Hope for the Doubting and Deconstructing

it's a joy for us to be able to share it's a joy for us to be able to share talking about what is I'm sure for many talking about what is I'm sure for many talking about what is I'm sure for many of you in this room an extremely of you in this room an extremely of you in this room an extremely personal topic whether it's applying to personal topic whether it's applying to personal topic whether it's applying to somebody that you know somebody that you somebody that you know somebody that you somebody that you know somebody that you love and or perhaps love and or perhaps love and or perhaps yourself it's a it's a popular term in yourself it's a it's a popular term in yourself it's a it's a popular term in recent years recent years recent years deconstruction and the odds are that if deconstruction and the odds are that if deconstruction and the odds are that if you've chosen this breakout among the you've chosen this breakout among the you've chosen this breakout among the many many wonderful options available to many many wonderful options available to many many wonderful options available to you you know someone who has gone you you know someone who has gone you you know someone who has gone through this process saying I'm through this process saying I'm through this process saying I'm deconstructing my faith or someone who deconstructing my faith or someone who deconstructing my faith or someone who has apostasis effectively and left the has apostasis effectively and left the has apostasis effectively and left the faith all together it could be could be faith all together it could be could be faith all together it could be could be your spouse back home a dear friend your spouse back home a dear friend your spouse back home a dear friend where you may have shared close where you may have shared close where you may have shared close spiritual communion in the past maybe spiritual communion in the past maybe spiritual communion in the past maybe even attended a gospel Coan Women's even attended a gospel Coan Women's even attended a gospel Coan Women's Conference together or maybe most Conference together or maybe most Conference together or maybe most personally in many cases a child that personally in many cases a child that personally in many cases a child that you reared in the nurture and admonition you reared in the nurture and admonition you reared in the nurture and admonition of the Lord when I talk to Christians of the Lord when I talk to Christians of the Lord when I talk to Christians around the world this is one of the most around the world this is one of the most around the world this is one of the most painful and common experiences that I painful and common experiences that I painful and common experiences that I hear about and when I first started hear about and when I first started hear about and when I first started learning about this process that people learning about this process that people learning about this process that people were labeling were labeling were labeling deconstruction we published a book at deconstruction we published a book at deconstruction we published a book at the Gospel Coalition the Gospel Coalition the Gospel Coalition 2021 called before you lose your faith 2021 called before you lose your faith 2021 called before you lose your faith deconstructing doubt in the church you deconstructing doubt in the church you deconstructing doubt in the church you can pick it up in the bookstore or can pick it up in the bookstore or can pick it up in the bookstore or online I think it would be a helpful online I think it would be a helpful online I think it would be a helpful resource for you or someone that you resource for you or someone that you resource for you or someone that you know who might be in this process or

know who might be in this process or know who might be in this process or vulnerable to that process of vulnerable to that process of vulnerable to that process of deconstruction and we cover a number of deconstruction and we cover a number of deconstruction and we cover a number of of topics in this book ranging from of topics in this book ranging from of topics in this book ranging from politics to social justice to science politics to social justice to science politics to social justice to science and hell and one Topic in particular and hell and one Topic in particular and hell and one Topic in particular that I will focus on at the end of my that I will focus on at the end of my that I will focus on at the end of my time which will be time which will be time which will be race one that we find that comes up very race one that we find that comes up very race one that we find that comes up very often in these often in these often in these conversations but it could be the case conversations but it could be the case conversations but it could be the case that you have chosen to come because you that you have chosen to come because you that you have chosen to come because you yourself are doubting you yourself have yourself are doubting you yourself have yourself are doubting you yourself have questions and need help uh thinking questions and need help uh thinking questions and need help uh thinking those through well if if that's if those through well if if that's if those through well if if that's if that's the case I just want to say thank that's the case I just want to say thank that's the case I just want to say thank you thank you for coming thank you for you thank you for coming thank you for you thank you for coming thank you for having the courage to attend the having the courage to attend the having the courage to attend the conference whether by yourself or with conference whether by yourself or with conference whether by yourself or with friends thank you for coming to this friends thank you for coming to this friends thank you for coming to this session you're in the right place session you're in the right place session you're in the right place because you are not because you are not because you are not alone you're not alone there's a alone you're not alone there's a alone you're not alone there's a philosopher named Charles Taylor who philosopher named Charles Taylor who philosopher named Charles Taylor who years ago changed my years ago changed my years ago changed my life and he described our secular age as life and he described our secular age as life and he described our secular age as cross pressured it's cross pressured cross pressured it's cross pressured cross pressured it's cross pressured because what we experien is that in because what we experien is that in because what we experien is that in Western Society all different factors in Western Society all different factors in Western Society all different factors in our lives seem to push against belief our lives seem to push against belief our lives seem to push against belief they don't reinforce our Christian faith they don't reinforce our Christian faith they don't reinforce our Christian faith at any turn or for that matter belief in at any turn or for that matter belief in at any turn or for that matter belief in any other religion outside of the any other religion outside of the any other religion outside of the self and here's how one of his chief self and here's how one of his chief self and here's how one of his chief interpreters The Scholar James Ka Smith interpreters The Scholar James Ka Smith interpreters The Scholar James Ka Smith put the question and described Taylor's

put the question and described Taylor's put the question and described Taylor's insights he said faith is fraught insights he said faith is fraught insights he said faith is fraught confession is haunted by an inescapable confession is haunted by an inescapable confession is haunted by an inescapable sense of its sense of its sense of its contestability we don't believe instead contestability we don't believe instead contestability we don't believe instead of doubting We Believe while of doubting We Believe while of doubting We Believe while doubting we're all Thomas doubting we're all Thomas doubting we're all Thomas now so like I said You are not alone in now so like I said You are not alone in now so like I said You are not alone in this room we all have doubts and where this room we all have doubts and where this room we all have doubts and where better to place to voice to share to better to place to voice to share to better to place to voice to share to talk about those doubts than when you're talk about those doubts than when you're talk about those doubts than when you're surrounded by other Christians or when surrounded by other Christians or when surrounded by other Christians or when you get a chance to be able to ask you get a chance to be able to ask you get a chance to be able to ask Rebecca your hardest questions that Rebecca your hardest questions that Rebecca your hardest questions that works works works too I want to open this discussion by too I want to open this discussion by too I want to open this discussion by talking about the difference between talking about the difference between talking about the difference between this process of this process of this process of deconstruction and something that I want deconstruction and something that I want deconstruction and something that I want to commend to all of you whether you're to commend to all of you whether you're to commend to all of you whether you're doubting or not wherever you are in your doubting or not wherever you are in your doubting or not wherever you are in your Christian Journey something called dis Christian Journey something called dis Christian Journey something called dis enculturation and then as I said we'll enculturation and then as I said we'll enculturation and then as I said we'll close talking about one example in close talking about one example in close talking about one example in racism where it's especially difficult racism where it's especially difficult racism where it's especially difficult for Americans in particular to often for Americans in particular to often for Americans in particular to often separate our Biblical Faith handed down separate our Biblical Faith handed down separate our Biblical Faith handed down from the generations from our cultural from the generations from our cultural from the generations from our cultural inheritance and I wonder if anybody out inheritance and I wonder if anybody out inheritance and I wonder if anybody out there just to describe and and to depict there just to describe and and to depict there just to describe and and to depict I think the easiest way to talk about I think the easiest way to talk about I think the easiest way to talk about what disin culturation is all about is what disin culturation is all about is what disin culturation is all about is to think about a recent movie anybody to think about a recent movie anybody to think about a recent movie anybody out there seen the recent movie Jesus out there seen the recent movie Jesus out there seen the recent movie Jesus Revolution all right good number of Revolution all right good number of Revolution all right good number of people that's pretty good it's a great people that's pretty good it's a great people that's pretty good it's a great movie came out last last year it tells movie came out last last year it tells movie came out last last year it tells the story of Revival in Southern the story of Revival in Southern the story of Revival in Southern California in the

California in the California in the 1970s and it illustrates this point of 1970s and it illustrates this point of 1970s and it illustrates this point of disin culturation really well the basic disin culturation really well the basic disin culturation really well the basic problem was that if you were a problem was that if you were a problem was that if you were a California hippie in the 1970s and you California hippie in the 1970s and you California hippie in the 1970s and you came to a dramatic saving faith in Jesus came to a dramatic saving faith in Jesus came to a dramatic saving faith in Jesus Christ what did you have to Christ what did you have to Christ what did you have to change about yourself did you have to change about yourself did you have to change about yourself did you have to change your clothes did you have to change your clothes did you have to change your clothes did you have to change the style of your hair or the change the style of your hair or the change the style of your hair or the kind of instruments that you worshiped kind of instruments that you worshiped kind of instruments that you worshiped with well we kind of take for granted with well we kind of take for granted with well we kind of take for granted some of the answers to those questions some of the answers to those questions some of the answers to those questions but it's precisely because of a process but it's precisely because of a process but it's precisely because of a process of dis enculturation that happened in of dis enculturation that happened in of dis enculturation that happened in that era or related to that well then on that era or related to that well then on that era or related to that well then on the other hand what about about drug use the other hand what about about drug use the other hand what about about drug use what about sexual what about sexual what about sexual promiscuity do I have to leave those promiscuity do I have to leave those promiscuity do I have to leave those things behind as well as I become a things behind as well as I become a things behind as well as I become a Christian and so what you see happen in Christian and so what you see happen in Christian and so what you see happen in that movie but more broadly when you that movie but more broadly when you that movie but more broadly when you understand context of what was going on understand context of what was going on understand context of what was going on at the time is is almost like acts 15 at the time is is almost like acts 15 at the time is is almost like acts 15 and that Jerusalem Council where they're and that Jerusalem Council where they're and that Jerusalem Council where they're working through and seeking the Lord's working through and seeking the Lord's working through and seeking the Lord's guidance and what to do about Gentiles guidance and what to do about Gentiles guidance and what to do about Gentiles coming into the faith what do they need coming into the faith what do they need coming into the faith what do they need to observe of Jewish of Jewish law and to observe of Jewish of Jewish law and to observe of Jewish of Jewish law and Jewish practice is a process of disen Jewish practice is a process of disen Jewish practice is a process of disen culturation of being able to say what is culturation of being able to say what is culturation of being able to say what is essential to our faith and what is a essential to our faith and what is a essential to our faith and what is a cultural accretion or even threat to cultural accretion or even threat to cultural accretion or even threat to that faith is what these Californians that faith is what these Californians that faith is what these Californians were doing 50 years years ago and what were doing 50 years years ago and what were doing 50 years years ago and what they concluded was that no when you come they concluded was that no when you come they concluded was that no when you come to Faith you don't necessarily need to

