Once upon a time—and I mean in God’s perfect time—a Jewish orphan girl named Esther became a Persian Queen. But, as many of you know, this book is less fairy tale and much more mystery—a book full of lessons about the mysteries of divine calling, evil and justice, finding courage to stand for truth, and understanding God’s eternal purposes in history and in our story. Though her husband claimed the title “king of kings,” Esther’s ultimate allegiance lay elsewhere—to the high King of the universe. In that sense, here’s the story and the lessons we should learn from Esther: the King’s Queen.

Outline:

1. The Book
2. The King
3. The Queen
4. The Temper

Key Takeaways:

• The size and scope of the Persian Empire.
• A sketch of how Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, and Ezra fit on a timeline.
• The geopolitics of the time, including the pending Persian invasion of Greece by Xerxes.
• The story of Esther as set in God’s grand plan of redemption.
• Lessons about Providence and God’s rule and reign throughout history.

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The definition of sex as binary–male and female–is a creation order issue (Gen. 1:26-27) and at the core of a number of current cultural and legal debates. This definition impacts sports, birth and medical records, medical treatment, placement in correctional facilities, our sense of self, and apologetics and disciple-making at home and in the local church (to name a few). And culture and especially the transgender movement has pushed for an understanding of sex as a subjective spectrum rather than the male/female binary. In this interview, Zachary Elliott from the Paradox Institute sets out the evidence in genetics and fetal development (as well as other fields) for the binary reality of sex; responds to common arguments for the sex spectrum and objections such as intersex conditions/Disorders of Sexual Development; and explains why accurately defining sex as binary is critical for the common good.

Zachary A. Elliott is a science educator who has studied the biology of sex since 2017. Through his research of the scientific literature, he has authored four books on sex differences, combining rigorous research with accessible explanations for a general audience. His work has been informed through collaboration and consultation with medical doctors, biologists, and other experts in the field.

Key Takeaways:

• How to accurately and concisely define sex in the midst of cultural confusion.
• How to respond to common objections, such as intersex conditions and Disorders of Sexual Development.
• Why we do not all “start as female.”
• The importance of this topic for apologetics and disciplemaking at home and in the local church.
• Binary: Debunking the Sex Spectrum Myth
• The Sex Development Handbook
• Paradox Institute YouTube Channel

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What do you think about the future of the United States? Should we expect and just accept further division and decline? Can the United States remain, well, united amidst differing worldviews and visions for the future of the country? The national debt, the temperature of our political rhetoric, the departure from Biblical principles, the dysfunction of Washington, D.C, and the rise of geopolitical forces new and old are certainly cause for grave concern. And it is easy to grow discouraged about the direction of the country. But, there are still strong Biblical and practical reasons for us to re-invest in the American experiment. Here are four.