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More of Reformed Perspective!

News

Saturday Selections – July 25, 2026

When they mock the Bible, question the question

One of my friend's university professors had, as a clear goal – if I recall right, he even stated it to his class – to convince his conservative Christian students to stop believing in a literal 6-day creation.

His tactics involved undermining their trust in the Bible's accuracy, scientifically-speaking. So, in one of his tests he asked students to explain why the Bible only applied the word "barren" to women. After all, we know today that men are as responsible for infertility as women. The answer he wanted students to give? That back in biblical times, they just didn't know better, so they presumed that it was only and always women who were the cause and never men. Thankfully, in our more modern scientific age we, of course, know better than the Bible writers did. That, then, was an example of why we shouldn't trust the Bible over science.

My friend found this compelling – though she still believed Jesus was her Savior, the professor's question seemed to convince her that when it came to origins, we should go with the millions of years over the Bible's six-day account.

But what if we questioned the question?

His students presumed the question was fair, but the prof had an agenda, so why would we simply take his word for it? Does the Bible only speak of women as being barren? And if so, might there be a reason for that, other than that the Bible is unreliable? How might we approach this question if we weren't trying to undermine the Bible? Well, we might ask at least three questions:

1. Do we think the human authors of the Bible were idiots?

The question presumes that in OT times, people didn't know men could be responsible for infertility. But these were farmers, raising stock, so they would have known about bulls and rams that couldn't breed. We also read about eunuchs – males made deliberately infertile. Or what of Ruth, whose had no children by her first husband, Mahlon, but had a child, Obed, when she married Boaz? Do we think nobody knew that males could be infertile?

2. If the Bible does only use it with women, why might that be?

There are only about a half dozen women in the Bible specifically described as barren, or not able to have children: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Manoah's wife. Then of these six, half – Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah – were in polygamous marriages where their husbands had at least one other wife who was able to have children. So in three of these six we know the man is fertile. Of the other three marriages, is it possible that the woman was infertile and the man was fertile? It could be, couldn't it? So, then, one possible answer to the prof's question – an answer that doesn't concede the Bible's reliability – is that these women might have been described as barren because they were barren.

3. Is the prof's question even true? Does the Bible only describe women as barren?

There is at least one instance in which the Bible speaks of males as among those who won't be barren. In Deut. 7:14 Israel is told that if they keep God's commands in this new land “You shall be blessed above all peoples; there will be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle" (NASB).

The professor's question wasn't fair and instead of answering it straight up, his students should have challenged the premises. And as this video below highlights, there's other instances too, where Christians really need to question the question.

Seventeen babies born alive — and then left to die in Alberta

"Seventeen babies were born alive in Alberta following labour-induced late-term abortions in 2025 and left to die..... As a columnist more than 25 years ago, Danielle Smith called such second- and third-trimester abortions a 'horrific practice,' describing how 'nurses used to induce labour then withhold fluids from the baby until it died.'”

But now they are happening under her government.

Social media pushes pornography on children within minutes, report finds

"Social media is now one of the primary pipelines to porn addiction for both children and young adults."

3 thoughts on how to choose your career

John Newton, and Tim Keller had this trio of questions:

  • Affinity: Do you enjoy it?
  • Ability: Do others think you can do the job well?
  • Opportunity: Is there an open door?

Transgenderism - why we need Logic 101 in our schools

"Would you rather have a live son or a dead daughter?"

Parents around the world, wondering and confused about whether they should let their daughters "transition," got hit with this question. But was the only way to keep their daughter alive to allow the doctor to put her on experimental drugs to derail her puberty? Did they have to let the surgeon remove her healthy breasts? Dead, or drugged and disfigured? Were there any other possibilities?

A false dichotomy is when someone presents an either/or situation when there are actually more than just two choices. Here it's being used to push people in one direction, by highlighting the only other possibility as even more unattractive.

But it can show up in other ways. Rick, an abortion advocate, thinks pro-lifers can only speak up for the unborn if they're willing to adopt the children. Shut up, or adopt, he says, those are the only two options. But if someone attacked Rick, would he only expect people to come to his aid if they were also willing to provide food and housing for him? Nope – he'd be happy for any help, even if it didn't come with room and board.

Beethoven's wig is very big (Symphony #5)

Our school's music teacher had my youngest listening to selections from Beethoven's Wig, a clever musical group who sings lyrics set to the classical music you already know. If you liked this one, be sure to check out their Beep beep beep, also known as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

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Politics

Should Alberta Separate? Why one Christian decided to vote no
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In a Nutshell

Tidbits – July 2026

If Dad told only dinosaur jokes - Part II How can you tell a dinosaur from a peanut? Try lifting it up. If you can’t, it’s probably a dinosau...
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Assorted

Ruin and restoration and our part

When the world falls into spiritual darkness and all you see around you is chaos and misery, what then? [caption id="attachment_45427" align="align...
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Politics

Alberta separatism: is it wrong to go?

