In a recent post on Reason.com, John Stossel makes “the case for legalizing drugs, prostitution, organ sales, and other consensual acts.” He titles his piece, “Keep Your Laws Off My Body.” He concedes that these behaviors may be immoral, but even so, he denies that legal prohibition of them is the right response. Instead, he argues that shaming drug users, prostitutes, and organ sellers is a more appropriate response than prohibition. Stossel’s argument is libertarian. There is some truth to this position. Not every sin requires the government to pass a law in response. On the other hand, from … Continue reading Honor God With Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

  Who you are shapes how you act. How you act shapes who you are. Identity and behavior are mutually reinforcing. For example, a generous person gives liberally to those in need. But how did she become generous in the first place? By giving liberally. An alcoholic drinks too much alcohol. How did he become an alcoholic? By drinking too much in the first place. A loving married couple takes delight in serving one another. How did they become so loving? By serving one another. To become the people God created us to be, Christ saved us to be, and … Continue reading Who You Are Shapes How You Act, and Vice Versa (1 Corinthians 6:15-17)

  We sometimes think of the New Testament era as the golden age of the church compared to which our own era is more than a bit rusty. Paul’s correspondence with the Corinthians should help perish any such thought, for few New Testament-era congregations were as spiritually malformed and morally degenerate as theirs. Few modern congregations are. Remember, the Corinthian congregation was divided by a pride that was embarrassed of “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1:10-4:21). This congregation tolerated the incestuous relationship of one of its members (5:1-12), sued one another in pagan law courts (6:1-11), and thought little against … Continue reading A False Theology of Freedom (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)

  In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul writes about the reality of hell, the variety of sin, the possibility of change, and the necessity of grace. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ … Continue reading Inheriting the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)