A caller to the Stand To Reason radio program Sunday, who ran out of time before he got on the air, asked a very good question. Since Prop. 8 sought to clarify the definition of marriage and the judge struck it down, did he replace it with a new definition? What is the definition of marriage now in California? Is there one?

While the ruling declared that the definition California has used since the beginning of statehood was unconstitutional, did it put a new definition in place? A definition is merely a description or limitation of what a marriage is. Is there any limitation, albeit a newly expanded?

Certainly, the judge’s ruling made definition …

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Angola State Penitentiary in Louisianan was know as the bloodiest prison in the United States. The prison is the largest maximum security prison in the United States with 5,000 inmates and 1,800 staff members. It sits on 18,000 acres and surrounded on three sides by the Mississippi River. Now, with the visionary leadership of Burl Cain things are different. There is now a Bible College and multiple ministries in which men are becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. One expression of God’s grace at Angola is a program called Malachi 4:6 Dads. The video tells the story.

Join me …

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Is that statement true? That is the question that rattled around in my head when I heard a well-meaning, very zealous individual who was driven to turn fellow-Christians away from the pursuit of materialism. However, this sentiment needs to be taken on and the merits of his case weighed more fully. There is nothing essentially virtuous about being passionate about something and then citing the name “Jesus” in the same breath. Bottom line? Does the argument have merit? If, when held up to the scrutiny of the Bible, this is true then we need to sift the priorities of our lives through the prism of being a follower of Jesus Christ. However, I need …

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In our last Grace Talk session I was tasked with answering a question about war:

“I have had discussions with a hippy friend of mine who says war is sinful because Christ calls us to “’turn the other cheek.’” Aside from Old Testament events, is there such a thing as a “’righteous war?’”

Within my reply I referenced the following views of war and was reminded (thanks Drew!) that I was late in my posting. So, here are the three basic views regarding whether or not it is right to go to war. P.S. I would stand in the tradition of the “Just War” category for the reasons I gave during the Grace Talk session.

What …

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Another session that I thought was extremely helpful in rightly positioning issues of culture and race in light of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. How involved should Christians be in politics and changing our culture? Are we called by God to do this? Or, are we supposed to merely be “aliens” just passing through? You will do well to play close attention to the argument that Thabiti builds from Colossians. Although it starts out a little slow, the case that is made is profound in its implications.

T4G 2010 — Session 4 — Thabiti Anyabwile from

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MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) – Federal Judge Barbara Crabb of Madison says the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, because it violates the 1st Amendment’s ban on laws establishing religion. Crabb ruled Thursday in favor of Madison’s Freedom from Religion Foundation, which filed suit against the White House to end the president’s annual proclamation.

Stand to Reason speaks to our First Amendment rights.

When we see our faith come under attack may we be vigilant in seeking God’s Kingdom first and our rights as citizens second.

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In the April edition of Christianity Today Jennifer Knapp revealed a truth that has been long hidden; she considers herself to be a homosexual. Many will hear this news and become disillusioned given her years of performing as a Christian artist. Others will be frustrated that moral failure seems to be a recurring theme in the Christian music industry. While there will be others who will be just plain mad. Mad that Jennifer could take their money and yet reject their faith in such a public way. Mad that she delivers one more black eye to the face of Christianity. I am not in any of these camps.

I am sad …

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I found this article by Jon Bloom at Desiring God very helpful in relieving the level of angst I feel over the recent legislation and policy changes flowing from our government.

The actions of King Ahasuerus (Esther chapter 2) is a great example of how God can use wrong-headed government to spread His fame.

Our God is truly sovereign!

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I found the following article helpful in getting some answers to a question that seems to never get a straight “yes” or “no” answer. Does the health care bill include finding for the killing of a human life?

Read what Orin Hatch (Senator from Utah) says.

Have you contacted your representative regarding this piece of legislation? Do what you can to stand up and be a voice for the unborn. Let us not forget that a by-product of a faith-less life is not having the courage to stand up for what is true and right and just:

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, …

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I was speaking with someone earlier this week about how time is neither friend nor foe. Time doesn’t care who you are. Time is equally distributed to each of us to use or to be used by. With that in mind, the writer of Ephesians says to his readers:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16).

All of us must examine our priorities when it comes to how we spend our time if we are to make the most of our days on earth. Our examination must also include the use of technology. Are we being …

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