The Radical Grace Message

Powerful testimony here.

An Infidelity Scandal Implodes a 'Biblical Patriarchy' Organization

Permit me to ramble for a second...

Why is this story newsworthy in The Atlantic?

I mean, in our culture of sexual "freedom", who cares?  Didn't Mr. Phillips just do what was natural?  Was he not just following his inclinations?  What could be wrong with that?  Shouldn't Dan Savage be trying to book him as a guest on his radio show and telling him "Atta boy!"  If you want to say that adultery is wrong, on what basis?

Maybe you say that the problem is not adultery but the hypocrisy.  But then again, I have the same question.  Who cares?  And based on what standard?

Does not this article presume a sexual morality?  Or at least some type of morality?

So we are not a relativistic as once thought are we?

Morality will be shoved down our throats.  New stories will appear that implicitly state that it is morally wrong for those who preach family, faith, and "down with feminism" to cheat on their wives.

Yeah, I agree, it is wrong, but why does a publication like the Atlantic bring it up?  Why are they shoving their morality down my throat?  Shouldn't we be "free" to be hypocrites?  If not, why not and based on what standard?

Again, we are not as "tolerant" as we'd like to think.  Everyone has a morality they are trying to impose on someone else.  The question then becomes, what worldview can sustain a culture of true tolerance, listening, civility, and charity?

My money is on the worldview that has as it's primary picture God becoming man and dying for his enemies and rising again.

“I’m not sure I want to be married to you anymore.”

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Ravi Zacharias Speaks Powerfully

What Are You Doing To Protect Your Marriage?

Michael Hyatt:

The lead story in the news for the last several days has been Arnold Schwarzenegger’s infidelity. Apparently, he has fathered at least one child out-of-wedlock. There are likely more.

To be honest, this whole thing makes me angry, especially when I consider the impact this is having on his his wife and children. He is also one more negative example for our own children and grandchildren.

After hearing about this story, my wife Gail asked, “How does someone like Schwarzenegger engage in this behavior?” Great question. Off the top of my head, I offered this:

• He had numerous opportunities. 
• He evidently thinks he is special—and entitled. 
• He is using his blood supply to power an organ other than his brain at the moment-of-temptation. (Yes, I really did say that.) 

However, I don’t intend for this post to be a rant against Gov. Schwarzenegger. I am not his judge. He will give an account of his choices—as I will mine.

But I want to go on the record and say this: adultery is not normal. It certainly isn’t inevitable. It is not the way God created us. We were made for monogamy and fidelity.

When we are loyal, we reflect the faithfulness of our Creator. When we are disloyal, we reflect the betrayal of both Satan and Adam. It is no wonder that the Bible often speaks of sin as “spiritual adultery.” Betrayal is the original sin.

However, we live in a fallen world—one that is increasingly indifferent to sexual sin. If we want to live and lead with intention, we can’t be naive. We must recognize the temptation adultery poses and protect ourselves accordingly. Nothing will destroy our influence and legacy faster than an affair.

If we are going to avoid becoming casualties, we must have a strategy. Here are three actions I take in order to protect my marriage...

Read the rest.

An Interview With a Pastor Who Committed Adultery

Rick Howerton interviews former pastor Brad Johnson on the subject of his infidelity to his wife.  Please read it and learn from his mistakes.  It is refreshing to see this brother have nothing to hide and be willing to share his story.

(HT:  @darrinpatrick)

Edwards' Adultery

JT with a good reflection on John Edwards' confession of adultery. He writes:

The two most interesting lines from his statement:

1. "When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99% honest is no longer enough." Most public apologies contain cringe-worthy moments, but the line about 99% honesty is sad and tops all that I've seen. It illustrates the natural tendency in all of us to make things sound much better than they really are.

2. On the other hand, Edwards had a refreshing line of candor: "In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic." Few public apologies pinpoint pride as the source of the sin.

Read his whole post.