The icing on the cake of Pope Francis: The blessing of same sex unions
‘The die is cast. What had been a decade-long debate between those who hoped for this opening, considering it an advancement of Catholic morality toward greater inclusiveness, and those who saw it as a sign of Roman Catholicism’s irreversible ruin is now resolved. With a “declaration” of high hierarchical value in the authority of Vatican pronouncements (observers note that the Congregation’s last statement was Joseph Ratzinger’s Dominus Iesus dating back to 2000), Roman Catholicism is now officially in favor of blessing gay unions, as are many liberal Protestant churches around the world.’
What now for those evangelicals who fled to Rome?
On a similar theme, but hitting some different notes, Stephen McAlpine looks at what lies behind the desire of many evangelicals to jump into Rome, notes what it has in common with those jumping into bed with the Postmillennial Theonomists, Federal Vision and Christian Nationalist crowds and calls the rest of us to ensure we are not so much reacting to culture as standing on the certainties of scripture.
Earthly loss is heavenly gain
‘If you are suffering today, whether through a minor setback or a massive tragedy, don’t lose heart. Turn to the Lord Jesus in it, as you ask for grace to endure it. Trust that your struggle is producing an eternal weight of glory that will far surpass your pain. Let God be your treasure even in your affliction. And as you trust him to the end, your reward will be great.’
When a pastor falls
‘This is rather bleak reading. But warnings about the consequences of our sin need to be sounded when appropriate. I need to be reminded of what can be lost and if you are a pastor you need to be reminded of what you will lose. It will be far more than what you think you are gaining. Sin is bleak. And some sins are bleaker than others.’
The greatest example of courage in the Bible
It won’t take much for you to guess what it probably is.
Fading glory and permanent things
‘The great folly of our race consists in our persistent casting aside of the permanent things for the transient things. The constant quest for the food that spoils instead of the food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27). The hoarding of moth-eaten, corruptible treasures rather than storing up heavenly ones (Matthew 6:19-20). The tragedy of our lives is that we spend so much time fixated on the fading glory rather than pursuing the unfading one.’
From the archive: On depression (again)
‘We need to choose to believe the Lord Jesus, the God who created the universe, more than we believe our feelings. And we need to see – though it may not feel that way now – there is light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark it may seem. The Lord is always with you if you are his, because he tells us it is so. And the Lord is using this – even this – as part of his plan to work all things to the good of those that love him. Our feelings are liars at the best of times. They are certainly not our friends in the midst of depression. But Jesus – the only sinless one – is no liar. And he promises to be with you though you don’t feel he is there and to work this for your good though you see nothing good in it. But if we are going to believe anyone, believe him.’