Category Archives: Law

TOLERANCE, AND SOCIAL MORALITY

Culture, Ethics, Law April 5, 2024 Comments: 3

DiversityPMW 2024-026 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Th. D.

I live in the deep south, and right in the middle of the Bible belt. Unfortunately, we have gotten a taste of the homosexual revolution in our area. Awhile back recent news items, editorials, and letters to the editor debated the question of homosexuality. Tragically, the conservative South and Christian dominated cities are not immune to the moral decline and degradation of our culture.

Unfortunately, the whole controversy is a study in muddled ethical thinking, contradictory assertions, sloganeering, and outlandish charges. The local resistance to homosexual culture has been ridiculed as: “a breach of the separation of church and state,” “Naziism,” “menacing authority,” “an atrocity,” “right-wing extremism,” “poisonous,” “ayatollah-like,” “warped,” “a return to the dark ages,” “frightening,” “appalling,” “a witch hunt,” and more. Consequently, the dispute exposes our inability to think through moral issues. But public socio-political discourse is not the place for such moral confusion.
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SODOM AND GOMORRAH

Ethics, Law March 22, 2024 Comments: 4

pillar of saltPMW 2024-023 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In this posting I will present a running overview of Genesis 19 relative to the sin and judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Gen. 19:1a
the two angels
In Genesis 18:2 three men (i.e., angels) appeared to Abraham, one of them being the angel of the Lord, God himself (18:1, 13, 17). Two of them headed to Sodom (18:22), while the Lord departed from Abraham (18:33). Here in v. 1 the two angels come to investigate Sodom in anticipation of its destruction (v. 13; cp. 18:20–26).

Gen. 19:1b
Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom
Peter declares three times that Lot is “righteous” (2 Pet. 2:7–8). Genesis only hints at this by noting that God would spare men for righteousness (18:22–33) then sparing Lot (v. 29). But Lot is a tragic example of a believer (declared righteous; cp. Genesis 15:6) who frequently fails: he chooses a land outside of the Promised Land based on its luxury even though the residents were “wicked exceedingly” (13:8–13); offers his daughters to the abusive Sodomites (vv. 5, 8); hesitates in leaving Sodom though directed by the angels (v. 16); and allows his daughters to get him drunk so as to commit incest (vv. 35–36). Peter tells us that he was oppressed and tormented by Sodom’s sensual conduct day by day, though he continued to live among them (2 Pet. 2:7–8). Christians must be concerned with their surroundings and avoid evil company (Psa. 1:1; 26:4–5; Prov. 4:14–15; 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33). Lot lost his sons-in-law because of his remaining in an evil environment (19:14b).
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PAUL & THE LAW OF CHRIST

Ethics, Law October 27, 2023 1 Comment

PMW 2023-084 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Law and Jesus

In 1 Corinthians 9:21 we read the following statement by Paul:

“to those who are without law, [I am] as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.”

The italicized phrases in this statement have presented material to anti-theonomists, suggesting that Paul here declares that in Christ — and, therefore, in the Christian era — a new law prevails, which he denominates: “the Law of Christ.” This new Law of Christ supplants the older Law of God as the ethical norm for Christian behavior.
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THE 10 COMMANDMENTS AND DEUTERONOMY

Interpretation, Law August 23, 2022 Comments: 3

ten commandments 3PMW 2022-063 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

A casual reading of chapters 5 and following of Deuteronomy appears to present a random collection of laws. Yet a fairly widespread scholarly consensus discerns a basic organizing principle: these “randon” laws follow the order of the ten commandments.

In this, the largest section of Deuteronomy, Moses provides the commandments’ broader implications by offering practical applications (cf. Deut. 1:5). Though the outline is not overtly presented by Moses, given Moses’s orderly mind and compositional skills, along with the outline’s general fit, it is strongly suggested. Continue reading →

GOD’S COMMANDMENTS; GOD’S KINGDOM

Ethics, Law March 11, 2022 Leave a comment

PMW 2022-020 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Introduction

Postmillennialism expects a day when “the earth will open up and salvation [will] bear fruit, and righteousness [will] spring up with it” (Isa 45:8). It expects the discipling of the nations to teach all the things Christ taught his disciples (Matt. 28:19), which included the continuing relevance of God’s law (Matt. 5:17–19; cp. Rom. 3:19, 31). This is because the law reflects God’s character which is “holy and righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12). Because of this, postmillennialists would do well to learn God’s law and its practical applications.

Learning Deuteronomy well is a good place to start. And the structure of Deuteronomy is helpful for reinforcing and expanding the application of God’s law. Let me explain. Continue reading →

UNPLANNED: A DEEPLY MOVING STORY

Culture, Law July 19, 2019 1 Comment

Note: The full title of this article is: “Unplanned: A Deeply Moving Story of a Planned Parenthood Whistleblower.” It is an important movie  exposing the horror of abortion. I highly recommend it. Ken Gentry

The true story of Abby Johnson, a Planned Parenthood clinic director who presided over tens of thousands of abortions. But when she finally sees an actual abortion, her entire life is turned upside down.

I just saw the premiere a couple days ago in Los Angeles. I was blown away. Put it on your calendars NOW to see it opening weekend March 29.

If you care at all, even a little bit, about the issue of abortion in this country, you must see this woman’s story. It is a deeply moving portrait of redemption. It is both gripping and beautiful. Continue reading →

SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY?

Culture, Law April 9, 2019 Leave a comment

PMW 2019-029 by Levi J. Secord (Riverview Baptist Church)

There is a growing trend in evangelical circles to re-brand mercy ministries as justice ministries. I recently came across this reality when I was asked for church recommendations in a different area. In my research, I came across a church with a justice ministry. Under this ministry there was everything from feeding the poor to adoption. Such ministries were once identified as mercy ministries, so why relabel them as justice ministries? What does this shift reveal about us?

You may be wondering if this is even a big deal, and that’s a fair question. With the rise of social justice in our culture, mercy has taken a backseat. Continue reading →