In 2011, British author E.L. James self-published Fifty Shades of Grey. Vintage Books acquired the publishing rights of the book and Hollywood released a movie adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey this Valentine?s Day. The book and movie chart the fictional romance of a recent college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and billionaire businessman, Christian Grey. In both the book and the movie are explicitly erotic scenes, which also feature sexual practices of BDSM (bondage/discipline, dominance/submission and sado/masochism).

Since the 1950s, the National Prayer Breakfast, usually in February, has been an important event in Washington, D.C. Normally, it is not a controversial event. Typically, the President makes remarks or gives a brief speech at this breakfast. This year, President Obama?s comments evidenced a lack of wisdom and discretion. In fact, his choice of words indicated a failure of leadership as president. Let me explain.

Paul gives thanks to the Thessalonian people for their faith, as they had become good models to other believers in the region. We are encouraged to be the same models of Christ in modern times.

At the end of January, European and world leaders observed the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. It was an important event, reminding everyone that the horror of the Holocaust must never become a mere distant memory; it must never be forgotten. The irony of this memorial at Auschwitz is that anti-Semitism is evident again in Europe, despite the pledge of ?Never Again? echoing from Auschwitz. What evidence is there that anti-Semitism is once again raising its monstrous head?

Dr. Eckman begins a new study of the book of 1 Thessalonians. We discuss cultural & geographical factors of the time, and a breakdown of Paul’s opening statement of Thanksgiving.

Over the Christmas holidays, I read two books that probed the search throughout history for world order. My strong opinion is that every Christian believer should read these two books. Equally important, every political and economic leader should read them. The first is World Order by Henry Kissinger; the second is Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy by Francis Fukuyama. I want to summarize the arguments of both books and then, using Psalm 2, add a biblical perspective to their arguments.

Paul concludes his letter to the Philippians, encouraging us to be content with everything & every situation God puts before us.