Are (at least somewhat reverential) highly imaginative movies and books about Bible characters a good thing?

Whether in media (The Chosen) or in writing (like Max Lucado, for example), there seems to be a trend of blending fiction/speculation with Bible content. When this is done irreverently, I think we all agree it would be wrong. But, in the cases of the above, it is not. This is quite different from prophetic fiction (an attempt to create fiction within a theological frame but with the clear understand the story itself is fiction). How do you feel about that? What are the proper limits of imagination when dealing with Bible narrative?

Discussion

Are we destined to lose the abortion battle in the U.S.?

Although the Supreme Court ruling turned the issue of abortion back to the states, the pushback has been great. As a matter of fact, popular opinion is now in favor of allowing abortion, and there is a movement to make it a guaranteed right. But even without new laws, the abortion pill is available for women even in states where abortion is illegal.

Discussion

What do you think of the Great Banquet and other such retreats?

Someone or several people from your church want to attend the Great Banquet. Do you encourage them, discourage them, or stay aloof? Your thoughts and experiences appreciated.

This also applies to things like The Emmaus Walk or other such spiritual retreats within the Christian realm.

Discussion

Were you raised in a Christian home?

The word “Christian” has many meanings. Thus, asking the question, “Were you raised in a Christian home?” can be ambiguous. Does one mean a home that professed evangelical religion? Or does it mean any sort of Christianity?

People change as well. Perhaps you were not raised in a Christian home, but your parents came to the Lord when you were 12? Were you then raised in a Christian home? We cannot cover all the possibilities, so try to choose the answer that fits you best.

Discussion

Should be there an age limit for president?

Choice one means no one (say past 70) can run for president, no matter if it is a first or second term. The second choice means no on past a certain age (say 70) could run for first term, and no one past say 74 could run for a second term.

The current presidential election is quite a match up. A reductionist might say it is choosing between a candidate who is becoming mentally feeble and a convicted felon. Both men could become mentally impaired before their terms are up and their average age is about the average age for a man to die in America.

Discussion

Do you believe regeneration precedes faith?

The “ordo salutis,” the “order of salvation” is part of most theological curriculums. But, apart from accepted systems, what is your viewpoint about the matter?

Feel free to share your thoughts, and how they may have changed over the years.

Discussion

Do PTSD and Mental Illness Actually Exist?

It looks like John MacArthur is not only returning to an early version of Jay Adams, but is even stricter. Adams allowed for Schizophrenia and Bi-polar, which apparently MacArthur does not.

Everyone pretty much agrees that sometimes some doctors can over medicate. This is true in the physical realm as well, although nowadays it seems there is much more restraint this way. Many cases of what is typically called “mental illness” are treated apart from medicine.

Discussion

What style of preaching does your church feature?

Types of sermons can be defined with numerous variations, subdivisions, and hybrids. In this poll, we are asking which style your church features MOST. Few pastors, for example, always preach expository sermons — but many mostly do. Here are our definitions:

Discussion

How significantly have ecological or environmental factors contributed to the huge increase in LGBTQ numbers?

Dr. Leonard Saxe and others have written about how environmental estrogens are messing with gender among fish and wildlife in general. We have female fish with male parts and vice-versa, for example. Even population declines are best explained (in some nations) as a result of lower sperm counts, lower testosterone numbers, etc.

Here is one secular article that discusses this: https://nothinghumanisalien.substack.com/p/are-xenoestrogens-causing-a-…

Discussion