I have deep roots in Alberta, having lived there for the first 30+ years of my life. I was also heavily involved in politics through a half dozen diff...
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News

Ontario’s “conservative” gov’t opposes bill that would have banned gambling ads

Ontario is awash in new gamblers. As ARPA Canada reported earlier this year: “A recent study found that since iGaming Ontario was introduced, total monthly wagers increased by 654% between April 2022 and August 2025, and the number of active player accounts rose 239%. Calls to Ontario’s mental health and addictions helpline rose at an accelerated annual rate (7% above the previous trend) after iGaming Ontario was introduced in 2022. The highest increase in calls was among young men aged 15 to 24.” The province’s iGaming Ontario reported that in the 2024-25 fiscal year, it oversaw $82.7 billion in total wagers. That amounts to an average of $5,000 being bet, and $180 being lost, by every man, woman, and child in the province. How much revenue does the government get out of this? It’s surprisingly low: a little over $181 million, with the rest going to the private gaming operators. That means the government is overseeing an enormous expansion of gambling, but making only a smidge over $11 per man, woman, and child from it. These iGaming Ontario numbers don’t even account for the billions more spent on the government’s own Ontario Lottery and Gaming. While it’s hard to know just how much is being gambled through its lotteries and other offerings, what is clear is how much it contributes to government coffers: $2.25 billion in 2024-25, or $140 from every man, woman, and child. Earlier this year, billionaire investor Warren Buffett characterized sports gambling as a tax that the rich like because “they don’t have to pay it.” Why don’t they have to pay? Because it is an entirely voluntary tax – if you don’t want to give the government your money, you can simply choose not to gamble. That’s why he also agreed that it was “a tax on stupidity.” But, of course, some people have a hard time not gambling. Various estimates put the number of problem gamblers at 1.1 to 11 percent of Ontarians, or between 160,000 and 1.6 million Ontarians getting hurt by a product their government is pushing on them. As Buffett put it: “I don’t like things that make a sucker out of people. I particularly don’t like them when the government sponsors them. I don’t think the function of the government is to play its people for suckers.” So when a bill was proposed, earlier this year, to ban gambling advertising in Ontario, it was a reason to celebrate. Gambling advertising has gotten inescapable – as ARPA Canada shared, “one analysis in 2024 estimated that Canadian viewers of live sports broadcasts were exposed to 2.8 references to sports betting per minute” (emphasis added). This bill wasn’t going to undo all the damage being done, but it was certainly a step in the right direction. And, all the more remarkably, the bill was being proposed by four members of Ontario’s opposition Liberals. Things are bad indeed when even the Liberals see a need to rein things in. But the ostensibly “conservative” government said no. While they offered up reasons to oppose the Liberals’ bill, what the Conservatives didn’t do was propose an alternative to it – they spoke of the need for moving “thoughtfully and methodically” but in the meantime Ontarians are left with the destructive status quo. What’s wrong with gambling can perhaps be best understood in contrast to other ways we can make money. Gamblers make bets that, should they win, are covered by those who bet the other way and lost – your gain only comes via others’ pain. Meanwhile, if you make money any other legal way, your wealth will come by benefiting others. Whether you are a housepainter or an accountant, the money that you thankfully receive comes from others who are thankful too for what they’ve gotten from you in exchange. Your gain is also their gain. God calls us to love our neighbor, not exploit him, so wealth gained at our neighbor’s expense is an unacceptable way to take in money. More could be said, but for those who think gambling is harmless entertainment I’ll offer up just one more objection. Even if you’ve got your gambling under control, every bet you make is that little bit more motivation for the government to keep at this… to the great harm of many, who aren’t in control of their gambling. If you love your neighbor, you should be lobbying the government to stop pushing, and just simply stop running, such a destructive enterprise....

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Adult non-fiction, Book Reviews, Teen non-fiction

