The Boy Scouts and Riley Gaines

Word from the Center
Written By Peter Scaer

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The Left is a wrecking ball, the instigator of chaos, the dissolving of bonds and the destruction of identity. What institution have they not yet ruined? Kaitlin Clark has excited a nation, propelling women's basketball into the fast lane. But for how long? All it will take is a couple of guys to join the league, and it's lights out for Kaitlin. There are no safe spaces.

And what of the Boy Scouts, long a refuge and training ground for boys who would be men? But place a girl in the pack, and dynamics change. Boys will no longer act as a band of brothers, but will inevitably be led into strutting and showing off, putting each other down to stand out. A boy losing to a boy is honorable, but losing to a girl is humiliating in a way that some refuse to understand or acknowledge.

As for the church? In prudence, we need to get our act together. Let the boys be acolytes, let them train in leadership, let them play the role. The gender madness is just as hard on boys as it is on girls. Our schools have long been feminized, as Christina Hoff Summers first documented a quarter of a century ago in her seminal work "A War on Boys." For a very human take on all this, I highly recommend Anthony Esolen's "Defending Boyhood: How Building Forts, Reading Stories, Playing Ball, and Praying to God Can Change the World."

Meanwhile, the institutions are poisoned and fall apart. And what's left after the wrecking ball? Nothing. But isn't that always the way with leftist utopias? The radicals sure know how to tear down, but, alas, they are not builders. The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer is professor and chairman of the Exegetical Department at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Be Informed
Oral arguments heard by the US Supreme Court about an Idaho abortion law have implications for all states. Listen to the “why” with Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

Be Equipped
Paul Diperna, the vice president of research and innovation for EdChoice, joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to break down the school choice fight and explain how shifting educational opportunities will affect the next generation of students.

Be Encouraged
“So, what are we as Christians to do in a culture that rejects God’s gift of marriage, sex within its bounds, and children? Repent. Turn from your sin. Receive Jesus’ forgiveness. And do not forget to pray. Pray for all marriages and all families, that the Lord who makes two into one flesh would richly bless them with His love, joy, and mercy.” --Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.

See Also
Civility? Always. But Much More Is Needed.
Civility? Always. But Much More Is Needed.

One of my junior catechumens asked that last week. Politics, and political advertising, are wall-to-wall and around-the-clock here in Iowa these days. By “these days,” I mean most of the 10 years since I was called to Iowa. . . . The answer to that question is never short. Instead, I point our members to two basic Scriptures about the relationship of the Christian to government and politics

Civility? Always. But Much More Is Needed.
Civility? Always. But Much More Is Needed.

Last month, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt. We thank God for his protection, and like many other voices this week, we abhor such political violence, boldly praying to God that virtue and civility might return to our public life together. As Christians, we are called into the middle of the chaos of the world in which we live with the power and wisdom of God’s preserving voice of the Law and His saving voice of the Gospel.

Pastor, Who Are You Voting For?
Pastor, Who Are You Voting For?

One of my junior catechumens asked that last week. Politics, and political advertising, are wall-to-wall and around-the-clock here in Iowa these days. By “these days,” I mean most of the 10 years since I was called to Iowa. . . . The answer to that question is never short. Instead, I point our members to two basic Scriptures about the relationship of the Christian to government and politics

Speaking to Your Neighbor
Speaking to Your Neighbor

How can an informed Lutheran talk about violations of conscience? How do we speak about our religious liberties? What if our neighbor asks us to explain freedom of religion? Here are some questions you might hear and ways to respond.

The Family Restored
The Family Restored

I remember well holding my youngest daughter in my arms the day after she was born. But I do not remember thinking, “This is not bone of my bones or flesh of my flesh.” My only thought was that the Lord had given me this girl and that I was her father.

What Is Marriage?
What Is Marriage?

“What is marriage?” It seems like a silly question. But its one our society is vigorously fighting about. For thousands of years, and for all of recorded history prior to the year 2000, societies around the world recognized that marriage was an exclusive relationship of faithful permanence between one man and one woman, who vowed to remain together until death parts them.

Civility? Always. But Much More Is Needed.
Civility? Always. But Much More Is Needed.

