Faith, Current Events, Politics
Veritéetfeu
For I 'Resolved to Know Nothing' About ...

Until recently, I’ve opted not to speak on the Israel-Palestine conflict in any public capacity: not on any of my platforms, not on social media, not at social gatherings, and especially not at work!

While the conflict predates my existence, it’s been an especially contentious topic since October 7, 2023 - the day Hamas led a coordinated, surprise attack against Israel. As others rushed to social media and traditional media spaces to voice their take on the matter, I decided to remain silent - not because I had nothing to say, but because I doubted my ability to engage the topic competently and graciously. I also feared the backlash and “cancellation” that would surely come to me for expressing deep concerns for, as well as sharp criticisms of, parties on both sides.

Nevertheless, a recent conversation with a coworker gave me a new perspective on the topic, and it finally emboldened me to publicly speak on the matter as much as the Lord would allow. 

For I 'Resolved to Know Nothing' About Israel-Palestine
Faith, Current Events
Veritéetfeu
Should Christians "Beg Off” Alistair Begg?

With more than 50 years of faithful preaching of the Scriptures and zero public scandals, Pastor Begg had certainly earned my unofficial designation as a “solid” celebrity pastor. However, his recent handling of a cultural matter countered a Biblical worldview, and this was not at all consistent with the reputation that has long preceded him. 

Which begs the question that many have raised in recent weeks: What are we, as Believers, now to do with Alistair Begg?

Should Christians "Beg Off” Alistair Begg?
Faith, Pop Culture
Veritéetfeu
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian ...

Since publishing the original SITMAC series in 2018, I’ve received several requests to write another installment. Admittedly, I didn’t believe one would be necessary because, as my logic went, by exposing the up and coming protégés of the old guard (see Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, etc), it should be easy to sniff out other false and extremely problematic preachers and pastors by association. Those birds all seemed to flock together, so writing about yet another member of their coop felt redundant. 

What I didn’t consider at the time, however, was the role social media was beginning to play in platforming charlatans who don’t necessarily have ties to the old guard. I also didn’t consider how, thanks to social media, false teachers and problematic brothers (and sisters) no longer need a pulpit or a local church to sow error and confusion before a mass of God’s people.

Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023
Faith, Current Events, Celebrity Conversion
Veritéetfeu
Kat Von D Got Baptized, But…

Prior to episode 902 of the Relatable Podcast with Allie Beth Stuckey, I had extremely little knowledge of Kat Von D.

I’ve certainly heard her name in passing as I’ve consumed pop culture news over the years. In recent weeks, for example, I’d seen various headlines reporting on her recent baptism into Christianity. So, indeed, I’ve definitely heard of her. 

Yet, I’m embarrassed to admit that I was so unfamiliar with her claims to fame and professional résumé that I initially confused her with the burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese. In my defense, both women do have “Von” in their names; they’re both undeniably gorgeous, fair-skinned brunettes who often rock a bold, red lip; and they are both closely associated with Marilyn Manson. 

Kat Von D Got Baptized, But…
Podcast Episode, Christian Living, Relationships
Veritéetfeu
S4E1: Married Single Mothers?

In the premiere episode of Season 4 of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu tackles "married single motherhood", a parenting phenomenon where married mothers take on the sole responsibility to care for their children. But is this practically beneficial for the mother, the father or their children? More importantly, is it Biblical?

S4E1: Married Single Mothers?

Pop Culture

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God Wins: A Gospel-Centric "Pride Month" Series

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God Wins: A Gospel-Centric "Pride Month" Series

As most of you may be aware, June is LGBT Pride Month.  However, most may not be aware that June is also Truth + Fire’s anniversary month. (Yay! We’re turning 4 this year!)  Of course, this blog’s mission and the LGBT agenda are diametrically opposed.  Yet, I’ve decided to intersect our respective celebrations with a Pride Month series.

You read that correctly!  

From my thoughts on Caitlyn Jenner and Kim Davis to answering some of my gay friends’ most pressing questions, all of Truth + Fire’s LGBT-related content has been curated into a single collection for your reading pleasure this June.

I pray you find this series edifying, and I hope God graces you to share it (and the Gospel of Jesus Christ) with your LGBT-identifying friends and family this month and beyond.


With all the peace and love God intends,

Veriteetfeu


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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on Abortion

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on Abortion

With the recent passage of near total bans on abortion in several states, the pro-choice/pro-life debate has reached a fever pitch. While I’d prefer to stay far, far away from the highly contentious back-and-forth these discussions tend to yield, it’s been extremely challenging for me not to chime in. Indeed, if this were a matter where all stakeholders could plead their own case, perhaps I might be less vocal about this topic. But at the center of this issue lies the fate of innocent, unborn human beings who aren’t able to speak up for themselves, and the truth from which my passion for this topic stems is simply that God created humanity in His image (Proverbs 31:8; Genesis 1:26-27).

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on Rape

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on Rape

The unborn, though spiritual inheritors of a sin nature just as we all were, are innocent in word and deed. They’ve done nothing wrong for which to be sentenced to death. Though the pro-abortion position suggests the unborn are indeed guilty of being an inconvenient consequence of their parents’ choices. EVERY consenting adult knows full well that sex produces babies and that contraceptives aren’t 100% effective. To claim anything to the contrary is, put plainly, A WHOLE LIE. Even Alyssa Milano, who’s encouraging women to avoid the risk of pregnancy in the wake of Georgia’s abortion ban, has called for a “sex strike” rather than an increase in contraceptive usage. She knows the only sure way to prevent unwanted pregnancies is abstinence. So do most with at least a 7th grade education.