The Amazing Generation: Your guide to fun and freedom in a screen-filled world

by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price 2025 / 236 pages Rating: Good/Great/GIFT The old blue rocking chair is the most comfortable chair in our house, and my husband and I have built a useful strategy around it. If we casually leave a book on the table beside it – the kind of thing our kids should read, but may not pick up on their own – our kids will eventually flip through it and very possibly read it. That’s how we enticed our two middle-schoolers to check out The Amazing Generation, co-written by Jonathan Haidt (of The Anxious Generation fame) and Catherine Price (author of How to Break Up with Your Phone). This is a positive and helpful book that encourages young people to choose the richness of real life over a shallow, screen-focused existence. Our kids were skeptical about the book at first, and I couldn’t really blame them. The messaging is a little over-the-top – to quote the book, “Don’t let the evil tech wizards hack your brain! Be a rebel instead!” – and is likely to earn some eye-rolling from the target tween/teen audience. Fortunately, much of the content and presentation is compelling enough to keep pulling readers back in. More importantly, it’s hard to argue with the authors’ very convincing arguments that, for example, most apps are “addictive by design,” and many tech companies are very aware that their products are hurting kids. The book is cleverly designed as half informative guide, half graphic novel, with the graphic novel following six kids through a year of their lives. Predictably, the three “low-tech” kids have all kinds of interesting experiences and adventures, developing skills and having fun with their friends, while the three tech-dependent kids’ lives are clearly less rich and fulfilling. That said, the kids’ behaviors ring true – for example, fixating on recording and posting an experience rather than actually living it meaningfully – and will likely hit uncomfortably close to home for many readers, young and not so young. The informative part of the book is designed to grab and hold middle-schoolers’ attention, with fairly short sections of text interspersed with features like “Meet a rebel” (profiles of real young adults who have, in some way, rejected tech), stats and facts, quotes (often quite outrageous or ominous) from prominent tech-company executives, and real-life musings from teens and twenty-somethings about their experiences. Some of the latter are quite impactful – e.g., “I missed out on my entire teenagehood because of social media and my phone” – while others are helpful and encouraging: “I would tell my younger self to get off social media and go make some memories.” The information in the book is also solid (as one would expect from the two authors), and would be interesting for almost any age. For example, the book describes the addictive “dopamine triggers” (like bright colors, unpredictability, and rewards) that are built into many apps, which are easily recognizable, and which in fact mirror the design of slot machines. This type of information can help kids identify when and how they’re being manipulated, and hopefully help them become less susceptible to that manipulation. The overall message of the book isn’t to abandon technology entirely, but rather to “Use technology as a tool – don’t let technology use you,” and “Fill your life with real friendship, freedom, and fun.” (These are the two tenets of “The Rebels’ Code.”) The balance suggested feels reasonable; for example, kids are encouraged to limit and wait to use certain technologies, not to become full Luddite “rebels.” The book also suggests lots of realistic alternatives, and strategies for going low-tech even when kids feel like they’re the only one (including asking their parents if they can blame them for limits and restrictions, to save face in front of their peers). My only quibble is that the book ultimately encourages fairly self-centered motives for choosing a life of real, non-screen experiences, like learning new skills, having fun, and developing good relationships. Late in the book it mentions that you can also feel good by “doing things that matter” – “things that help other people... or make the world better,” but the point feels like an afterthought. Overall, though, this would be a great conversation starter, and is a book that has enough substance to be worth a read for both the older and the younger members of the family... even if you have to use the “comfortable chair” trick to get them to open it in the first place....

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News

Saturday Selections – July 11, 2026

If only Steve Jobs had pitched it this way back in 2007... Back in 2007, if Steve Jobs had pitched the iPhone for everything it helps us do, would we have wanted it then? So how about now? To get a little balance restored, why not sign up for RP's 2026 Screen-fast and log out and look up from July 13 to 22. 5 ways your words can be verbal cyanide This is the sort of article that folks who most need to read it won't read it. So, if you don't think this could possibly apply to you, that might mean it is for you :) 5 questions for parents to talk with teens about AI This article begins with a wallop – an account of a teen who, after talking with an AI chatbot, committed suicide – and while I don't think that's the pressing danger we're facing with our kids and AI, these 5 questions seem helpful conversation starters. How does the local church deal with addiction? Tim Challies: "Of all the pastoral issues a church can face, I think one of the trickiest may be addiction..." Pushing euthanasia for organ transplantation A Spanish woman was, reportedly, prodded towards euthanasia by a medical system that wanted her organs for transplants. If this is the direction of organ provision, Christians are going to have to choose death over having any sort of hand in these murders. Don't know it all? Neither do they. When it comes to any sort of discussion or debate, God's people shouldn't always feel the need to do the heavy lifting. Especially when someone, ignorant of the Bible, tries attacking it. Highlighted here is a great tactic – put the onus back on them for them to show what they claim to know. If they know the Bible doesn't make sense because of... well, whatever, ask them to dig into it for you. ...

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Contests

Sign up for RP’s July 13-22 screenfast challenge!

