Science says we can’t change our sexual orientation. Most people, from experience, would agree. Why then do we have Christians who call themselves ex-gay? Why do people who once considered themselves homosexual renounce their gay lifestyle, get married, have children, and go on worshiping God? Let’s look at two common answers: 1. Ex-gays are a myth, and those who identify as such are just “playing straight.” Religion guilts them into marrying someone they’re not attracted...
To the world, homosexuality is more than an orientation; it’s an identity. Being gay is like being black or vegan or republican. It’s part of your persona. Something to accept, embrace and celebrate. Coming out means becoming part of a community—complete with flags, parades and flashy bumper stickers. To the person who experiences same-sex attraction, the world says you’re gay. Now assume your identity. Be who you are. Jesus says there’s another way. See, Christianity...
A month ago I went to the Museum of Tolerance. If you haven’t been, you should go. It’s fascinating but sobering. As great as I thought it was, I found it strange that the only mention of abortion in the entire museum is concerning George Tiller. For those of you who don’t remember, George Tiller directed a clinic in Wichita that performed abortions past the 21st week of pregnancy. In 2009, he was murdered while...
Turbo Qualls is a Christian, husband, father, illustrator, musician and works hard at his job. His job is the study of Aesthetics, and his chosen medium for exploring beauty is Eastern Orthodox iconography and tattoo art. Turbo has been tattooing people for fourteen years and has just opened up his own shop in Placentia California near Cal State Fullerton called All-Seeing Eye Art and Design Firm. What Turbo is able to do with color is...
A few months ago, a family member brought a particular newspaper article to my attention. The title “New Testament gets a new look by Jews.” As someone who is very interested in not only the study of the Old Testament, but also the Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament, and the Christian faith, this seemed quiet intriguing. After all, the more I have learned to try to adjust my worldview, experiences, and perceptions of God...
Have you seen Prometheus yet? If you haven’t you may want to stop reading. However, if you’ve decided you don’t want to see Prometheus, then consider this blog post an invitation. I was able to see Prometheus on June 1 since it had an early release in the UK. I’ve been waiting to write about the movie until it screened in the US this past weekend. I had been eager to see the movie for...
The Replacements is on TV when I walk into the living room. I suffer through the last ten minutes, not because I’m particularly interested in character development (if you can call it that), but because of the score. Not the scoreboard—the musical score. It’s the fourth quarter of the game that could send the orange team to the playoffs, but they’re down 17-0. After a scolding from the coach and several tiffs among teammates, a...
Last week I reviewed mewithoutYou’s new album, Ten Stories. As I wrote the review I thought about the idea of “Christian Music.” This is something that I’ve been wrestling with for a while. For some Christians, they only listen to “Christian Music” and deem it a sign of impiety to do otherwise. I imagine this is a minority view among evangelicals, but it’s still prevalent. I want to say much more about whether the nomenclature...
If you haven’t heard it from Lady Gaga, you’ve heard it from those who struggle with (or embrace) homosexuality: “I was born this way.” Do you believe them? The catchphrase might match your theology more than you think. In a Christian worldview, the “born this way” theory fits squarely into the doctrine of original sin—the belief that we all inherited a sinful nature because of Adam’s sin. King David sings of being “brought forth in...
Editors note: This is part two in a two part series looking back at the end of Major League Baseball’s so-called Steroids Era. For part one click here. For a baseball fan growing up in Northern California, the late-90s and early 2000s were a great time. After some lean years through the mid-90s, the Oakland A’s began to turn things around. Carried by three great starting pitchers, 2 MVPs, and the exploitation of...
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