Morons of the Oxy kind

As a former foster parent who also believes and - horror of secular horrors - teaches the Bible I am singularly unimpressed by the supposed wisdom of Messrs Munby and Beatson in their judgement against the Johns released today.   The case was not necessarily wisely brought either but it deserved better than it received.  How can highly-paid judges use a non-word like Pentecostalist?  Or make daft statements like this nation has an established church which is Christian when they presumably mean religion not church?  Or state that they are thoroughly secular and then declare Religion – whatever the particular believer's faith – is no doubt something to be encouraged.  Even religious people couldn't agree with that never mind atheists!

In the words of Robert Pigott (BBC), . 'Today the message was that courts would interpret the law in cases like the Johns' according to secular and not religious values.' People 'with traditionalist Christian views like Mr and Mrs Johns' might well not make good foster parents.

We have moved steps nearer a day when, in the United Kingdom, 'Christian Foster Parent' is an oxymoron [a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms] 

Mind you, while I'm on the oxymoron theme, Munby and Beatson also declared,  We sit as secular judges. 

But if the much-maligned Bible is true there's also coming a day when 'secular judges' will itself be an oxymoron: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

I've a feeling that Day might go somewhat better for Mr & Mrs Johns.  And I hope, for their sake, that Messrs Munby and Beatson find out what church really means before then too.

Book Review: Entrusted with the Gospel

 

The six chapters of this book are successive expositions of 2 Timothy transcribed from addresses at the national conference of The Gospel Coalition in Chicago in 2009.

Naturally the bi-annual conference is mainly attended by key leaders and the expositions are orientated to those listeners. The preachers are six leading American expositors - John Piper, Philip Ryken, Mark Driscoll, K. Edward Copeland, Bryan Chapell (whose advocacy of Scripture will warm many hearts) and J. Ligon Duncan. Each chapter is therefore distinctive in style and depth, making the book more of a sampler than a coherent whole. That said, almost every page contains rich expositional material such as is all too rarely heard from major evangelical voices and the whole is a readable, insightful treatment of Paul’s parting letter.

As a demonstration of the enduring richness and power of expository Biblical preaching, even in our 21st century, this is a fine book. Every preacher, and everyone who believes in Biblical preaching, should read it and a blessing will surely result.

Entrusted with the Gospel.  D.A.Carson (Editor).  IVP 158pp £8.99

The Food of Love

I know Valentine's Day is important but I also know that jet engines are important.  It doesn't follow that I understand them or know what to do when one comes near.  (Actually when a jet engine comes near it is a good idea to duck . . .)

I read a survey that explains what women don't want for Valentine's Day

Don't buy clothes.

So I didn't buy clothes!

Don't cook a heavy meal.

So I didn't cook.

Don't treat her as though she's any other woman.

So I didn't.

Instead, we went shopping in the local supermarket for our week's groceries . . .