Former President Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. We thank God for his protection, and like many other voices this week, we abhor such political violence, boldly praying to God that virtue and civility might return to our public life together. As Christians, we are called into the middle of the chaos of the world in which we live with the power and wisdom of God’s preserving voice of the Law and His saving voice of the Gospel.

What God Has Joined Together
What God Has Joined Together

There are times when the church’s teaching on an issue sparks discussion and controversy because there is some debate over the precise meaning of critical words or ideas in the teaching. Other times, a doctrine of the church generates keen discussion and disagreement because the teaching is exceedingly plain and clear but difficult to practice. The church’s teaching about divorce falls into the latter category.

Male and Female He Created Them: Speaking the Truth in Love about Transgenderism
Male and Female He Created Them: Speaking the Truth in Love about Transgenderism

Perhaps someone you know or someone in your child’s school has come out recently as transgender. School districts, government leaders, doctors, counselors and ubiquitous popular media are teaching us all, including many in the church, false and unhealthy ideas about what it means to be human.

Sacrificial, Unconditional, Incarnational: A Biblical View of Marriage
Sacrificial, Unconditional, Incarnational: A Biblical View of Marriage

I recently began a wedding sermon addressing the couple, “Your marriage is going to be tough! It’s going to be filled with conflict and suffering and sorrow and pain. And, if you do it right, you’ll eventually get to watch each other get old, have more pain, carry more grief and watch each other move toward death.”

Religious Liberty Is Vital, but It Is not Enough!
Religious Liberty Is Vital, but It Is not Enough!

In 2021, the July 4 holiday fell on Sunday. You could hear the groans because that meant less time off, right? This year it falls on Thursday, so people surely will take the LONG weekend off. And isn’t that the point? Vacation, refreshment, leisure? Well, yes and no. The point of the holiday isn’t merely to take time off.

What Must the Angels Think?
What Must the Angels Think?

The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer notes that even the angels weep at what they see happening among us today but reminds us that: “The right side of history talk has been exposed as nonsense, a way to demoralize those who know or should know better. Much better to be on the side of the angels, God’s angels, who love us as he does.”

Ideas Have Consequences: Why Bad Ideas Can Bring Real Devastation
Ideas Have Consequences: Why Bad Ideas Can Bring Real Devastation

What would happen if "we strive to think as the Bible teaches 'to think about others more highly than ourselves' and seek to serve others with that wisdom and strength"? The Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz believes delightful consequences may occur!

The Boy Scouts and Riley Gaines
The Boy Scouts and Riley Gaines

Why is it that the "radicals sure know how to tear down, but, alas, they are not builders"? The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer has a few ideas.

IS ABORTION AN ELECTION ISSUE?
IS ABORTION AN ELECTION ISSUE?

A disturbing narrative is metastasizing within our national consciousness: that Americans who embrace religious faith are potentially dangerous extremists, and that faith-inspired engagement in the public square poses a threat to our democracy.

Pagan Nationalism
Pagan Nationalism

There is a lot of fretting over Christian Nationalism, though as far as I can tell, the term comes with a lot of hype, and, as NPR would say, "misinformation." But when we speak about Christians in society today, we should not be naive and think we are living in a secular age of ideas, worrying about the danger that overzealous Christians are somehow trying to make other people act according to biblical laws. What we assert is the natural law. And here, it's important to speak of specific issues, so that the theories may be tested.

Complicity with the Lie
Complicity with the Lie

What does it matter if you call him a woman, call her a man? You can pretend it's a game, but you are doing it under compulsion, whether it's simply peer or social pressure, or whether it's a matter of advancing in your career, or even keeping your job or business. If you can be made to say 2 + 2 = 5, you are owned by someone else, and your mind is not your own, nor can it be the mind of Christ who is the Truth.

Cohabitation Hurts More Than a Couple by Joshua Hayes
Cohabitation Hurts More Than a Couple by Joshua Hayes

If a couple came to me and said, “Pastor, we’d like to get married, and we’d like to do everything we can today to make sure our marriage ends in divorce tomorrow,” then I would tell them that the first thing they should do is move in together. Cohabitation is that destructive to marriage and family life.

