Wyatt Graham

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Christian Freedom and the Sin of Silence

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Tolerance is not enough anymore. Now, we must affirm someone else’s position and identity or be guilty of transgressing a social law code. “You cannot be silent and be affirming,” writes AnyYelsi Veleasco-Sanchez—she even associates silence with “cowardice.” In the past, such statements generally came from the politically left. 

Surprisingly, however, Christians have begun to make similar arguments. They criticize others for their lack of perceived support of their opinion. One pastor even wrote on the sin of silence. Even in Christian circles now, silence is no longer tolerable—only public and vocal acts of support are. 

In both cases, the form of argument is similar. Silence is betrayal.[1] Only a vocal and public affirmation of someone’s opinion and cause can prove that we are allies. The result is schism. The “pure” group cuts itself off from the rest. 

I find this form of argument profoundly unhelpful for three reasons. [Read more…] about Christian Freedom and the Sin of Silence

FAQ on How the Church Relates to the Government

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Over the past year, Christians had to answer tough questions regarding their relationship to the government. Here, I want to answer some frequently asked questions (and questions that should be frequently asked) like: can the government tell the church what to do? Do we need to obey unjust governments? Can we obey Christ and the government? When do we need to say “no” and disobey an authority?

In this article, I offer patterns of thinking to answer such questions. I do so from the perspective of early reformed teaching on what the Bible says, and so I do not represent other viewpoints than the one noted. 

With that caveat, here is the FAQ: [Read more…] about FAQ on How the Church Relates to the Government

“Do not make what is free into a must”

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Martin Luther once wrote, “Do not make what is free into a must.” Here, he was talking about the practice of matters not directly forbidden in Scripture (monastic vows, etc.). While Luther strongly and bullishly at times pushed for what Scripture said we must do, he had a place for the conscience, for Christian freedom in matters that Scripture has no direct prohibition. 

We live in a scientific age in which every jot and tittle finds its definition. But real life often does not work that way. And I suspect that we bring this scientific expectation into our Christian practice when in fact Christian freedom allows us much more leeway than we might expect. Legalism is always a danger; freedom is always ready to be lost. As Paul tells us, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1).  [Read more…] about “Do not make what is free into a must”

Is Philosophy Bad?

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Christians sometimes look at philosophy with skepticism. Given some of the modern philosophies and recent history, that skepticism makes sense. The Apostle Paul after all does warn against falling prey to “philosophy and empty deceit” (Col 2:8). 

Traditionally, however, philosophy (often) aimed to describe the world. It overlapped with medicine, physics, and ethics. It was a more totalizing thing, something that described how someone lived their entire life. In Paul’s day, that would have been the general way philosophy was understood. And in Antioch where Paul lived, philosophers would preach in the open spaces to persuade people to certain ways of life.

So one does not have to reach too far to understand what Paul means in Colossians 2:8. He does not want Christians to dedicate themselves to a way of life according to the tradition of men (κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπω) but rather to a way of life according to Christ (κατὰ Χριστόν). Paul did not here mean to dismiss mathematics, medicine, ethics, astronomy, and much more besides, which were all topics of ancient philosophy. He meant to warn people against a totalizing acceptance of philosophy (a way of living) that did not accord with Christ. [Read more…] about Is Philosophy Bad?

Does Christian Nationalism Exist?

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Commentators have dubbed Christian supporters of Donald Trump who entered into the Capitol building Christian Nationalists. The term is slippery, however. And as far as I can see, no organized, identifiable entity can be described as Christian Nationalist. That does not mean that Christians have not mixed their faith into nationalistic hopes. That does happen. So whatever else may be true, Christians have tied their religious aspirations into some sort of political entity. 

Here, I want to note a few pieces of evidence for my assertion before turning to some of the possible ways to understand the phenomenon. [Read more…] about Does Christian Nationalism Exist?

What Are Gospel Issues?

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People sometimes call something a Gospel issue. Such statements seem to mean that the Gospel implies or perhaps requires adherence to some activity or belief. Probably the most common claim is that social justice is a Gospel issue. 

I know these discussions have a lot of depth to them. So here I do not want to directly engage them but work to define the phrase Gospel issue. In my view, some debates around this slogan become mired in confusion because two sides privilege different senses of the words Gospel and issue.  [Read more…] about What Are Gospel Issues?