October 2007 Archives

Two excellent articles on the impact of pornography on the ministry (and, by extension, on Christian lives in general):William Shishko, `The Perils of Pornography on the Internet' in Ordained Servant 15 (2006); the journal is available via www.opc.org.  Like the... continue

Now, Carl, you don't have to take the Edwardian (as in Longshanks) stance towards all non-English cultural expressions.  Your point about the commercialization of football is well taken (which is why the true American game is now seen only at... continue

Ho hum.  Rick's post indicates that the `quantity versus quality' distinction between America and Europe is alive and well.  Never mind the quality, feel the width.On baseball, the English equivalent would seem to me to be `rounders.' Same bat, same... continue

As a public announcement to our non-native Ref21 contributors, I point out that the great American Octoberfest begins today: the major league baseball playoffs.  There is no more American cultural phenomenon than baseball.  And there is no baseball like the... continue

Great comments on porn, Phil and Carl.  My pastoral experience dealing with this issue has taught me that this issue is tied to a broader issue of idolatry that becomes practically an entire worldview of porn.  Time after time, men... continue

A helpful comment from Michael Cassidy, who is one of the leading evangelics in South Africa:"Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that doom them, the economic conditions... continue

I agree with Phil re. pornography but think the problem must also be seen not simply in terms of the categories of lust and exploitation of women.  These are surely only part of the story.  The need for constant change and variety... continue