Kamala Harris’s Hypocrisy on ‘Women Having Miscarriages in Toilets’ by Ben Johnson
Kamala Harris’s Hypocrisy on ‘Women Having Miscarriages in Toilets’ by Ben Johnson

It almost seems ridiculous to point out that a politician did something hypocritical, but Kamala Harris inverted reality in an especially egregious way during her first (and hopefully last) vice presidential visit to an abortion facility last week. As part of her ongoing campaign against life, she claimed, “I have heard stories of — and have met with women who had miscarriages in — in toilets.” Like most of Harris’s speeches, she had said it all before. The vice president shared a video clip of herself repeating the same story on “The View” in January. Harris said she could not believe states still resist abortion “in this year of our Lord 2024,” before saying, “Women are having miscarriages in toilets.”

Caring, not killing, in a throwaway society by Tom Eggebrecht
Caring, not killing, in a throwaway society by Tom Eggebrecht

In his younger days, Bob Barker, former host of the television show, “The Price is Right,” hosted another show called “Truth or Consequences.” On this program contestants were asked questions and if they gave incorrect answers, there were consequences. There was a penalty for getting things “wrong.” Now the consequences weren’t life threatening. They involved comical stunts which may have been a bit embarrassing, but were endured as good-natured fun. At the close of every program, Barker signed off saying, “Good night, hoping all your consequences are happy ones.” It was an instant and enduring hit from the 1940s through Barker’s time with the show in the 1960s.

More Josephs, Please
More Josephs, Please

"What is the leading indicator of just about everything bad? The lack of a father, that is to say a Joseph, in the home." Learn why the Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer says the world needs more Josephs!

Wanted: The Perfect Family, Part 2
Wanted: The Perfect Family, Part 2

Thanks be to God, "There is only One who truly loves us 'no matter what' — only one family that will never fail us." Read more from Cheryl Magness.

Wanted: The Perfect Family, Part 1
Wanted: The Perfect Family, Part 1

Was the nuclear family a mistake? Cheryl Magness--in this two-part series--explains why it's the exact opposite.

Peace in Storms, Courage in Chaos
Peace in Storms, Courage in Chaos

Jesus is risen; He is risen indeed! But there’s more good news for those who believe in Him. He clearly says, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). Wow! What a statement. It calls believers to a confident hope that comes from knowing that even death itself has been conquered by the one who created and redeemed us.

The Lasting Solution
The Lasting Solution

For Christians around the world, it’s Good Friday today. I know that it sounds strange to say that the day when Jesus died on the cross is “good,” but it is. The real, lasting solution to the problems in every human heart, even the very problems of the whole world, is the sinless son of God, Jesus, exchanging His perfect life and His innocent death as a substitute for our sinful life. In His death and resurrection, eternal justice is served, enduring mercy is offered, and real, eternal life is possible again for us, for all. The God who created us is the only one who can also redeem us.

Faux Repentance and Contrition
Faux Repentance and Contrition

After reviewing what was said at their Baptisms, LCMS confirmands affirm their intention “to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it” (LSB p. 273). Nevertheless, confirmation is often the last time we see some of these young people in church. When they become adults, some children return, but many do not.

Children Stay in the Faith When Both Parents Teach Them
Children Stay in the Faith When Both Parents Teach Them

After reviewing what was said at their Baptisms, LCMS confirmands affirm their intention “to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it” (LSB p. 273). Nevertheless, confirmation is often the last time we see some of these young people in church. When they become adults, some children return, but many do not.

Speaking of Humanity
Speaking of Humanity

As a new mother, I once had a friend and her daughter over for a playdate. After we set our babies down on a bright red and blue blanket I had spread on the floor, she commented, “I love this quilt. It’s so stimulating!” The comment arrested me. I suddenly felt as though my child were one of the microscopic crustaceans from my college physiology lab to be plied with caffeine so we could observe its heart rate.

Teach Them How to Think, Not What to Think
Teach Them How to Think, Not What to Think

Teach them how to think, not what to think. That's what Senator Braun's commercial says we need. And in that, he's typical of much of the conservative movement. But scratch the surface of that phrase, and you end up in a world of hurt. Our kids need to be taught goodness, must be inculcated in the natural law, must be formed in an education that is value laden. Education always includes moral formation.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GOVERMENT ANYWAY?
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GOVERMENT ANYWAY?

What is your responsibility to the government—the state? What do you owe the state? While you are contemplating that question, ask yourself this: What is your responsibility to God—the church? What do you owe the church?

Peter Scaer
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