ESPN reporter Chris Broussard is taking tremendous flack simply for answering a specific question from a Christian perspective. Note that Broussard did not volunteer this information. He was asked. Broussard goes on to make an outstanding point about what “true tolerance” is and why it is important not to throw around names like “bigot.”

“Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.” 

I love the writings of Peter Kreft. You don’t have to agree with all his theological commitments (he’s a Roman Catholic) to benefit from his immense clarity of thought and precise, logical argumentation skills. On providing rational, non-religious, pro-life arguments, he’s excellent. He’s also a great refuter or moral relativism and a champion for the existence of objective, external moral absolutes. 

Here’s a 7500 word transcript that goes with a 50 minute audio lecture entitled “A Refutation of Moral Relativism” (which is also the title of one of Kreft’s many books).  Regretably, the quality of the audio is poor, so I’d suggest reading the transcript. Kreft gives six arguments for moral relativism, first stating the arguments positively and then critiquing them.  Then, he gives five positive arguments for affirming the existence of eternal moral absolutes. 

Two excerpts:

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Jackie Robinson and Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey were not only strong Christians, their shared faith in Jesus Christ was the reason Rickey chose Robinson.  Eric Metaxas laments the fact that Hollywood chose not to include this important dimension in the recent film 42:

Hollywood has been skittish about faith and religion since at least the late 1960s. Even when it’s almost impossible to avoid, filmmakers find a way. The Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line omitted the central role Christian faith played in how Cash overcame drug addiction. Even in 2007′s Amazing Grace, about British abolitionist William Wilberforce, the story of his conversion and the huge role faith played in his political efforts is essentially left out.

And now in 42, Hollywood’s done it again, check-swinging a bloop single past the infield when a fence-clearing clout — or at least extra bases — was easily possible.

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A sobering, twenty-minute look at Kermit Gosnell’s horrors:

Great post by David Mathis on how Jackie Robinson’s Christian faith drove him to not return evil for evil.  I don’t know if this important theme is brought out by the new movie 42, but I hope it is, because it’s the only explanation for how he could have done it.  Mathis writes:

The story of Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) — and with him Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey (1881–1965) — is one of the most powerful tales American athletics has to tell. Robinson overcame what seemed like insurmountable obstacles not only by playing outstanding baseball, but even more significantly, by not retaliating when treated with rank injustice and racism. According to Metaxas, “Jackie’s not fighting back against such filth and injustice was as heroic an accomplishment as anything the sports world had ever witnessed” (126).

Metaxas writes about Robinson (among others) in his new book Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness.  Metaxas is a master biographer, so I’m sure this new title is excellent.

Read the rest of Mathis’ post.

Great thoughts from D.C. Innes and Anthony Bradley on the importance of virtue in leaders.  Innes is reflecting on themes from Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goldman and others.  I’ve appreciated other work form Goldman.  An excerpt from Innes:

The authors contend that central to the success of any leader is his (or her) ability to be emotionally compelling to those under his care: “Great leaders move us.” Your boss will foster a work environment that is emotionally toxic or harmonious, dissonant or resonant.  Leaders who have a tin ear to workplace emotions produce a group hobbled with anger, fear, and a sense of futility. The team gets off mission, and their mission-capability itself suffers. In this sense, effective leaders are sympathetic and compassionate. The authors call this “emotional intelligence.” Christ calls it “love.”

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