Category Archives: Ethics

The Persecuted Atheist

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Matt

Earlier this year, the Financial Times put together a sob story about the ruthless persecution of atheists in the United States.  The writer collects a number of anecdotes of discomfort at family gatherings, difficulty rising through the ranks of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Ethics | 2 Comments

Shame and the Slut Double Standard

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Matt

I’m not a big fan of shaming.  In other words, I don’t like the idea of emotionally manipulating people specifically for the purpose of making them feel shame.  On the other hand, I don’t like the idea of emotionally manipulating … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Ethics, Feminism | 5 Comments

Abusing Sola Scriptura

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Matt

“The Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong, so I can do it if I want to.” Unfortunately, this is a common refrain among protestants and Lutherans looking for some kind of license.  We can see this very clearly when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Law, The Modern Church, Theology | Leave a comment

Doing Unto Others: Misunderstanding the Golden Rule

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Matt

Though it is highly controversial to publicly point to Christ’s teaching on things like divorce when indicating how we ought to live, “the golden rule” seems fair game for conservative & liberal, Christian & secularist alike.  In a sense, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics | Leave a comment

The Cost of Healthcare

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Matt

As the economy worsens and the costs of health-care continue to rise, the confident assertions from academics and politicians that (with party X’s plan) everyone will get everything they need have dried up and discussions have shifted from whether health … Continue reading →

Posted in End of Life, Ethics, Politics | Leave a comment

Which is Witch? Discerning Halloween

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Matt

As Halloween comes around once again, it has inspired the usual debate over whether it is appropriate for Christians to take part in such a distinctly pagan festival.  Inasmuch as Halloween celebrates communion with dark powers, Christians are obviously obligated … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, The Modern Church, Tradition | 1 Comment

Let’s Remain Pure. Oops, We’re Having Sex!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Matt

An upcoming article in Relevant magazine is making the blogosphere rounds already (e.g., CNN & First Thoughts).  It would seem that multiple studies are indicating that despite all efforts by the Church, most young Christians simply are not waiting until … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Culture, Ethics | 2 Comments

The “Virtue” of Moral Uncertainty

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Matt

The idea that if God is dead, then anything is permitted was really only briefly popular back in modernism’s heyday.  Science’s inability to discern value in any objective or universal sense lead more honest materialistic philosophers to conclude that there … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Ethics | Leave a comment

Presidents, Submit to Your Husbands?

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Matt

It’s been a long time since I last posted, but somehow I’m still ending up with two (real) posts in a row about Michelle Bachmann’s theology. At the recent GOP debate, she was asked whether, as president, she would submit … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Feminism, Politics | 4 Comments

Practical Sovereignty

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Matt

Christians often hear that God has a plan for our lives, and rightfully so. Psalm 139 tells us, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” But what does this mean for us practically speaking? While it seems quite obvious that this reality should offer us comfort in the bad times and move us to gratitude in the good, Christians begin to step on shakier ground when they begin to evaluate whether they are indeed conforming to God’s plan for their lives. But does the latter logically proceed from the former? Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment