I love the balanced approach that Andrew Walker and his wife Christian Walker brought to this work that is a powerful resource for parents of kids of all ages. I appreciate that the Walkers are willing to dive into some tough issues…made more accessible because of the truth of the gospel coupled with the grace that we have all been shown. I really appreciate their point about being careful to differentiate between controversial and complex. Love people well, but don’t compromise on the truth of God’s Word.

I highly recommend this book and anticipate giving away a lot of copies of it. I highlighted several things while reading and have posted those notes below…

  • What we offer is a unique combination of expertise in thinking about what the Bible says about current issues facing Christians and how to translate those answers for everyday Christian parents to use conversationally with their children. p. 3
  • HUMAN DIGNITY
    • Human dignity exists as a result of humanity being made in God’s image.  Christians arrive at this conclusion about human dignity because of who makes human beings – God. (Genesis 1:26-27) p. 14
    • The idea of human dignity is a truly unique and revolutionary concept that Christianity introduced into the world. p. 16
    • Human dignity stands as the foundation for Christian opposition to any assault on God’s image bearers. p. 16
    • Human dignity supplies Christians with the ability to amicably disagree while respecting the value of all persons. p. 17
    • Human dignity is a creational property woven into the fabric of biblical creation order. p. 17
  • ABORTION
    • The sanctity of human life beings with God the Creator.  The most foundational scriptural truth Christians should know is that Scripture teachers that all humans are made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26-28). p. 27
    • Scripture always prohibits the unlawful taking of human life. p. 27
    • The Christian church is at its best when we speak up for the voiceless, the oppressed, and the marginalized. p. 29
  • SEXUALITY
    • God created human beings to be sexual, therefore, sexuality is good under God’s design.  In the opening two chapters of Genesis, sexuality and marriage come immediately into view (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-24). p. 37
    • God’s pattern for sexuality upholds the marriage of husband and wife as the exclusive grounds for sexual activity. p. 37
    • God’s pattern for sexuality is freeing and tied to human flourishing. p. 37
    • Rightly-ordered sexuality brings God glory. p. 38
    • The gospel affirms the creational order for sexuality and marriage and offers a pathway for us to live lives of sexual holiness. p. 40
  • GENDER
    • Male and female embodiment is a gift from God. p. 52
    • The body reveals identity, purpose, and calling. p. 52
    • “Gender” is first and foremost determined by biological sex. p. 53
    • Biblical gender expression has broader contours than modern culture’s tendency toward gender stereotyping. p. 54
    • The logic of bodily sex difference helps explain the moral logic of biblical sexual ethics overall. p. 54
    • Jesus affirms the Genesis pattern for sexual embodiment (Matthew 19:4-6). p. 55
  • HOMOSEXUALITY
    • As we think about how we think about the issues, it’s important to differentiate between complexity and controversy. p. 64
    • The Bible prohibits all forms of homosexuality. p. 66
    • The Bible’s prohibition on homosexuality is grounded in creational reality. p. 66
    • Claiming an identity at odds with Scripture is never fulfilling. p. 67
    • Expect and prepare for disagreement.
      • We are commanded to do well to outsiders because Scripture commands it (Colossians 4:5-6), not because it promises to remove us from uncomfortable situations. p. 68
  • IDENTITY
    • What Christians should be most interested in getting answers to is just two questions: Who owns us? Who defines what is good for us? There are only two options (1) a secular view where identity and goodness are self-determined; or (2) a Christian view where identity and goodness are God-determined. p. 81
    • Human beings cannot bear the weight of endlessly wrestling and searching after their identities apart from God. p. 86
  • TECHNOLOGY
    • Companies have learned to benefit their bottom line by manipulating people’s emotions. p. 107
    • It goes without saying that technology, particularly all of life in the digital age, is presenting us with a dizzying array of possibilities when it comes to where we spend our time, how we understand who we are, and how we perceive the world around us.  No stone is left unturned when it comes to technology.  Technology is not just a “thing” we use; it colors virtually every interaction we have in the world today.  We use technology but then technology shapes us into the types of persons that further technology’s demands.  It’s an unending cycle of compulsion-desire-formation. p. 108
    • Technology is an instrument of common grace. p. 108
    • Technology, on its own, is about how it is used, not only whether it is used. p. 109
    • We are affective beings, not just rational beings. p. 110
    • Technology cannot replace reality. p. 111
    • A child’s interaction with technology should not be with an “off-on” switch but a dimmer switch.  Children need to slowly adjust to the technology available to them, not simply be thrown into the deep end to fend for themselves. p. 112
  • POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
    • Apathy and obsessions are equally alike in being the wrong approach to political engagement. p. 120
    • Government is a divine institution authorized by God. p. 121
    • Christians are to be good citizens. p. 121
    • Ensuring the common good is the purpose of politics. p. 122
    • It is appropriate and good to allow one’s religious convictions to shape one’s political convictions. p. 122
    • Political engagement is a worthwhile pursuit. p. 123
    • Political engagement is a forum for loving one’s neighbor by seeking your neighbor’s flourishing. p. 123
    • The solution to political apathy is not political idolatry. p. 124
    • Christians must practice important virtues when it comes to political engagement. p. 124
    • We must be both courageous and civil.  If the Bible forges no division between the two, neither should we. p. 125
    • But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7 p. 127
  • HOSTILITY AND PERSECUTION
    • Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 p. 140
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