to Faith you don't necessarily need to to Faith you don't necessarily need to cut your hair you don't have to wear a cut your hair you don't have to wear a cut your hair you don't have to wear a suit every time to church or enjoy suit every time to church or enjoy suit every time to church or enjoy Oregon Oregon Oregon music but you do definitely have to stop music but you do definitely have to stop music but you do definitely have to stop doing drugs and you definitely have to doing drugs and you definitely have to doing drugs and you definitely have to stop sleeping around that was a process stop sleeping around that was a process stop sleeping around that was a process of dis enculturating their faith for the of dis enculturating their faith for the of dis enculturating their faith for the rest of us who might not have that rest of us who might not have that rest of us who might not have that dramatic example I still commend that dramatic example I still commend that dramatic example I still commend that you begin to see yourself as if your you begin to see yourself as if your you begin to see yourself as if your home native culture that you're going to home native culture that you're going to home native culture that you're going to go back to tomorrow or later this go back to tomorrow or later this go back to tomorrow or later this weekend almost looking at that like a weekend almost looking at that like a weekend almost looking at that like a missionary would have to look at that missionary would have to look at that missionary would have to look at that culture if they traveled overseas it's culture if they traveled overseas it's culture if they traveled overseas it's the same thing even look at even if the same thing even look at even if the same thing even look at even if you've never you've been in the same you've never you've been in the same you've never you've been in the same church and you've loved it your whole church and you've loved it your whole church and you've loved it your whole life never moved different churches to life never moved different churches to life never moved different churches to be to look at that almost like an be to look at that almost like an be to look at that almost like an outsider here's what I mean I I teach a outsider here's what I mean I I teach a outsider here's what I mean I I teach a course on cultural apologetics at course on cultural apologetics at course on cultural apologetics at beaston Divinity School in Birmingham beaston Divinity School in Birmingham beaston Divinity School in Birmingham Alabama and I asked ask each one of my Alabama and I asked ask each one of my Alabama and I asked ask each one of my students they're typically young to students they're typically young to students they're typically young to write a personal statement of dis write a personal statement of dis write a personal statement of dis enculturation and I'm trying to help enculturation and I'm trying to help enculturation and I'm trying to help address this very problem that we've address this very problem that we've address this very problem that we've gathered here today to discuss about gathered here today to discuss about gathered here today to discuss about doubt and deconstruction because many doubt and deconstruction because many doubt and deconstruction because many Christians I find have never learned to Christians I find have never learned to Christians I find have never learned to see themselves as situated in a see themselves as situated in a see themselves as situated in a particular particular particular culture it's it's like the fish that culture it's it's like the fish that culture it's it's like the fish that doesn't know what water is they've just doesn't know what water is they've just doesn't know what water is they've just been swimming in it their whole lives been swimming in it their whole lives been swimming in it their whole lives they don't know anything else they don't know anything else they don't know anything else so I ask these students to answer three so I ask these students to answer three so I ask these students to answer three questions this is the process of disin

questions this is the process of disin questions this is the process of disin culturation of helping you separate what culturation of helping you separate what culturation of helping you separate what is essential to my faith to what is is essential to my faith to what is is essential to my faith to what is something that is an add-on that might something that is an add-on that might something that is an add-on that might contribute in some ways or might even contribute in some ways or might even contribute in some ways or might even undermine authentic Faith the first undermine authentic Faith the first undermine authentic Faith the first thing I asked them to consider is what thing I asked them to consider is what thing I asked them to consider is what do I bring from my home culture that do I bring from my home culture that do I bring from my home culture that must be adopted if I were to move into a must be adopted if I were to move into a must be adopted if I were to move into a new culture so for these Southern new culture so for these Southern new culture so for these Southern Californians that question was it Californians that question was it Californians that question was it doesn't matter what culture you're in doesn't matter what culture you're in doesn't matter what culture you're in the Bible's teaching about sexuality the Bible's teaching about sexuality the Bible's teaching about sexuality doesn't doesn't doesn't change the Bible's teaching about about change the Bible's teaching about about change the Bible's teaching about about caring for the poor providing for the caring for the poor providing for the caring for the poor providing for the poor that doesn't change no matter how poor that doesn't change no matter how poor that doesn't change no matter how affluent or poor your own culture is affluent or poor your own culture is affluent or poor your own culture is that is a universal to the Christian that is a universal to the Christian that is a universal to the Christian faith wherever you are that is essential faith wherever you are that is essential faith wherever you are that is essential the second question I ask them answer is the second question I ask them answer is the second question I ask them answer is what what must I bring from my home what what must I bring from my home what what must I bring from my home culture or or what what could I bring culture or or what what could I bring culture or or what what could I bring from my home culture that I could either from my home culture that I could either from my home culture that I could either leave behind or import it's kind of a leave behind or import it's kind of a leave behind or import it's kind of a neutral the first is is a netive NE AR neutral the first is is a netive NE AR neutral the first is is a netive NE AR positive the second is a positive the second is a positive the second is a neutral this is I think where for neutral this is I think where for neutral this is I think where for example your preference for musical example your preference for musical example your preference for musical style might come into play it might style might come into play it might style might come into play it might translate across cultures or it might translate across cultures or it might translate across cultures or it might not but the only way you could go wrong not but the only way you could go wrong not but the only way you could go wrong is if you said this is the only kind of is if you said this is the only kind of is if you said this is the only kind of music Christians could listen to and be music Christians could listen to and be music Christians could listen to and be faithful or use for worship music that's faithful or use for worship music that's faithful or use for worship music that's the only place you'd go wrong but it's the only place you'd go wrong but it's the only place you'd go wrong but it's not a matter where scripture tells us not a matter where scripture tells us not a matter where scripture tells us exactly what to think about that there's exactly what to think about that there's exactly what to think about that there's is a variety there and the third third is a variety there and the third third is a variety there and the third third question becomes what must I leave at question becomes what must I leave at question becomes what must I leave at home as this thinking as a missionary so home as this thinking as a missionary so home as this thinking as a missionary so as not to confuse the gospel with any

as not to confuse the gospel with any as not to confuse the gospel with any cultural demands again these are the cultural demands again these are the cultural demands again these are the negatives these are the things where you negatives these are the things where you negatives these are the things where you say no my I've learned that I cannot say no my I've learned that I cannot say no my I've learned that I cannot bring that attitude where I am because bring that attitude where I am because bring that attitude where I am because that is that is that is antithetical to the gospel that is a antithetical to the gospel that is a antithetical to the gospel that is a threat to belief in scriptures threat to belief in scriptures threat to belief in scriptures Authority this I'm I'm focusing on this Authority this I'm I'm focusing on this Authority this I'm I'm focusing on this as important important because when you as important important because when you as important important because when you don't learn to separate between cultural don't learn to separate between cultural don't learn to separate between cultural expressions of faith and biblical expressions of faith and biblical expressions of faith and biblical Essentials when you don't learn to dis Essentials when you don't learn to dis Essentials when you don't learn to dis enculturate you're more prone to enculturate you're more prone to enculturate you're more prone to deconstruct your entire faith when deconstruct your entire faith when deconstruct your entire faith when something goes wrong because at some something goes wrong because at some something goes wrong because at some point no matter where you live no matter point no matter where you live no matter point no matter where you live no matter what you have done you realize that at what you have done you realize that at what you have done you realize that at some point your home culture your family some point your home culture your family some point your home culture your family your home Church your youth your home Church your youth your home Church your youth group has gotten something group has gotten something group has gotten something wrong and it can feel as though when wrong and it can feel as though when wrong and it can feel as though when that one thing goes that one thing goes that one thing goes wrong everything else wrong everything else wrong everything else collapses I hear this often related to collapses I hear this often related to collapses I hear this often related to Purity culture and for those of us who Purity culture and for those of us who Purity culture and for those of us who grew up in the '90s and 2000s in the grew up in the '90s and 2000s in the grew up in the '90s and 2000s in the church you can understand what I'm church you can understand what I'm church you can understand what I'm talking about here there's a difference talking about here there's a difference talking about here there's a difference between what's often known as Purity between what's often known as Purity between what's often known as Purity culture versus the Bible's teaching culture versus the Bible's teaching culture versus the Bible's teaching about about about sexuality and a lot of people have never sexuality and a lot of people have never sexuality and a lot of people have never learned how to separate those two and so learned how to separate those two and so learned how to separate those two and so while rejecting Purity culture they end while rejecting Purity culture they end while rejecting Purity culture they end up rejecting the Christian faith

