We're not to tolerate stupidity and foolishness. How are these juxtaposed with patience? Proverbs 19:11 clearly says patience is a good thing, as does Galatians 5:22. Isn't being patient just the opposite of intolerance of folly? If Scripture does not contradict itself (an axiom), how, then, are we to resolve these two commands which superficially appear to contradict each other? I think the answer lies in loving the sinner while hating the sin. » read more »

We are responsible for our own actions. Apparently, this is a concept rather foreign to many people. I thought jotting down a few supporting verses may be helpful. After all, if we are willing servants of the Lord, then His Word is to be obeyed. » read more »

I have been told on occasion that I don't show enough grace in my blogs. It's true, of course, that I can be blunt, brutal, and confrontational. (Thanks. I try.) However, as for showing grace, let's remember the definition. » read more »

I was writing a comment to the evangelism thread, noting its fizzling participation. I was positing various reasons for this apparent lack of interest, and penned the following (hereby removed from there in favor of here): » read more »

2 Corinthians 11:19 may very well be the most sarcastic line penned by Paul. Its meaning is quite evident, though: the wise are not to tolerate fools. Put another way, stupidity is not at all kosher. Foolishness, stupidity, and sin are almost synonymous. A fool, in the Biblical sense, is one who practices sin, as opposed to a true believer whose sins are unwanted exceptions rather than preferred. I personally like the word "stupid" over "foolish" only because it's more insulting (I hate sin!), but it's pretty much the same thing in my book. After all, one must be pretty stupid indeed to disobey the Supreme Judge, let alone make it a habit. » read more »

Without doing any research or studies yet, I claim that third-worlders are generally more deficient in individual integrity than first-worlders. I think this is partially responsible for the shift in national culture in the U.S. by the massive influx of Latin Americans. (I dare say the very definition of civilized may hinge upon individual integrity.) » read more »

Are you a theologian? The overwhelming majority of those who claim to be Christian will say, "No." Sadly, they're usually correct. Theology is merely the study of God. Studying God can be done several ways: » read more »

Chivalry is the practice of male honor, particularly toward others.

• Protect physical, spiritual, mental well-being.

  First and foremost, the chivalrous protect the lives of those who cannot otherwise protect themselves. Live is sacred, given only by God, and it should only be taken by God. As such, we have a duty to protect it whenever possible.

  As important as life may be, eternal life is arguably more so. The chivalrous man sees to it all those whom the Lord leads to him hear the Gospel of salvation and are given the chance to choose eternal life. As no man has the right to make this choice on behalf of others, and while others' decisions may cause grief, the choices others make must be respected and not coerced. » read more »

I've touched on the subject of denial one's sins and its grave implications. I'd like to expound on it here. » read more »

A subtle war of words is being waged. The term, sexual orientation, has come into common usage and even incorporated into law (e.g., in Minnesota). This is an attempt to reinforce the idea that homosexuality (or any other sexual perversion) is a state of being rather than specific actions. Sexual attraction or orientation is a nonsensical concept, as such is merely a cascade of hormonal release which must then be purposely subjectively interpreted. [Attraction is marked by high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, norepinehprine (adrenaline), and low levels of serotonin. Lust responds mainly, in both sexes, to testosterone.] On the other hand, paraphrasing Forrest Gump: "Homosexual is as homosexual does." Regardless of our hormones and neurotransmitters, we still retain ultimate control over and responsibility for our actions. As with most of our pomo world, this is merely an attempt to avoid personal responsibility.