lindsey Boylan tweeted Sunday morning .
She did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s requests for comment .
Many saw it , and watched , ” she tweeted .
“ I could never anticipate what to expect : would I be grilled on my work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassed about my looks .
Or would it be both in the same conversation ?
” “ Not knowing what to expect what ’ s the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it , ” she continued .
“ No one .
And I *know* I am not the only woman.
” Cuomo ’ s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the DCNF .
Boylan worked for the Cuomo administration from March 2015 until October 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is running for Manhattan borough president .
Boylan did not provide additional details about the alleged sexual harassment .
She prefaced the allegations with a Saturday tweet criticizing announcements that President-elect Joe Biden is considering Cuomo as his potential attorney general .
“ There are fewer things more scary than giving this man , who exists without ethics , even more control , ” Boylan tweeted .
“ I saw how he wielded power for years.
” “ He takes advantage of people , including me , ” she continued.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t do this.
” “ I ’ m angry to be put in this situation at all , ” she said in her Twitter thread announcing her allegations .
“ That because I am a woman , I can work hard my whole life to better myself and help others and yet still fall victim as countless women over generations have .
Mostly silently .
“ I hate that some men , like @ NYGovCuomo abuse their power , ” Boylan continued .
After she announced her allegations , Boylan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to journalists.
” “ I am about validating the experience of countless women and making sure abuse stops .
My worst fear is that this continues , ” she said , adding that her second worst fear is “ having to talk about and relive this.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

One of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s former advisers on Sunday accused the New York Democrat of sexually harassing her “for years,” saying, “I *know* I am not the only woman.”
“Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years,” Lindsey Boylan tweeted Sunday morning. She did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
Many saw it, and watched,” she tweeted. “I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation?”
“Not knowing what to expect what’s the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it,” she continued. “No one. And I *know* I am not the only woman.”
Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the DCNF.
Boylan worked for the Cuomo administration from March 2015 until October 2018, according to the New York Post. She is running for Manhattan borough president.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Boylan did not provide additional details about the alleged sexual harassment. She prefaced the allegations with a Saturday tweet criticizing announcements that President-elect Joe Biden is considering Cuomo as his potential attorney general.
“There are fewer things more scary than giving this man, who exists without ethics, even more control,” Boylan tweeted. “I saw how he wielded power for years.”
“He takes advantage of people, including me,” she continued.” I hope @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris don’t do this.”
“I’m angry to be put in this situation at all,” she said in her Twitter thread announcing her allegations. “That because I am a woman, I can work hard my whole life to better myself and help others and yet still fall victim as countless women over generations have. Mostly silently.
“I hate that some men, like @NYGovCuomo abuse their power,” Boylan continued.
After she announced her allegations, Boylan said she has “no interest in talking to journalists.”
“I am about validating the experience of countless women and making sure abuse stops. My worst fear is that this continues,” she said, adding that her second worst fear is “having to talk about and relive this.”
To be clear: I have no interest in talking to journalists. I am about validating the experience of countless women and making sure abuse stops. My worst fear is that this continues. And as @FKAtwigs said yesterday, my second worst fear is having to talk about and relive this. — Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) December 13, 2020
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-13--Can America Survive This Perfect Storm?

Can America Survive This Perfect Storm?

Before I set the stage and lay out the most prominent dimensions of our current crisis , let me answer the question I ask in the title of this article .
Namely , can America survive this perfect storm ?
The answer is simple and obvious : without divine intervention , we are in big trouble .
Really big trouble .
Massively big trouble .
We need God , desperately and urgently .
Otherwise … well , you can fill in the blanks .
Things do not look good right now .
To recap the main events of 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the midst of the impeachment hearings , with very little middle ground between us .
And the divisions between us only grew deeper by the day , as we were fed mutually exclusive narratives in the news and social media echo chambers in which we live .
“ You ’ re being brainwashed !
” we shouted at one another , convinced it was them , not us , who were biased and blind ( and stupid ) .
Since then , we have suffered ( and continue to suffer ) a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mixed signals from leaders and “ experts.
” Shutdown or no shutdown ?
Did we ever level the curve ?
Mask or no mask ?
Is the vaccine good or bad ?
Is Trump trying to kill us ?
Is China trying to kill us ?
Are Democratic governors and mayors trying to steal our religious freedoms ?
Is Dr. Fauci a fine man or a devious political plant ?
Can we trust the CDC ?
The WHO ?
And all the while , the death count continues to soar .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of George Floyd ( among others ) , followed by massive , national upheaval .
( Yes , I ’ m using the word “ massive ” a lot , for good reason ) .
Protests .
Riots .
Cities aflame .
Is America a good country or a racist country ?
Should we trace our national history to 1619 or 1776 ?