up rejecting the Christian faith up rejecting the Christian faith altogether even though those two are not altogether even though those two are not altogether even though those two are not the same thing this is what I mean when the same thing this is what I mean when the same thing this is what I mean when I talk about the need to dis enculturate I talk about the need to dis enculturate I talk about the need to dis enculturate so that we don't deconstruct in our so that we don't deconstruct in our so that we don't deconstruct in our faith so the last time that we have faith so the last time that we have faith so the last time that we have together here I want to then talk about together here I want to then talk about together here I want to then talk about racism and slavery and segregation as racism and slavery and segregation as racism and slavery and segregation as one Topic in particular that has led one Topic in particular that has led one Topic in particular that has led many Christians over the years while many Christians over the years while many Christians over the years while failing to dis enculturate has led them failing to dis enculturate has led them failing to dis enculturate has led them to deconstruct and ultimately to to deconstruct and ultimately to to deconstruct and ultimately to apostasis to leave the faith you may or apostasis to leave the faith you may or apostasis to leave the faith you may or may not be aware that questions related may not be aware that questions related may not be aware that questions related to slavery to slavery to slavery segregation and and um slavery racism segregation and and um slavery racism segregation and and um slavery racism and segregation are often used against and segregation are often used against and segregation are often used against Christians this as odd as Rebecca and Christians this as odd as Rebecca and Christians this as odd as Rebecca and others can point out to you because others can point out to you because others can point out to you because Christianity has been the only source of Christianity has been the only source of Christianity has been the only source of alleviating and ending slavery alleviating and ending slavery alleviating and ending slavery around the world over time belatedly in around the world over time belatedly in around the world over time belatedly in many cases and not as well as it should many cases and not as well as it should many cases and not as well as it should have but this is still often used have but this is still often used have but this is still often used against Christianity by a number of against Christianity by a number of against Christianity by a number of groups not just your standard liberal or groups not just your standard liberal or groups not just your standard liberal or atheist critics but also groups such as atheist critics but also groups such as atheist critics but also groups such as the Nation of Islam or Black Hebrew the Nation of Islam or Black Hebrew the Nation of Islam or Black Hebrew Israelites where Christianity is equated Israelites where Christianity is equated Israelites where Christianity is equated with a slaveholders with a slaveholders with a slaveholders religion one of the problems here is religion one of the problems here is religion one of the problems here is that it can be a very disenchanting that it can be a very disenchanting that it can be a very disenchanting experience as a Christian to look back experience as a Christian to look back experience as a Christian to look back on on what has actually been taught and on on what has actually been taught and on on what has actually been taught and practiced in the church one of my heroes practiced in the church one of my heroes practiced in the church one of my heroes Jonathan Edwards while preaching amazing Jonathan Edwards while preaching amazing Jonathan Edwards while preaching amazing messages about God's word was also owned

messages about God's word was also owned messages about God's word was also owned at least one at least one at least one slave or more famously the incredible slave or more famously the incredible slave or more famously the incredible evangelist George Whitfield actually evangelist George Whitfield actually evangelist George Whitfield actually circumvented Georgia law colonial law in circumvented Georgia law colonial law in circumvented Georgia law colonial law in order to introduce slavery as a way get order to introduce slavery as a way get order to introduce slavery as a way get this to make his orphanage this to make his orphanage this to make his orphanage viable to provide for an orphanage viable to provide for an orphanage viable to provide for an orphanage enslaving Africans it's very convoluted enslaving Africans it's very convoluted enslaving Africans it's very convoluted and and and evil and so when people learn this and evil and so when people learn this and evil and so when people learn this and they don't necessarily know how to they don't necessarily know how to they don't necessarily know how to interpret this biblically or understand interpret this biblically or understand interpret this biblically or understand how this could have happened they'll how this could have happened they'll how this could have happened they'll often just deconstruct their faith often just deconstruct their faith often just deconstruct their faith altogether they'll leave it altogether they'll leave it altogether they'll leave it behind and so what I do is as I try to behind and so what I do is as I try to behind and so what I do is as I try to walk young people especially but it walk young people especially but it walk young people especially but it works for anybody in any church context works for anybody in any church context works for anybody in any church context to learn how to do biblical to learn how to do biblical to learn how to do biblical interpretation through the question interpretation through the question interpretation through the question question of slavery and so what we do is question of slavery and so what we do is question of slavery and so what we do is we we use a white board and we try to we we use a white board and we try to we we use a white board and we try to put every argument we could think of put every argument we could think of put every argument we could think of biblically and otherwise and we have on biblically and otherwise and we have on biblically and otherwise and we have on one end question does the bible condone one end question does the bible condone one end question does the bible condone slavery then the other side we say does slavery then the other side we say does slavery then the other side we say does the bible condemn the bible condemn the bible condemn slavery I've done this in my Seminary slavery I've done this in my Seminary slavery I've done this in my Seminary classes I've done it in churches classes I've done it in churches classes I've done it in churches strongly recommended it again it's very strongly recommended it again it's very strongly recommended it again it's very helpful just learning how to interpret helpful just learning how to interpret helpful just learning how to interpret scripture and help you in that process scripture and help you in that process scripture and help you in that process of dis enculturation I'll give you a shortcut we're not we I'll give you a shortcut we're not we don't have time to be able to go through don't have time to be able to go through don't have time to be able to go through the entire exercise but I'll tell you the entire exercise but I'll tell you the entire exercise but I'll tell you what we find when we do this together what we find when we do this together what we find when we do this together you find that first there is no command

you find that first there is no command you find that first there is no command in scripture to enslave anyone in scripture to enslave anyone in scripture to enslave anyone else there is no command you will not else there is no command you will not else there is no command you will not find it find it find it anywhere it may seem at first glance anywhere it may seem at first glance anywhere it may seem at first glance when you're looking through scripture to when you're looking through scripture to when you're looking through scripture to see that it might be see that it might be see that it might be condoned but this is a very important condoned but this is a very important condoned but this is a very important principle in biblical interpretation and principle in biblical interpretation and principle in biblical interpretation and hermeneutics that lots of behavior in hermeneutics that lots of behavior in hermeneutics that lots of behavior in scripture is scripture is scripture is described without ever being described without ever being described without ever being condoned a good example here would be condoned a good example here would be condoned a good example here would be polygamy described with any number of polygamy described with any number of polygamy described with any number of biblical figures but it is certainly not biblical figures but it is certainly not biblical figures but it is certainly not condoned the ill the the narratives are condoned the ill the the narratives are condoned the ill the the narratives are very clear this is the undoing of many very clear this is the undoing of many very clear this is the undoing of many Godly Godly Godly leaders now slavery may not appear to be leaders now slavery may not appear to be leaders now slavery may not appear to be explicitly explicitly explicitly condemned however I I think you can get condemned however I I think you can get condemned however I I think you can get pretty close with the Apostle Paul in pretty close with the Apostle Paul in pretty close with the Apostle Paul in the book of phiman I think you can get the book of phiman I think you can get the book of phiman I think you can get pretty close there but make no mistake pretty close there but make no mistake pretty close there but make no mistake slavery is never commended never slavery is never commended never slavery is never commended never commended in scripture just think about commended in scripture just think about commended in scripture just think about Romans Romans Romans 6:22 where the Apostle Paul exhorts us 6:22 where the Apostle Paul exhorts us 6:22 where the Apostle Paul exhorts us as slaves to as slaves to as slaves to god notice that in God's word in god notice that in God's word in god notice that in God's word in Christian history you will never see any Christian history you will never see any Christian history you will never see any recommendation that we seek out becoming recommendation that we seek out becoming recommendation that we seek out becoming slaves property owned by someone else as slaves property owned by someone else as slaves property owned by someone else as a means of becoming more like Jesus that a means of becoming more like Jesus that a means of becoming more like Jesus that never happens that is not is not out never happens that is not is not out never happens that is not is not out there and so again this is how we there and so again this is how we there and so again this is how we understand it's not commanded may seem understand it's not commanded may seem understand it's not commanded may seem to be condoned might not be explicitly to be condoned might not be explicitly to be condoned might not be explicitly condemned but it is never

condemned but it is never condemned but it is never commanded never commended and most commanded never commended and most commanded never commended and most importantly you will never find any importantly you will never find any importantly you will never find any parallel in scripture to American style parallel in scripture to American style parallel in scripture to American style chatt slavery you might think why in the chatt slavery you might think why in the chatt slavery you might think why in the world am I dwelling on this right now world am I dwelling on this right now world am I dwelling on this right now because there are teachers in the church because there are teachers in the church because there are teachers in the church today who say that we need to get back today who say that we need to get back today who say that we need to get back to slavery because that's what the Bible to slavery because that's what the Bible to slavery because that's what the Bible teaches I'm not making this up this is teaches I'm not making this up this is teaches I'm not making this up this is an actual problem that we see today but an actual problem that we see today but an actual problem that we see today but what we see going back is that slavery what we see going back is that slavery what we see going back is that slavery in the Roman World described and Hebrew in the Roman World described and Hebrew in the Roman World described and Hebrew World described in scripture was neither World described in scripture was neither World described in scripture was neither exclusively racial nor permanent exclusively racial nor permanent exclusively racial nor permanent race-based slavery never made sense it race-based slavery never made sense it race-based slavery never made sense it didn't make sense then it doesn't make didn't make sense then it doesn't make didn't make sense then it doesn't make any sense now if you can just enslave any sense now if you can just enslave any sense now if you can just enslave anyone else because they have darker anyone else because they have darker anyone else because they have darker skin then it means that somebody from skin then it means that somebody from skin then it means that somebody from Norway should be able to enslave someone Norway should be able to enslave someone Norway should be able to enslave someone from Italy it just doesn't make sense from Italy it just doesn't make sense from Italy it just doesn't make sense it's an arbitrary divide supporting an it's an arbitrary divide supporting an it's an arbitrary divide supporting an evil evil evil system and note again that this is one system and note again that this is one system and note again that this is one of the things that blows the mind of my of the things that blows the mind of my of the things that blows the mind of my students I say many of us evangelicals students I say many of us evangelicals students I say many of us evangelicals in the United States have a theological in the United States have a theological in the United States have a theological inheritance that argued that slavery was inheritance that argued that slavery was inheritance that argued that slavery was a Biblical necessity and even a good of a Biblical necessity and even a good of a Biblical necessity and even a good of our greatest our greatest our greatest theologians of all things were saying theologians of all things were saying theologians of all things were saying these which I think would conclude these which I think would conclude these which I think would conclude they're probably not our greatest they're probably not our greatest they're probably not our greatest theologians if that's the case but theologians if that's the case but theologians if that's the case but here's what happened you will find here's what happened you will find here's what happened you will find almost no arguments about any of this almost no arguments about any of this almost no arguments about any of this being a good thing for people until the

