Wherein I break my silence to introduce my latest freelance writing project for ChristianityToday.com (a small article) and attempt to exlain in a thousand words or less what the entire media elite have yet to figure out despite the powers of Lexis-Nexis.

So last monday Ted Olsen at Christianity Today invited me to respond to the latest inquiries into Palin's faith with a sensible description of who the A/G are and how we fit into the rest of mainstream evangelicalism. This is my attempt.

I'll confess to being a little nervous when writing this. Not only would my denomination's leadership see it, but probably a couple million people could find something to disagree over it. But, hey — have keyboard, will write.

So, here it

Yesterday, I wrote about values, and what I think they are — especially how our values are revealed by behavior, along with some suggestions on how to assess your own core values.

So, I was asked some pointed values-questions by email from an online friend who knows my position. I thought I'd post my replies here so you, my Gentle Readers, can get to know me a little better. This was a useful exercise for me, perhaps it would be for you, too?

I've always been suspicious of the word "values" when used as anything other than a verb. As in:

"Johnny values his bicycle."

I'm suspicious because it feels like a noble word that has been debased by liberal educators in order to pander "values-based" curriculum. (Remember the dreaded "values clarification" exercises?  — see my thoughts on this at: "The Basis for Christian Ethics.")

Unfortunately, for those who don't recognize absolutes in morality and ethics, then one man's "values" are as good and worthwhile as the next with the only distinction being, "How's that working for you?"