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Justification: Here I Stand

A few weeks ago an editor from the Christian Science Monitor emailed to ask if I would consider writing an opinion piece on the doctrine of justification. This sounded unusual to say the least.   First of all, why was he asking me? (Because a friend of mine passed along my name I found . . . . Continue Reading »

What happened to the old sins?

Really — where did they go?It used to be wrong to gamble.  It violated the Christian work ethic.It used to be that a church would not accept gambling winnings as an offering.  I wonder how many wink at it today.Heavy alcohol consumption is not blogged about.  I wonder if it is . . . . Continue Reading »

Children’s Book Blegging . . .

I know a little boy who has developed some bad habits by reading funny books his father got him without thinking about the consequences of said little boy emulating the behavior of the main character.We don’t need to go into who the boy is or who his father is.  Let’s just say I . . . . Continue Reading »

Huckabee and the Limits of Compassion

The tragic murders of four policeman in Washington State , quickly turned into a political story when it was discovered that former governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee had previously commuted the sentence of the gunman, making him eligible for parole. Normally, I . . . . Continue Reading »

Faith-based hiring: news not so bad

My friend Stanley Carlson-Thies was for a long time associated with the Center for Public Justice in Annapolis, Maryland, and served in the Bush White House in 2001-2 in the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Now he is leading the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance (IRFA), whose . . . . Continue Reading »

My Genes Made Me Murder!

Genetic determinism is a way of liberating us from free will and taking full responsibility for our actions.  One would think that “my genes made me do it” defense would go no further than pleading, “The devil made me do it.”  Alas, one would so hope in vain.  . . . . Continue Reading »

The Progressive Abuse of the Poor

In an extended discussion on a matter of practical Christian ethics, it is my contention that the Christian ethic provides the best defense of the poor and needy in society.  While separating from the abusive approach of today’s semi-Marxists, the Christian is able to work for the . . . . Continue Reading »

Culture Alerts

So, like every other American who’s not a Porcher, I watched TV and went to the movies over the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s the best I heard and saw: AN EDUCATION is a genuinely erotic, sophisticated, conversational movie about a brilliant, beautiful girl of sixteen who learns . . . . Continue Reading »

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