The Gallie Report ~ July 03, 2014

July 03, 2014    

It's Not About Gay Marriage At CT we offered our fair share of commentary (here and here, for example) after the SCOTUS decision. But I also liked the perspective of Ross Douthat's column "Gay Conservatism and Straight Liberation"—the decision was not a victory for one side against another but a sign of deeper trends, some of which have already shaped heterosexual marriage: Too many Americans clearly just like the more relaxed view of marriage's importance, and the fact that this relaxation makes room for our gay friends and neighbors is only part of its appeal. Straight America has its own reasons for seeking liberation from the old rules, its own hopes of joy and happiness to chase. Philip Cary's response to the decision (technically known as Obergefell v. Hodges) looked at cultural assumptions evangelicals have imbibed, and how they sabotage our faith: Today's evangelical Christians are taught to find God by listening for the voice of the Spirit in their hearts. My students typically think this is what it means to know God. This theology will hardly help them resist a culture that is all about celebrating the desires we find within us.

Bringing the Gospel to . . . America The two commentaries I just linked to suggest that America needs better theology. Korean evangelical Christians think we need something more basic and are "working around the clock to re-Christianize America." In a book review—'Korean Evangelicals on Steroids'—Rob Moll gives insight into this missionary effort on US shores.

Wars and Rumors of Wars I have often wondered how a superpower like the United States has so much trouble winning wars outright—Iraq and Afghanistan being the two latest examples. I've also often wondered why in a time of relative peace, we have to spend so much on the military, especially when it doesn't seem to help us bring some conflicts to a simple end. I don't know enough about foreign policy to have an informed opinion about such matters, but "12 Reasons America Doesn't Win Its Wars" gave me pause to ponder such things afresh.

An Awesome View of Fireworks Speaking of wars, this weekend we Americans celebrate our War of Independence on July 4. Why fireworks? "Because John Adams wanted us to," says Slate magazine. But he didn't imagine watching them from the perspective of a drone.

Grace and peace,

Mark Galli Editor, Christianity Today