Five Smooth Stones

When We Substitute Philosophy for Doctrine... The last few weeks in Missouri have not been without internet controversy for the religious community. On February 21, the preacher at First General Baptist Church in Malden, MO gave a sermon that landed him in the national news (and not in a good way). It seemed as though my Facebook feed was full of comments from religious and non-religious friends alike about the horribly carnal perspectives of the message. Among the valid claims against the sermon were these: It reduces the value of women in marriage to mere physical attraction. It implied that if a man commits adultery, it is at least partly the wife’s fault for not trying hard enough to be attractive.  It claimed that man has an excuse to commit adultery (at least with his eyes) because we are “visually driven” and “God made us this way.”  Points in the sermon included “Weight Control”, “Make Up” and “Flattering Clothing” The sermon included multiple jabs at women who did not...

          The central theme of the book of Habakkuk is one which has perhaps never seemed so relevant to the modern Christian as January 2021. The book is concluded with the prophets resolution: “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” (Hab. 3:17-18). This is, in my opinion at least, one of the greatest examples of utter devotion and praise to He from whom all blessings flow- that even when these blessings are cut off we should still rejoice in Him. It is a beautiful sentiment, but when you put it in the context of its book it becomes even more powerful!  The prophet raises a difficult and relevant question to Jehovah on behalf of His people: how can a God so pure in justice as Jehovah...