Perception for Today...Spiritual Abuse-In the Church (Pt 1)

In my previous post, I wrote about a few of the essential doctrines and how, often times, spiritual abuse will result from elevating secondary issues to greater importance than they ought to be.  In part one of this post, I will examine more of what that looks like in a church setting.  Read on after the jump.

Perception for today...Spiritual Abuse-Essential Doctrines

In my previous post on spiritual abuse, I gave an introduction and definition to spiritual abuse.  My attempt was to hopefully start us off on at least close to the same page.  In that post, I mentioned that one thing I often see as a common thread in terms of spiritual abuse is the practice of elevating some doctrine, belief, or rule for behavior to a position of such great importance, that it distorts the grace that should be given.  In this post I'd like to expound on that idea a bit more, going over what the core parts of Christianity are.  Read on after the jump.

Perception for Today...Spiritual Abuse-Definitions

My topic for today may be one that you have never heard of.  It may be one that you would think only happens in "wacko religious cults."  It may even be one that you deny exists.  It is very real, however, and it even exists in mainstream protestant Christian churches.  The topic is spiritual abuse.  In recent years, more and more stories are coming to light of people leaving various churches for what they describe as abuse at the hands of the leaders in their church.  I plan on doing multiple posts on this topic.  For today I wish to explain what spiritual abuse is and why I have taken such an interest in it.  Read on after the jump.

Perception for Today: Same-sex Marriage

So it has been a while since I last posted a blog.  There is a topic in the head-lines recently though, and one that has been a hot topic for a long time, that I feel I want to put my $0.02 in about.  The issue is same-sex marriage and homosexuality.  I realize that this is a topic that many people have both strong convictions and strong opinions on.  I also know that virtually no matter what I say, I will anger somebody.  I would not be surprised that some would see my views as controversial, even amongst Christians.

My goal with this blog post is to state my perception, to state what I believe to be the Biblical, Christian perspective, and then also weigh in with my own political thoughts.  I will attempt to be as kind and respectful as possible to all sides, as I do not believe that inflammatory language, degrading remarks, or hateful namecalling is necessary or even right, and any comments that may possibly be left on this blog, from either side of the issue, that use hateful speech, will be deleted.  With that said, let me get started.

Perception for today...Christianity and Alcohol

I know I haven't posted anything in over a year, but I haven't really had much in the way of literary inspiration.  Today though I have.  We are coming up on a more festive time of year.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner, followed closely by Christmas and New Year's.  A common indulgence around these holidays is to have a drink or two, even for those that rarely if ever drink any other time of the year.  What should the Christian do though? Is it really OK for a Christian to have a glass of wine or champagne this holiday season?  And what does the Bible say about it?