being a good thing for people until the being a good thing for people until the early early early 1800s well what happened in the early 1800s well what happened in the early 1800s well what happened in the early 1800s when the cotton Jin was invented 1800s when the cotton Jin was invented 1800s when the cotton Jin was invented all of a sudden slavery became all of a sudden slavery became all of a sudden slavery became profitable sure enough the theological profitable sure enough the theological profitable sure enough the theological justifications came behind to support so justifications came behind to support so justifications came behind to support so you might have somebody say how could you might have somebody say how could you might have somebody say how could you follow that slaveholder religion or you follow that slaveholder religion or you follow that slaveholder religion or or how could you be so blind Christians or how could you be so blind Christians or how could you be so blind Christians have upheld or say the Bible teaches have upheld or say the Bible teaches have upheld or say the Bible teaches that slavery is good no bad theologians that slavery is good no bad theologians that slavery is good no bad theologians teach that the Bible says that slavery teach that the Bible says that slavery teach that the Bible says that slavery is good that's not what the Bible is good that's not what the Bible is good that's not what the Bible teaches make no mistake the eminent teaches make no mistake the eminent teaches make no mistake the eminent historian Mark no has described the historian Mark no has described the historian Mark no has described the American Civil War as a theological American Civil War as a theological American Civil War as a theological crisis crisis crisis one that I would say exists in to that one that I would say exists in to that one that I would say exists in to that we continue to deal with we continue to deal with we continue to deal with today and Rebecca does an amazing job of today and Rebecca does an amazing job of today and Rebecca does an amazing job of talking about this problem in her talking about this problem in her talking about this problem in her best-selling book The secular Creed you best-selling book The secular Creed you best-selling book The secular Creed you haven't read it go ahead pick up a copy haven't read it go ahead pick up a copy haven't read it go ahead pick up a copy in the in the in the store but we dwell on this because in store but we dwell on this because in store but we dwell on this because in deconstructing apostasis leaving the deconstructing apostasis leaving the deconstructing apostasis leaving the faith many were responding to Christians faith many were responding to Christians faith many were responding to Christians arguing that slavery was biblical arguing that slavery was biblical arguing that slavery was biblical but here's the encouragement I want to but here's the encouragement I want to but here's the encouragement I want to leave you with Mark n says something leave you with Mark n says something leave you with Mark n says something else this historian talking about this else this historian talking about this else this historian talking about this theological crisis says outside the theological crisis says outside the theological crisis says outside the United States one rarely encountered the United States one rarely encountered the United States one rarely encountered the conviction that to trust the Bible meant conviction that to trust the Bible meant conviction that to trust the Bible meant to approve however reluctantly the slave to approve however reluctantly the slave to approve however reluctantly the slave system in its American

system in its American system in its American form one of the most outspoken critics form one of the most outspoken critics form one of the most outspoken critics of American slavery was Charles Haden of American slavery was Charles Haden of American slavery was Charles Haden Spurgeon he was so well known as a Spurgeon he was so well known as a Spurgeon he was so well known as a Critic of slavery in Great Britain that Critic of slavery in Great Britain that Critic of slavery in Great Britain that a group of Christians in Montgomery a group of Christians in Montgomery a group of Christians in Montgomery Alabama got together and warned that if Alabama got together and warned that if Alabama got together and warned that if he ever visited the United States they he ever visited the United States they he ever visited the United States they would murder him this is how severe this would murder him this is how severe this would murder him this is how severe this was and so what was the was and so what was the was and so what was the difference it's what I was telling you difference it's what I was telling you difference it's what I was telling you in the beginning he could see from the in the beginning he could see from the in the beginning he could see from the outside he could see the blind spots we outside he could see the blind spots we outside he could see the blind spots we couldn't see them our ancestors the they couldn't see them our ancestors the they couldn't see them our ancestors the they couldn't see them he could see them from couldn't see them he could see them from couldn't see them he could see them from the outside and that's what I want to the outside and that's what I want to the outside and that's what I want to commend to you this process of disin commend to you this process of disin commend to you this process of disin culturation so that you don't culturation so that you don't culturation so that you don't deconstruct the first thing you need to deconstruct the first thing you need to deconstruct the first thing you need to do is avoid do is avoid do is avoid novelty if your argument has not been novelty if your argument has not been novelty if your argument has not been seen or you're hearing a preacher teach seen or you're hearing a preacher teach seen or you're hearing a preacher teach you something that has not been seen in you something that has not been seen in you something that has not been seen in Christian history it's almost certainly Christian history it's almost certainly Christian history it's almost certainly wrong that's what was happening this wrong that's what was happening this wrong that's what was happening this these these arguments appeared all of a these these arguments appeared all of a these these arguments appeared all of a sudden slavery is a Biblical good no no sudden slavery is a Biblical good no no sudden slavery is a Biblical good no no those were novel arguments so first those were novel arguments so first those were novel arguments so first avoid novelty in your biblical avoid novelty in your biblical avoid novelty in your biblical interpretation second interpretation second interpretation second seek seek seek catholicity meaning we have the church catholicity meaning we have the church catholicity meaning we have the church Universal across time and across Universal across time and across Universal across time and across geography if only your small group of geography if only your small group of geography if only your small group of Christians are the ones who are reading Christians are the ones who are reading Christians are the ones who are reading it this way but not in other countries it this way but not in other countries it this way but not in other countries and not across time again you're and not across time again you're and not across time again you're probably wrong on that this helps us to probably wrong on that this helps us to probably wrong on that this helps us to not over enculturate our faith and then

not over enculturate our faith and then not over enculturate our faith and then finally never disobey one part of finally never disobey one part of finally never disobey one part of scripture so that you can supposedly scripture so that you can supposedly scripture so that you can supposedly obey another part of scripture do not obey another part of scripture do not obey another part of scripture do not pit scripture against pit scripture against pit scripture against itself here's what I mean some people itself here's what I mean some people itself here's what I mean some people were so intent on arguing that were so intent on arguing that were so intent on arguing that supposedly the Bible upheld supposedly the Bible upheld supposedly the Bible upheld slavery that they seem to have forgotten slavery that they seem to have forgotten slavery that they seem to have forgotten the basic commandment of Jesus to love the basic commandment of Jesus to love the basic commandment of Jesus to love your neighbor as your neighbor as your neighbor as yourself if they were not going to yourself if they were not going to yourself if they were not going to inflict themselves that way why would inflict themselves that way why would inflict themselves that way why would they do that to others don't turn they do that to others don't turn they do that to others don't turn scripture against itself scripture is a scripture against itself scripture is a scripture against itself scripture is a Unity brought about by the Holy Spirit Unity brought about by the Holy Spirit Unity brought about by the Holy Spirit look again I want you to recognize that look again I want you to recognize that look again I want you to recognize that everyone in our secular age doubts we're everyone in our secular age doubts we're everyone in our secular age doubts we're all exposed to these arguments we're all all exposed to these arguments we're all all exposed to these arguments we're all exposed to challenges to our faith the exposed to challenges to our faith the exposed to challenges to our faith the one way you can help inoculate yourself one way you can help inoculate yourself one way you can help inoculate yourself against this deconstruction process is against this deconstruction process is against this deconstruction process is to learn to look at your culture as an to learn to look at your culture as an to learn to look at your culture as an outsider from the Vantage especially of outsider from the Vantage especially of outsider from the Vantage especially of scripture Above All Else and also use scripture Above All Else and also use scripture Above All Else and also use the global church and use Christian the global church and use Christian the global church and use Christian history as well when you can dis history as well when you can dis history as well when you can dis enculturate your faith then you're less enculturate your faith then you're less enculturate your faith then you're less likely to deconstruct and one person I likely to deconstruct and one person I likely to deconstruct and one person I think God has raised up to do an think God has raised up to do an think God has raised up to do an especially good job of helping us to see especially good job of helping us to see especially good job of helping us to see that aspect of our faith from an outside that aspect of our faith from an outside that aspect of our faith from an outside perspective is Rebecca mclin please join perspective is Rebecca mclin please join perspective is Rebecca mclin please join me in welcoming me in welcoming me in welcoming Rebecca thanks Brothers I have an anti- Rebecca thanks Brothers I have an anti- Rebecca thanks Brothers I have an anti- Podium policy I'm very biased against Podium policy I'm very biased against Podium policy I'm very biased against Podium so I'm afraid you're I'm I'm a

