Open Letter to President Obama

     I may get audited for saying this, but I refuse to cower to bullies. President Obama, you need to take full responsibility for the IRS scandal. You may not have authorized targeting your political opponents. But, by regularly disregarding civil and especially, religious liberties, you’ve created a culture that allowed it to happen.

      In 2009, you appointed Chai Feldblum, a lesbian and gay activist, to be a commissioner on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Ms. Feldblum openly admitted that when religious liberty and sexual liberty conflict, she would have a – quote – “hard time coming up with any case in which religious liberty should win.” Still, you supported her.

      You also pushed the healthcare mandate, requiring all employers to provide contraceptives, including abortifacients, to their employees. As Ken Klukowski of the Family Research Council notes, even some of your closest advisors thought the healthcare mandate was “a bridge too far.” But, you pushed your agenda anyway, trampling the religious liberties of scores of Christian employers. To top it off, now your administration is trying to deport a German homeschooling family. Though clearly Germany’s ban on homeschooling violates this family’s religious freedom, you refuse to grant this Christian family asylum.

     Several Christian groups recently called your administration “the most hostile towards religious liberty in all of American history.” And, Florida Senator Marco Rubio spoke correctly when he said the IRS scandal is not an isolated event. He charged it’s the latest in a string of events where you’ve used your power “to hardball people who don’t agree with you.”

     Last week, Franklin Graham sent you a letter protesting the politically motivated IRS audit of the Billy Graham Association and Samaritan’s Purse. He urged you to take immediate action to ensure that we’re not entering “a new chapter of America’s history” – one marked by “repressive government rule.” I agree.

     Mr. President, my ancestors came to America to escape religious persecution. And, for more than 200 years American has been a haven for observant Christians. Please, stop these repressive actions and change course.

The Necessity of Joy

            I don’t go to church because I have to; I go because I want to.  In all honesty, Sunday morning normally marks the highlight of my week.  Worshipping with God’s people, in the glory of His presence, fills me with indescribable joy.  And, as I look around my congregation, I can tell others feel the same way. We’re a happy church – and honestly, I don’t think I could attend a church that’s not. 

            Now, that may strike some folks as shallow or saccharine.  I’ve noticed lately that happy isn’t trendy; what’s in is “being real,” which often equates to pessimism or melancholy.

Now, I understand where this comes from.  Many Christians, especially Millenials, have experienced Christian community as a place where most people are faking it.  As Carson Nyquist writes in The Post Christian Church, “Many of us grew up in homes and churches where image management was king.  As a Christian, it was your goal to convince others of how spiritual you were.  Reality was irrelevant.  Perception was everything.” 

As an antidote to this manufactured happiness, some Millenials are creating churches where people can honestly share their hurts and struggles.  And, that’s a good thing.  But, I’ve attended some of these churches.  And often, the sermons focus on hurt, pain and disappointment with the Christian life.  So do the worship songs.   While there may be a place for lyrics that ask, “Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?” I’m not sure a steady diet of them produces health.

You see, the antidote for manufactured joy is not authentic pessimism; it’s true joy!  As Orthodox Priest Alexander Schmemann writes, “From its very beginning Christianity has been the proclamation . . .  of the only possible joy on earth.”  He adds that without that joy, the church ceases “to be a credible witness to (the world).  Of all the accusations against Christians, the most terrible one was uttered by Nietzsche when he said that Christians had no joy.”

            As believers, we should never allow anything to steal our joy.   Yes, let’s be real and honest.  But, let’s also remember that Jesus came to give us abundant life.  And, as the Westminster Catechism states, one of the chief ends of man is to enjoy God forever. 

           

Gays Finally Telling the Truth: We’re Out to Destroy Marriage

    Now that gay marriage appears a foregone conclusion, the truth is coming out: gay activists do want to destroy marriage! 

    About a year ago, lesbian activist Masha Gessen disclosed: “It’s a no-brainer that (gays) should have the right to marry. I also think equally that it’s a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist. . . . Fighting for gay marriage generally involves lying about what we’re going to do with marriage when we get there . . . The institution of marriage is going to change, and it should change.”

     Gessen believes marriage needs to change because it fails to recognize all alternative family combinations. Gessen, who has children with multiple partners and two sperm donors, wants society to recognize all these people legally as parents.

