This Blog Has Moved

Please visit and subscribe to my new blog at https://jameshboydtn.wordpress.com/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Humor in the Bible

"Are Christians allowed to laugh, have fun and enjoy life?" When discussing my faith with others, this issue comes up frequently from Christians and non-Christians alike. When I was first introduced to the Gospel as a teenager, I asked it myself, and with good reason. To be sure, the call to follow Jesus is a very serious and sober one, commanding us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, even if it means laying down our very lives (Matthew 10:39; John 12:25). But the next question deals with how we apply this commitment to our lives on a day-to-day basis. Does Jesus' call to self-denial and holiness mean that we cannot enjoy even the legitimate pleasures of life? I don't think so. Laughter is one of the most primal responses human beings are capable of experiencing. Philosophers and psychologists have long sought to understand its complexities on emotional and physical levels. Journalist Norman Cousins credited the healing power of laughter to his rec...
Read more

"Happy Holidays," Tolerance and Common Sense

The holidays are here, and not a moment too soon. Although the season has vastly different meanings to different people,  it provides us with an opportunity  to end the year on a much needed "up" note that appeals to our highest ideals.  However, as usual, there is also the usual saber rattling about the proper greetings and semantics to use in our celebrations. This, of course, defeats the entire purpose. The title of this blog post was chosen very deliberately. As my friends know, I am a Christian with very conservative theological and social views. Yet I have no problem whatsoever with the expression "Happy Holidays."  The expression was in use long before it ever became controversial. It simply acknowledges that there are a number of festivals observed between Thanksgiving and New Years. Which, if any, of them a person may celebrate is their decision. At the same time, those who think "Happy Holidays" is a completely secular alternative to the...
Read more

Evaluating the Legacy of Jerry Falwell

The sudden passing of the Rev. Jerry Falwell in May of 2007 left little room for equivocation regarding the Moral Majority founder‘s place in history. To his supporters, Falwell was a fearless visionary who helped a wayward nation chart its moral course. To his critics, he was a loose cannon who often used sensationalist and mercenary tactics to score political favor. Ultimately, there is a degree of truth in both characterizations. Those who knew Falwell personally, both friends and enemies, describe him as a thoughtful, generous man with a disarming sense of humor. Even  pornographer Larry Flynt, who crossed swords with Falwell many times, said that “My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, (he) and I became good friends.” Falwell...
Read more