The Top 10 Resurgence Posts of 2012

Resurgence » God Family Mission Culture Human Trafficking

Before we kick off the new year, we would like to take a moment and look back at everything we discussed here on Resurgence in 2012.

In case you missed any of the most popular articles throughout the year, or if you just want to read them again, here are the 10 top posts of 2012:

10. CAN MEN AND WOMEN BE ‘JUST FRIENDS’?

Amanda Edmondson, September 25

Though men and women work, attend school, and socialize together, can they really be friends? Here Amanda Edmondson answers this question and provides some practical guidelines and boundaries.

9. 15 THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT ABORTION

John Piper, January 22

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is a day that has been set aside each year since 1983 to observe the value of human all life—born and unborn. This post from John Piper captures 15 things to consider about abortion.

8. 9 WAYS TO FIGHT THE TEMPTATION OF PORNOGRAPHY

BJ Stockman, March 10

Unfortunately, there is a proliferation of pornography. This post focuses on a biblical and grace-centered way to resist the temptation to view porn. Though this post is primarily aimed at men, this is also helpful for the growing number of women who are addicted to porn as well.

7. PUFF OR PASS: SHOULD CHRISTIANS SMOKE POT OR NOT?

Mark Driscoll, December 6

This past November, Washington State and Colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This decision, of course, leads to a host of pastoral questions and issues for Christian. This article is from the introduction of Mark Driscoll’s free eBook with the same title.

6. 8 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

Lindsey Holcomb, March 12

Heartbreakingly, many victims of sexual assault are children. Lindsey Holcomb, coauthor of Rid of My Disgrace with her husband, Justin, provides eight ways parents can protect their children from sexual abuse.

5. A FATHER’S FRIGHT OF TWILIGHT

Mark Driscoll, November 16

Twilight is an incredibly popular vampire-themed novel and movie series. Here Mark Driscoll shares his concerns with this series as a pastor and father.

4. 10 WAYS FOR MOMS TO RESPECT THEIR SONS

Jen Smidt, April 9

Respect is defined as a deep admiration for someone elicited by his or her abilities, qualities, or achievements. How can moms respect their sons without making them idols? Jen Smidt provides 10 tips for moms (p.s. dads can benefit from this article as well).

3. 5 NOTES ON DATING FOR THE GUYS

Brandon Andersen, August 28

As Christians, what does it practically look like to date? Brandon Andersen provides insight to help Christian men date in a way that honors God and the women they pursue.

2. SEX-TRAFFICKING AT THE SUPER BOWL

Justin Holcomb, February 2

Did you know that the Super Bowl, like other large sporting events, is a magnet for sex-trafficking and child prostitution? Did you know it is possibly the largest sex-trafficking event in the U.S.? With this article, Resurgence director Justin Holcomb not only reveals this disturbing reality, but also provides six practical ways that you can fight sex-trafficking.

1. FOR THE GALS: 8 PRINCIPLES FOR DATING

Jen Smidt, March 19

Though dating can be exciting, it can also be confusing, heartbreaking, and tumultuous. Jen Smidt looks back upon her dating experiences and provides eight principles she would have told herself years ago before getting married.

Originally Posted @ www.TheResurgence.com 

Why Jesus Creates Sex - Pastor Mark Driscoll

How a Godly Man Dates a Woman....

We talk a lot about biblical marriage, dating, and relationships here at Mars Hill. Here’s an interview with one Ballard member about his experience living that out.


In order to avoid the nasty divorce they watched their parents go through in the ’70s and ’80s when divorce rates peaked, many couples today are deciding to live together, have kids, and maybe at some point down the road – if they really feel the need, say, for insurance or something – they go ahead and get married … maybe. Most of us know a couple or family who fit this profile. But it’s a trend that Christian couples can’t join in on.


This leaves dating, which, to be honest, is a dying trend these days, but one Christian couples are doing their best to pursue. Today, we’ll talk with Andy, a 21-year-old college student at the Ballard campus, about what it means to date a woman within the context of a Christian relationship, i.e. one when you’re not living together or sleeping together. In Christian parlance, he is in what he refers to as a “courting” relationship with his girlfriend, Naomi, also a 21-year-old student.

How is your relationship with Naomi different than your friends’ relationships?

Let me lay a foundation here–there are selfish reasons to date and God-honoring reasons to date. This [unmarried, cohabitating couple I know at work] is in a self-serving relationship: all the benefits, but none of the commitments and responsibilities of being in a marriage.

For me and Naomi, we are wanting a relationship that is honoring to Christ. What it looks like practically, for instance, is our level of expression of affection, emotionally and physically, corresponds to our level of commitment: you don’t have sex before marriage for instance. Also emotional boundaries: I can’t be the one who she attaches herself to; she has to protect her heart because [the relationship] might not end in marriage.

Read the rest of the interview – and watch a 2008 sermon on dating that includes a full-grown man inside a plastic bubble – after the jump:



So for our relationship, it means getting to know each other in groups, at her parents’ house, at my parents’ house. We get to know each other’s friends. This Thursday I’m meeting her dad in Centralia and we get to sit down and chat.

I guess it should also be said that our case is ideal in that we’re 1. we’re both Christians, and 2. we both come from Christian families. So, her dad’s input – because he loves God and he loves his daughter and wants her best – is something I value.

If you do get married, how do you think this plan might impact your kids, your family, your legacy?

The first thing that comes to mind is–right now, what we’re doing, we’re trying to be as wise and as intentional as we can, knowing that we’re laying the foundation for a potential marriage. Step by step in prayer, seeking counsel from our parents, people we look up to–trusting that that will lay a solid foundation–a good foundation…and as far as our kids go–I definitely hope to be able to say to my kids, “Here’s how I did things, you might be able to learn from this–not saying that it’s going to be perfect, but, uh, but I want to be able to point to this as an example as a godly dating–courting–relationship.

What’s the difference between dating and courting?

Dating is usually about meeting a selfish need: I feel lonely, so I’m going to date. Courting is about intentionally building a foundation for a marriage. It’s not just about not feeling lonely anymore; it’s about, “Can we work well together in a Christian marriage?”

Originally Posted at the Marshill Church in Seattle Blog http://www.blog.marshillchurch.org/

(Biblical manhood, Marriage & Dating Series)