The Uncensored Unprofessor

Christians seem leery of discussing homosexuality. For his part, Jesus called us to an often difficult way of life, one characterized by grace and truth. How do we live out that tension? How should Christians show love on sensitive matters? For instance, should one go to a homosexual wedding? What is the core issue for one's identity: sexuality or Christ? Are people born gay? Is it wrong to have feelings for someone of the same sex? I ask and answer several uncomfortable questions in this episode.

Is there a homosexual chromosome in the human genetic code? Do Homosexuals choose to be gay? What kinds of things do psychiatrists say contribute to homosexuality? What goes on in the formation of human selves and human brains? Come and think very carefully with me.

The apostle Paul in Romans 1 is quite pointed about the violation he witnessed in his Gentile context. What did he see? What did he mean? Was he consistent with Jewish teaching thereon? Was he concerned with temple prostitution? Was he worried about cultural violations? What in the world did Paul mean in these passages? Did he go beyond what Jesus had taught?

What was the world like when the apostle Paul was writing? Was he naive about the sexuality at work then? Was he able or not to make distinctions between behaviors and orientations? This episode will examine a trove of historical data to clarify what the ancients did and did not know or understand about human sexuality. I will also explain why this information matters for contemporary Christianity and Christian ethics.

What did Jesus teach and imply about human sexuality? Was he merely silent on the matter? Was he different from his Jewish background? Did he follow other rabbis on the matter? Was he permissive and lenient? Or, was he legalistic and strict? We do well to know what our Lord taught. How might we replicate Jesus' own m.o. regarding sex, dealing with sin and sinners, and our own heart's attitude?

Atheism, scientism, and nihilism—because they lack imagination— all fail to give a sufficient account of what it means to be human. The Bible, starting in Genesis, gives us a towering view of what it means to be human, but foundationally roots that in our maleness and femaleness. In mysterious and beautiful ways, we mirror the Triune God. But how is that possible? Is God 1/2 male and 1/2 female? Come and think with me.

We are witnessing a swift but enormous societal shift concerning human sexuality? What does that mean? What is driving that shift? Really, just what does it mean to be human? What kinds of issues are related to those questions? Why is any of this important?

Life is both beautiful and interspersed with pain. How should we process the latter? How might Christians process intense pain? Is God causing everything? Does prayer matter? What about mercy ministry to those enduring intense pain? How does gratitude help? What kinds of things should we say and not say to those with intense pain? I worked through these kinds of questions following major back surgery.

We live in an unusual era where ideals, and with them heroes, are seen as burdens to be avoided rather than goals to be sought out. But is this helpful? Is this necessary? Come think with me for a few minutes! (This is a quick hitter)

My neighbors will be happy when there is a fence adjacent my jacuzzi. There are sights they need not behold! Much of life is like that: we need to draw a line, a border, a boundary in order to protect the dignity of all the parties involved. (This is a quick hitter episode.)