The intolerance of tolerance

Dr. Albert Mohler interviews Dr. D.A. Carson on his book, The Intolerance of Tolerance. You can read the transcript or listen to (or download) the podcast.

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The New Moral McCarthyism

Albert Mohler has some chilling words:

A new chapter in America’s moral revolution came today as Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio withdrew from giving the benediction at President Obama’s second inaugural ceremony. In a statement released to the White House and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Giglio said that he withdrew because of the furor that emerged yesterday after a liberal watchdog group revealed that almost twenty years ago he had preached a sermon in which he had stated that homosexuality is a sin and that the “only way out of a homosexual lifestyle … is through the healing power of Jesus.”

In other words, a Christian pastor has been effectively disinvited from delivering an inaugural prayer because he believes and teaches Christian truth. . .  .

The imbroglio over Louie Giglio is the clearest evidence of the new Moral McCarthyism of our sexually “tolerant” age. During the infamous McCarthy hearings, witnesses would be asked, “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”

In the version now to be employed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the question will be: “Are you now or have you ever been one who believes that homosexuality (or bisexuality, or transsexualism, etc.) is anything less than morally acceptable and worthy of celebration?”. . . .

The Presidential Inaugural Committee and the White House have now declared historic, biblical Christianity to be out of bounds, casting it off the inaugural program as an embarrassment. By its newly articulated standard, any preacher who holds to the faith of the church for the last 2,000 years is persona non grata. By this standard, no Roman Catholic prelate or priest can participate in the ceremony. No Evangelical who holds to biblical orthodoxy is welcome. The vast majority of Christians around the world have been disinvited. Mormons, and the rabbis of Orthodox Judaism are out. Any Muslim imam who could walk freely in Cairo would be denied a place on the inaugural program. Billy Graham, who participated in at least ten presidential inaugurations is welcome no more. Rick Warren, who incited a similar controversy when he prayed at President Obama’s first inauguration, is way out of bounds. In the span of just four years, the rules are fully changed.

The gauntlet was thrown down yesterday, and the axe fell today. Wayne Besen, founder of the activist group Truth Wins Out, told The New York Timesyesterday: “It is imperative that Giglio clarify his remarks and explain whether he has evolved on gay rights, like so many other faith and political leaders. It would be a shame to select a preacher with backward views on LBGT people at a moment when the nation is rapidly moving forward on our issues.”. . . 

We now see the new Moral McCarthyism in its undisguised and unvarnished reality. If you are a Christian, get ready for the question you will now undoubtedly face: “Do you now or have you ever believed that homosexuality is a sin?” There is nowhere to hide.”

Read all of “The Giglio Imbroglio: The Public Inauguration of a New Moral McCarthyism”

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Roe v. Wade 40 years later: Mohler takes a look

Dr. Albert Mohler has written a response to a TIME magazine article “40 Years Ago, Abortion-Rights Activists Won an Epic Victory with Roe v. Wade.  Worth your read. . . Also take a listen to his podcast for today.

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Two subjects worth thinking about

Here’s one podcast by an a former Mormon talking about Mormonism.

Albert Mohler and Don Carson talk through issues related to Carson’s book The Intolerance of Tolerance.

You can listen to both on your computer or mobile device.

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Thinking about the massacre in Newtown, CT

Below are some helpful links to help us pray, think biblically about, and respond as Christians to the mass murder that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday in Newtown, Connecticut.

Rachel Weeping For Her Children: The Massacre in Conneticut by Albert Mohler:

The calculated and premeditated nature of this crime, combined with the horror of at least twenty murdered children, makes the news almost unspeakable and unbearable. The grief of parents and loved ones in Newtown, Connecticut and beyond is beyond words. Yet, even in the face of such a tragedy, Christians must speak. We will have to speak in public about this evil, and we will have to speak in private about this horrible crime. How should Christians think and pray in the aftermath of such a colossal crime?

Evil as Social Construct by Reformation Theology

The random acts of violence in our society demonstrates how desperately wicked we are. What profoundly sad news this week from both coasts. When people in the news ask why? My question in return is why not? If we have no ultimate standard to appeal to in our society, and are simply left to our own self-declared authority, then how is a massacre any different than a day at the beach? I am not claiming that I am any better or beyond evil, since I share in the same fallen humanity, but the Law of God acts as a restraint, and if it is not taught to our children then we are abusing them and are more likely to grow up despairing in the meaninglessness of it all, so why not be bad? What is bad anyway if there is no real truth, but a social construct and nothing more.

