I suppose the first question to address is why anybody would want to dye their hair green in the first place. The short answer is, they want to express themselves, that is, their unique, inner self, and they want other people to notice (and hopefully appreciate) their uniqueness. They want to stand out, and greenContinue reading “Is There Anything Wrong with Green Hair?”
Author Archives: pastorjdburns
On the Way
To the one who is lost and sunk in the practical—or real—atheism of our present culture, to you I say: Without God, you have nothing, because without God there is nothing. Without Him you will never have anything. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. If you want to get anywhere, start there.Continue reading “On the Way”
Some Clarifying Words about Homosexuality
Occasionally in sermons or in a Bible class I will reference homosexuality. When I do so, I think I’m generally pretty clear that homosexuality is sinful and is to be avoided by Christians. Nevertheless, most of us probably know homosexuals, and many have relatives or even close friends who are homosexual. Not only that, butContinue reading “Some Clarifying Words about Homosexuality”
Enemy Within the Gates: Our Culture and Our Church
I wrote last week about radical individualism and promised a follow up. Here is the follow up: Since the end of the Second World War, there has been a profound shift in the thinking of our culture, a shift away from an objective, God-centered understanding of reality and of the individual’s place within it (aContinue reading “Enemy Within the Gates: Our Culture and Our Church”
Theology, Political Theory and the Virtue of Authenticity
I have had a number of fairly intense debates / discussions of late, mostly, but not entirely, with young Christians, regarding abortion, homosexuality, and LGBT lifestyle issues. I have been struck by the intensity of their feelings and by their sincerity. What have I heard? Dissatisfaction with a perceived lack of compassion among traditionally-minded ChristiansContinue reading “Theology, Political Theory and the Virtue of Authenticity”
Separation of Truth and State
We Christians at First Lutheran in Benton love our country. We are proud to be Americans, we are thankful to our God for our nation, and we pray for it. But we must be candid about this: there are things about America and its culture that are not only not very good, but are reallyContinue reading “Separation of Truth and State”
The One Thing Needful and its Enemies
Our life with God is the work of God’s Spirit, which comes to us in His Word. Life in Christ is planted in us through the Word, and it is sustained in us by the Word, and only by the Word. (1 Pet 1:23-25) The Word is our connection to Christ. Without the Word weContinue reading “The One Thing Needful and its Enemies”
Church, Politics and Partisanship
Political issues are by and large moral issues, and the Church not only has a right but a duty to speak clearly about them. Matters relating to life and sexuality and discrimination and economic, social and legal justice are all highly political, but they are also deeply moral. How can we Christians not teach andContinue reading “Church, Politics and Partisanship”
Christian Nationalism
Christian Nationalism is an ill-defined concept. The term is often used simply to smear Christians merely for being politically active and to conjure up terrifying thoughts of authoritarianism and theocracy. I’ve never met a Christian, however right-wing politically, who actually wanted a theocracy! Nevertheless, this is a fear among some fellow citizens who evidentially knowContinue reading “Christian Nationalism”
Not Proud
This is Pride Month. Did you know that? I bet you did. There’s a presidential proclamation announcing it, you know. And everybody’s getting in on the act. Commercials go out of their way to let us know that, whatever it is they’re hawking, and whether we even know or care what they’re trying to sellContinue reading “Not Proud”