All sin is sinful and all of us are sinners. Those truths are easily forgotten today, as many "righteous" people seem to limit "sin" to sexual wickedness, of which they are quite sure that God considers...no parental shame
A gracEmail subscriber writes: 'My daughter will soon be receiving her doctorate. I . . . feel proud of her and would like to attend and celebrate with her. However, she and her boyfriend recently started living together. . . . I fear that attending her graduation will condone the situation and that her mother and I will be ashamed and humiliated by being there with her boyfriend. I would really appreciate your advice.show couple truth and mercy
A gracEmail subscriber asks for wisdom in dealing with a couple who attend his church who are not married but live together, who seem to be seeking the Lord but who have very little background in Bible teaching.fornication
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "As an elder in the church, I'd appreciate your assessment on something that is starting to bother us more so as time goes on. The usual list of transgressions that require some form of discipline includes "fornication," which one reference work defines as sexual intercourse before marriage. Other reference books include just about everything imaginable, even lust with no physical act occurring. So, would we advise couples not even to kiss because of the possible lusting that can result? Or is this not even an issue as long as acts are private and not troubling (e.g., not living together) to others in the congregation? This situation applies from faithful teens to the elderly and needs to be addressed."giving marital dues
A gracEmail subscriber seeks spiritual counsel concerning infrequent sexual relations with his wife. After caring for young children all day, she tells him she is too tired. He concludes that she has far less desire for sex than he does. He intends to be faithful to his wife but feels that he is being cheated by her abstinence which requires his as well.what about birth control?
A gracEmail reader whose spouse, for financial reasons, does not want more children, is nevertheless hesitant to utilize birth control. "I feel disobedient to God's command to increase and multiply," this troubled person writes. "I feel like we are thwarting God's purpose for sex. Have you any advice?"masturbation
A gracEmail subscriber who is a pastor asks how to answer parishioners who inquire about the morality of masturbation.the problem with porn
A gracEmail reader asks whether pornography is really sinful, since "it involves only the imagination and does not hurt anyone."Jesus will deliver you
We Christians need to know that Jesus brings life, not condemnation (John 3:17). We already know that we are sinners. Many of us live in condemnation much of the time. Deep inside we know our private addictions and secret compulsions, whether to pride, self-centeredness, sexual lust, alcohol or other drugs, rage, power, money, possessions, or whatever.
sexual intimacy and holinessA gracEmail subscriber writes: "I am a devout Christian. I am also a lesbian. For several years I have been celibate but very lonely. I have been studying some material that reconciles faith with gay sexual orientation. It notes that Jesus himself was notably silent on the subject, that the Greek and Hebrew words translated as 'homosexual' roughly mean a male prostitute, and that Paul's comments may have been addressing pagan religious rituals and practices rather than monogamous homosexual relationships. I'm really feeling confused."
sexual standards -- now what?The most recent gracEmail stated my conviction that the Bible prohibits intimate sexual conduct between persons of the same gender. After that piece went out, I strongly sensed that the Spirit led my mind to our Lord's condemnation of the Pharisees as reported in Matthew 23:4. Speaking of those ancient "religious police" whose very name we now consider a synonym for hypocrisy, Jesus warned: "They tie up heavy loads, hard to carry, and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing even to lift a finger to move them" (NET Bible).
homosexualityA gracEmail subscriber writes: "Is homosexual intimacy wrong? Is it intolerant to believe that it is wrong?"
the hurt that dares not speak (two gracEmails) I did not write the following. It was sent to me by a gracEmail subscriber in a distant state. I believe this brother states an important message which is fundamental to the gospel. Please give it careful attention.
fallen nature, sin and deathResponding to recent comments here in opposition to same-sex unions, one gracEmail subscriber writes: "To say that homosexuality is the result of 'nature' means that God is condemning something he has made. It is plain and simple perversion and abomination. And it is repeatedly spoken of as deserving death (Romans 1)."
are gays welcome?A gracEmail subscriber on the West Coast writes: "I'm a dedicated Christian believer who has had to face the fact that I am gay. In general, gay people are made unwelcome or are treated as second-class citizens in evangelical and conservative churches. Do you have any comments on this matter?"
same-sex unionsA subscriber couple from a mainline Protestant denomination lament their church's majority acceptance at the highest levels of the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of persons who openly and unashamedly practice same-sex intimacy. "Is there any biblical or traditional justification for these positions?" they ask.
don't ask this columnist about critical thinkingA widely-syndicated opinion piece by Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr. published on March 16, 2007 provides opportunity for a useful exercise in critical thinking. Under the title "Don’t ask this general about morality," Mr. Pitts takes to task Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who four days earlier expressed publicly his personal conviction that "homosexual acts" are "immoral."