Why Women Use Pornography and How the Church Can Help

‘In years past, conversations about pornography were often considered a male preserve. If a book was written, a talk given, or a Bible study application offered, it usually had men in view. There was a consensus that women wouldn’t be drawn to online porn—maybe to a few romantic novels but nothing more explicit than that. Recent years, however, have brought a greater understanding that both men and women struggle in this area… Many churches are wrestling with the implications of estimates that one in six Christian women is watching pornography at least once a month.’

Apocalyptic news

‘I strongly recommend reading Daniel before reading the news; and then maybe reading it again after the news if you need to. Daniel is a book of apocalyptic, which does not mean that it is all dramatic and disastrous – that wouldn’t make it very much different from the BBC news website (or whatever other news source you’re currently using). Daniel is apocalyptic because it peels back the surface level of the apparent churn of human events to show the deeper spiritual significance of what is going on. It doesn’t deny the reality of the human level – as if history is just an illusion, or a mere mask for something else – but it gives a revealed insight into what is going on from the divine perspective, which is often very much at odds with the human perspective.’

What political leaders can’t do

Melissa lists 10 things that political leaders cannot do (and they are all good news for us).

A guide to political theology: its key concepts and perspectives

This is a very helpful one outlining the key ideas, perspectives and proponents of political theology. He essentially explains how different groups think Christianly about political institutions and their understanding of how Christians should engage in public life. Things are much more nuanced than can be addressed in one post (as this primer itself recognises), but it is a good starting point for understanding why Christians differ and how they get to their different positions on political theology.

If I were voting in the US election

I think – even though we are now after the fact – this was a very helpful and balanced argument from Mike Judge. I think the case still holds now Donald Trump has won the election and should temper how Christians engage with his presidency.

Which New Testament commands should Christians obey?

‘Surely the answer is, ‘All of them!’ Yet it isn’t quite as simple as that.’ This one explores some of those implications.

From the archive: Five ways to help your depressed pastor

‘Sometimes, there is no clear and obvious fix to a problem. Sometimes, things just are, and the way they are is less than excellent. Sometimes, it helps – even just a little bit – for people to just acknowledge that reality. When things feel terrible, it doesn’t tend to help when people list all the reasons why there is no need to feel that bad (often, for depressed people, that very fact is already making them feel guilty because they are well aware of it!) But acknowledging that the feelings that seem so awful to the depressed person really are awful can be helpful.’