Category: Christians & Culture

Commentary, from a Biblical perspective, on current events that are primarily cultural. There may be some overlap with politics and government, but the emphasis is on broader societal developments apart from politics, which also includes analysis of specific individuals.

Principle: Sowing & Reaping (Part I)

  

We sow seeds in the natural, but we do the same spiritually. A dictionary definition of the word “sow” points to the natural side when it says: To scatter seed in the ground for the purpose of growth. What is “seed?” Again, according to the dictionary: That from which anything springs. But then it moves the definition from the natural to the spiritual, when it adds this one word: PRINCIPLES. Christians, therefore, should be about the business of sowing principles… Read more »

Mere Words

  

I have perused the President’s Notre Dame speech. In one sense, it is a model for how to deal with a controversy and how to win people’s hearts. In another sense, it is mere words, not backed up by actions. While some will point to the speech as moderate, if you look carefully, you still notice a shrillness when it comes to issues of capitalism, climate change, and other liberal causes. On the economy, it places all the blame on… Read more »

Beyond Good Intentions

  

I honestly believe that many Christians who disagree with my political views have good hearts. They think they are doing God’s will. I’ve noticed that one of the motives for those who support liberal politicians is their desire to help the poor. They have faith, so to speak, in the government programs that aim to bring people out of poverty. This is a grave mistake. It’s one thing to have good intentions—God will look at the heart and realize that… Read more »

National Day of Prayer

  

Yesterday was a national day of prayer. One bit of news from yesterday was that President Obama declined to participate in the annual prayer breakfast. While that may be disconcerting because it breaks tradition and sends a signal that he doesn’t consider it that important, I am not as disturbed by it as you might think. Bill Clinton made a show of always appearing at such events. I also remember how each Sunday he provided a photo op coming out… Read more »

American Character: William Bradford

  

He was only in his twenties when the awesome responsibility of governing a community was thrust upon him. Then, for 35 years of the next 40, he continued to lead that community, being reelected annually. That must mean he was doing something right. His name was William Bradford, governor of the Pilgrim colony of Plymouth. He arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 along with a band of his fellow believers. In England, they were called Separatists because they didn’t want… Read more »

American Character: Chanco

  

Most of you probably looked at the name in the title above and said, “Who is that?” Character is not found only among the well known; it appears in those we might call “the common man” as well. I call Chanco an example of American character even though he was not one of the early English settlers. Rather, he was a native American, one already living here when the English arrived. The backdrop: Jamestown was 15 years young in 1622…. Read more »

Principle: Christian Character (Part III)

  

The Bible is replete with examples of godly character. I’m particularly drawn to those examples that show a person maintaining godly character while serving in public office. For instance, when the prophet Samuel steps down as judge over Israel, he challenges the people by stating, “Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose… Read more »