A professor in Alabama recently generated controversy by publishing an alternative version of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that replaced potentially offensive racial slurs. Critics argue that the changes soften the book’s anti-racism message, but the professor responsible for the new edition didn’t want the words to become stumbling blocks for students who didn’t yet understand the context of the story. Scripture has a lot to say about stumbling blocks. Even if something is legal or OK for us, it might put a friend in a tempting situation or keep someone from embracing the good news of Christ. LinC looks at Paul’s teaching that “Everything is permitted, but everything isn’t beneficial” (1 Corinthians 10:23, CEB) and talks about considering others before ourselves. Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 11:1-8; 1 Corinthians 8:1-14; Philemon. It’s March and, for college basketball fans, the word March is almost always followed by the word madness. Next week is Selection Sunday, the day when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee announces the men’s tournament bracket. (The women’s bracket follows on Monday.) Each year March Madness brings out the passion in players, coaches, and fans alike, with countless hours spent preparing for, playing in, and watching basketball games. Next week we’ll ask the questions: Are we as passionate about our faith as college basketball fans are about their favorite teams and their brackets? And how can we focus our passion on doing God’s will?
