Author Archives: Adam Lickey

Discussion Flow Chart

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Have you ever had a discussion with someone who refused to listen to logic? Maybe they were so intrenched in their own way of thinking they could not see anything outside of their own opinion. This happens often in religious discussions, true, but it is also true of those debating against religious truths.

What if the religious explanation is actually the most logical? What if a presupposition that regards ANY spiritual input as false is actually the illogical, non-rational viewpoint.

Here is a light-hearted flowchart to determine when you are actually in a “discussion”, where there can be dialogue, verses a lecture or something worse. Just trying to get you thinking, -Adam

Flowchart-to-determine-if-youre-having-a-rational-discussion-e1300206446831-634x882

ESPN Analyst Chris Broussard articulates a RATIONAL Definition of Tolerance and is getting Maligned for it!

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chris-broussardESPN analyst Chris Broussard has come under fire for articulating his personal opinion concerning homosexuality. This conversation took place on the sports talk show “Outside the Lines” concerning the recent announcement by NBA free-agent, Jason Collins, of his sexual orientation. This is news worthy because he is the first professional athlete to “come out” while still professionally active.

The interesting part of this controversy is the way Broussard is being attacked and maligned for articulating a RATIONAL and PROPER definition of tolerance.  Broussard never degrades Collins or any homosexual, but coherently states that it is HIS belief that the practice is sinful. And if he can tolerate a homosexual in the NBA without disrespecting anyone, he should receive equal tolerance from those who believe he is wrong without being disrespected on account of his lifestyle choice. Seems to make sense to me. Yet he is being attacked for the very act of suggesting that homosexuality is not perfectly normal.

Here is a quoted section of their conversation:

[Appearing with ESPN senior writer LZ Granderson, who is openly gay, Broussard was asked by the host], “How ready is the NBA and the locker rooms for having an openly gay teammate?”

Broussard answered, “The climate in society is very set for this thing to happen …. A lot of people feel like if you come out and say you don’t agree with homosexuality, you are viewed as a bigot, you are viewed as intolerant. So I think the climate is right for somebody to come out and say they are gay. I’ve been texting with players, GMs, coaches, agents throughout the day … and it’s been overwhelmingly supportive of Jason, from former teammates to guys who have played against him.”

[Later in the conversation, Granderson said], “If we really want to move toward progress and toward full acceptance, we have to have this conversation and this process.”  [Broussard then seconded that motion, and gave an example of that conversation and how it could be productive:] “I’d like to second what LZ said. “I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is. [ESPN’s] L.Z. [Granderson] knows that. He and I have played on basketball teams together for several years. We’ve gone out, had lunch together, we’ve had good conversations, good laughs together. He knows where I stand and I know where he stands. I don’t criticize him, he doesn’t criticize me, and call me a bigot, call me ignorant, call me intolerant.”

“In talking to some people around the league, there’s a lot Christians in the NBA and just because they disagree with that lifestyle, they don’t want to be called bigoted and intolerant and things like that. That’s what LZ was getting at. Just like I may tolerate someone whose lifestyle I disagree with, he can tolerate my beliefs. He disagrees with my beliefs and my lifestyle but true tolerance and acceptance is being able to handle that as mature adults and not criticize each other and call each other names…”

“Personally, I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals, if you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that’s a sin. If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian.”

From this 45 seconds of conversation Broussard’s career now hangs in the balance. Much debate has raged over this outward display of one person’s beliefs, that happen to contradict the new social norm.

How the tables have turned in our culture. The liberal media seems to be saying  – “We need to be tolerance of every person’s beliefs and lifestyle, and if you don’t agree with us, we will blacklist you and destroy your career! ”

Does anyone else see the self-contridiction here! They are changing the definition of tolerance to be accepting what they believe to be correct and nothing else! That is the opposite of tolerance!

Here are some interesting links to follow up on this issue! Check them out.

Albert Mohler’s Podcast on 4/30/13  – “The media has an unqualified celebration over NBA player declaring homosexual lifestyle. Meanwhile, those who refuse to celebrate full normalization of homosexuality are cancelled from events, protested, and ridiculed.”  – listen for free.

Bubba Watson thanks Chris Broussard through twitter for his words.

And excellent commentary on the events by Ben Shapiro – “When it comes to tyranny and tolerance, the case of Chris Broussard is far more telling than that of Jason Collins.”

Hang in there Chris. This is an uphill battle.

– Adam

 

Saturdays with C.S. Lewis

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Made-For-Another-World

5 Tools Needed to Reach Teenagers

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toolI read today an article by Cameron Cole of the Rooted blog. He posted this article on the Gospel Coalition site, 5 Tools Needed to Reach Today’s Teens.  I must say that I fully agree with these points, but I believe there is an even bigger more essential point that Cameron assumes on the outset. One that cannot be understated or glossed over.

Before I reveal my additional point to his 5 tools needed, let me summarize his article and recommend you read it in full to get a much deeper appreciation for each point.

