Reclaiming the Language of “Temptation” in Christian Discussions of Human Sexuality

I recently sat in (yet another) seminar about how to counsel Christians[1] who are tempted toward same-sex sexual activity or tempted to embrace a gender contrary to their birth sex. I left the seminar helped in a number of ways. But I was struck once again—since I have begun to identify this as a pattern—that … Continue reading Reclaiming the Language of “Temptation” in Christian Discussions of Human Sexuality

“Just Say No” to Sin?

Do you remember the “just say no to drugs” campaign waged a number of years ago? (The slogan “just say no” continues to be used in schools across the country.) The assumption of the slogan was that kids could simply say “no” whenever faced with temptation. Is that true? Can we simply say “no” whenever … Continue reading “Just Say No” to Sin?

Is it Possible Not to Sin? Can the Tongue be Tamed?

How can James write: “But no one can tame the tongue” (James 3:8 NAU) in one breath, and then in another write “this ought not to be so” (James 3:10 NRSV)? If no one can tame the tongue, why does James exhort his readers to tame their tongues, and blame them when they don’t? Is … Continue reading Is it Possible Not to Sin? Can the Tongue be Tamed?