Podium so I'm afraid you're I'm I'm a Podium so I'm afraid you're I'm I'm a Pacer as why I need to be able to to Pacer as why I need to be able to to Pacer as why I need to be able to to walk around and talk to you guys in fact walk around and talk to you guys in fact walk around and talk to you guys in fact I like so much that every Thursday night I like so much that every Thursday night I like so much that every Thursday night a dear friend of mine and I walk down a dear friend of mine and I walk down a dear friend of mine and I walk down the river near our house and pray the river near our house and pray the river near our house and pray together well first we tell each other together well first we tell each other together well first we tell each other everything that's going on in life you everything that's going on in life you everything that's going on in life you know The Good the Bad and the Ugly we know The Good the Bad and the Ugly we know The Good the Bad and the Ugly we have committed to tell one another the have committed to tell one another the have committed to tell one another the embarrassing things that you don't embarrassing things that you don't embarrassing things that you don't really want to tell anybody or those really want to tell anybody or those really want to tell anybody or those those sinful practices that are creeping those sinful practices that are creeping those sinful practices that are creeping into your life that you're trying to into your life that you're trying to into your life that you're trying to justify you're trying to justify but you justify you're trying to justify but you justify you're trying to justify but you honestly know if you were somebody else honestly know if you were somebody else honestly know if you were somebody else talking to yourself you'd say uh-uh talking to yourself you'd say uh-uh talking to yourself you'd say uh-uh that's not that's not that's not it so a few weeks ago my friend car and it so a few weeks ago my friend car and it so a few weeks ago my friend car and I walking down um the the river and on I walking down um the the river and on I walking down um the the river and on the way back she says to me oh I want to the way back she says to me oh I want to the way back she says to me oh I want to take a stop at at our house now she take a stop at at our house now she take a stop at at our house now she lives right around the corner from me lives right around the corner from me lives right around the corner from me and at the moment their house is under and at the moment their house is under and at the moment their house is under construction or should I say under construction or should I say under construction or should I say under deconstruction just that day they had deconstruction just that day they had deconstruction just that day they had had the demolition guys come through and had the demolition guys come through and had the demolition guys come through and in one day it was extraordinary how much in one day it was extraordinary how much in one day it was extraordinary how much of the house was no longer there we went of the house was no longer there we went of the house was no longer there we went in through the door that just about was in through the door that just about was in through the door that just about was still a door we walked up the stairs still a door we walked up the stairs still a door we walked up the stairs where I was like slightly afraid for my where I was like slightly afraid for my where I was like slightly afraid for my life going up these stairs onto the top life going up these stairs onto the top life going up these stairs onto the top level of our house and we looked out level of our house and we looked out level of our house and we looked out over the city of Cambridge through the over the city of Cambridge through the over the city of Cambridge through the walls that were no longer there at walls that were no longer there at walls that were no longer there at all and it struck me as extraordinary all and it struck me as extraordinary all and it struck me as extraordinary how much damage can be done by a few how much damage can be done by a few how much damage can be done by a few guys with sledgehammers in the course of guys with sledgehammers in the course of guys with sledgehammers in the course of one day and the fact that my friend had

one day and the fact that my friend had one day and the fact that my friend had paid these guys to come and ruin her paid these guys to come and ruin her paid these guys to come and ruin her house it was sort of extraordinary house it was sort of extraordinary house it was sort of extraordinary why was she doing that why was she why was she doing that why was she why was she doing that why was she paying thousands of dollars for people paying thousands of dollars for people paying thousands of dollars for people to come and basically demolish her house clearly because she was hoping to house clearly because she was hoping to build something better on the same build something better on the same build something better on the same Foundation I think many of us today or Foundation I think many of us today or Foundation I think many of us today or many of those who we love who are going many of those who we love who are going many of those who we love who are going through a process of through a process of through a process of deconstruction are hoping to build deconstruction are hoping to build deconstruction are hoping to build something something something better it's typically not that we just better it's typically not that we just better it's typically not that we just go straight in with a go straight in with a go straight in with a sledgehammer wanting to live in sledgehammer wanting to live in sledgehammer wanting to live in nothingness wanting to nothingness wanting to nothingness wanting to stand with no roof over our stand with no roof over our stand with no roof over our heads but we we we get the sledgehammer heads but we we we get the sledgehammer heads but we we we get the sledgehammer out and we we start hitting at things out and we we start hitting at things out and we we start hitting at things because we know that parts of the house because we know that parts of the house because we know that parts of the house that we may have lived in for some time that we may have lived in for some time that we may have lived in for some time are actually are actually are actually rotten we we're seeing some structural rotten we we're seeing some structural rotten we we're seeing some structural problems we're seeing some mold that's problems we're seeing some mold that's problems we're seeing some mold that's crept in crept in crept in and we know that something quite drastic and we know that something quite drastic and we know that something quite drastic needs to happen if we're going to build needs to happen if we're going to build needs to happen if we're going to build a better house as we come house as we come back together to the back together to the back together to the scriptures we're going to find that the scriptures we're going to find that the scriptures we're going to find that the Lord has given us firm Lord has given us firm Lord has given us firm foundations and loadbearing

foundations and loadbearing foundations and loadbearing walls for the house of faith in which we walls for the house of faith in which we walls for the house of faith in which we need to live need to live need to live the guys who my friend had hired to the guys who my friend had hired to the guys who my friend had hired to knock down her house were somewhat knock down her house were somewhat knock down her house were somewhat careful it didn't look like it but they careful it didn't look like it but they careful it didn't look like it but they were somewhat careful because they they were somewhat careful because they they were somewhat careful because they they weren't knocking down the loadbearing weren't knocking down the loadbearing weren't knocking down the loadbearing Walls they were knocking down the things Walls they were knocking down the things Walls they were knocking down the things that that were keeping the the wind and that that were keeping the the wind and that that were keeping the the wind and the rain out but not the the walls that the rain out but not the the walls that the rain out but not the the walls that were actually keeping the structure of were actually keeping the structure of were actually keeping the structure of the house up in the first place and so the house up in the first place and so the house up in the first place and so as we go through this process we need to as we go through this process we need to as we go through this process we need to know what are the loadbearing walls in know what are the loadbearing walls in know what are the loadbearing walls in the Christian the Christian the Christian faith what is the mold where is the the faith what is the mold where is the the faith what is the mold where is the the rot that we might have grown up with rot that we might have grown up with rot that we might have grown up with with that as Collins mentioned may not with that as Collins mentioned may not with that as Collins mentioned may not have actually come to us from the have actually come to us from the have actually come to us from the scriptures at all where are the scriptures at all where are the scriptures at all where are the loadbearing walls and and what is our loadbearing walls and and what is our loadbearing walls and and what is our foundation and in our our short time foundation and in our our short time foundation and in our our short time today I I especially want to look at the today I I especially want to look at the today I I especially want to look at the whole question of whole question of whole question of sexuality so I think this is one of the sexuality so I think this is one of the sexuality so I think this is one of the areas that is often at the heart of many areas that is often at the heart of many areas that is often at the heart of many people in our churches today's sort of people in our churches today's sort of people in our churches today's sort of desire to desire to desire to deconstruct it's often in people's minds deconstruct it's often in people's minds deconstruct it's often in people's minds connected to questions of race connected to questions of race connected to questions of race and that's actually for good and that's actually for good and that's actually for good reason I think one of one of the most reason I think one of one of the most reason I think one of one of the most emotionally compelling arguments that we emotionally compelling arguments that we emotionally compelling arguments that we will sometimes hear is just like you will sometimes hear is just like you will sometimes hear is just like you speaking to somebody like me just like speaking to somebody like me just like speaking to somebody like me just like you white Christians back in the 60s you white Christians back in the 60s you white Christians back in the 60s used your Bibles to justify your used your Bibles to justify your used your Bibles to justify your opposition to the desegregation of opposition to the desegregation of opposition to the desegregation of schools or to a black person and a white schools or to a black person and a white schools or to a black person and a white person getting married so now you're person getting married so now you're person getting married so now you're using your Bibles to justify your using your Bibles to justify your using your Bibles to justify your opposition to same-sex marriage or maybe

opposition to same-sex marriage or maybe opposition to same-sex marriage or maybe to transgender identities to transgender identities to transgender identities and it's only when we fully recognize and it's only when we fully recognize and it's only when we fully recognize the first part of that statement is the first part of that statement is the first part of that statement is true that back in the 60s there were far true that back in the 60s there were far true that back in the 60s there were far too many people who were using their too many people who were using their too many people who were using their Bibles to try and justify Bibles to try and justify Bibles to try and justify segregation so any when we recognize segregation so any when we recognize segregation so any when we recognize that that's true that we're going to that that's true that we're going to that that's true that we're going to have the moral legs to stand have the moral legs to stand have the moral legs to stand on when it comes to questions of on when it comes to questions of on when it comes to questions of sexuality but if we open our sexuality but if we open our sexuality but if we open our Bibles we will find that just as firmly Bibles we will find that just as firmly Bibles we will find that just as firmly and clearly as the Bible calls us toward and clearly as the Bible calls us toward and clearly as the Bible calls us toward love and equality across racial love and equality across racial love and equality across racial difference so clearly and firmly it difference so clearly and firmly it difference so clearly and firmly it calls us away from samesex sexual calls us away from samesex sexual calls us away from samesex sexual relationships so actually the problem relationships so actually the problem relationships so actually the problem with the 60s with the 60s with the 60s segregationists was not that they were segregationists was not that they were segregationists was not that they were too too too Christian it was that they weren't half Christian it was that they weren't half Christian it was that they weren't half Christian enough it wasn't they were Christian enough it wasn't they were Christian enough it wasn't they were reading their Bibles too reading their Bibles too reading their Bibles too carefully it was they were doing utter carefully it was they were doing utter carefully it was they were doing utter violence to the scriptures in order to violence to the scriptures in order to violence to the scriptures in order to reach the conclusions that they were reach the conclusions that they were reach the conclusions that they were they were trying to they were trying to they were trying to reach and actually if we open open our reach and actually if we open open our reach and actually if we open open our Bibles and try to find a way to justify Bibles and try to find a way to justify Bibles and try to find a way to justify samesex marriage for Christians we will samesex marriage for Christians we will samesex marriage for Christians we will find ourselves perhaps with a better find ourselves perhaps with a better find ourselves perhaps with a better heart I don't know but we would find heart I don't know but we would find heart I don't know but we would find ourselves doing a similarly contorted ourselves doing a similarly contorted ourselves doing a similarly contorted level of gymnastics to reach those conclusions now some of you may may know conclusions now some of you may may know my story others others won't I'm not my story others others won't I'm not my story others others won't I'm not someone who first came to the Bible someone who first came to the Bible someone who first came to the Bible hoping that it would say no to same seex