Bring peace to your mind while raising $100 for charity. *****  Are you struggling with keeping screens in their proper place? Do you or your children find it hard not to reach for your device, almost without thinking? Last year, over 1,000 of you joined us in “breaking the spell” for 10 days. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, making it evident we would all benefit from doing this every year.  So for ten days, we're going to get re-oriented. We're asking everyone – as much as it is possible for you – to steer clear from your smartphone, computers, TV, and tablets for the ten days of July 13 to July 22, 2026. Speaking of together, we’re asking you to sign up with an accountability partner – someone who can see how you are doing and egg you on. And you can do the same for them! Need a device for work, or to stay in touch with family? No problem. You are welcome to come up with your own exceptions. Just write them down in advance and stick to them. Some generous supporters have pledged to donate $10 per day for every day you manage to go screen-free from July 13-22. The money will be split between two fantastic kingdom causes – Reformed Perspective and Word & Deed –  to a maximum of $20,000 split between both causes. A few tips Commit. Don’t allow yourself to make easy exceptions, even if you are having a hard day. For example, just because you are at someone else’s home doesn’t mean you can enjoy screens again. Don't get sucked in. If you still need screens for basic your job or other functions that are essential, go for it, but ensure that you are only using your tablet and phone for that and only that. For example, if you need a phone for directions, don’t take the opportunity to scroll the news. If you need a computer at work, don’t let yourself go to other websites or play an online game. Out of sight, out of mind. Help yourself by hiding your devices and make them difficult to access. Maybe even take the TV off the wall. Log out. Log out of your social media accounts so that it isn’t easy to quickly open them. Hide your app icons. If you need still need to use your phone, hide all the icons of the apps you want to steer clear of. Come up with a plan. When you find yourself wanting to reach for a screen, what'll you do instead? Make a plan. It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Perhaps say a prayer, take a drink of water, try to memorize a verse, do a set of 10 jumping jacks, or read a couple of pages of a book you’ve been meaning to get to. Have alternatives ready and waiting. You and your children are going to need something else to do with your screen time, so you need to have options, otherwise you'll just spend your time pining for your phone. Get out books, magazines, art supplies, a soccer ball, or whatever. For more ideas be sure to check out our article "What can I do anyways? 35 screen-free alternatives. Invite accountability. Let loved ones know what you are doing, and ask them to check in on you regularly to see how it is going. Tell them not to let you off the hook! Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Don't we all need help on this front? So don't let yourself off the hook - let's do this together! Register for the July 13-22 nationwide by filling in the form below. Loading…...

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Entertainment

Can I watch a movie during my screen-fast?

…and other FAQs answered ***** 1. Can I still do the screen-fast if my work requires I be on a computer? Some didn’t participate in last year...
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What I like about my dumbphone

I’ve been using the Light Phone III exclusively for almost a year now and wanted to share a few notes for anyone who might be interested. First, ...
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News

Nearly 60% of violent crime cases now being stayed or withdrawn
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Because

What if you were rich as you could be? You owned everything, far as the eye could see. You loved to share these riches with a friend, of your gener...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

The Ring

He looks down at his wrinkled fingers Thumbs the gold band wrapped around it His wedding ring 71 years ago the church bells rang Then her father gave her hand to him And they cherished many years of love Now it was his turn To return to the church To give her away as the bride again Back to her Father The bells will ring again A funeral and a wedding Full circle, like a ring on a finger A symbol of endless love ***** While this is by Tyler Bouman, it was submitted by his mother Jenny, who shared, "This poem was written and given to us by our son Tyler when my mother passed away. It is very meaningful!"...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Sonnet for an Unknown God – Acts 17

I saw an altar, nameless, cold, and bare, With faded letters signed “The Unknown God.” A feeling dark and lonesome lingered there, A shadow of a faith unsure and flawed. The other gods put claim to name and shrine, Majestic in the grandeur they command. Their temples rise in grace, designed divine, Their altars calling – none could dare withstand. I kneel, a fool, and whisper my thin prayer, But weight descends and I can scarcely breathe. I wish to live and find a breath of air, And yet I seem to sense his rage beneath. I pray to emptiness, though none replies, As anguished, I reach up to vacant skies. ***** This work was inspired by Acts 17, where Paul came to Athens and noticed an altar with the inscription, “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” This piece is a work of fiction, set before Paul’s visit, taking place in the mind of an Athenian who is in serious doubt of the gods that he has grown up with....

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Borrowed language to thank my dearest Friend

As Moses raised the serpent up so God’s own Son was lifted high. Alas! My Saviour Jesus bled, my Sovereign Lord did die. His sacred head was wounded, scorned, with grief and shame weighed down; the Man of Sorrows mocked, despised, with thorns his only crown. From his dear head and hands and feet such love and sorrow flowed. How deep the Father’s love for me! What mercy he bestowed! Amazing pity, boundless grace, and love beyond all measure: My Jesus tasted death’s cold sting to make a wretch his treasure. What language shall I borrow? My words a gift too small to thank my dear Redeemer who gave his life, his all. My finest phrasing can’t suffice to bless my matchless King. “Crown him with many crowns!” I join the angel choirs to sing. “All blessing, honour, thanks and praise!” repeats my grateful heart while, echoing the saints of old, I cry, “How great Thou art!” ***** I have been blessed throughout the course of my life with an exposure to – and love of – sacred hymnary. I’ve rephrased beautiful, meaningful Easter hymns to express my deep gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice....

