Biola University has released a statement on human sexuality, which was in preparation over the last 18 months, along with a letter from President Covey (dated May 10, 2012). It is reported that this statement is (in some sense) a response to a group known as The Biola Queer Underground, a group which describes itself as “a group of like-minded LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) students and allies who have formed a private underground community in which we share our life struggles, as well as our love and support for one another.”

The group has responded to this statement with a request for dialogue and some questions.

This is a dicey issue and one that I think many Christian universities are (or will be) facing.

I appreciated the video discussion between Mark Dever and Albert Mohler, particularly from about 14:00-21:00. Dr. Mohler wisely made the observation that we need to acknowledge that there are Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction. Every fallen human being is a jumble of sexual brokenness, Mohler noted, not just those with same-sex attraction. For some the struggle is massive — and they can be some of our best church members, people who (as Dever said) otherwise have a vital love for Christ.

To those with same-sex attraction, the world says this is “who you are” and you should just “embrace it” and “live it” — as if our desires determined our identity and our destiny. They don’t — we all must mortify our sinful desires, whatever they may be (Col. 3:5). But it’s also unhelpful for us to tell them “you choose this” — they know they did not choose it; rather, it is how they have come to know themselves as postpubescent adults.

I applaud both the tone and clarity of Biola’s statement.

What do you think?

HT: Ardel Caneday

Clear-headed explanations and helpful counsel on avoiding extremes on this sensitive issue:

HT: Z via JT

I was deeply honored to record a pair of broadcasts with Focus on the Family last month. These broadcasts are being aired today and tomorrow.  You can find them at Focus on the Family’s website, where you can also find a short parent-child discussion guide–a conversation-starter for those whose children are beginning to explore the idea of going to college.

Listen to the first part of the interview (about 30 minutes).
Listen to the second part of the interview (about 30 minutes).

The Desiring God 2012 National Conference has been announced. It’s theme: Act the Miracle: God’s Work and Ours in the Mystery of Sanctification

September 28 – 30, 2012 in Minneapolis, MN

Speakers include: John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Ed Welch, Sally Lloyd-Jones, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Russell Moore, Carolyn McCulley, David Mathis, RW Glenn, Fernando Ortega, and Javis Williams.

Justin Taylor points to what looks like a very interesting and strategic ministry:

I’m intrigued by the work being done by As Our Own. They are “a Christ-based, community-driven movement in India that rescues vulnerable children from certain enslavement and exploitation, caring for them as our own.”

These girls are welcomed into their new families within India.  They never graduate out of the program. They are loved and parented, given the crucial support system they need, including schooling, career preparation, marriage and family, and beyond.

Russell Moore writes about the importance of remembering infertile couples at this time of year.

Mother’s Day is a particularly sensitive time in many congregations, and pastors and church leaders often don’t even know it. This is true even in congregations that don’t focus the entire service around the event as if it were a feast day on the church’s liturgical calendar. Infertile women, and often their husbands, are still often grieving in the shadows.

And Rachel Jankovic writes about mothering in faithful confidence.

God does not share our sentimental view of motherhood. While he delights in children, he does not speak of them in some cutesy photo shoot kind of a way. He compares them, not to tiny fairies, or dewey flowers, but to arrows. To weapons in the hand of a mighty man.

God does not tell us to desire the blessing of children because their cheerful voices will make our houses feel cozy. He tells us to desire children who will contend with the enemy in the gate.

Great, in-depth article in today’s NY Times on just how widespread and massive the issue of student debt is in our day. A few excerpts:

“Ninety-four percent of students who earn a bachelor’s degree borrow to pay for higher education — up from 45 percent in 1993, according to an analysis by The New York Times of the latest data from the Department of Education. This includes loans from the federal government, private lenders and relatives.”

