In this series, I am identifying various ways that particular Christian beliefs can be distorted within Christian communities, often in subtle yet devastating ways that increase the likelihood of abuse and exploitation. We begin in this first article with what is arguably the central doctrine that defines the Christian life: the call to take up […]
ethics
On Christians Who Fight Abortion But Defend Genocidal Baby-Killing
I am going to highlight the moral incoherence of Christian conservatives who rail against abortion as a great evil while defending biblical atrocities. Case in point, yesterday a fellow named Steven Ullmer posted the following moral indictment of abortion, referencing “innocent blood”: Part of my response to Mr. Ullmer included a pointed challenge to his […]
Are Transwomen Women?
There are few social and ethical debates today as controversial as those that swirl around the simple statement “Transwomen are women.” Here is an argument against the statement in the form of modus ponens. If transwomen are women then the cis man who refuses to date transwomen in principle is a transphobe. The cis man […]
Let’s Talk about Christianity and Same-Sex Relationships
Yesterday, I posted two short videos on this topic. ?
Debating Abortion with Trent Horn
In this episode of the Counsel of Trent Podcast, Trent Horn has me on to discuss a gradualist position on the moral status of the embryo/fetus in utero in contrast to Trent’s absolutist position.
I’m Writing a Book on Christianity and Gay Marriage. Could I be Damned for It?
I hope to have my next book out in the fall in which I seek to provide an overview of the debate over gay marriage and the church. The goal is to explain how Christians can end up with very different affirming and non-affirming views. Some Christians believe that writing a book like that, that […]
An Embryo isn’t a Baby: A Response to Trent Horn
In my article “The Absolutist Prolife Position: A Critique,” I argue against the view that a human being should be granted full ontological status from the point of conception. (Conception isn’t actually a point, of course, it’s an extended process. But let’s leave that aside for this discussion.) My argument centers on two scenarios: Scenario […]
My Quick Thoughts on SCOTUS and the Overturning of Roe
The GOP scored a big victory on abortion yesterday, but at the cost of further undermining the moral authority of SCOTUS and the GOP. I’m prolife, but I’m not a fan of hypocrisy or winning by hook or by crook. Here’s a quick list of my main concerns (#5 is not about Roe per se): […]
The Absolutist Prolife Position: A Critique
The absolutist prochoice position (APC) says that elective abortion should be accessible up until birth. The absolutist prolife position (APL) says that elective abortion should be prohibited at all stages of pregnancy post-conception because the killing of the embryo/fetus at all stages constitutes the murder of a human person. Most people find themselves somewhere between […]
Rwanda and the Ethics of Canaanite Genocide: A Conversation
I was just interviewed on the Meet Jesus YouTube channel alongside Phodidas Ndamyumugabea, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, talking about Rwanda, genocide, and the Canaanites. A unique and very interesting conversation! ?
How Strident Pro-life Christians Harm Human Fetuses
I became an avid supporter of the pro-life movement back in the mid-1980s. At the time, I was an enthusiastic supporter of pro-life groups like Last Days Ministries. And in high school, I proudly wore an Operation Rescue t-shirt to school. Then I went on to university where I completed a BA followed by an […]
Would Jesus have endorsed gay marriage?
Jesus never talks about same-sex relationships, but he does talk about marriage (e.g. Matthew 19:1-10, Mark 10:1-12). And when he describes marriage, he always does so within the context of an indissoluble male/female covenantal bond. His understanding of the indissolubility aspect is an important topic in the conversation, But here I want to focus on […]
My Body, My Choice: On the Anti-Christian Logic of Christian Anti-Vaxxers
I heard a Christian woman say that she is not getting the COVID19 vaccine because her body is the temple of the Spirit and, “My body, my choice.” I beg to differ. ?
Why the Logic of the Canaanite Genocide is Fundamentally Flawed
In this short video, I rebut the claim that the Israelites needed to kill the Canaanites in order to maintain their own moral purity. On the contrary, I point out that participation in war crimes like genocide and ethnic cleansing is fundamentally corrupting for the moral status of a people. Thus, the Israelites would have […]
