“Often times in Christian circles these impositions are super subtle, and seemingly completely innocent. Sitting down next to you on a bench which provides a suddenly private conversation. Patting your back and lingering for a little moment too many.”

This is the most important part that I as a christian man should get out of this article. To be extremely careful on how I interact with girls from bible study. Certain things might be leading them on or just making them uncomfortable.

After looking up up “voyeurism” in the dictionary, Im not sure if I agree with you on that is our main problem. Dictionary.com defines it as “the practice of obtaining sexual gratification by looking at sexual objects or acts, especially secretively”. What I’m assuming you mean by it is that we obtain this “sexual gratification” not just by watching sexual acts but also violent ones.
Is it possible that our obsession with violence is not a becuase of some deep seated sexual desire but the result of an increasingly feministic society? You know more then me that men are designed differently then women and when a culture moves toward one extreme (men going into beauty salons) there are always going to be backlashes. And maybe our lust for violence is one of them.

1. After looking up up “voyeurism” in the dictionary, Im not sure if I agree with you on that is our main problem. Dictionary.com defines it as “the practice of obtaining sexual gratification by looking at sexual objects or acts, especially secretively”. What I’m assuming you mean by it is that we obtain this “sexual gratification” not just by watching sexual acts but also violent ones.

I’m confused by how you said “we have become obsessed with any kind of unhealthy voyeurism” If we are obsessed with this, then it goes back to roman gladiator times like you referenced earlier. I don’t think our problem with and

We are consumed with “watching others”. Don’t believe me? Why do they sell tabloid magazines at check-out stands? Why in that last several years have we been bombarded with a litany of “Reality” based TV shows? We love gawking at other, their good moments and especially – their worst. We begin to see people as spectacles and not as God’s precious creation.

It took me a few weeks, but I finally got your title.

Your point about how he made the question about homosexuality and generalized it as anything outside of marriage as being wrong was really good.

In that same point, he did a good job of using the failures he had with his wife before marriage as kind of a ‘leveler’ to show how his own personal actions were equal with those of homosexuals.

Noah, do you think Sierra would “fall in line” with what the Government requires, even though it conflicts with a Christian view, or would the church be “respectfully defiant” and say “NO” to the requirements and pay fines that would most likely occur?

Here is the latest article i could find:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/februaryweb-only/widen-contraceptive-mandate.html

Regarding Pastor Mark’s teaching, I really appreciate his willingness to call as it is and bring taboo subjects to the light. I think many of us need to hear the correcting, rebuking, and teaching (2 Tim 3:16-17) that he brings to the table. The harshness and even vulnerability that he apparently shares in Real Marriage is something society is timid to approach and shy to examine. I feel like 1 Corinthians is a book in which Paul uses some harsh tones to really call out the sin in the church, and in many ways we the church need this same correction, which Pastor Mark has excelled at. Lastly, I respect Pastor Mark, but he is a sinner and needs a savior (I’m sure he would agree) just like myself and Jesus is the only one who can save us (John 14:6).

I think I agree with the second two opinions with regards to the biblical character that these sports bring about. From training to playing to teaching, there are very strong traits that can be learned from these sports, but they are not the only traits that can be learned. The last writer makes a great point that I do want to highlight, “Christians become people of gratitude, humility, patience, and fortitude by following Jesus, not by punching each other in the face. Churches that encourage members to participate in cage fighting send the message that they are incapable of forming virtuous disciples through worship and mission.”

Fighting is not a new sport, what was the purpose of gladiator fighting? But what I think we need to ask ourselves is, If we are called to go and make disciples (Matt 28:18-20) and if Jesus repeatedly tells us to love God and love others, then is cage fighting really helping us to grow in our desire and action of seeing lost men turned into Christ-centered laborers.

With that said, I am encouraged to see a traditional denomination taking a step outside the building of the church, outside of their comfort zone, to publicly display their faith and take a step of faith to see God move. I will pray that they are filled with the Spirit to have boldness and courage when sharing the Gospel.