But what about rape? What about unwanted sex that produces an unwanted child?

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on a Woman's Right to Choose

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on a Woman's Right to Choose

While they do occur, fortunately rape is rare, pregnancies resulting from rape are rare, and abortions due to rape are extremely rare. Even when one includes aborting pregnancies resulting from incest, that’s still less than 2% of all abortion cases. As such, there are at least 98% of women who’ve elected to abort for reasons resulting from their own choices.

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on Child Abuse + Other Strawmen

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Pro-Life, Pro-Logic: Thoughts on Child Abuse + Other Strawmen

As I shared in the opening of this piece, I recently discussed abortion with a couple of colleagues that left me stunned. One believed abortion should be legal because the death penalty is legal. The other sees abortion as an answer to child abuse.

“If you’ve worked with unwanted and abused children, you’d understand why abortion is needed,” he said.

“So, to protect children from abuse we should kill them,” I asked.

“Well...yeah.”

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Why I Renounced My Letters in AKA: Guest Feature

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Why I Renounced My Letters in AKA: Guest Feature

In this guest feature, contributor Lily J shares how her faith in Christ led her to renounce her membership in the historically Black Greek letter organization Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As she says, this piece is a long one, so get comfy!

“I used to be a member of AKA but renounced my letters back in 2016. I posted about it on Facebook & IG last year, and I think it’s important to continue to share my testimony with more people, especially since so many of my friends and associates are greek, some of whom are fellow Christians as well, but seem convinced that this was just a personal choice I made simply for me to honor God, based on my personal preferences but has no impact on them or in their lives.

“Today I want to tell you that it’s not this simple. This wasn’t something God called me to and only me. If you are a Christian, we are all called to assess where our salvation stands and whether it is being jeopardized or at stake with any of our affiliations and associations, so if me speaking on this topic again keeps just one from perishing, if it sets one more free, then it is worth me continuously repeating.”

~ Lily J, www.mylifeaslily.com 

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Blessings and Cursing and the Rise of Cardi B

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Blessings and Cursing and the Rise of Cardi B

With Cardi B's rapid rise to success, it's easy for many to presume she's being showered with God's favor and blessings. At least, that's how she and many of her fans tend to see it. Yet, as I watch fame, money, and influence inundate this young woman at warp speed, I've grown increasingly and genuinely concerned for her. Not that my concern should at all matter to her, but I share it knowing that Cardi professes Christ, yet lives a life completely counter to His Word. And because she's super vocal about every and all things - and her fans tend to hang on to her every word - I would be remiss if I didn't respectfully interject where Cardi believes her faith and her career intersect.

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The Grace + Knowledge of Heather Lindsey

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The Grace + Knowledge of Heather Lindsey

When I first discovered Heather Lindsey, I simply thought her to be a social media figure who enjoyed encouraging Christian women. In fact, I used to follow her on Instagram and actually found her memes about relationships and sexual purity insightful social media fodder. From what she presents online, Heather is a woman who is easy to adore and admire. She has a beautiful family and her children have tons of personality. Heather is charming and transparent, being willing to share the dark struggles of her past that she is able to relate to and encourage her following. She is also smart and something of a superwoman. She manages to maintain a blog, write multiple books, run a boutique, co-manage a publishing company, and faithfully serve her international women’s organization Pinky Promise. She also frequently travels for speaking engagements all while managing to be a flawless, fit and fashionable beauty, a loving wife, and a doting mother who takes the most amazing “candids” for her active social media presence. (And at the time of this writing, she’s five months pregnant and still on the go like it’s nothing!)

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The Great Awokening: On Black Panther, Black Identity & the Black Christian

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The Great Awokening: On Black Panther, Black Identity & the Black Christian

Black Panther did well to bring black representation to the big screen, and I was delighted to see men and women who look like me playing roles that weren't of the “thug” or “slave” variety. Black despondence nor dejection were on the menu for this film, and I am 100% here for it. I’m also here for the diversity this film brings to media and entertainment. As far as film productions go, Black Panther was quality all around, and I sincerely believe it is Oscar-worthy. It really was THAT good!

But as other moviegoers across social media have shared their feedback on the film these past few days, the hype has reached a level that has caused me concern for my people - my Family in Christ.

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What about Zac Posen?: Why Attacking Jack Phillips Isn't Fair

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What about Zac Posen?: Why Attacking Jack Phillips Isn't Fair

Many Americans are having a hard time grasping why Christian baker Jack Phillips declined to make a custom cake for a gay wedding.  One would think the conflict is obvious, but there are many who seem to be appalled, if not downright enraged, by Mr. Phillips and his position. There's been very little attempt to view his position with care and understanding. Instead, there have been tweets, Facebook posts, thought pieces and political pundits seemingly committed to dragging the man through the mud. They say Mr. Phillips wasn't motivated by sincerely-held convictions to decline to make the cake.  They say he was motivated by "bigotry"! They say he was motivated by "hate"!

I say that is malarkey.

I say, those who desire to malign Mr. Phillip’s convictions aren’t only being grossly disingenuous, they're being wholly hypocritical.