hoping that it would say no to same seex hoping that it would say no to same seex sexual relationships for Christians um sexual relationships for Christians um sexual relationships for Christians um as long as I can remember I've been a as long as I can remember I've been a as long as I can remember I've been a Christian as long as I can remember I've Christian as long as I can remember I've Christian as long as I can remember I've been attracted to other women I would been attracted to other women I would been attracted to other women I would have been more than happy at one point have been more than happy at one point have been more than happy at one point in my life to open the Bible and found in my life to open the Bible and found in my life to open the Bible and found that it did affirm same-sex marriage for that it did affirm same-sex marriage for that it did affirm same-sex marriage for believers but the more I've studied the believers but the more I've studied the believers but the more I've studied the scriptures on this question the more scriptures on this question the more scriptures on this question the more convinced I become that it convinced I become that it convinced I become that it doesn't and The more I've doesn't and The more I've doesn't and The more I've realized that realized that realized that actually Jesus and his love for us is actually Jesus and his love for us is actually Jesus and his love for us is right at the center of that right at the center of that right at the center of that story so often we have conversations story so often we have conversations story so often we have conversations about sexuality that that seem to leave about sexuality that that seem to leave about sexuality that that seem to leave Jesus to the side quite honestly and Jesus to the side quite honestly and Jesus to the side quite honestly and many who are advocating for same-sex many who are advocating for same-sex many who are advocating for same-sex marriage for believers are wanting to marriage for believers are wanting to marriage for believers are wanting to say do you know what I I want to be a say do you know what I I want to be a say do you know what I I want to be a Jesus kind of Christian you know maybe Jesus kind of Christian you know maybe Jesus kind of Christian you know maybe not a Paul kind of Christian I want to not a Paul kind of Christian I want to not a Paul kind of Christian I want to be I want to be a Jesus sort of be I want to be a Jesus sort of be I want to be a Jesus sort of Christian he doesn't he doesn't really Christian he doesn't he doesn't really Christian he doesn't he doesn't really talk about this issue so how can we talk about this issue so how can we talk about this issue so how can we think this is a a big issue something think this is a a big issue something think this is a a big issue something that we Christians should be concerned that we Christians should be concerned that we Christians should be concerned about but actually if you read through about but actually if you read through about but actually if you read through the the full sweep of the scriptures and the the full sweep of the scriptures and the the full sweep of the scriptures and what they have to say about sexuality what they have to say about sexuality what they have to say about sexuality you'll find that from the the very you'll find that from the the very you'll find that from the the very beginning beginning beginning human beings are made male and female in human beings are made male and female in human beings are made male and female in God's image and one man and one woman God's image and one man and one woman God's image and one man and one woman are brought together and there's a are brought together and there's a are brought together and there's a curious comment in Genesis 2 therefore a curious comment in Genesis 2 therefore a curious comment in Genesis 2 therefore a man will leave his father and his mother man will leave his father and his mother man will leave his father and his mother and be United to his wife and the two and be United to his wife and the two and be United to his wife and the two shall become one shall become one shall become one flesh a curious comment that gets picked flesh a curious comment that gets picked flesh a curious comment that gets picked up actually in the New Testament when up actually in the New Testament when up actually in the New Testament when Jesus defines marriage and points us Jesus defines marriage and points us Jesus defines marriage and points us right back to not only that passage in right back to not only that passage in right back to not only that passage in Genesis 2 but also to Genesis 1 when God

Genesis 2 but also to Genesis 1 when God Genesis 2 but also to Genesis 1 when God creates human beings male and female in creates human beings male and female in creates human beings male and female in His image His image His image so we have this sort of picture at the so we have this sort of picture at the so we have this sort of picture at the beginning of male and female in a one beginning of male and female in a one beginning of male and female in a one flesh Union as flesh Union as flesh Union as marriage and then as that the Old marriage and then as that the Old marriage and then as that the Old Testament unfolds you'll find all sorts Testament unfolds you'll find all sorts Testament unfolds you'll find all sorts of sexual relationships that fall short of sexual relationships that fall short of sexual relationships that fall short of of of that but you'll also find a persistent that but you'll also find a persistent that but you'll also find a persistent metaphor coming back time and again metaphor coming back time and again metaphor coming back time and again through the prophets that compares God through the prophets that compares God through the prophets that compares God to a loving faithful to a loving faithful to a loving faithful husband and Israel to his also of an husband and Israel to his also of an husband and Israel to his also of an Unfaithful Unfaithful Unfaithful wife and as you read the Old Testament wife and as you read the Old Testament wife and as you read the Old Testament you'll find this marriage is in crisis you'll find this marriage is in crisis you'll find this marriage is in crisis because God's people keep cheating on because God's people keep cheating on because God's people keep cheating on him with other gods so-called Gods fakes comes Jesus steps onto the stage of comes Jesus steps onto the stage of human history and he declares that he is human history and he declares that he is human history and he declares that he is the the the bridegroom it's a very odd comment to bridegroom it's a very odd comment to bridegroom it's a very odd comment to make if you think about it for a man who make if you think about it for a man who make if you think about it for a man who never married in his life on this Earth never married in his life on this Earth never married in his life on this Earth so what is Jesus so what is Jesus so what is Jesus saying it's one one of the ways in which saying it's one one of the ways in which saying it's one one of the ways in which he's stepping into the he's stepping into the he's stepping into the shoes of the Creator God revealed in the shoes of the Creator God revealed in the shoes of the Creator God revealed in the Old Old Old Testament and as we read on in the New Testament and as we read on in the New Testament and as we read on in the New Testament as we read Paul's letter to Testament as we read Paul's letter to Testament as we read Paul's letter to the Ephesians in chapter 5 he gives us the Ephesians in chapter 5 he gives us the Ephesians in chapter 5 he gives us this beautiful description of Christian this beautiful description of Christian this beautiful description of Christian marriage as like a little scale model of marriage as like a little scale model of marriage as like a little scale model of Jesus's love for his Jesus's love for his Jesus's love for his people and at the end of the Bible in people and at the end of the Bible in people and at the end of the Bible in the Book of Revelation we hear this the Book of Revelation we hear this the Book of Revelation we hear this great shout going out the wedding of the great shout going out the wedding of the great shout going out the wedding of the Lamb has come and Jesus's marriage to Lamb has come and Jesus's marriage to Lamb has come and Jesus's marriage to his church bringing Heaven and Earth his church bringing Heaven and Earth his church bringing Heaven and Earth back together and this is why marriage

back together and this is why marriage back together and this is why marriage is male female and why husbands and is male female and why husbands and is male female and why husbands and wives are called to different roles like wives are called to different roles like wives are called to different roles like Christ in the church it's a love across Christ in the church it's a love across Christ in the church it's a love across difference like Christ in the church difference like Christ in the church difference like Christ in the church it's a love built on it's a love built on it's a love built on sacrifice like Christ in the church is a sacrifice like Christ in the church is a sacrifice like Christ in the church is a life creating flesh uniting NeverEnding life creating flesh uniting NeverEnding life creating flesh uniting NeverEnding exclusive love so marriage is meant to exclusive love so marriage is meant to exclusive love so marriage is meant to point us to point us to point us to Christ but it's also meant to disappoint Christ but it's also meant to disappoint Christ but it's also meant to disappoint us because even the best human marriage us because even the best human marriage us because even the best human marriage could only ever be a tiny echo of could only ever be a tiny echo of could only ever be a tiny echo of Jesus's love for us so often my friends I think we have us so often my friends I think we have had conversations about sexuality from a had conversations about sexuality from a had conversations about sexuality from a Christian perspective and and we have Christian perspective and and we have Christian perspective and and we have completely missed this big completely missed this big completely missed this big picture it's like imagine having a picture it's like imagine having a picture it's like imagine having a conversation about what it means to be a conversation about what it means to be a conversation about what it means to be a Christian father without noticing that Christian father without noticing that Christian father without noticing that in the Bible God is described as our in the Bible God is described as our in the Bible God is described as our father and so the absolute best father and so the absolute best father and so the absolute best Christian father is giving us a tiny Christian father is giving us a tiny Christian father is giving us a tiny little echo of God's fatherly love for little echo of God's fatherly love for little echo of God's fatherly love for us actually when when Paul reflects back us actually when when Paul reflects back us actually when when Paul reflects back on even that first marriage in on even that first marriage in on even that first marriage in Genesis he quotes from Genesis 2 Genesis he quotes from Genesis 2 Genesis he quotes from Genesis 2 therefore a man will leave his father therefore a man will leave his father therefore a man will leave his father and his mother and be United to his wife and his mother and be United to his wife and his mother and be United to his wife and the two shall become one flesh and and the two shall become one flesh and and the two shall become one flesh and he says this is a profound mystery and I he says this is a profound mystery and I he says this is a profound mystery and I am saying that it refers to Christ in am saying that it refers to Christ in am saying that it refers to Christ in the church that was always what it was the church that was always what it was the church that was always what it was about from the beginning when God made about from the beginning when God made about from the beginning when God made humans male and female when he gave us humans male and female when he gave us humans male and female when he gave us the capacity to have sex and to get to the capacity to have sex and to get to the capacity to have sex and to get to get married to um have children together get married to um have children together get married to um have children together all of that it's baked into our biology all of that it's baked into our biology all of that it's baked into our biology this picture of Jesus's love for his

