The Christian Weekly

    Three weeks ago, John Allen Chau was murdered after coming peacefully with gifts and the message of Jesus Christ to an isolated tribe on an island off India. It was his second attempt to reach the tribe. The day before, he had shouted to them from a distance, "My name is John, I love you and Jesus loves you," and offered fish. A tribesman about 10 years old shot an arrow at him, striking his Bible. Before he went ashore the following day, he wrote his parents, "You guys might think I'm crazy in all this, but I think it's worth it to declare Jesus to these people." Many people do think he's crazy. He took extreme steps to avoid bringing outside diseases, including quarantining himself for many days, but online comments sections are filled with people, not knowing that or deeming it insufficient, condemning him for exposing the island to disease. Many people – including some American Christians – don...

I don't always like the church, but I believe in it. I especially don't like the church when I hear about awful crimes committed by church leaders. There's child abuse, sexual assault, and there are people who have made it their policy to cover up and excuse predatory ministers. I really don't like the church then. Or maybe that's the wrong phrase. I do like the church. I'm angry because of what some men are doing to the church. I'm angry because God's people are being hurt. There have been prominent cases in the Roman Catholic Church in recent months, but Protestants have seen popular pastors, bishops, and seminary presidents revealed to be bad – or even evil – shepherds. All over, the Christian church is under assault from within its own institutions. But we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that the institutions are the church. They aren't. And the bad shepherds aren't part of the flock either. These predatory...

I read it on the internet, so it must be true: Millennials are Killing Hooters. Good for them. Good for everyone if Hooters collapses and closes. There was an episode of "Undercover Boss" a while back that showed a Hooters manager lining waitresses up to "inspect the merchandise" and demean them. But nobody really needs a reality tv series to prove that Hooters is about treating waitresses as objects. The Bible sometimes describes cities destroyed because of their awful sins becoming ruins that remind anyone who sees them that God is just and will punish evil. Maybe Millennials are killing Hooters, but maybe God is destroying it as an example. Everyone who profits off the degradation of others should take note. Strip clubs? Pornography? You don't need an advanced degree to figure out what God thinks of those things. You already know. God hates it. No little girl wants to work at a strip club when she grows up, and no parent wants their child to gro...

If you know what sort of education someone's parents have, and you can probably guess what sort of education that person has. People usually get college degrees if their parents have college degrees. And people with college degrees usually work better paid jobs. It's not 100%, of course, but you know it's pretty likely that someone will have a similar pay scale and similar kind of education to their parents. Just driving around town, you can guess pretty accurately what sort of education people at most workplaces have. People with college degrees are separated from people with high school diplomas. That's not a good thing. Attending college is hard work, no doubt. But working full time (or more than full time) for four years is hard work too. We shouldn't forget that. The way the world gives some people less power and less respect is not how God created us. Your status should not depend on how your parents were educated or what sort of education you ...

We are not equal in old age. That's the tragic truth. As equal as we are in human dignity and value in God's sight, some are treated very differently, especially as age limits physical ability. Some have the advantage of family members who live nearby and can take time to be with them. Some have family with accessible homes who invite them in. Some have family who can ensure they have the best treatment in a senior residence. Some don't. Some have the advantage of money to pay for the best care. Some don't. In Huron, SD, Medicaid-covered residents at the larger nursing home were two to a room, while others enjoyed single occupancy. When visiting people in nursing homes in Pierre, SD, it is not hard to tell whose care is paid for by Medicaid. Often - not always, but often - that person's circumstances are worse. For a younger person, we might encourage them to work harder and make more money, but someone well past retirement age? I don't think...

I feel ridiculous saying something so obvious: children are good. It is a good thing that there are children. Yes, it is good news that so-and-so is pregnant. Yes, it is good news that they are having a baby. Yes, children are good. Why is this even a question? Someone not having planned their pregnancy, or some parent who doesn't seem responsible enough, or even children being noisy and fussy in your neighborhood or restaurant or wherever does not change the fundamental fact that children are good. Did we forget this? What happened? Why would anyone react to a pregnancy announcement by saying you don't think the couple is up to it? Congratulate them! Celebrate them! Give a hug and squeal with joy! Give them a stroller and $50 (they'll need it!) Pregnancy is hard work. A mother is providing literally everything for another human being. It's not easy. Give pregnant women support and encouragement before giving advice. Listen, being a parent is hard enoug...