Games of Thrones The narrative of 2 Kings 9-10 is unmatched in our mob and “palace intrigue” movies. The writers of “The Godfather” and “Game of Thrones” needed only to read the succession stories of the kings of Israel for good material (and they probably did). So if it’s been a while since you’ve read […]
It seems to me a good time to remind you or reiterate some of our thinking behind our responses to COVID and the government’s orders. From the beginning, our default approach to COVID has been to follow the County health authorities’ guidelines. At the same time, we have intentionally not made commands to the congregation, […]
An elder letter, by Dan Russell Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the […]
Introduction I read that Hillary Clinton is concerned about what’s going on in the church, because so many young people are “leaving the church”. Here’s the quote: “Because a lot of people are leaving the church, a lot of young people are leaving the church in part because [of] the way they understand what Christianity […]
“We are not meant to control our Christianity; our Christianity is rather meant to control us.” Studies in the Sermon on the Mount D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Introduction It seems at every point during this COVID lockdown, we are learning something, about ourselves. As Cinderella wisely taught us in the 80’s, you don’t know what you got (till it’s gone). Or until it’s threatened: so often in Salt Lake City we heard Christians say “I’ve learned so much about the gospel since […]
Introduction For the most part, our church and the Church have been submissive and compliant regarding the government COVID lockdown. You, we, have done well, and are to be commended for our sometimes-difficult submission to the governing authorities Christ has appointed for us. And we may see restrictions further lifted soon. This is good news. […]
Slate.com’s recent headline called “conservatives” “creepy” for “obsessing” about the movie “Cuties”, which portrays underage girls in sexually suggestive and explicit situations. I have not seen it, but the consensus seems to be “It’s worse than you think.”1 Slate employs a tactic here that you will see again, called “gaslighting”. In this case, “cultural gaslighting”. […]
A detail in 2 Samuel 1 instructs us well in our over-heated cultural moment. Since David’s anointing as king, forces supporting Saul and David have fought. Saul dies, and then a messenger informs David. David mourns Saul, for Saul was “the Lord’s anointed” (1:14). God had anointed Saul – therefore God’s honor is diminished. Therefore, […]
If anything, our cultural moment can be described as “corrosive”, or “divided”. Another commentator has said our nation is “inflamed”. That’s about right. And though you may be a Christian, we can easily be swept up in that inflamed division. And that inflamed division can then rend the fabric of the church. It’s happening, now, […]