this picture of Jesus's love for his this picture of Jesus's love for his people and when we realize that Jesus's people and when we realize that Jesus's people and when we realize that Jesus's love for his people is actually at the love for his people is actually at the love for his people is actually at the front and center other things start to front and center other things start to front and center other things start to fall into fall into fall into place it's a very common belief in our place it's a very common belief in our place it's a very common belief in our culture culture culture today that sexual and romantic today that sexual and romantic today that sexual and romantic fulfillment is the fulfillment is the fulfillment is the thing and so to say to somebody you need thing and so to say to somebody you need thing and so to say to somebody you need to deprive to deprive to deprive yourself of sexual romantic fulfillment yourself of sexual romantic fulfillment yourself of sexual romantic fulfillment you know maybe to say to somebody who you know maybe to say to somebody who you know maybe to say to somebody who like me is primarily attracted to their like me is primarily attracted to their like me is primarily attracted to their same sex to say to that person actually same sex to say to that person actually same sex to say to that person actually you shouldn't be pursuing your romantic you shouldn't be pursuing your romantic you shouldn't be pursuing your romantic Desires in our culture today that sounds Desires in our culture today that sounds Desires in our culture today that sounds like a death sentence that's sentence that's [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] right and so often If we're honest if right and so often If we're honest if right and so often If we're honest if we're brutally honest in our churches we we're brutally honest in our churches we we're brutally honest in our churches we have acted like that's have acted like that's have acted like that's true we recognize that that marriage is true we recognize that that marriage is true we recognize that that marriage is the the right context for the the right context for the the right context for sex but we've bought into the idea that sex but we've bought into the idea that sex but we've bought into the idea that actually if you don't have sexual actually if you don't have sexual actually if you don't have sexual romantic fulfillment if if you don't end romantic fulfillment if if you don't end romantic fulfillment if if you don't end up getting married for example then up getting married for example then up getting married for example then you've missed out on the you've missed out on the you've missed out on the thing my friends that the Bible calls thing my friends that the Bible calls thing my friends that the Bible calls that that that idolatry there is one relationship that idolatry there is one relationship that idolatry there is one relationship that you and I cannot live you and I cannot live you and I cannot live without and that is relationship with without and that is relationship with without and that is relationship with Jesus Jesus Jesus Christ and actually our deepest romantic Christ and actually our deepest romantic Christ and actually our deepest romantic or sexual lonic

or sexual lonic or sexual lonic longings are are queuing us in to longings are are queuing us in to longings are are queuing us in to something much much something much much something much much greater the the longings of our heart greater the the longings of our heart greater the the longings of our heart are ultimately for the one person who are ultimately for the one person who are ultimately for the one person who can can can satisfy for the one marriage that all of satisfy for the one marriage that all of satisfy for the one marriage that all of us are invited into which is the us are invited into which is the us are invited into which is the marriage of Jesus to his people that marriage of Jesus to his people that marriage of Jesus to his people that will be consummated at the end of will be consummated at the end of will be consummated at the end of time but if we if we bought into this time but if we if we bought into this time but if we if we bought into this idea that actually yeah marriage is the idea that actually yeah marriage is the idea that actually yeah marriage is the thing you can't live without if we told thing you can't live without if we told thing you can't live without if we told our our children and especially our our our our children and especially our our our our children and especially our our little girls and maybe maybe there are little girls and maybe maybe there are little girls and maybe maybe there are folks in this room who've been who are folks in this room who've been who are folks in this room who've been who are brought up that way themselves that brought up that way themselves that brought up that way themselves that actually your greatest aspiration is to actually your greatest aspiration is to actually your greatest aspiration is to be a wife and a mother and if you don't be a wife and a mother and if you don't be a wife and a mother and if you don't get married then you know oh I'm sorry get married then you know oh I'm sorry get married then you know oh I'm sorry like it's that's unfortunate like like it's that's unfortunate like like it's that's unfortunate like there's maybe we can fix that somehow we're actually reinforcing this somehow we're actually reinforcing this idea that marriage is the idea that marriage is the idea that marriage is the thing you know Paul who said said that thing you know Paul who said said that thing you know Paul who said said that Christian marriage was so beautiful that Christian marriage was so beautiful that Christian marriage was so beautiful that it was meant to picture jesus' love for it was meant to picture jesus' love for it was meant to picture jesus' love for his people he said singleness is even his people he said singleness is even his people he said singleness is even better but so often in our Christian better but so often in our Christian better but so often in our Christian cultures we've left single people cultures we've left single people cultures we've left single people out and so when somebody says to me how out and so when somebody says to me how out and so when somebody says to me how can you expect a Christian who is maybe can you expect a Christian who is maybe can you expect a Christian who is maybe exclusively attracted to their same sex exclusively attracted to their same sex exclusively attracted to their same sex to be lonely for the rest of their lives what I want to say to them lives what I want to say to them is if our Christian culture is such that is if our Christian culture is such that is if our Christian culture is such that single people are L we are massively

single people are L we are massively single people are L we are massively failing to live up to Christian failing to live up to Christian failing to live up to Christian ethics we need to open our Bibles and we ethics we need to open our Bibles and we ethics we need to open our Bibles and we need to notice the family language that need to notice the family language that need to notice the family language that slaps us in the face from the very slaps us in the face from the very slaps us in the face from the very beginning you know think about when beginning you know think about when beginning you know think about when Jesus is teaching one day and it's a Jesus is teaching one day and it's a Jesus is teaching one day and it's a full crowd and somebody comes and Taps full crowd and somebody comes and Taps full crowd and somebody comes and Taps on the shoulder and says um Jesus your on the shoulder and says um Jesus your on the shoulder and says um Jesus your mother and your brothers are here to see mother and your brothers are here to see mother and your brothers are here to see you does Jesus say oh sorry guys Family you does Jesus say oh sorry guys Family you does Jesus say oh sorry guys Family First gotta First gotta First gotta go no he says words that are honestly go no he says words that are honestly go no he says words that are honestly outrageous to our modern Western outrageous to our modern Western outrageous to our modern Western Christian culture he says who is my Christian culture he says who is my Christian culture he says who is my mother and who are my mother and who are my mother and who are my brothers and then he looks around at the brothers and then he looks around at the brothers and then he looks around at the people in that room and he says whoever people in that room and he says whoever people in that room and he says whoever does the will of God as my brother and does the will of God as my brother and does the will of God as my brother and sister and mother Jesus actually sister and mother Jesus actually sister and mother Jesus actually redefine the redefine the redefine the family to be the inclusive family of family to be the inclusive family of family to be the inclusive family of God and my friends I don't think we live God and my friends I don't think we live God and my friends I don't think we live like that's like that's like that's true and because of that we've actually true and because of that we've actually true and because of that we've actually we've lost our we've lost our we've lost our vision for love between Believers of the vision for love between Believers of the vision for love between Believers of the same same same sex because actually if we look at the sex because actually if we look at the sex because actually if we look at the Bible we won't find that there is only a Bible we won't find that there is only a Bible we won't find that there is only a no to love between Believers of the same no to love between Believers of the same no to love between Believers of the same sex the the no to sexual romantic love sex the the no to sexual romantic love sex the the no to sexual romantic love the no to to samesex marriage that no is the no to to samesex marriage that no is the no to to samesex marriage that no is very very very clear but we also find a a strong clear but we also find a a strong clear but we also find a a strong yes to brother and sister yes to brother and sister yes to brother and sister love you think of about what Jesus said love you think of about what Jesus said love you think of about what Jesus said on the night that he was betrayed he

on the night that he was betrayed he on the night that he was betrayed he said to his disciples this is my said to his disciples this is my said to his disciples this is my commandment that you love one another as commandment that you love one another as commandment that you love one another as I have loved you greater love has no one I have loved you greater love has no one I have loved you greater love has no one than than than this that he lay down his life for his friends if we start to live like that is friends if we start to live like that is true our conversations around sexuality true our conversations around sexuality true our conversations around sexuality are going to change and friends let let's be real we change and friends let let's be real we we live in a we live in a we live in a world which has collapsed world which has collapsed world which has collapsed all intimacy all real meaningful all intimacy all real meaningful all intimacy all real meaningful intimacy down into sexual romantic intimacy down into sexual romantic intimacy down into sexual romantic relationships we live in a relationships we live in a relationships we live in a world which has bought the lie that world which has bought the lie that world which has bought the lie that having multiple sexual partners is going having multiple sexual partners is going having multiple sexual partners is going to be good for your health and to be good for your health and to be good for your health and happiness if you look at for example the happiness if you look at for example the happiness if you look at for example the the sexual revolution of the 1960s sold the sexual revolution of the 1960s sold the sexual revolution of the 1960s sold to us as the liberation of to us as the liberation of to us as the liberation of women in actual women in actual women in actual fact the self-reported happiness of fact the self-reported happiness of fact the self-reported happiness of women has decreased since the women has decreased since the women has decreased since the 60s and it's been discovered by like you 60s and it's been discovered by like you 60s and it's been discovered by like you know studies done not by Christians but know studies done not by Christians but know studies done not by Christians but like secular University studies that like secular University studies that like secular University studies that actually increasing your numbers of actually increasing your numbers of actually increasing your numbers of sexual partners especially for women is sexual partners especially for women is sexual partners especially for women is correlated with lower levels of correlated with lower levels of correlated with lower levels of happiness high levels of depression happiness high levels of depression happiness high levels of depression sadness suicide liation drug abuse sadness suicide liation drug abuse sadness suicide liation drug abuse alcoholism all the things we would not alcoholism all the things we would not alcoholism all the things we would not want and actually in in today's cultural want and actually in in today's cultural want and actually in in today's cultural moment we have something even worse moment we have something even worse moment we have something even worse happening we have a not only the sort of happening we have a not only the sort of happening we have a not only the sort of normalization of sex without

