Dear Friends,
The news cycle this week has been dominated by the charges brought by a former Cornell University co-ed, known as Jane Doe, against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity who have become known as the Cornell Seven.
The details are horrific and don’t need to be relitigated here. The debate that has ensued online falls among predictable lines, with some suggesting that Doe bears the responsibility for what happened to her while others rushing to her defense and demanding justice for those who violated her.
I don’t normally use this forum to address current events, especially events that have polarized so many. But as I’ve been mediating on Ephesians 4 this week, I’ve found myself thinking about Paul’s sobering words in vs. 17: “You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do.” The passage goes on to address the sensuality and impurity that were a part of Gentile thinking.
It seems Gentile thinking is the norm on elite college campuses today.
Who is to blame for what happened to Jane Doe? I think it’s fair to say that the young men who participated in the events at the fraternity house on the night of October 19, 2024 are culpable. Those who would argue that these boys were participating in consensual behavior are missing the point. The fact that mutual consent has become the default standard for whether sexual activity is acceptable or not is a tragic indictment of how far our culture has fallen when it comes to sexual ethics. Real men commit themselves to a higher standard than consent when it comes to the care and protection of young women. The men who participated in, or failed to rescue Jane Doe may not wind up being legally guilty of rape, but they are clearly guilty of acting like Gentiles.
Jane Doe did not deserve to be treated as she was on that night two years ago at Cornell, regardless of her ability to offer consent. But her actions that night were clearly unwise. Heading to a fraternity house at 11:00 pm following ten shots of alcohol at a local bar put her at risk. Ingesting ketamine, coerced or not, was unwise. Going upstairs? What happened to her that night never should have taken place. And it’s the young men who should have had the character to see her safely home that night, even if she was inviting them to have their way with her.
These students have arrived on a campus that is totally dominated by Gentile thinking. The idea that a biblical view of sexuality – keeping sexual behavior reserved for one man and one woman to experience once the bonds of matrimony have been established – is the practice that will best promote human flourishing has become laughably anachronistic among the sexually liberated. In its place is sex positivity – the freedom for consenting teens and young adults to explore whatever seems acceptable to them in the alcohol fueled moment. Universities like Cornell promote this kind of Gentile thinking. Cornell Health, the university’s student health service publishes and distributes guidance for students that invite and encourage sexual exploration. You are, they say “entitled to experience all the pleasure” your bodies can provide. Students are encouraged to set aside private time in pursuit of that goal.
What happened to Jane Doe at the Chi Phi house at Cornell two years is tragic. It should never have happened. But what’s missing in all the discussion about consent or its absence is anyone boldly standing up to say to young men and women today that their bodies are connected to an eternal soul, and that participating in sexual activity outside of God’s design will leave scars on those souls, consent or not. The dominant adult voices on their campuses are telling them to “normalize, de-stigmatize, and educate (themselves) about sex, sexual health, positive sexual experiences, and developing as sexual citizens.” Cornell authorities say they are committed to “sexual rights, justice, and pleasure for all.”
Suggesting that the Bible’s ideas on sexual behavior will lead to human thriving will sound laughable to so many people in our day. I imagine it sounded laughable to the Gentiles in Ephesus in Paul’s day, when temple prostitution was celebrated as a spiritually enriching practice, and when men routinely had both wives and concubines. Paul called the members of the church in Ephesus to walk differently than their Gentile neighbors.
Good advice then. And good advice now.
MOTHERHOOD AND MORE
How would you like to meet up with other young moms in our church for a morning of conversation and relaxation while your kids enjoy a play date?
Two young moms in our church are setting aside time each week and inviting other moms with younger kids to join them for Motherhood and More. Here’s what it looks like:
Interested? Check with Zoe or Elizabeth for details. And set aside a morning to connect.
MEN'S FOUNDATIONS COURSE
The second Foundations And Why They Matter class is next Thursday night, and all men are invited. We’ll be exploring the Doctrine of God. For those who have Paul Tripp’s book Do You Believe, plan to read chapters 3-4 ahead of time. But whether you have the book or not, you’re welcome to come and take part in the discussion.
TRUNK OR TREAT
The annual Trunk or Treat event is set for Friday, October 30 this year.
How can you help? Glad you asked.
And don’t forget to Pray! Pray for a fun and safe event as we seek to connect with neighbors and share the gospel that evening.
For more information about the Trunk or Treat, contact Jen Gurney
RENT A YOUTH WEEKEND
The Rent A Youth weekend is a weekend where we deploy teams of students to Church members homes for service projects – leaf raking, other yard work, car washing, heavy lifting – anything you can think of around your house or yard where you think “I wish I had a few teenagers to come help me with this…”
There are a couple of objectives here. First, we help our students practice serving members of our body. And second, church members get a chance to get to know these students better.
Here's how it works. You click here (https://us.list-manage.com/AOkf1PZFhHF?e=fbb0a4052b&c2id=0759b7131ae0096a8daaedb620a7ee89), get more info, and sign up to reserve a slot for that weekend. If the kids are coming in the morning, you might have some doughnuts or cinnamon rolls for them. After lunch, have a snack ready. Or maybe a meal. You can work that out with Cole.
Slots are limited. So pick a time slot. Think about a project they could do. And enjoy some time getting to know our students better as they serve you.
NXT GEN EVENTS
NxtGeners will be meeting up in a few weeks.
Also – between Christmas and New Year’s, we are planning to take a group of 18-25 year olds to St. Louis for Crosscon 27, where John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Ryan Fullerton, David Platt and others will be speaking. Details are here (https://us.list-manage.com/wYwb5wHVppY?e=fbb0a4052b&c2id=0759b7131ae0096a8daaedb620a7ee89). If you’re interested in going, contact Pastor Matt and he can answer any questions you have and get you signed up.
FALL WOMEN'S RETREAT
The fall Women’s Retreat happens next month. More than half the available beds are spoken for already. Dana James will join us again as the featured speaker. And there is no better way to make new friends and enjoy a relaxing weekend away than to be part of this special annual event. Registration is now open, and the event will almost certainly be completely filled. Find out more or register here (https://us.list-manage.com/UNjPZFrzD6a?e=fbb0a4052b&c2id=0759b7131ae0096a8daaedb620a7ee89).
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here is the preview (https://us.list-manage.com/hGzAKTFTHeT?e=fbb0a4052b&c2id=0759b7131ae0096a8daaedb620a7ee89) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
And here is this week’s catechism question and answer:
Question 41: What Is the Bible?
Answer: The Bible is God’s inspired Word that tells the story of the world and testifies to King Jesus. It is our supreme authority in faith and practice. God’s Word is not a textbook we master but a world we inhabit where we encounter the Divine Author who changes us.
What we believe should affect the choices we make. What’s in our hearts will shape the way we walk. And as Ephesians 4 makes clear, the better we understand what God has done in us by making us spiritually alive in Christ, the better able we’ll be to live out our new lives as His beloved children.
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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