A good argument against pornography’s existence and use. There is so much more that could be said on the horrendous and heinous qualities of this sin, those who perpetuate this sin, and the nefarious industries which have arisen to satisfy the depraved desires of those lost in the sea of its destruction. What we do alone does not affect just us; all our actions are accountable before God and affects our community around us and around the world.

A challenging idea! Our children’s books certainly need to be able to cover more ground than silly stories or political activism, and Jackie Gibson’s suggestion and her husband’s own publication may be one way forward! Something like this could accompany a catechism very well. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/children-death/ UPDATE: 20200206 Simple but great advice for nourishing and admonishing our children in the way they should go! https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/point-kids-gospel-great-books/ UPDATE: 20200208 An interesting take on how we can use things like Frozen 2 to teach our children and understand our children.

Quillette has been an interesting source of ideas. Though this article was published a couple of months ago, it makes some valuable points about what is the purpose of free speech. https://quillette.com/2019/08/18/free-speech-matters-even-when-its-not-protected-by-the-first-amendment/ UPDATE: 20200916 Well said. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/condemning-cuties-noncontroversial/ For a response (with which I disagree): https://quillette.com/2020/09/17/dont-listen-to-the-outrage-cuties-is-a-great-film/ Rom 3:8 “And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

A great discussion to begin the conversation about how can we work as Protestants to reclaim good Christian art. There is a lot of things briefly touched upon here which I have tried to highlight in the post’s tags, but utilitarianism is definitely a major component. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/christian-art-often-bad/ UPDATE: 20191016 It is good to see Christian arts perform well at the box office and in other arenas, but I still believe Christian art, especially evangelical art, has a long way to go and improve.

Some helpful thoughts! Let us not seek a legalistic community where we do not engage with the world, but let us seek understanding so that we be both compassionate and zealous for the truth. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.