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A La Carte (2/26)
- 02/26/09
- 14
The Pornification of a Culture
Dr. Mohler: "The scourge of pornography is now so pervasive that it begins to define the culture at large. America is fast transforming itself from a society that allows and markets pornography into a culture that is pornographic. Boundary after boundary is being transgressed."
The Future
This little cartoon captures something about our culture.
"Rabbi" Duncan
On the anniversary of "Rabbi" Duncan's death, Fred Sanders offers a few of his best aphorisms. Example: "I have a great liking for many of Wesley's Hymns; but when I read some of them, I ask, 'What's become of your Free-will now, friend?'"
Octomom Does Not Represent Big Families
Candance, writing at Boundless,org, says of the mother of octuplets "her headline-grabbing stunt seems to be turning a critical eye on large families who get that way (large) the old-fashioned way (one or two babies at a time)."
Deal of the Day: A Sketch of the Christian's Catechism
Reformation Heritage Books is offering a great discount on this book. "Ames's method in this book is not an analysis of the Catechism itself. Rather, he chooses a particular text of Scripture that supports the main thoughts for a given Lord's Day. While the exposition is directly from the Bible, Ames's doctrinal conclusions interact with the corresponding Questions and Answers of the Heidelberg Catechism. "
Dr. Mohler: "The scourge of pornography is now so pervasive that it begins to define the culture at large. America is fast transforming itself from a society that allows and markets pornography into a culture that is pornographic. Boundary after boundary is being transgressed."
The Future
This little cartoon captures something about our culture.
"Rabbi" Duncan
On the anniversary of "Rabbi" Duncan's death, Fred Sanders offers a few of his best aphorisms. Example: "I have a great liking for many of Wesley's Hymns; but when I read some of them, I ask, 'What's become of your Free-will now, friend?'"
Octomom Does Not Represent Big Families
Candance, writing at Boundless,org, says of the mother of octuplets "her headline-grabbing stunt seems to be turning a critical eye on large families who get that way (large) the old-fashioned way (one or two babies at a time)."
Deal of the Day: A Sketch of the Christian's Catechism
Reformation Heritage Books is offering a great discount on this book. "Ames's method in this book is not an analysis of the Catechism itself. Rather, he chooses a particular text of Scripture that supports the main thoughts for a given Lord's Day. While the exposition is directly from the Bible, Ames's doctrinal conclusions interact with the corresponding Questions and Answers of the Heidelberg Catechism. "
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Comments (14)
Regarding Mohler's piece, I don't think we give enough credence to the idea that the workplace is a main target of Satan. If most adults spend about 75% of their waking hours at work, then it stands to reason that Satan has a major vested interest in bringing destruction to that place, and increasing porn would be just one manifestation of his work.
The family size issue has become so bound up with our idolatrous love for autonomy that it is hard for us to see things clearly anymore. If the message that youth consistently get, whether voiced or not, is that they should be striving for a college education so they can get a well paying job so they can get a home in the suburbs so they can live the radical, individual autonomous lifestyle, then it will be hard for them to consider having as many kids as God might want to give them, even if that means more than 3 or 4.
This whole thing with the octuplets is really starting to get to me. The media is really tearing this woman apart. Even the name "octomom" has a villianas tone to it. I'm not saying I agree with her motives, but without any close moral support (no husband, angry mom, seemingly no friends who will stand up for her) how will she cope? Why do so many want to see this woman destroyed? If a Christian leader ever points out some kind of moral sin the media seems to be the first to quote, "he who is without sin cast the first stone" but when it comes to something like this, they are throwing boulders without restraint! Lord have mercy on this woman. Save her soul, and her children
This is incredibly helpful and spurs me on to keep reading more. David
Tim,I think something is wrong! I can't find a link to leave comments on the reading post so I put it here. It looks like others are doing the same.Great article on reading. It is an encouragement to all of us who, have had or still do have, strugles with reading. Like you I have found that it only gets easier and one of the incredible benefits is that your vocabulary increases so the types of books becomes more deversified.I recently wrote a post on my blog about this topic. You can find it at: http://www.blendedharts.com/2009/01/17/reading-with-purpose/ In it I refer to the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. In Chapter 13 he discusses the importance of reading in the life of the believer.Thanks again for you thoughts. They will have helped me to refine my own in this area.
Tim,I think something is wrong! I can't find a link to leave comments on the reading post so I put it here. It looks like others are doing the same.Great article on reading. It is an encouragement to all of us who, have had or still do have, strugles with reading. Like you I have found that it only gets easier and one of the incredible benefits is that your vocabulary increases so the types of books becomes more deversified.I recently wrote a post on my blog about this topic. You can find it at: http://www.blendedharts.com/2009/01/17/reading-with-purpose/ In it I refer to the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. In Chapter 13 he discusses the importance of reading in the life of the believer.Thanks again for you thoughts. They will have helped me to refine my own in this area.
Mohler says:
"A society that embraces pornography as a constitutionally protected form of "speech" will have a hard time policing sexually explicit material."
So he'd prefer it be criminal?
Michael:
Do you subscribe to the "quiver full" theology then? That is to say, don't use birth control, have as many kids as you have?
J.P.H.,I don't know if I subscribe to the "quiver full" theology, but I do think Protestants need to keep thinking about the effects of uncoupling the unitive purpose of sex from its procreative purpose. And all I'm saying is that I think there is a lot of idolatry surrounding many Christians' choice to use birth control. I don't say this to absolutize the non-use of birth control, but rather to help people think through the reasons why they might not be very open to God giving them more than 3 -4 children. I think one can have some good reasons, but one has to think through those reasons. I also think we have not grappled well with the connection between non-procreative marital sex and the push by homosexuals for marriage.
The "Future" cartoon captures my sentiments exactly. I think I have made a few enemies by daring to suggest the generally ridiculous nature of Facebook and Twitter.
I dared to enter a comment on Facebook mocking it and by a few words spoken to me you'd swear I had slandered scripture.
I can't see the cartoon. All I get is a white page.
I shared it with my 17-year-old son, who thinks it's absolutely HILARIOUS! He's sending it to all his friends - no doubt via Facebook : )
Thanks for the link on "Rabbi" Duncan, Tim. Apart from the quips--some of them quite good--the OP has a link to his biography on Google Books.
It was quite providential, since I've been studying recently on early (pre-WWII) evangelical missions to Jewish communities. More than that, Duncan was living proof that God can use the most eccentric, wretched characters and harness them for His Kingdom work, to the eternal glory of His mighty Name.
This is incredibly helpful Tim, Cheers for writing it!
Meant that comment on the reading post - oops
Reading activities and habits are similar to all of us bibliophiles. I do about the same thing as you do Tim. I have been a life long reader as well, and have been privileged to teach literature as well. I read around 100 books a year, and some years more. I write down all the books that i read to keep track. I read a wide variety of books. This keeps me from getting disinterested. I do tend to find an author and read everything they have written though. My latest has been Tolstoy. I also have recently realized I can listen to books on my ipod while I do other things like house work and driving. I used to think this was "cheating" but have re-thought that. Reading is also the best instructor for writing. Thanks. Lynn