Missionary Minds

Worldwide, the gaming industry makes more money than the film and music industries combined. In 2021, the gaming world brought in over $180 billion. Companies such as Facebook and Google have invested billions of dollars into Virtual Reality, which is certain to become a major part of gaming in the next 5-10 years. Although using games for harmless diversion and amusement may be a lawful use of leisure for Christians, there are some real spiritual dangers associated with gaming.

The Egyptian pyramids have yet to be cancelled. If Cancel Culture has its way, the Great Sphinx may be next. Ramses II, father of more than fifty sons and Pharaoh of Egypt for sixty-seven years, inscribed these words on his throne: "I am [Ramses II], King of Kings. If anyone would seek to know how great I am and where I lie, let him surpass one of my works." His works were great indeed, in part because he constructed these awesome structures on the backs of thousands of slaves. Slavery? Doesn’t this mean we should raze them to the ground? Today, there aren't many calls for the demolition of the pyramids, mostly because it doesn't fit the narrative. But the questions remain: Should we cancel others? What is Cancel Culture? Is Cancel Culture new?

When we look at the text of Scripture, there isn't a single verse that explicitly rebukes polygamy. Does this mean that one can be a Christian and a polygamist?

Christmas is a month away, and already the range of emotions, sentiments, and opinions about celebrating Christmas are filling the conversations and plans of some Christians across Africa. A few months later, the Easter celebrations will re-ignite these discussions all over again. Then, forty days later, an Ascension Day Church service will be kept in some scattered Churches across our continent. How should Christians in Africa think about celebrating Christian holidays?

Is there a correlation between broken homes and poverty? Do the two go hand in hand? Can the strengthening of the home decrease poverty in a society? The answer to all of these questions is yes. In 2014, the Institute for Family Studies ranked countries by how likely children are to live with two parents, from 94 percent of children in Jordan to just 36 percent in South Africa. None of the top 20 countries with the highest percentages of two parent homes are found in the top 50 of nations with the highest percentage of their population below the poverty line. In other words, it is nealry impossible to find poor countries with a high percentage of two-parent homes.

It is true that husbands must teach their wives. It is also true that husbands mustn’t use the Bible as a crowbar to force his wife to comply, as Amnon forced Tamar to follow his plan. The time for a man to persuade his wife about the virtues of missions is not when they’re ready to sail. The time begins after that missionary’s sermon.

When we consider a question like this, our first question should be: “Is this union honoring to God?” This is not the same question as: “Is this union honoring to my parents?” The two are often the same, but not always.

Should Christians use dating apps?  One study claims that 1 in 3 South Africans uses online dating and that only 11% do it to find a marriage partner, while 48% do it for fun, 41% to find friends, and 13% for sex.  Our Police Minister Bheke Cele has recently warned of the increasing use of dating apps for kidnapping.  Yet global revenue from dating apps for 2023 will add up to US$8.7 billion, from 441 million users – a colossal industry indeed!  What does God’s Word say about this massive trend in our society?

Proverbs 22:7 declares the following truism: “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” This truism extends to individuals and governments alike. Last week’s mid-term budget speech on November 1st by the minister of finance was a good reminder of the peril of falling prey to the pernicious consequences of the debt cycle whereby more is spent than one has money for.

If you think the transgender debate hasn’t reached Africa, think again. Trans ideology has been gaining ground in Africa for decades. Take, for example, Caster Semenya, a South African middle-distance runner and two-time women’s Olympic gold medal winner in the 800 meters. Semenya doesn’t just win races. Semenya dominates, the media describing the races as “coasting to victory” and “winning easily”. The problem is that Semenya is not a woman. Semenya is a man who identifies as a woman. He has all the biological marks that only males possess: XY chromosomes, male genitalia, and high testosterone levels. He’s married to a woman with whom he has a child. Even his rare genetic condition can by definition only affect males. How then can Semenya call himself a woman?