Mary Eberstadt, a contributing writer to First Things, and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, has an excellent essay on the far-reaching social consequences of pornography, and the sort of multi-pronged effort that is needed to redress the damage. An excerpt: The data about the immersion of young Americans in pornography are startling and disturbing. One 2008 study focused on undergraduate and graduate students ages 18 to 26 across the country found that more than two-thirds of men—and one out of every ten women in the sample—viewed pornography more than once a month. Another study … [Read more...] about The Social Consequences of Pornography
Archives for 2010
Rand Paul Blows It On The Rachel Maddow Show
On the heals of U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul's huge win in the Kentucky republic primary, Dr. Paul substantially weakened his candidacy on the Rachel Maddow show: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Ms. Maddow gave Dr. Paul ample opportunity to clarify his position. Paul seems to agree with 9 of the 10 titles of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and on the basis of that 90% agreement would have voted for it. Paul reiterated this later: "Let me be clear: I support the Civil Rights Act because I overwhelmingly agree with the intent of the … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Blows It On The Rachel Maddow Show
New Lifeway Research Study on “Millennials”
Lifeway Research just released (this month) a study of 1,200 Millennials in the United States -- those born between 1980 and 1991. The research is to form the basis for an upcoming book The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation by Dr. Thom Rainer and his son Jesse. Thom Rainer is the author of many books including Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples. The study revealed that American Millennials value family above all else (ahead of friends, education, careers and even religion). The study also revealed that two-thirds of Millennials call … [Read more...] about New Lifeway Research Study on “Millennials”
Do You Want To Get a Promotion?
John Angell James: True piety is the parent of every virtue which is either useful to man or pleasing to God; and when confirmed and illustrated by a faithful life, is the best recommendation a youth can offer to one whose confidence he wishes to secure. Few men are so blind to their own interest as not to know the value and to appreciate the services of an able diligent and faithful servant, and rarely does it happen that such a servant, where there is room for it, is not promoted.-from Addresses To Young Men: A Young Man's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality … [Read more...] about Do You Want To Get a Promotion?
Hallelujah! All I Have Is Christ!
If you remember John Piper's message at Together For the Gospel 2010, you'll call that he repeated the refrain of this song a few times:Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life Here are the lyrics to the song (from the album Looked Upon): I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I knew the way. The sin that promised joy and life Had led me to the grave. I had no hope that You would own A rebel to Your will. And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still. But as I ran my hell-bound race Indifferent to the cost You looked upon my helpless state And led me to … [Read more...] about Hallelujah! All I Have Is Christ!
Family Integrated Churches
The issue of family integrated churches (FICs) comes up for my wife and/or I every 2-3 months, it seems. Someone mentions a resource, or a common practice, or a conference, or a book, and asks our opinion. Having published a bit on singleness and marriage, and having taking the position that marriage is normative apart from a special gifting for celibacy, many have associated my thinking as being consistent with that of FICs. At the outset, one must acknowledge that FICs are by no means monolithic. But there are a few over-arching similarities, sufficient to warrant respectful use of the … [Read more...] about Family Integrated Churches