Wyatt Graham

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What Is the Complementarian Movement?

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Over its long history, the church has appointed men into the episcopate, although women participated in other forms of leadership (e.g., the being part of the diaconate).

But in the late twentieth century, Western Christians became increasingly uneasy with a male only episcopate. If the Spirit gifts Christians, why cannot women do everything that men can do? Why cannot women become pastors, elders, or the equivalent?

In response to this sentiment, a number of Evangelical leaders coined the term complementarianism to promote what they see as a traditional and biblical understanding of gender.[1] Complementarians teach that God created men and women to be equal in worth but diverse in roles. So, for example, complementarians reserve the role of elder/pastor/bishop for men alone. In contrast, egalitarians argue that men and women can equally participate in roles and so women should be allowed access to the episcopate.

Here’s a brief sketch of the Complementarian Movement’s (CM) history. [Read more…] about What Is the Complementarian Movement?

Your Conscience Tells You What not to Do, Wisdom Tells You What to Do

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We’ve all entered that moment of decision. The temptation to act or to think when we know that we shouldn’t. It’s your conscience that tells you, “Stop!” And so you either listen to your conscience or you ignore it. It’s a stop sign that you either stop at or run.

But consciences don’t tell you what to do. They warn you about what not to do.

You see: our conscience warns us against unjust acts, but wisdom tells us how to act wisely. [Read more…] about Your Conscience Tells You What not to Do, Wisdom Tells You What to Do

Is It a Sin for Christians to Doubt?

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In a recent article, Greg Morse argues that doubt dishonours God. According to Morse, doubt dishonors God because it is a failure to trust him: “We slander him when we refuse to trust him.” The article is well-written and worth reading, and it should lead us to reconsider what it means for us or others to doubt.

After all, the experience of many Christians is one of doubt. Some lack assurance of their faith. Others become overwhelmed by the weight of their own sin. Still others are weighed down with regret.

What do we do when we doubt or deal with those who doubt?

To find the answer, let’s take a step back and look at what the Bible says about trust and doubt. [Read more…] about Is It a Sin for Christians to Doubt?

My New Year’s Resolution Is Simple: to Be Anxious for Nothing

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Every year we resolve ourselves to accomplish some feat. It’s a gym membership, a diet, a plan to read more books, or some other goal that promises great benefit. Often, we disappoint ourselves because don’t attain our goals.

But what if we resolved to do one thing that promises to help us in every aspect of our lives? What if we resolved to be anxious for nothing?

About 18% of adult Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder. And everyone, to some degree, suffers from anxiety. It’s universal problem that we all desire to be rid of.

And yet most forms of anxiety are self-inflicted. [Read more…] about My New Year’s Resolution Is Simple: to Be Anxious for Nothing

Is It Ever Right to Lie?

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It’s never right to deceive someone or some persons with malicious intent. Exodus 20:16 reads, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (ESV).  And so you should never provide false legal testimony against your countrymen. It hurts society and dishonors God.

But what about hiding someone’s surprise birthday party? What about pretending Santa is real? What about feints in warfare (2 Sam 2:22–25)? What about protecting someone from a murderous mob, that is, to hide a Jewish person from the SS in WWII Europe? Is it ever right to mislead another person?

Added to this, is it a lie to be wrong? In other words, if you give directions and say “turn left” but you should actually turn right. Did you lie? In this case, we use the category of mistake. But this opens up an interesting possibility: You can speak an untruth (go left) that misleads someone (they go to the wrong location) and yet not be a liar, a sinner. You just made a mistake.

So, are there other occasions when it is okay to mislead someone? [Read more…] about Is It Ever Right to Lie?