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News

Saturday Selections – July 4, 2026

Lady Pastrix says we need a "Third Testament" If you have liberal Christian family or friends, this is worth sharing. They need to understand that if you only believe some of the Bible, then it isn't the authoritative Word of God governing your life – you've made yourself the authority, the god of your life, who decides what you will agree with and what you won't. And we don't make for a very good god. How do we know if repentance is real? "...the central quality of authentic repentance is that it features earnest productivity.... Whenever I first meet someone who is guilty of a serious offense, even after over thirty years of pastoral experience, I cannot reliably determine if they are truly sorry, particularly if the individual has been caught in sin rather than coming forward. Usually, there are lots of tears. Most people feel bad when they have made a big mistake. But if the grief is not true repentance, then soon enough it becomes clear. Such a person weeps many tears but is unwilling to follow through with something as basic as church attendance, much less memorizing and studying relevant Scripture. And it can be breathtaking how quickly someone who has committed a grave offense begins to criticize a local church. So often the speech goes something like, 'Well, I know that I messed up, but I just thought God’s people would be more loving' or 'I shouldn’t have done it, but everyone is being too heavy-handed.'” What we lose when we don't study the Bible ourselves There are all sorts of tools – including AI – that can shortcut the work of studying the Bible and just find us the verse we needed. But what we need to remember is the why behind what we're doing when we study the Bible. We study, not to complete some work sheet, or to answer whatever set of questions we might have been given. We study God's Word to be shaped by it. It's not about finishing the work; it's about wanted to be shaped by the work. So yes, commentaries and even AI, might have their place, but we don't want to find shortcuts when it comes to studying what God's said to us. We want to "Let the word of Christ dwell in richly..." (Col. 3:16). The lie behind "all truth is God's truth" There's something true in the expression that "all truth is God's truth" because, after all, God is the Author of reality. But the expression can also be used deceptively and it all depends on what direction the use is heading. Is it being used to elevate secular discoveries to being on par with the truth of God's Word? Or is it being used it to elevate God as the author of reality, such that in its order and awesomeness, He's left no shortage of wonders to discover, even by unbelievers? The former "baptizes" secular findings and, if they conflict with Scripture, then demands Scripture be reinterpreted in light of what godless Man has discovered. But we need to steer clear of compromised positions like theistic evolution, or, as this article addresses, we need to be wary of what secular psychology "discovers," claiming to know the nature of Man without even recognizing our sinful nature. The latter understands that secular "truths" can be true, but can only be known as such when they are tested against God's inerrant Word in some manner or fashion. "Trans" skeletons and "scientific" just so stories They've found some ancient "trans" skeletons now that purportedly shows that transexuals have been with us throughout history. The evidence is ironically bad, teaching us not about any historic legacy for transsexuality, but instead how supposed experts are willing to forgo objectivity in the name of whatever the latest ideology might be. Modern Friends It wasn't a good show, but this is sure an awesome spoof... particularly as we head towards RP's next screencast challenge! ...

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Entertainment

“What can I do?” Part II

35 more screen-alternatives ***** For our first screen-fast in 2025, we offered up 35 ideas for great activities you and your family can do with you...
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Entertainment

“What can I do anyways?”

35 screen-alternative ideas ***** You can’t beat something with nothing (as Eph. 4:28, Matt. 12:30, and Matt. 12:43-45 make clear). That means ...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Anxiety and trust

There are moments when the world grows quiet, yet our minds grow loud. Worries replay themselves in the dark – unfinished conversations, uncertain f...
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News

More homeowners facing insolvency

Canadians have long been struggling with personal debt, but Scott Terrio, a manager at Hoyes, Michalos Licensed Insolvency Trustees told The Hub that ...
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Technology

