Ideas

Women Agree: Alcoholism Is a Big Concern in Their Circles

Responses to our May/June issue.

CT's May June print issue on a dark background with soft cool light coming from the right
Illustration by Christianity Today

When we shared Ericka Andersen’s essay on Christian women and alcohol, “The Secret Sin of Mommy Juice” women shared their stories with us.

“I’ve been sober for 13 years!” wrote one social media follower. “By the grace of God. The glamorization of alcohol is REAL until you have a ‘problem’; then it’s straight-up judgment and gossip.” Another said, “I just lost a Christian friend to [alcohol abuse] who is a mother, and it’s been so heavy on my heart. This is such an important conversation.”

Readers lamented the societal pressures, gender inequities, and marketing ploys encouraging women to drink. “Masking hardship with substances as a coping mechanism and then making it a joke is one more way we let women (moms in this case) down,” one commented.

Recent data shows middle-aged and older Americans, namely women, are drinking more aggressively and more often. At the same time, no-alcohol beer sales are up and creative mocktails are increasingly featured on bar menus. Recent poll data shows young adults in the US are drinking less than in prior decades; daily marijuana users outnumber daily drinkers for the first time. Substance use trends are shifting, and the church will need to listen and care for women who struggle with alcohol as well as other substances.

Kate Lucky, senior editor, culture and engagement

Was Paul a Slave?

My Acts commentary does suggest that Paul was likely descended from freed slaves (likelier than not in Rome, after Pompey’s conquest, since only slaves of Roman citizens became libertini, as in Acts 6:9, at their emancipation). But that Paul himself was born a slave would conflict with the widespread understanding of Acts 22:28, where Paul was born a citizen.

Craig S. Keener, Wilmore, KY

It is more than early church historians who record that Onesimus was bishop of Ephesus, for a bishop of the same name is mentioned in Ignatius’s letter to the Ephesians in AD 107 as he was to be martyred in Rome. And he evidently borrows from language found in Philemon. Clearly the letter meant much to Ignatius and to the first Christians who incorporated the letter into the New Testament.

T. C. Schmidt, Fairfield, CT

The article seems to defend the probability that Paul was a slave by a negative tactic: casting aspersions on English-speaking scholars who by ignorance ignore the possibility that Paul was a slave.

There’s another viable explanation of Paul’s interest in slavery, servanthood, bondage, and liberty. Jerome Murphy-O’Connor points to an undisputed aspect of Paul’s background that radically influenced his writing and self-understanding: his thorough knowledge of the Septuagint—the Greek version of our Old Testament.

In the Septuagint, doulos, meaning “servant” or “slave,” is mentioned over 300 times. Approximately 70 refer to the respectful relationship to a person in authority, usually a king (e.g., David to King Saul); and at least 150 refer to the title God gives to those who serve him. This leaves less than 30 percent referring to actual slaves or servants.

Making this connection, it becomes clear that Paul saw himself in the same lineage as the great leaders of God’s ancient people, speaking not under the authority of a king whose rule would lead to slavery, but under the authority of the rightful king, Jesus.

One does not need to speculate that Paul had been a slave to see why Paul would use this language for himself: Called into God’s service on the Damascus road, he could do nothing else. All of us, no matter what our background, have been called to the same role—allegiance and eternal liberty as servants, indeed, slaves, of Jesus Christ.

David Renwick, Washington, DC

How to Pray with ADHD

I only figured out I have significant ADHD at 64 years old. Suddenly I understood so many issues, concerns, behaviors, and relationship pain over my life. It’s a condition that affects many Christians, and having it discussed in articles in CT is so affirming. I completely understand the struggle to read the Bible and pray daily; I have struggled with this my entire life and felt so guilty! Now I have some new strategies for it.

Rebecca Clark, Tucson, AZ

As a spiritual director, I ran into this with clients who had ADHD. I wasn’t familiar with how much that can affect people’s ability to concentrate. I scrambled to understand, and the Lord led me to some practices that enabled them to develop a quiet time they could do, the way God created them.

Chris Taylor (Facebook)

The Struggle to Hold It Together When a Church Falls Apart

Even the smartest, kindest, most well-meaning people are human. The reason we need a Savior is the same reason we have conflict in our churches. And we all bring different perspectives with us. If there’s no clear, uncontested right and wrong, it may be best to remain faithful, humble, and understanding of others as much as we can, and trust in the Lord when we can’t.

Dave Porter (Facebook)

I’ve been through it, and it really shapes the way you think of church involvement. It was 45 years ago, and some of my friends still haven’t found a church. It took us a long time to become members of a church again.

Debbie Garber Billman (Facebook)

Yes, Charisma Has Its Place in the Pulpit

The guardrail that often gets overlooked is the New Testament’s bias for team leadership. The Twelve recommended the Seven in Acts 6, and wherever Paul established a church, he left elders, plural. A team could bring their charismas to the table, share the load, watch over one another to keep their personalities in check, and honor God as the strong, singular leader of his people.

Paul Allen, Michigan City, IN

Criticizing Critical Race Theory—and Its Critics

The last sentence sums up the integral misconception held by critics of CRT—thinking evangelicals have been commissioned to change secular worldview and believing that is our purpose. A worldview cannot be changed until the heart has transformed. Our influence should witness to the lost, not impose our view on an unbelieving society.

Linda F. Howelton, San Antonio, TX

Can a Secularizing Nation Have a Christian Soul?

No one is a ‘secularist’ even if they think they are. Everyone has a spiritual religion with doctrines. It’s just a matter of what religion you practice.

Tim Aagard (Facebook)

Also in this issue

Our September/October issue explores themes in spiritual formation and uncovers what’s really discipling us. Bonnie Kristian argues that the biblical vision for the institutions that form us is renewal, not replacement—even when they fail us. Mike Cosper examines what fuels political fervor around Donald Trump and assesses the ways people have understood and misunderstood the movement. Harvest Prude reports on how partisan distrust has turned the electoral process into a minefield and how those on the frontlines—election officials and volunteers—are motivated by their faith as they work. Read about Christian renewal in intellectual spaces and the “yearners”—those who find themselves in the borderlands between faith and disbelief. And find out how God is moving among his kingdom in Europe, as well as what our advice columnists say about budget-conscious fellowship meals, a kid in Sunday school who hits, and a dating app dilemma.

News

The Man Who Made Global Methodism Possible

Review

New & Noteworthy

Review

A Subtler Political Idolatry

Review

Sincerely, Your Spiritual Mentor

Review

Tracing the Bible’s History Through Time and Space

News

Called to Kenya’s Chinatowns

Calling Is More Than Your Job

Some of Christianity’s Biggest Skeptics Are Becoming Vocal Converts

Making Space for ‘Yearners’

A Vision for Repair

Testimony

My Deconstruction Turned to Deconversion. But God Wasn’t Anxious.

News

What It Takes to Plant Churches in Europe

We Can’t Worry Our Way to Peace

Qualms & Proverbs

A Dating App Dilemma at Church

News

Christian Media Company Apologizes for Stolen Election Lie

News

There’s Always Been ‘Extra Stuff’ in the Bible

News

The Christians Trying to Restore Our Faith in Elections

The Soul of MAGA

Humility in the Age of Cancel Culture

Public Theology Project

The Uneasy Conscience of Christian Nationalism

Slaying Dragons in Our Modern-Day Quest

View issue

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Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

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A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

Are Christians Hotter?

The social media “Jesus glow” trend is just another kind of prosperity gospel.

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