As I heard the typical talking points for, at its most benign, American civil religion and, at its worst, full-blown Christian nationalism on the Mall, my first thought was America deserves a better gospel than this. But then I repented of my own form of Christian nationalism.
America doesn’t deserve the gospel. Neither do I. Neither do you. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” the apostle Paul told us, “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8–9, NKJV). But America does need a better gospel than what we often see in nationalist rallies.
Also See: Many UK adults link Britishness with being Christian - reportWhy Netflix’s ‘Inside the Manosphere’ is a wake-up call for the Church
As president of a Christian university who sees hundreds of young men up close each year, I view this documentary not as a distant cultural curiosity but as a window into forces that are shaping boys before they arrive on any campus. It is uncomfortable viewing because it exposes an online world where young men are surrounded by role models driven by ego, self-aggrandizement and the pursuit of money and luxury. Women are treated like objects, and misogyny is encouraged and applauded, so that contempt is marketed as confidence and restraint is mocked as weakness. The documentary exposes the truth that boys see this unfiltered and unchallenged and consume it as truth and normal behavior.
Many parents, teachers and pastors have sensed these influences for years because they have watched boys grow more cynical, more distracted, less patient and less prepared for adult responsibility. The film forces the question into the open: How did this come to pass, and how did so many young men end up learning “manhood” from men who profit by inflaming appetite, resentment and contempt?
When pastors elevate charisma over godliness, churches suffer
Over the past several years, Christians across the country have watched a steady stream of pastors and ministry leaders fall into scandal, abuse, and moral failure. In many cases, believers are left asking the same painful question: How did this happen? But perhaps the deeper question is whether many of these collapses began long before these leaders ever stepped behind a pulpit.
The modern church has often prioritized gifting, charisma, and influence while neglecting the slower, harder work of spiritual transformation and character formation. And when wounded, unhealed, and spiritually immature leaders are elevated too quickly, the consequences can become devastating for entire congregations.
The Ancient World Had No Word for Child Abuse
In 1 BC, a man named Hilarion wrote a letter to his pregnant wife, Alis, while he was away on business in Alexandria. The letter survives on papyrus, preserved by two thousand years of dry Egyptian air. He asks about her health. He tells her to take care of herself. And then, almost in the same breath:
'If you bear a child, if it is a boy, let it live. If it is a girl, expose it.'
One sentence without anguish or apology. Just instruction.
What Does the Bible Say About Abuse? Probably More Than You Think
I could tell this conversation would be difficult.
A church elder—I’ll call him John—had called, complaining about a young woman my wife and I were assisting. John was certain her reports of childhood abuse were greatly exaggerated, that she was inventing problems to injure her “fine” family. John didn’t trust secular psychology, which he believed had made me harmfully alarmist. In his view, abuse was exceedingly rare, not a prevalent problem.
The irony is that John belonged to a church that was doggedly committed to the authority of Scripture. The tragedy is that he, like countless other church leaders, was blind to all that Scripture says about abuse.
Yet as a young pastor, I was no different. I’ve since discovered hundreds of passages in Scripture about abuse. Abuse is woven throughout Scripture, offering rich teaching on what abuse is, how it affects us, and how God responds to it.
Does Acts 2:38 Teach that Baptism Saves?
Years ago my former pastor was preaching through Acts. As he made his way through the text he arrived at Acts 2:38. It’s always interesting to see how preachers navigate this passage because it can be confusing and perhaps seems contradictory to other texts of Scripture.
But as my pastor carefully pointed out, it’s not.
Acts 2:38 reads, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
The knee-jerk reaction is to say that one must repent of their sin and be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of sins; and if so, it would be a clear indication that baptism is required for salvation. However, the Bible is clear elsewhere that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone.
Anxious Times: What You Need to Know About Childhood Anxiety
Feeling anxious about the rise in childhood anxiety today? Read on to discover what anxiety is, how to help kids through anxious moments, and what our Father God wants us to remember during anxious times.
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