Drugs, Doctrine, Domestics, and the usual hot topics
The Eclectic Web
Our eclectica covers a lot of ground this week. Many different topics caught our eye.
Drugs ♦ Doctrine of Separation ♦ Marriage ♦ Persecution ♦ Abortion ♦ Calvinism ♦ Illustration
Some commentary and then the links follow.
The newspapers were all agog about the legalization of marijuana in some states. This will have an impact on some churches. Most, we guess, will have a zero tolerance for marijuana use among members, but in an ironic twist, the arguments against marijuana often are the same ones abstainers use of alcohol (with less Scripture). The more permissive churches (of alcohol) are put in an interesting position by this new arrival.
On the doctrine of separation front, ironically the Southern Baptist Convention is inviting a musical group (Phillips, Craig, and Dean) noted for its connections to modalism (the idea that God is just one person, not three, but that he manifests himself in three different forms at different times). The group has signed a document repudiating modalism and embracing orthodox doctrines, yet questions persist. On the other hand, Ravi Zacharias shows up at the Mormon Tabernacle – to preach! Al Mohler is scheduled to reappear in Mormon land soon. What gives with that?
We found some interesting articles on marriage related topics. First on our list is an article by a feminist against no-fault divorce. Next is one about a widow who was duped out of money on an online dating service. One would think that this is relatively rare, and we know of some couples who seem to be doing well after having met through such services. But… risks remain. Last, a strange article from Europe tells us that a majority of French men cheat on their spouses and a third of the women do as well. At least, that is the count of those who will admit to it. (The numbers as reported have a somewhat disturbing inference — 55% of men with 33% of the women? — but surely the women are not more depraved than the men in this matter, are they?
Some serious topics follow: Persecution is stepping up in Belarus. Some countries make it dicey to be a Christian. On Abortion, a hopeful article about the Supreme Court and the buffer zone around abortion clinics. No decision has been reached, but some are hopeful that the buffer zone laws might be struck down. And last, on Calvinism, the New York Times reports on the “Calvinist Revival” that we have been aware of for some time. It must be big if the NYT is noticing.
Last, for the Illustration file, Hiroo Onoda has died. He is the famous Japanese soldier who stayed at his post decades after the war was over (WWII). The story is a remarkable one and surely is one of those stories I call “an illustration in search of a sermon.”
Links appear below:
Drugs
Banks Say No to Marijuana Money, Legal or Not – NYTimes.com
John Piper on Why Christians Must Say ‘No’ to Marijuana
Doctrine of Separation
Phillips, Craig and Dean’s statement rejecting modalism | THE MATTRIX
Ravi Zacharias Speaks, Fernando Ortega Sings … at the Mormon Tabernacle | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com
Marriage
The Feminist, Pro-Father, and Pro-Child Case against No-Fault Divorce | Public Discourse
Ga. Widow Duped Out of $500 on Christian Dating Site
French study shows a majority of men and a third of women cheat – Telegraph
Persecution
Baptists arrested at worship in Belarus
Abortion
BaptistPress: Justices skeptical of abortion clinic buffer zone
Calvinism
Evangelicals Find Themselves in the Midst of a Calvinist Revival – NYTimes.com
Illustration
Hiroo Onoda, Soldier Who Hid in Jungle for Decades, Dies at 91 – NYTimes.com
Publication of links in The Eclectic Web feature does not imply endorsement of the viewpoint or contents of any of the websites linked. The links are provided as a matter of interest to Christians.
The Eclectic Web is compiled by Don Johnson. Don Johnson is the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.