Chuck Colson died in 2012 but I believe he has some words of wisdom for our situation today. While Colson was keen to not endorse political candidates or parties, he worked hard to help Christians build a Christian worldview. What would Colson say to us about the conflation of the kingdoms?
Have you ever found yourself in an environment where it didn’t feel safe to ask questions? Perhaps you wanted to dive into Scripture to study a particular topic but were met with fear or condescension. Perhaps you’ve been dismissed or regarded as unorthodox when you’re pretty sure the other party doesn’t even know your position.… Read More »
In this post, we discuss witnesses and evidence in our pursuit of justice within the church. Witnesses and evidence are not narratives told by the loudest voice, hearsay that can’t be cross-examined, or allusions to confidentiality. What evidence do we need before we attribute guilt in our ecclesiastical courts? Do the Scriptures give us any guidance as we seek justice with accuracy?
In abuse cases, we need to be aware of the trap of mutualization and equalization of sin lest we cause greater harm. What is sin-leveling in abuse and what is the alternative?
What does the seared conscience of an abuser look like? This person does not feel proper guilt or shame for his abominations as his conscience has been seared, as with a hot iron. After ignoring his conscience repeatedly over and over, his conscience has become calloused and no longer functions to warn him that he is in danger.
In this broken world that awaits redemption, we often find ourselves frustrated by injustice. We see the tears of the oppressed and see that power is on the side of the oppressor. We wonder where God is. Yet there is a godly yearning for justice that is a longing of the righteous.
In spiritual abuse, oppressors inappropriately bind the conscience of others to their own advantage to control them. Learn how a properly calibrated conscience resists spiritual abuse and leads us to true freedom. Who is the Lord of your conscience? How can we be courageous when facing powerful oppressors who can harm and hurt us?
Counterfeits. We need to be able to detect them in order to not be defrauded and victimized. Take counterfeit money for example. It imitates the real thing, but is not real. If you are fooled, you’ll suffer harm. The $100 dollar bill you just handed me to pay for my $10 widget better not be… Read More »
As a Christian, using power the right way is important because it reveals what we value and who we worship. But what is the “right way”?
“A day is coming for us when there will not even be a doubt, … not even a wondering if the love of Jesus for you is more deep and high and wide and long, then you can possibly fathom.” – Alasdair Groves