  1. Knowledge about the canonization of scripture: More often than ever we face questions concerning authority. How can we be sure God’s Word is authoritative for 2013? If teenagers do not trust the bible, they will not have the foundation essential for Christian doctrine or practice. 
  2. Developed Theology of sexuality, especially homosexuality: Teens today are bombarded with competing truth claims. We need a balanced and biblical answer for these questions. If we do not speak boldly with truth and compassion on these topics, the biblical message will be drowned out in a rising tide of unbiblical messages. While homosexuality is a hot topic, we need a balanced view of all aspects of sexuality. Teens need instruction on what a proper biblical heterosexual relationship looks like, as much or more than warnings of improper relationships.
  3. The ability to teach the Bible in the greater context of redemptive history: While telling your own story is important, teens today want to be connected to a bigger story as well. They want to know there is meaning and purpose behind how we got to where we are today. Explaining the grand narrative of redemptive history and then describing our chapter in that story is very powerful.
  4. A Theological, not only moral, understanding of Sin: This is very important. Teens need to understand the eternal weight of actions not just focused on consequences in relativistic society, but in a view of an eternal, unchanging, completely perfect God. Teens today recognize the futility of just slapping sin on the wrist, but need to understand why.
  5. Understand Adoption as an Element of Salvation: In a culture of divorce and superficial relationships the opportunity to be a part of a true community can be life changing. Teens place a huge value on relationships. Since this is true, the biblical concept of “Koinonia” (greek for doing life together, i.e. fellowship) when righty applied in a church should be a significant factor in discipleship and life change. Teens long for meaningful relationships, this need is met first in Christ and then His bride.

Read the full article by Cameron Cole. It reminds us of the inside life that teenagers really are living day to day. To best reach this generation we need to understand how to connect.

Which brings me to my addition. In my 6+ years of full time youth ministry I believe a colossal step is being assumed by Cole, that needs to be clearly articulated constantly to all adults who work with teenagers. This is so important that all the above points completely lose thier meaning when this is absent.

  1. Personal Holiness and Passion Cannot be Faked: If you want to work with teens, prepare for your life to be examined and imitated. Teenagers can detect a fake in a heartbeat and once this is sensed they will turn off. Why do teens leave the church? In many cases it is because they see conflicting examples in their parents on whether or not church is important. As a leader, it doesn’t matter if you can wax on the details of the Canon, refute homosexual marriage, and recite the history of the church. If you are dead spiritually, do you really want mold teenagers in that same pattern? To be open and honest with a growing relationship with Christ is what teens need to see first. Before any other questions come up they have got see something real in your life. This cannot be assumed, it must be intentionally cultivated in the life of any christian, leader or not.

I am so thankful for guys like Cameron Cole who are striving to make youth ministry better. We all benefit from reminders like this. And it is my prayer that I can add to the conversation and push us all one more step toward Jesus.

-Adam

Ken Ham addresses Bill Nye

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I bet all of you saw the video of Bill Nye slamming the belief in creationism. He accuses opponents of evolution of holding back society and teaching inappropriate material to children. Listen for yourself.

Ken Ham, the president of Answers in Genesis offers a rebuttal to Bill Nye.

Here are some creation scientists pointing out some glaring flaws with Bill Nye’s position.

I hope you can think critically about the presuppositions behind the science you hold. Does it really correspond with reality? I hope these videos made you think.

-Adam

Five Myths About Bible Translation

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biblesHere is a very interesting read concerning Bible translations. If you are concerned with the reliability of the Word of God and how it has come to us then you have dealt some of these specific questions. Click the link and read in detail about this interesting (and important) topic, written by Dan Wallace, a premiere Greek Scholar and translator.

Five Myths About Bible Translation

In summary:

Myth 1: The Bible has been translated so many times we can’t possibly get back to the original.

Myth 2: Words in red indicate the exact words spoken by Jesus of Nazareth.

Myth 3: Heretics have severely corrupted the text.

Myth 4: Orthodox scribes have severely corrupted the text.

Myth 5: The deity of Christ was invented by emperor Constantine.

Poetic Reading of “Pilgrim’s Conflict with Sloth” -A Must Watch-

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This generation fights a struggle against apathy and laziness like none before it. Soaking in our ease and luxury we have become soft and forgotten the meaning of a life well lived.

In this beautifully poetic story by John Piper he recounts, on the cusp of his retirement, his own conflict with “Sloth”.  Piper shadows John Bunyan in and allegorical conversation with such a deceiver.  Take the brief time of 8:43 to listen to scriptural rebuttal as “Sloth” tries to disguise himself as “rest”.  Hear one of the most eloquent descriptions of the life-fulfulling work of a christian who refuses to give into the emptiness and lies of “Sloth”.

My prayer is that you will be encouraged in your work today.                                         -Adam

Need Real Life Peace? Focus on Sound Theology.

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These days we are flooded with the experiential and relational aspects of our faith. While we need to experience God and have an emotional connection as He moves, where is the bedrock for understanding how to relate to God?

The foundation is not rooted in emotional response. It is not rooted in ourselves at all.

Correct relation to God is based in a sound biblical theology. We allow God to tell us through His Word how we connect with Him. Therefore, when resting in a sound theology of God’s love and interaction with His creation we can find peace for real life. We are not stranded, fighting for ourselves. We have one who fights for us. Sound theology directly influences our real lives. Check out the Peanuts comic strip that sees this connection when many people go though life and miss it.

Sound theology is believing correct things about God. Bad theology is believing incorrect things about God. The way we know the difference between the two is knowing the Bible. Dive in and find the truth of the Scriptures and see how it speaks to real life today.                                                                  -Adam

peanuts

There’s Not an App for That – Mark Moore

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app for thatCheck out this fun and informative blog comparing some insane apps, some practical christian apps, and something important that no app can ever accomplish. My friend Mark Moore has a wonderful approach to the gospel and how we use our technology! Check it out and read through to the end! There’s Not an App for That – by Mark Moore

The Shifting Global Church: Infographic

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FINALInfoGraphic.inddClick the infographic for a larger version.