Can we separate Black Lives Matter from the BLM Movement ?
And what about Antifa ?
And the cancel culture .
And mobocracy .
Are we safe in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if our country has lost its way .
Nothing seems certain and the ground seems to be quaking under our feet .
What will tomorrow bring ?
Next came the elections .
Without COVID-19 , it is likely that Trump would have defeated any Democratic candidate in a landslide with our economy strong and with Trump ’ s base steadily growing .
But with COVID , not only did the economy take a nosedive , but a new crisis arose : massive absentee voting , with limited supervision .
Months in advance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his followers he could only lose if the election was rigged .
( Of course , this has been a Trump mantra for years , quite unrelated to COVID . )
Were the polls wrong again ?
Could lighting strike twice and Trump beat the odds for two straight elections ?
Or were the polls further proof that the system really was rigged , that pollsters and the mainstream media and Big Tech were colluding to steal the election from Trump ?
Then Big Tech censored some major , election-related stories , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The perfect storm of suspicion and mistrust was intensifying by the hour .
Then election night happened , and as we approached midnight , Trump seemed close to victory .
He really did do it again .
Lightning did strike twice .
But then the counting stopped in those few , key states , and then … well , you know the rest of the story .
One half of America knows exactly what happened .
The election was stolen .
Massive fraud was perpetrated .
Trump ’ s warnings were absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right before our eyes .
We can not let this happen to our nation !
If the Democrats get in they will pack the Supreme Court , they will open our borders , and America as we know it will be done .
Finished .
Gone .
The other half of America also knows exactly what happened .
Joe Biden won the election fair and square .
That ’ s why the courts have thrown out case after case from Trump ’ s legal team , right up to the Supreme Court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Texas ) was so flawed that all the justices appointed by Trump refused to hear it .
Trump and his supporters are the laughingstock of the nation .
“ Face the facts , ” that half of America says .
“ Trump has brainwashed you and is destroying the country .
Can ’ t you see it ?
” The other half replies , “ How can you be so blind ?
Don ’ t you care that one of the greatest crimes in our nation ’ s history has been committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 million Americans will simply accept a theft of this level ?
Not a chance.
” Now there is even talk of some states seceding from the union .
The situation really is grave .
Our Desperate Need for God And I ’ ve not said a word about the massive spiritual crisis , as it seems that evangelical Christianity has become defined by solidarity with Trump more than by solidarity with Jesus .
Then there are the charismatic prophets assuring us that Trump will , in fact , triumph , while others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , quite sure that we have totally lost our minds .
Yet without COVID , we would not be here today , for a host of reasons outlined above .
Not only so , but because of COVID , we also have a nation on edge .
We are tired of the lockdowns .
We are emotionally drained .
We are angry .
We don ’ t know who to trust .
And we are ready to burst .
Yet even with all of this , had there been no apparent irregularities on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been warning about fraud for months , we would not be where we are today .
November 3 would have come and gone and , like it or not , we would all have known the results of the voting before we went to sleep that night .
Yet here we are , six weeks later , and polls indicate that a large majority of Republicans , a substantial number of Independents , and even a significant minority of Democrats ( 30 % ) believe the election was rigged .
The rest can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain is still believing this myth .
Trump , they say , has deceived the masses .
His followers have swallowed the big lie .
Dear Leader is leading us off a cliff .
This is why we so desperately need God .
This is why we must pray and cry out as if there was no tomorrow .
This is why we need to find a new place of urgency in our hearts .
This is why we need to repent of our own sins , of our own blindness , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carnality .
Let us not be so smug and self-righteous .
There is more junk in our own backyards then we would care to admit .
And we need to do this now , before it is too late .
There is no happy , middle ground between the two sides of the current conflict , with both sides firmly convinced of the other side ’ s shameful guilt .
And so my appeal , no , my plea , is that all of us fall on our faces and come to God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divine intervention .
It is either that or … I would rather not say .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Before I set the stage and lay out the most prominent dimensions of our current crisis, let me answer the question I ask in the title of this article. Namely, can America survive this perfect storm? The answer is simple and obvious: without divine intervention, we are in big trouble. Really big trouble. Massively big trouble. We need God, desperately and urgently. Otherwise … well, you can fill in the blanks. Things do not look good right now.
Recapping a Tumultuous 2020
To recap the main events of 2020, we entered the year deeply divided in the midst of the impeachment hearings, with very little middle ground between us.
And the divisions between us only grew deeper by the day, as we were fed mutually exclusive narratives in the news and social media echo chambers in which we live.
“You’re being brainwashed!” we shouted at one another, convinced it was them, not us, who were biased and blind (and stupid).
