Abusing Scripture: The Consequences of Misreading the Bible by Manfred T. Brauch, (IVP Academic, 2009) 293 pp; First Peter by E. M. Blaiklock (Word, 1977) 113 pp; Connecting Christ by Paul Louis Metzger, (Thomas Nelson, 2010) 328 pp. By Dr. Ralph Blair (PDF version available here) A kids’ quiz asks, “Which One Doesn’t Belong?”, e.g.,…
PDF version is available here An “ex-gay” rally that promised to bring thousands of “ex-gays” to the Supreme Court Building turned out fewer than ten people. Among them was Richard Cohen, famous for his “cuddling on the couch” counseling with young male clients. “Grandpa” McIntyre drove his pick-up truck from Texas and claims he’s “the…
“Sex Without Bodies” by Andy Crouch, Christianity Today, July/August 2013 “Christianity and Homosexuality” by Tim Keller, Redeemer Report, October 2013 By Dr. Ralph Blair (PDF version available here) The executive editor at CT thinks: “There is really only one conviction that can hold [the LGBT] coalition of disparate human experiences together [and it’s] the irrelevance…
Jesus’ Parables of God’s Reign Jesus’ Parables of God’s Reign is the text of the teachings Dr. Blair presented at the 2013 Evangelicals Concerned Fall Festival in Ocean Grove, NJ, October 11-13, 2013. On the first evening, he presented biographical background on four Christians we honor in this, their bicentennial year: David Livingstone – Soren…
To Reject or Receive God’s Reign Matthew 13:1-30, 36-43 In July, Time magazine published The 100 Most Influential People Who Never Lived. Editors drew up this list of fictional characters with some help from “contributors” such as F. Murray Abraham, Jodie Foster and Chris Colfer. The public then voted for its top choices from…
The Humility of God’s Reign Matthew 18:1-10 One day, Jesus did more than merely tell a parable. He produced a parable. He portrayed a parable. He presented a little child in tableau vivant – a “living picture”. Then, as now, a picture can mean more than mere words. But, still, just as ears must be…
God’s Revolution and Reign Mark 2:16-17, 21-22; Luke 5:36-39 Let’s hear God’s word: “When the scribes of the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples: ‘Why is he eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?’ ” “Sinners” was a catchall term for all Jews who didn’t follow…
Exodus shuts down after nearly forty years of failure at trying to change sexual orientation. Nearly four decades of claimed success were wishful thinking and deceit. Exodus president Alan Chambers says: “For quite some time we’ve been imprisoned in a worldview that’s neither honoring toward our fellow human beings, nor biblical.” He apologizes for the…
Paul for Everyone: I Corinthians by N. T. Wright (John Knox Press, 2004) 272 pp. Bible, Gender, Sexuality by James V. Brownson (Eerdmans, 2013) 300 pp. (PDF version available here) A popular Anglican bishop grants that two words in I Corinthians 6:9 “have been much debated” but he claims that “experts have now established [that…
(PDF version available here) John Paulk admits: “I do not believe that reparative therapy changes sexual orientation; in fact, it does great harm to many people.” This former head of Focus on the Family’s “ex-gay” program, former Exodus board president and 1998 Newsweek cover story (with his “ex-lesbian” wife) has, in April, issued an official…