I just wrote a piece for First Things in which I decry the charge of “discrimination” that Gordon College and its president, D. Michael Lindsay, face for seeking to adhere to biblical sexual ethics. This used to be called “religious practice” and is now called “discrimination.” The essay is called “Religion in a Heart-Shaped Box” and it ranges over Gordon, Bowdoin, and the broader public square today. A swatch: In high school, many of us read the story of Hester Prynne, the... Read more
I just published a piece for Boundless that is entitled “Do Something Awesome: Build a Family.” In the piece, I make the case that for a generation obsessed with personal fulfillment, few things are more meaningful than having and raising children. Here’s a swatch: If you listen to a dash of rap or pop music every now and then as I do, you hear some interesting words and phrases: “swag,” “YOLO.” And one of my personal favorites: “I’m doing me now.” This... Read more
This segment of the FOX News show Huckabee aired on July 4-5, 2014. I was thankful to have a chance to discuss sexual ethics, religious liberty, and the controversy at Bowdoin College, my alma mater. Governor Huckabee cares deeply about religious liberty issues, and so Bowdoin effectively kicking the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group off campus was of note to him (landing on A1 of the New York Times helps in that regard). It was good to hear from Kristan Hawkins, leader... Read more
On July 4th, a great day, I came across this characterization of General Douglas MacArthur that seemed to speak not simply to MacArthur’s exceptionalism but America’s: “Always a man of faith, self-confidence, and buoyant optimism, MacArthur had seen opportunities where other men saw problems and difficulties.” (Army history John Miller, Jr., quoted in William Manchester’s magisterial American Caesar) You can say a lot about what has made America unique (which is the heart of “exceptionalism,” not moral perfection), but it strikes... Read more
Today is a momentous day. The Supreme Court will decide whether Hobby Lobby, a business run by a strong Christian family, has to provide health care that covers abortifacient drugs. No matter what happens in this case, here are several things to keep in mind. 1. God is sovereign over all things. 2. Even if the Court finds against Hobby Lobby, I for one doubt that the company is finished. 3. If the Court does find against the chain, then... Read more
Many years ago, Chuck Colson was doing what he did constantly: visiting prisoners. Formerly incarcerated due to his connections to the Watergate scandal of the early 1970s, Colson became a Christian in 1975 and soon after found his life’s calling: ministering to prisoners. In 1985, Colson visited a North Carolina prison. As noted, this was not unusual. What was unusual about Colson’s visit, however, was that a prison chaplain had asked Colson to visit a much-feared prisoner in isolation. This... Read more
I’ve been covering the ongoing struggle at my alma mater, Bowdoin College, between the administration and Bowdoin Christian Fellowship, an evangelical group led by Rob Gregory. Gregory, a close friend of mine, is becoming a household name to readers of my blog, and as of today he’s known as well to the readership of First Things. You may remember Rob as the volunteer one Bowdoin administrator charitably linked to Jerry Sandusky (with no apology despite being confronted on this matter). Vitriol... Read more
If you’re the type of person who does not run from a ministry challenge but actively runs toward one, you’re what one could call a “gospel Navy SEAL.” Like C. T. Studd, you don’t want to live within earshot of a chapel bell; you want to run a rescue mission on hell’s doorstep (I quote Studd in this book of the same theme). If you fit this bill, you might be interested in the following opportunity in Brunswick, Maine. My friend Rob... Read more
This announcement was just posted at the CBMW website. As CBMW President, it’s my pleasure to introduce the summer 2014 “Stand Against the Tide” campaign. I’m delighted to announce that we have a $25,000 matching offer on the table and, on this invigorating occasion, are inaugurating our brand-new partnership program, which includes the opportunity to join CBMW for a leadership retreat in a coastal locale (see below). To give to CBMW, please send your contribution to: The Council on Biblical... Read more
Father’s Day was yesterday, but since I was trying to spend the day with my family, I’m just blogging this today. It’s a short but powerful story from ESPN of how Mark Schlereth, a former NFL player, used to spend time with his son, Daniel. After Mark talks about being around for his son despite being tired and in pain, ESPN brings Daniel–now a professional baseball player–onscreen. Mark is surprised, and both father and son choke up. You just might,... Read more
Thought Life
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In