A Prayer in Response to the Newtown, CT Tragedy by Scotty Smith

How Does Jesus Come to Newtown? by John Piper

The God who draws near to Newtown is the suffering, sympathetic God-man, Jesus Christ. No one else can feel what he has felt. No one else can love like he can love. No one else can heal like he can heal. No one else can save like he can save.

School Shootings and Spiritual Warfare by Russell Moore:

Let’s not offer pat, easy answers to the grieving parents and communities in Connecticut. We don’t fully understand the mystery of iniquity. We don’t know why God didn’t stop this from happening. But we do know what this act is: it’s satanic, and we should say so.

Let’s grieve for the innocent. Let’s demand justice for the guilty. And let’s rage against the Reptile behind it all.

As we do so, let’s remember that Bethlehem was an act of war. Let’s remember that the One born there is a prince of peace who will crush the skull of the ancient murderer of Eden. Let’s pray for the Second Coming of Mary’s son. And, as we sing our Christmas carols, let’s look into the slitted eyes of Satan as we promise him the threat of his coming crushed skull.

A Prayer for Children by William Cowper:

Lord, we tremble, for we know
How the fierce malicious foe,
Wheeling round his watchful flight,
Keeps them ever in his sight:

Spread Thy pinions, King of kings!
Hide them safe beneath Thy wings;
Lest the ravenous bird of prey
Stoop and bear the brood away.

Responding to Tragedy by Gentle Reformation:

How do we–how can we–respond to such tragedy as the murder of children and their teachers? How do we even think through such horror? I’m not sure there’s one perfect answer to that question. Rather, I think Jesus shows and teaches us many ways in which we can respond. Here are a few that are running through my head this morning. . . . (Click on above link) and sing the song below. . .

Be Still my Soul!

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise

On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine

Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

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Lessons from the 2012 election

Albert Mohler expands on the lessons he sees from yesterday’s election:

1. It was a decisive victory
2. It reveals a divided electorate
3. A changed and changing electorate
4. The collapse of the Republican coalition
5. A catastrophe over moral issues
6. More than the presidency was at stake
7. It’s not really about politics

All of these now present us with challenges to face and responsibilities we dare not neglect, Mohler says. Read it all here.

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A faith that influences everything we do

The exchange between vice-presidential candidates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan over the juxtaposition of their faith and their views on abortion has sparked a lot of controversy.

Ryan argued that faith informs everything we do.  While it’s clear that Biden allows his Roman Catholic faith to inform some of what he does politically, he and others would take great exception to Ryan’s position.

So how is a Christian to think about faith and the rest of his or her life.  Should faith influence everything we do?  Albert Mohler says “yes” as he interacts with one journalist who argues “no.”  Want to know more? Read “Of Babies and Beans?”

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What’s at stake with inerrancy?

Albert Mohler writes:

 

 

With current challenges to the inerrancy of Scripture in view, I convened a panel of theologians to revisit the question. In one sense, the challenges to inerrancy are more direct than ever, with figures associated with some evangelical institutions calling for a straightforward repudiation of the doctrine. Other assaults are more subtle, but all of these challenges demand our close attention.

The panel was convened on Thursday, September 27, 2012, in Alumni Chapel at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The video of the panel can be viewed by clicking here.

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Is morality simply limited to harm to others?

Albert Mohler and Tim Keller discuss this question with Colin Hanson. The discussion is in response to a recent Chicago Tribune article,

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Christian values won’t save anyone

In his latest blog article, “Christian Values Cannot Save Anyone,” R. Albert Mohler Jr. responds to a recent column in The Washington Post, in which a mother seeks advice concerning her daughter who recently “converted” to atheism. The mother’s concern is that her daughter will lose her Christian values. Mohler writes:

“The problem appears at the onset, when the mother states that she has ‘tried to raise my family under the same strong Christian values that I grew up with.’ … Hell will be filled with people who were avidly committed to Christian values. Christian values cannot save anyone and never will. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a Christian value, and a comfortability with Christian values can blind sinners to their need for the gospel.”

Read the whole article.

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