On being smartphone-free for five years

Way back in the Fall of 2021, I ditched my iPhone and got a dumbphone. I was sick of how my smartphone was a major distraction in my life. My phone began to use up too much of my brain space and mental energy. Parts of my brain were always thinking about stuff on my phone: baseball scores, texts from friends, emails, my eBay store, a backpacking forum, and other similar things. Though I haven’t ever done too much with social media or YouTube, I was still on my phone way too much. I tried apps that helped minimize screen time, and they did help to some extent. But I wanted to try a clean break and get a dumbphone. Great advice is readily available By the way, it is pretty easy to try out a dumbphone. Most flip phones aren't terribly expensive, and you can often just swap SIM cards with your other phone. I started with a Nokia 6300. Then I got a CAT S22 flip phone and debloated it. I also tried out a $25 TCL flip phone. More recently, I got a Light Phone II. Note: The book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport was a huge help in my move to a dumb phone. I highly recommend it! Jose Briones' book, Low Tech Life is also quite helpful. There are plenty of resources out there to help people minimize their phone usage because it is such a big problem. Fast-forward to over four years later: I have not gone back to a smartphone. And I’m not planning on doing so in the near future. For me, life is better without a smartphone in most situations. I can hang out with my friends and family and be completely present with them – my phone isn’t tugging at my attention. It’s no longer on my mind at all. I can stand in line at a store and talk to people or just think about random things rather than stare at a phone out of boredom. I don’t need email or a web browser when I’m at a baseball game, a movie, or out shopping for groceries. I still text a few times each day and make phone calls, but I’m pretty much never on it. In fact, without a smartphone, my brain is less cluttered, my thoughts are less distracted, and my attention span has increased. I don’t ever suffer from dopamine withdrawal, and I’m not anxious or in a zombie-like state from doomscrolling for hours. And no longer does a smartphone affect my sleep. I have more time each day because I’m rarely on my phone. For me, minimal phone time has had maximum life benefits. Speaking of anxiety and doomscrolling, another book I recently read is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. It is a book that documents the rise of adolescent/teen anxiety, depression, and other mental issues in the last ten years or so. The reason for these increases, Haidt argues, is that most children in the last ten years have had a screen-based childhood rather than a play-based childhood. It's a good book for parents to read. The author's advice and my advice is this: don't get your kids a smartphone until they're older – I'd say 17 or 18. As another author bluntly put it, don't get your kids a smartphone until you're prepared to deal with pornography in the home. Dumbphones, flip phones, and helpful apps Now, I realize that some people with certain jobs might be unable to move to a dumbphone because of their work or travel. For example, a friend of mine is a dispatcher and his smartphone is crucial for him to get his job done well. If your phone is truly important for work, you could perhaps get a dumbphone for evenings and weekends. As I mentioned above, you can also find apps that help minimize your screen time. There are various tried-and-true ways to help you avoid excessive screen time and its associated negatives. For those of you who don’t absolutely need a smartphone for work or another legitimate reason, I’d challenge you to do a digital detox and stop using one for a set number of days. Read Digital Minimalism and follow the advice there. Or read Catherine Price’s How to Break Up with Your Phone and give it a shot. As I mentioned earlier, cheap flip phones are an option for a digital detox. Thankfully, quite a few dumbphones and semi-dumbphones have come out in the last few years (see Dumbphones.org for a helpful list). Your brain will thank you I know that for some people, giving up a smartphone is almost impossible because the level of addiction is high. We’re not called the “dopamine nation” for nothing! But trust me, you can break up with your smartphone. You can take steps and develop habits to get your life back, regain your mental focus, and be present once again. You may want to get rid of your smartphone! Do you dare? Or maybe you just need a good app and an accountability partner. Whatever the case, I can say, based on some years of experience, that living without a smartphone is possible and beneficial. But even if you don’t totally give up your smartphone, I hope you find that drastically minimizing your smartphone use is a personal goal you make. And I guarantee that if you seriously cut down on your phone use, your brain will thank you! ***** Join us for our 2026 screen fast from July 13-22! Sign up here. Shane Lems is the pastor of Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Hammond, Wisconsin, and blogs on books (and dumbphones too) at ReformedReader.wordpress.com, where a version of this article first appeared....

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Saturday Selections – June 27, 2026