“Mr. Date likened excessive student borrowing to risky mortgages. And as with the housing bubble before the economic collapse, the extraordinary growth in student loans has caught many by surprise. But its roots are in fact deep, and the cast of contributing characters — including college marketing officers, state lawmakers wielding a budget ax and wide-eyed students and families — has been enabled by a basic economic dynamic: an insatiable demand for a college education, at almost any price, and plenty of easy-to-secure loans, primarily from the federal government.”

“Nearly one in 10 borrowers who started repayment in 2009 defaulted within two years, the latest data available — about double the rate in 2005.

Economists do not predict a collapse of the student loan system, which would, in essence, mean wholesale default. And if there were one, it would be unlikely to ripple through the economy with the same devastating impact as the mortgage crash. Though now larger than credit card and other consumer debt, the student loan balance remains smaller than the mortgage market, and most student loans are issued by the federal government, meaning banks wouldn’t be affected as much.”

Read the whole thing.

HT: Collin Hansen

A great open letter from Collin Hansen to next year’s crop of college students on the dangers of student loans. An excerpt:

I should warn you, however: Someone has to pay, and college isn’t getting any cheaper. Your parents have probably pointed this out a time or two. (Go easy on them. The recession took a big bite out of their retirement accounts, and a year or two of private college tuition and board probably costs about what they paid for the house you grew up in.) Friends, guidance counselors, and admissions officers can surely point you to the various payment options. If you’ve studied hard enough to make it into one of those $5-billion-dollar-endowment schools, you might qualify for the best aid of all: need-based grants. No matter where you attend, sign up for work-study and fit at least 10 hours into your schedule. (Hint: Find a job like mine working in a quiet section of the library where you can also study.) When you’ve exhausted every other method of paying for your education (including scholarships: you’d be surprised by how many of your peers never bother to even fill out the forms), then we can finally talk about the main reason I’m writing you today: student loans.

Read the whole thing.  I’d also point out that some should explore others options–the world still needs good electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. In God’s eyes, there is no indignity in these trades. Lastly, preparation before college is often the best predictor of success.

Voice of the Martyrs has mailed a letter from its President, James E. Dau, to those who subscribe to their free monthly newsletter.  It reads in part:

In serving alongside Tom for more than a decade as a ministry leader and friend, I am honored to have seen the work that God performed through Tom and through VOM. Our friendship and close working relationship make his death and the circumstances very hard. Yet my loss is small compared with the loss Tom’s family is now feeling. Our hearts and our prayers go out to them, and I know that you will want to pray with me that “The God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3) will be their Rock during these difficult days.

The work God has called VOM to fulfill — originally through the vision of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand in a Romanian prison cell — is much bigger than any one person. God has done an amazing work over the past 45 years in establishing this ministry to stand with those who are persecuted for their faith.

None of this could have been accomplished without our faithful friends who, led of the Spirit, encourage us, pray for us and contribute generously to support this work.

Read the whole thing, and consider learning more about this important ministry, which (among other things) posts a weekly prayer update about dangers Christians face throughout the world.

Monergism is currently offering a free MP3 giveaway of 119 class lectures on Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem (author of the enormously popular and easy-to-read Systematic Theology text).   All they ask is that folks pay for shipping.  The lectures come on three MP3 CDs.

Description:

The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. This introduction to systematic theology has several distinctive features:
- A strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine and teaching
- Clarity, with technical terms kept to a minimum
- A contemporary approach, treating subjects of special interest to the church today
- A friendly tone, appealing to the emotions and the spirit as well as the intellect
- Frequent application to life

About the Speaker
Wayne Grudem is Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona. He holds degrees from Harvard (BA), Westminster Seminary (MDiv), and Cambridge (PhD). He is the author of over fifteen books including the bestselling Systematic Theology.

Scroll down on this page for a short description of each of the 119 lectures that come on the three MP3 CDs.

Katrina Trinko:

Mitt Romney stated today that he wanted marriage defined on the federal level as being between a man and woman only, but also noted that he backs gay adoption.

Read more.

HT: Jim Hamilton