normalization of sex without normalization of sex without commitment we actually also have a commitment we actually also have a commitment we actually also have a normalization of sexual violence toward normalization of sexual violence toward normalization of sexual violence toward women under the thin veneer of consent I think for years we've been consent I think for years we've been used to thinking that Christian sexual used to thinking that Christian sexual used to thinking that Christian sexual ethics is kind of an embarrassment If ethics is kind of an embarrassment If ethics is kind of an embarrassment If we're we're we're honest we've been thinking that it's honest we've been thinking that it's honest we've been thinking that it's it's probably unfair on people who are it's probably unfair on people who are it's probably unfair on people who are attracted to folks of their same sex and attracted to folks of their same sex and attracted to folks of their same sex and it's probably limiting to women in it's probably limiting to women in it's probably limiting to women in particular actually if you look at the particular actually if you look at the particular actually if you look at the data Christian sexual ethics is one of data Christian sexual ethics is one of data Christian sexual ethics is one of the best things we have to the best things we have to the best things we have to offer with Jesus at the center and a offer with Jesus at the center and a offer with Jesus at the center and a family of love that brings people family of love that brings people family of love that brings people together regardless of whether you're together regardless of whether you're together regardless of whether you're married or single whether you're older married or single whether you're older married or single whether you're older or young whatever your your background or young whatever your your background or young whatever your your background is the the inclusive family of God that is the the inclusive family of God that is the the inclusive family of God that we are called we are called we are called to is one that is very restrictive when to is one that is very restrictive when to is one that is very restrictive when it comes to sex and does say sex only it comes to sex and does say sex only it comes to sex and does say sex only belongs in marriage between one man and belongs in marriage between one man and belongs in marriage between one man and one one one woman but is actually the opposite of woman but is actually the opposite of woman but is actually the opposite of restricted when it comes to restricted when it comes to restricted when it comes to love because the first century Jewish love because the first century Jewish love because the first century Jewish man we man we man we worship told us to love our neighbor worship told us to love our neighbor worship told us to love our neighbor told us to love our enemy and taught us told us to love our enemy and taught us told us to love our enemy and taught us to relate to one another as brothers and to relate to one another as brothers and to relate to one another as brothers and sisters to welcome one another as Paul sisters to welcome one another as Paul sisters to welcome one another as Paul puts it as Christ has welcomed us when we think about us when we think about deconstruction we need to think about

deconstruction we need to think about deconstruction we need to think about what what new house are we going to what what new house are we going to what what new house are we going to build and it was sort of fascinating to build and it was sort of fascinating to build and it was sort of fascinating to me fascinating is probably an unkind way me fascinating is probably an unkind way me fascinating is probably an unkind way to put it but about a week after my to put it but about a week after my to put it but about a week after my friend gave me the tour of her no no friend gave me the tour of her no no friend gave me the tour of her no no longer house she texted me and she said longer house she texted me and she said longer house she texted me and she said uh bad news the foundation has started uh bad news the foundation has started uh bad news the foundation has started to fall in it end up that the guys with to fall in it end up that the guys with to fall in it end up that the guys with the sledgehammers had just gone a bit the sledgehammers had just gone a bit the sledgehammers had just gone a bit too Sledgehammer happy and the too Sledgehammer happy and the too Sledgehammer happy and the foundations of a house were collapsing and a question I would have collapsing and a question I would have for you if you were somebody who is in for you if you were somebody who is in for you if you were somebody who is in the midst right now of of deconstructing the midst right now of of deconstructing the midst right now of of deconstructing or if you are walking in in love with or if you are walking in in love with or if you are walking in in love with somebody in your life who was somebody in your life who was somebody in your life who was deconstructing I would want I would want deconstructing I would want I would want deconstructing I would want I would want to ask the question um that Peter asked to ask the question um that Peter asked to ask the question um that Peter asked actually when Jesus noticed that a lot actually when Jesus noticed that a lot actually when Jesus noticed that a lot of people a lot of his followers were of people a lot of his followers were of people a lot of his followers were leaving um and he said to his disciples leaving um and he said to his disciples leaving um and he said to his disciples well what about you guys Peter said well what about you guys Peter said well what about you guys Peter said where else have we to go you have the where else have we to go you have the where else have we to go you have the words of eternal words of eternal words of eternal life I believe that that is life I believe that that is life I believe that that is true and I also believe that in true and I also believe that in true and I also believe that in meaningful ways it is demonstrably true meaningful ways it is demonstrably true meaningful ways it is demonstrably true even even even today because those of us who are today because those of us who are today because those of us who are questioning questioning questioning Christianity because of a history of Christianity because of a history of Christianity because of a history of racial Injustice or those of us who are racial Injustice or those of us who are racial Injustice or those of us who are questioning Christianity because of what questioning Christianity because of what questioning Christianity because of what we've seen of of abuse and sexual abuse we've seen of of abuse and sexual abuse we've seen of of abuse and sexual abuse or those of us who are questioning or those of us who are questioning or those of us who are questioning Christianity Christianity Christianity because of of the hateful ways in which because of of the hateful ways in which because of of the hateful ways in which people have have sometimes been treated people have have sometimes been treated people have have sometimes been treated outside the

outside the outside the church we're questioning on the basis church we're questioning on the basis church we're questioning on the basis actually of Christian ethics the Declaration of Independence ethics the Declaration of Independence famousy says we hold these trees to be famousy says we hold these trees to be famousy says we hold these trees to be self-evident that all men are created self-evident that all men are created self-evident that all men are created equal I'm sorry that's not a equal I'm sorry that's not a equal I'm sorry that's not a self-evident truth it's actually a self-evident truth it's actually a self-evident truth it's actually a Biblical Biblical Biblical belief and if we take Christianity out belief and if we take Christianity out belief and if we take Christianity out of the of the of the foundation we don't have any Foundation foundation we don't have any Foundation foundation we don't have any Foundation to build on to build on to build on anymore if you listen to some of the top anymore if you listen to some of the top anymore if you listen to some of the top um secular thinkers today so for example um secular thinkers today so for example um secular thinkers today so for example you will Noah Harari who wrote this um you will Noah Harari who wrote this um you will Noah Harari who wrote this um book called sapiens a brief history of book called sapiens a brief history of book called sapiens a brief history of humankind Global bestselling humankind Global bestselling humankind Global bestselling book he's very honest about the fact book he's very honest about the fact book he's very honest about the fact that atheism doesn't give you a that atheism doesn't give you a that atheism doesn't give you a foundation for the deepest beliefs that foundation for the deepest beliefs that foundation for the deepest beliefs that you and I probably share actually you and I probably share actually you and I probably share actually regardless of our religious regardless of our religious regardless of our religious affiliations he says things like human affiliations he says things like human affiliations he says things like human beings have no natural rights just as beings have no natural rights just as beings have no natural rights just as chimpanzees hyenas and spiders have no chimpanzees hyenas and spiders have no chimpanzees hyenas and spiders have no natural rights he says human rights are natural rights he says human rights are natural rights he says human rights are figments of our fertile figments of our fertile figments of our fertile imagination quoting the declaration imagination quoting the declaration imagination quoting the declaration independence he says the Americans got independence he says the Americans got independence he says the Americans got the idea of human equality from the idea of human equality from the idea of human equality from Christianity but if there is no God and Christianity but if there is no God and Christianity but if there is no God and we who made made human beings and gave we who made made human beings and gave we who made made human beings and gave us Souls etc etc then what does it even us Souls etc etc then what does it even us Souls etc etc then what does it even mean for human beings to be mean for human beings to be mean for human beings to be equal he says the scientific study of equal he says the scientific study of equal he says the scientific study of homo sapiens has embarrassingly little homo sapiens has embarrassingly little homo sapiens has embarrassingly little to do with human rights and to do with human rights and to do with human rights and equality so friends it if we equality so friends it if we equality so friends it if we evaluate evaluate evaluate Christianity on the basis of whether

Christianity on the basis of whether Christianity on the basis of whether it's it's it's delivering on love across racial delivering on love across racial delivering on love across racial difference on Justice for the poor and difference on Justice for the poor and difference on Justice for the poor and the weak and the the weak and the the weak and the marginalized um on on care for the marginalized um on on care for the marginalized um on on care for the oppressed on opposing oppressed on opposing oppressed on opposing violence we're actually judging it by violence we're actually judging it by violence we're actually judging it by Christian Christian Christian standards if we're believing in the standards if we're believing in the standards if we're believing in the equality of men and women equality of men and women equality of men and women if we're believing that that babies are if we're believing that that babies are if we're believing that that babies are actually precious and actually precious and actually precious and valuable if we're believing that the valuable if we're believing that the valuable if we're believing that the strong and the rich and the powerful strong and the rich and the powerful strong and the rich and the powerful don't have the the right to trample on don't have the the right to trample on don't have the the right to trample on the weak and the poor and the the weak and the poor and the the weak and the poor and the marginalized those are actually marginalized those are actually marginalized those are actually Christian Christian Christian beliefs and if we throw Jesus beliefs and if we throw Jesus beliefs and if we throw Jesus out we have nowhere to go our foundation out we have nowhere to go our foundation out we have nowhere to go our foundation will will will crumble because he has the words of crumble because he has the words of crumble because he has the words of eternal life we all want to grow in our eternal life we all want to grow in our eternal life we all want to grow in our faith and knowledge of the Bible but faith and knowledge of the Bible but faith and knowledge of the Bible but it's hard to do it on your own did you it's hard to do it on your own did you it's hard to do it on your own did you know that the Gospel Coalition offers know that the Gospel Coalition offers know that the Gospel Coalition offers live online cohorts where you can learn live online cohorts where you can learn live online cohorts where you can learn and grow alongside others led by trusted and grow alongside others led by trusted and grow alongside others led by trusted pastors teachers authors and speakers pastors teachers authors and speakers pastors teachers authors and speakers TGC cohorts dive deeper into topics like TGC cohorts dive deeper into topics like TGC cohorts dive deeper into topics like parenting sexuality biblical theology parenting sexuality biblical theology parenting sexuality biblical theology cultural apologetics and more so visit cultural apologetics and more so visit cultural apologetics and more so visit tgc.org cohorts to see which ones are tgc.org cohorts to see which ones are tgc.org cohorts to see which ones are available now or you can click the link available now or you can click the link available now or you can click the link below