     Other gay activists find marriage too restrictive. In fact, many already have begun redefining marriage as “monogamish,” not monogamous. Monogamish relationships are exclusive in emotional intimacy only – but allow sexual infidelities or even group sex. According to researchers at Hunter College, nearly half of all gay partnered relationships are open or monogamish. As gay activist Zach Stafford writes, “monogamy may be too much to ask of anyone” because “everyone will have moments of lust or desire.” Of course, if one accepts the basic gay premise that sexual desire defines a person and must be obeyed, then Stafford is right.

     Gay activists used to keep these beliefs and practices to themselves, but now they’re openly proselytizing. In fact, prominent gay activist Dan Savage now regularly devotes space in his popular column to heterosexual “monogamish” success stories. Reportedly, he’s also planning a book on the subject.

     And why not? Now that society has bought the premise of the gay lifestyle, it likely will adopt its promiscuous practice, as well. And, to Geffen’s point, now that society has rejected the notion that children do best with a mother and a father, it likely will embrace any number of family combinations too.

     This should serve as a warning to Christians – especially those who argue Christians should simply live and let live. Satan is using the gay agenda to destroy society. And, we either oppose this godless ideology publicly – or we surrender marriage and the society on which it depends.

Is the Bikini a Powersuit?

Jessica Rey used to be a "Power Ranger"; now, she designs modest swimwear. I recently heard her speak on the "Evolution of the Swimsuit," which inspired this post.

 

             The bikini.  Some call it the new “powersuit” – a symbol of sexual freedom and female empowerment.  As Surfer Malia Mills explains, “Since the beginning, the bikini has represented freedom, fun, and a sense of liberation.”  French fashion historian Olivier Saillard agrees:  "The emancipation of swimwear,” he says, “has always been linked to the emancipation of women.” 

            Why is it, then, that so many women, when they’re candid, admit they feel uncomfortable donning swimwear that barely covers their bare essentials?  Even actress Elizabeth Hurley, who ironically models bikinis, admits: "I’m not in my element standing around in a bikini . . . I never stand up in a bikini, even at the swimming pool. .  . . I'm like any other girl who doesn't want to show her bottom."

            Our culture used to respect this natural impulse to conceal our nakedness.  In fact, in 1946 when Louis Reard introduced the bikini, he expected his two-piece suit to shock the world – and it did.  That’s why he named it after Bikini Atoll, the site of early atomic bomb testing. Reard’s bikini so scandalized society that he couldn’t find any respectable woman to model it.  Eventually had to hire a stripper for the job.

            Now, though, bikinis hardly shock anyone.  They’re the beachwear of choice worldwide – even among many Christians.  Yet, a 2009 study at Princeton University reveals a fact that should give bikini enthusiasts pause.  That is, contrary to public opinion, bikinis don’t assert a woman’s dignity or freedom: they simply reduce women to objects in the sight of men. 

            The study found that when men viewed women in bikinis, the part of their brain associated with tool use lit up. But, these images completely deactivated the part of the brain associated with analyzing a person’s thoughts and feelings. As a researcher remarked, “It is as if they are reacting to these women as if they are not fully human.”
            Tragically, fallen human beings tend to dehumanize and exploit one another.  and, this is one reason why Scripture instructs us to clothe ourselves modestly.  Admittedly, bikinis do grant women a certain kind of power over men, but it's not the power fashionistas proclaim:  it's the power to make men view us as less than we are – not more. 

Is Q Dangerous?

           It’s a group some have deemed emergent, liberal – even dangerous.  Its conferences have featured a Muslim imam; “green” pastors; and Left-leaning political types like Jim Wallis.  Last year, a panel it hosted sparked controversy for suggesting a radical solution for reducing abortions: that is, promote contraceptives among sexually-active singles in the church!   
          Admittedly, these things have made me skeptical of Q – a so-called “learning community” comprised mostly of young, influential evangelical leaders.  Still, I wanted to see for myself.  After all, Gabe Lyons, who founded Q, is a graduate of Liberty University – hardly a fount of liberal ideology.  And, the vision Lyons has articulated is compelling one: he wants Christians to renew and restore culture – not merely oppose it.          

            So, last week, I attended Q’s annual two-and-a-half day conference.  Honestly, I expected to be offended – and I was.  One session featured a Palestinian Christian who spoke of impartiality, but clearly wasn’t.  He not so subtly implied that if one believes the modern state of Israel has spiritual significance, then he’s probably twisting Scripture to support a cause.  

