September 1999

Committed Christian

A People magazine article recently praised actresses over 40. In it, actress Rene Russo discussed nude scenes she performed in her latest film, and how that she wasn't always so comfortable with displaying her body. The article said, ""A deeply committed Christian since her teens, the actress prayed about her new image. 'I don't know where in the Bible it says, 'Don't be nude in a motion picture,' she said."" more...

Electronic Gossip

The Bible contains strong warnings about gossip and slander. "A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends" (Proverbs 16:28). "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases" (Proverbs 26:20). Yet gossip continues to be a plague upon God's people because, in all honesty, we enjoy it: "The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles" (Proverbs 26:22). Now technology has brought an entirely new way of gossiping. It is just as sinful as before, but now it is easier than ever to slander and lie about others. We can gossip electronically, via email! more...

Preacher Squabbles and You

Picture this: you attend a gospel meeting in the area. After good singing the preacher mounts the pulpit and you expect to hear the Word of God explained and be encouraged and exhorted as a Christian. Instead, the preacher launches into a diatribe blasting another preacher. He pounds away at this fellow, urging that all see what a terrible false teacher and threat to all's eternal security brother Target-Tonight really is. While reading some passages along the way and assuring all that he truly loves brother Target-Tonight you go away feeling greatly disturbed. Is brother Target-Tonight really the antichrist? While you certainly agree that error needs to be rebuked, the tone and attitude of the speaker left you uncomfortable. Is it possible to speak the truth without love? more...

Toward 2000: What You Believe Matters

""No factual discovery of science (statements about how nature 'is') can, in principle, lead us to ethical conclusions (how we 'ought' to behave) or to convictions about intrinsic meaning (the 'purpose' of our lives)"" (Stephen Jay Gould, Time Magazine, ""Dorothy, It's Really Oz"", August 23, 1999). more...

Preacher's Pen

The most common argument made in favor of social drinking has always been ""The Bible only condemns drunkenness, not drinking."" While this is certainly subject to debate (try a word study from 1 Peter 4:3) additional medical evidence continues to pour in that the line between drinking and drunkenness is indeed an extremely fuzzy one. An article in the Dallas Morning News (09/07/99) concerning Texas' recent lowering of the blood-alcohol level by which one is said to be legally drunk contained several interesting quotes. A Ms. Quiroz, spokesman for an organization funded by the liquor industry, says plainly that the difference in a blood-alcohol level of .10 and .08 (the new standard) is ""invisible . . . [however] they're things like someone's judgment about taking risks and the ability to process and evaluate information to make a decision."" more...