Envy is a sin. Wealth isn't. If you could make everyone twice as wealthy, would you do it? This is an odd fellow, making a great point about how poverty, not income inequality, is a problem. And secular fellow that he is, he's making that point without even factoring in the 10th Commandment. God cares about the plight of the poor, but nowhere does He condemn Abraham or Solomon for being rich. Envy is a sin. Being rich is not. Poverty is a problem, and one that can only be addressed by trying to "raise the floor" – raising the level of prosperity shared by the lowest income-earners. But concerns expressed about income inequality are simply envy disguised as virtue, and used as a justification for trying to pull down the ceiling – income inequality can be effectively addressed by kneecapping the wealthy to make them less so. Why non-experts can still fruitfully question the "experts" Philosopher J. Budziszewski, author of Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy, explains why it is that non-scientific sorts like us can still ask some pretty good, very important questions of the experts. UK report says thousands of girls were systematically raped while the gov't ignored it over optics If you haven't already heard about the rape-gangs in the UK this is going to be even more of a shocker. Authorities in the UK government knew about rape gangs operating in their country, but turned a blind eye to it, because the gangs were made up of Asian immigrants – police and others didn't want to seem racist. The figure that will leap out is the report of 250,000 victims, so it's worth noting that this is an estimate without a lot of firm grounds. But that doesn't mean it is wrong either, or overblown. It could be higher even. But it should be understood as a guess and not a fact. What is a fact is that authorities knew, and chose not to act. Ontario "conservative" gov't opposes opposition bill that would have banned gambling ads "A recent study found that since iGaming Ontario was introduced, total monthly wagers increased by 654% between April 2022 and August 2025, and the number of active player accounts rose 239%. Calls to Ontario’s mental health and addictions helpline rose at an accelerated annual rate (7% above previous trend) after iGaming Ontario was introduced in 2022. The highest increase in calls was among young men aged 15 to 24." It's probably safe to say that not a lot of this newsletter's readership votes for the NDP or Liberals. So it's all the more frustrating that it is the Conservatives who are doing this to our neighbors. And then, when the opposition proposed a way to rein in this runaway train of destruction, the government said no. Sure, they offered up some reasons to oppose the bill, but they didn't propose an alternative to it, making it evident they are fine with the status quo. What's wrong with gambling can perhaps be best understood in contrast with how others seek to become rich. Gamblers make bets that, should they win, are covered by those who bet the other way and lost – your gain is done at the expense of their pain. Meanwhile, if you get money any other (legal) way, your wealth will come to you only by benefiting others. Whether you are a housepainter, an author, or a server, the money that you can be thankful for comes from others who are thankful too, for what they've gotten from you in exchange. Your gain is their gain too. In addition, even if you are a good gambler, the odds are always stacked in favor of the gambling establishment – the government is making huge amounts of money from this, and that has to come from somewhere. So gambling is, over time, going to be a net loser, so even if you weren't hurting others to get your money, you are still making bad use of the "talents" God has entrusted to you. More could be said, but I'll offer up just one more – even if you've got your gambling under control, every bet you make is that little bit more motivation for the government to keep at this... to the great harm of many, who aren't in control of their gambling. If you love your neighbor, you should be lobbying the government to stop pushing, and just simply stop running, such a destructive enterprise. A sea of orange took over Kansas City  You don't have to like soccer to appreciate the intermix of cultures brought about by the World Cup this month. Whether it's Japanese fans cleaning up the stadium afterwards, or this sea of orange-clad Dutch fans, there's been so much to love off the field. This linguistic collapse of late-stage civilization "Take this introduction from a Herald-Sun article during the week: 'Prison authorities were warned not to transfer a transgender murderer to a women’s prison amid warnings they would sexually assault another prisoner if moved.' "A transgender murderer? It’s the sort of phrase that makes English quietly weep in a corner." This article might be inspiration for a great English class assignment... in a Christian school – try and write an assignment in the most politically correct fashion possible, to highlight the insanity. (In a public school they'd assign the same task to encourage sensitivity.) Lost & Found - Running home A quick toe-tapping rhyme based on Psalm 51. ...

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Are you still able?

A nation-wide challenge to experience life without screens ***** It used to be different, not all that long ago. Carrie is a teen who always had the kind of contagious smile that would get her friends smiling right back, no matter their mood. She used to shoot hoops with her younger sister after dinner. She enjoyed heart-to-heart chats with her mom while doing her hair. And she treasured many of the devotionals that her dad read to her by the glow of her small bedside lamp. George, a mechanic and all-around handyman, has always counted himself blessed to be married to his wife of 26 years. He was the kind of dad who’d get down on the ground to play with his kids. While three of his kids have moved out, his two youngest children still live at home. George has served as a deacon in his church, where his love of tinkering was a help not only to his own family but to some of the older couples in his ward. Liz’s life changed after losing her husband eight years ago. But she did an amazing job doting on all five of her children, her 23 grandchildren, and the seven great-grandchildren. She’d always make it out for every one of their milestones to give out hugs, and to remind her growing clan of God’s goodness and love. Then, not right away, but over the weeks and months and years, things changed. Carrie’s sister, mom, and grandparents now don’t see much of Carrie. OK, they see her, but not her eyes. Carrie is mostly head down, scrolling on her phone and messaging with people they don’t even know. Her mom has a hard time remembering when they last shared a good chat, or when she last saw her daughter’s beautiful smile. Dad’s devotionals were replaced by someone Carrie follows on Instagram who posts short reflections… which Carrie reads when she has time. George’s wife knows that her husband is still committed to their marriage. But she is having a hard time competing with the attention he gives to his various YouTube subscriptions. His ward doesn’t see him much outside of church, and he seems to spend more time watching clips about fixing cars than actually fixing them. And lately his scale seems to be out by at least 10 pounds. Instead of dropping by with a card, Grandma Liz now sends a WhatsApp message when her children and grandchildren celebrate a birthday. She has become very hesitant to head out her front door. It’s all the nightly news she’s been watching, which is making the world look like an ever-scarier place. Even when she makes a grocery trip, she stays out for as short a time as possible. Carrie, George, and Liz all go to the same church, and share this in common too: they have all slowly become dominated by their screens. None of them think it’s a real problem, but, if pressed, they will agree that they spend more time on their screens than they did a couple of years ago. But isn’t that just life today? Increased screen time may well be one of the biggest changes our world has experienced in the past half-century, with one estimate putting the global average for daily Internet usage at 6 hours and 38 minutes. The correlation between screen time and anxiety, mental health challenges, and weight gain is well-known now. What isn’t so well documented, or discussed in church, is the impact that screens are having on our pace as we “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2). Putting screens in their place When Reformed Perspective did a deep dive into this topic last spring, we promoted The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch. Crouch correctly shifts the focus from whether a particular type of technology can or can’t be allowed, to instead how these technologies can be put in their proper place, so that priorities like family, friends, and faith remain priorities. But how is this going for you? Screen time, like money and sex, has become a sensitive topic – okay to talk about in generalities, but don’t get personal! We’re all quick to be defensive and shut down the discussion if anyone dares raise the topic of our own usage. That’s why we challenged our readers to a 10-day screen fast in the last issue. The goal of such a fast isn’t to eradicate screens from our lives. But don’t we all see wisdom in implementing a reset? Let’s test it out, to determine just how reliant we are on our devices, and what sort of impact this dependence may be having on our relationships, including with our LORD. Last month our Assistant Editor Marty VanDriel gathered a group and gave the challenge a go, and you can read about how their screen fast went. Now we’re issuing the challenge again because some generous supporters have presented us with quite the offer. For every person that commits to, and completes, a ten-day screen fast from July 21 to 30 they will donate $100, split between two charities (Word & Deed and Reformed Perspective). They will give up to $20,000! Could you do it? Do you have what it takes to put your screens aside for 10 days? (The screen challenge allows exceptions for necessary activities, like your job and making a phone call.) It may be hard to do this by yourself, so would you consider asking some of your family, friends, and siblings in the LORD to join you? If you can get a group of 10 together, that can serve as a great accountability and encouragement. Plus, it will lead to $1,000 going to two very good causes. And if you don’t think screens are much of a challenge for you, we encourage you to ask your loved ones if they think you should give this screen fast a try. This challenge isn’t so much about saying no to screens as it is about saying yes to other priorities. That’s why we’ve put together 35 ideas for fun, productive, and meaningful activities you can challenge yourself to do during these 10 days. Enjoy some time travel Can you remember not having your phone in your pocket, or not hearing the ping of a new message on your tablet? Although we think screens are essential, we have the power to make necessary changes in our lives. A screen fast can serve as an important reminder to yourself that you don’t have to keep living the way you have. Instead of scrolling, Carrie can shoot some hoops with her sister again. George can go for a walk with his wife, and drop by the home of the young man in his ward who hasn’t been coming to church much lately. And Liz can write a card and deliver it in person to her granddaughter. Yes, you can ignore this screen fast, and hope that your family members and friends don’t bring it up either. But before you brush it aside and reach for your phone, consider for a moment what you want your legacy to be at your funeral. Which Carrie, George, and Liz do you want to be? The one before the screen addiction, or the one after? Join us for our 2026 screen fast from July 13-22! Sign up here....

