I think i agree with that 🙂

For example, Cancel Culture says that in the current philosophy, there is no forgiveness, no remorse, no redemption. The Christian response is that in Christ there is forgiveness and redemption and moving on from the past. We all make mistakes and the lesson is to learn from it and move forward. But the current zeitgeist is not to offer that.

Thanks for reading and commenting. Couple of things:
1. On your 1st paragraph — actually I would put all of those in the same category ie ideas/beliefs that have as much to do with identity as theology
2. I dont think culture should dictate theology (I think you are accusing me of that), but culture must inform our theology, and yes that will sometimes mean that non gospel-centric ideas we have may need to change
3 And yes I completely accept thais article hasn’t changed your mind — but its good to talk and hear what you think
Thx

I often read articles from believers like this trying to be accepting and loving, but instead it ends up being enabling and not helping people out of the fire and find support out of their bondages.

These kinds of articles are the result of a culture dictating sentiments to us because it doesn’t want to be challenged sexually — as abortions are at insane levels, people are hurting their bodies to make it look like the opposite gender and children are being trafficked for the enabling and fear we exhibit through our so-called acceptance.

Dont lump scriptural sins with more arguable issues like evolution, infant baptism and female clergy that aren’t listed as abominations.

You’re right, my mind is not changed. However, why should I be forced to go against my God to celebrate something I know harms another person, as stated in scripture and everything we instinctively know in nature that can bring the most fulfillment in this messy life. Why would I “accept” and alienate another from that, and myself from all that God created for man and woman.

Is that not the epitome of love on my end and the epitome of hate on the other?

Think I agree with all that!

Interesting points Lester — esp the last one. Couple of things in reply:
— How much of the growth in conservative churches is down to Christians in or from developing countries rather than people in the west attracted to such churches?
— Should we be seeking truth or “whatever makes the church grow”? Is it the case that churches that don’t grow must be outside of God’s blessing?
— And most of all, my article is concerned with identity and tribes. Although these are most easily associated with conservative/evangelical teaching .…. I don’t think its always so
thx for commenting!

I think knowing when to stand against the culture of the day and when it is clearly the right path for the church is possibly the most difficult thing we are called to.Cf previous church debates on marrying divorcees or women leaders in the church.
On the Geoff Hinton thing .…I was invited to speak on Premier Radio on this last week (it was live but not sure it was released separately). The whole AI space is certainly not going away so i think i will be getting back to it soon! 🙂

Interesting though this article is — I tend to look at the threads which have ‘worked’ throughout history — those people who gave their all to a cause they really believed in — and turned out to be right in spite of the zeitgeist surrounding them — starting with the prophets of course and dear old Abraham — believing God in spite of all his mistakes. None of us are right all the time but sometimes God chooses people who will obey Him in spite of the culture they live in. They are usually very powerful characters in history!

Now then.…next please.…what are we to make of Geoff Hinton’s observations and criticisms of his own life work?????