            Other sessions offered similar one-sided, simplistic presentations of complex issues like immigration, poverty, and justice.  And, employing a very post-modern method of argumentation, speakers mainly used stories to persuade, not well-reasoned logic. 

            Yet, to be fair, Q gave platform to both conservative and liberal voices.  And some speakers deviated from the norm, challenging listeners to think critically, not just respond emotionally.  For example, Michael Miller of the Acton Institute explained how handouts often hurt the people they seek to help.  He challenged people instead to help people help themselves.

            Q, I discovered, is like a massive brainstorming session.  And, like most brainstorming sessions, some ideas are good and others not so good.  And admittedly, the process is risky – even dangerous. Yet, submitted to the Holy Spirit and godly discernment, Q could spark positive change.  It could prove most dangerous to the Evil One. 

              

           

Finding a Truly Christian College

            It’s mid-April and my son, like scores of other high school seniors, has less than two weeks to decide which college he’ll attend.  He knows he wants to attend a Christian college – a decision his father and I heartily affirm.  
            We understand how significantly peers and professors influence students during this time of rapid intellectual and spiritual development.  So, we’d definitely prefer that our son spend these formative years in a Christian community, which encourages him to think and live biblically.           

            However, finding a Christian school that does this consistently can be challenging.  Sure, they all tout slogans that sound good like, “Sharpening intellect, deepening Christian faith” – or “God first.”  But, students’ stories reveal a darker side – professors who denigrate biblical inerrancy; promote gay rights; advocate wealth re-distribution as a Christian virtue; or teach Darwinism, while belittling creation and Intelligent Design. 

            Often this is done in the name of expanding students’ intellectual horizons.  As John Mark Reynolds, the new provost at Houston Baptist University notes, “Many profs view their mission as helping poor, right-wing Christian children outgrow their parents' faith."  Now certainly, I expect professors – even at Christian schools – to expose my children to opposing ideologies.  But, their job is to teach students how to discern truth from error – not to uphold error as truth! 

            About 25 years ago, sociologist James Davison Hunter studied students at nine schools in the Christian College Consortium.  And sadly, he found that students’ adherence to “religious orthodoxy” actually declined during their four years at Christian schools.  More recent research shows this trend may be reversing as more colleges work to integrate a Christian worldview into all disciplines. And, no doubt, students on average do far better at Christian schools than at secular universities where studies show more than half lose their faith.  At Christian schools, only six- to seven-percent do.

            Still, students and parents need to approach this decision very carefully.  Explore curriculum; talk to professors; research chapel speakers – and determine, “Is this college really conducive to our beliefs and values – or is it hostile to them?”

Is Christian Music Degenerating into Teenage Sentimentality?

            Sometimes, I worry that Christian Contemporary Music is degenerating into teenage sentimentality.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m very grateful for this form of music and am regularly inspired and moved by much of it. 

            But, I’m not sure what to make of lyrics that argue “it’s gotta be more like falling in love than something to believe in – more like losing my heart than giving my allegiance.”  I get the point the artist is making.  Our faith needs to consist of more than mental assent: it is a love relationship between us and God.  Yet, I wonder if songs like these don’t reduce faith to a feeling?  More importantly, what happens to those who adopt this song’s mantra, but then stop feeling warm fuzzies? 

            Along a similar vein, another song gushes, “I love, I love, I love, I love the way the way you hold me.”  The singer then recounts how she daydreams about Jesus when she should be working.  Then she adds, when “this crazy world is gonna bring me down that's when your smile comes around.”  Now, I admit it’s valid to personify God.  But, I’m not sure it’s helpful to describe our relationship with God like a junior high crush.

            One of the spiritual diseases plaguing young people today is what some researchers have labeled “moralistic therapeutic deism.”  This counterfeit faith revolves around God making us feel good when we do good.  But, conspicuously absent is any sense that God is objectively true and transcendent – and deserves our obedience.  And, like teenage infatuation, this kind of faith doesn’t last – and is likely why so many young people drop out of church as adults.

            While I don’t think Christian Contemporary Music created this self-serving mutation of Christianity, it may be perpetuating it. Songs need to follow the pattern of the Psalms, balancing subjective statements from the worshiper with objective statements about God.  We need songs that remind us of God’s immutable qualities, not ones that merely gush about how He makes us feel.  After all, He is the focus of our worship, not ourselves.  And, He is God of the universe, not our momentary infatuation.