Since then, we have suffered (and continue to suffer) a pandemic, which has only been exacerbated by the mixed signals from leaders and “experts.”
Shutdown or no shutdown? Did we ever level the curve? Mask or no mask? Is the vaccine good or bad? Is Trump trying to kill us? Is China trying to kill us? Are Democratic governors and mayors trying to steal our religious freedoms? Is Dr. Fauci a fine man or a devious political plant? Can we trust the CDC? The WHO?
And all the while, the death count continues to soar.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In the midst of this crisis came the death of George Floyd (among others), followed by massive, national upheaval. (Yes, I’m using the word “massive” a lot, for good reason). Protests. Riots. Cities aflame.
Is America a good country or a racist country? Should we trace our national history to 1619 or 1776? Can we separate Black Lives Matter from the BLM Movement? And what about Antifa? And the cancel culture. And mobocracy. Are we safe in our own neighborhoods?
It really feels as if our country has lost its way. Nothing seems certain and the ground seems to be quaking under our feet. What will tomorrow bring?
The 2020 Election
Next came the elections.
Without COVID-19, it is likely that Trump would have defeated any Democratic candidate in a landslide with our economy strong and with Trump’s base steadily growing.
But with COVID, not only did the economy take a nosedive, but a new crisis arose: massive absentee voting, with limited supervision.
Months in advance, Trump was already crying fraud, assuring his followers he could only lose if the election was rigged. (Of course, this has been a Trump mantra for years, quite unrelated to COVID.)
Were the polls wrong again? Could lighting strike twice and Trump beat the odds for two straight elections? Or were the polls further proof that the system really was rigged, that pollsters and the mainstream media and Big Tech were colluding to steal the election from Trump?
Then Big Tech censored some major, election-related stories, and the mainstream media refused to cover them.
The perfect storm of suspicion and mistrust was intensifying by the hour.
Then election night happened, and as we approached midnight, Trump seemed close to victory. He really did do it again. Lightning did strike twice.
But then the counting stopped in those few, key states, and then … well, you know the rest of the story.
One half of America knows exactly what happened. The election was stolen. Massive fraud was perpetrated. Trump’s warnings were absolutely right. The proof is there, right before our eyes. We cannot let this happen to our nation!
If the Democrats get in they will pack the Supreme Court, they will open our borders, and America as we know it will be done. Finished. Gone.
The other half of America also knows exactly what happened. Joe Biden won the election fair and square. That’s why the courts have thrown out case after case from Trump’s legal team, right up to the Supreme Court. In fact, the last effort (from Texas) was so flawed that all the justices appointed by Trump refused to hear it. Trump and his supporters are the laughingstock of the nation.
“Face the facts,” that half of America says. “Trump has brainwashed you and is destroying the country. Can’t you see it?”
The other half replies, “How can you be so blind? Don’t you care that one of the greatest crimes in our nation’s history has been committed? And do you think more than 70 million Americans will simply accept a theft of this level? Not a chance.”
Now there is even talk of some states seceding from the union. The situation really is grave.
Our Desperate Need for God
And I’ve not said a word about the massive spiritual crisis, as it seems that evangelical Christianity has become defined by solidarity with Trump more than by solidarity with Jesus. Then there are the charismatic prophets assuring us that Trump will, in fact, triumph, while others look at us with incredulity and scorn, quite sure that we have totally lost our minds.
Yet without COVID, we would not be here today, for a host of reasons outlined above. Not only so, but because of COVID, we also have a nation on edge. We are tired of the lockdowns. We are emotionally drained. We are angry. We don’t know who to trust. And we are ready to burst.
Yet even with all of this, had there been no apparent irregularities on election night and had not Trump not been warning about fraud for months, we would not be where we are today. November 3 would have come and gone and, like it or not, we would all have known the results of the voting before we went to sleep that night.
Yet here we are, six weeks later, and polls indicate that a large majority of Republicans, a substantial number of Independents, and even a significant minority of Democrats (30%) believe the election was rigged. The rest cannot believe that anyone with a working brain is still believing this myth. Trump, they say, has deceived the masses. His followers have swallowed the big lie. Dear Leader is leading us off a cliff.
This is why we so desperately need God. This is why we must pray and cry out as if there was no tomorrow. This is why we need to find a new place of urgency in our hearts. This is why we need to repent of our own sins, of our own blindness, of our own hatred, of our own carnality. Let us not be so smug and self-righteous. There is more junk in our own backyards then we would care to admit.
And we need to do this now, before it is too late.
There is no happy, middle ground between the two sides of the current conflict, with both sides firmly convinced of the other side’s shameful guilt.
And so my appeal, no, my plea, is that all of us fall on our faces and come to God’s side, fervently praying for divine intervention.
It is either that or … I would rather not say.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.