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Magazine, Past Issue

July/August 2026 issue

The 2026 “Log out. Look up.” 10-day screenfast may be done but that doesn't mean you can't do your own! Find out all our tips and tricks in this issue of Reformed Perspective! This month's highlights: More of Your Turn: More wonderful entries from the Your Turn contest, including a comic, four poems, and more! Have you heard of the dumbphone?: Check out these alternatives to the smartphone that can help you take back your time. Come and Explore: The map!: What happens if you stray from the straight and narrow? Choose how you'd like to read: Flip through the Digital Edition for a classic magazine experience View the PDF directly in your browser Click here to download the PDF (12 mb) to read offline   INDEX: Love thy neighbor. Love thy neighborhood encampment...? / Why I'm grateful for the notwithstanding clause / RP's screen-fast challenge / "What can I do?" Part II / On being smartphone free for five years / What I like about my dumbphone / Give your kids a superpower / Don't. Just. Read. / Can I watch a move during my screenfast? ...and other FAQs answered / The day is not an age /Is AI helping you, or dumbing you down? Yes. / Teachers lead the way in adopting, and sometimes restraining, tech / 9 in 10 Canadian women in their 20s who "practical a religion" are now childless / Federal spending increases under Carney / Opposing rainbow crosswalk results in human rights trial in Alberta / Radicalized and Reformed? Someone we know tried to kill the president / 1 in 7 dog owners would give up their partner to prolong Fido's life / "Transition" victims and supporters decry conversion therapy law / BC midwives now allowed to kill / Greener pastures? East losing residents to Alberta & BC / Thoughts from tulips on TULIP / If we confess our sins / Trust and anxiety / Borrowed language to thank my dearest Friend / Because / The ring / Sonnet for an unknown God / Made New / Lessons from the dirt / Parenting – it's not about me / Laura Kroesbergen's hyperrealistic animals / ED update: Blessed through the US / Come and explore: The map / Another reason everyone should study economics / Do you like being corrected? David did. / Presuppositions / When John MacArthur visited a philosophy class / Big brother can't be father or mother / Berra-isms / Are we conservatives? / Showing and telling / Never read a Bible verse / If dad told only dinosaur jokes / How he learned he needed to preach Mark 2:28 / Movie review: Mr. Smith goes to Washington / Book review: Graphic novels of all sorts...

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