Jonathan McNair

My memories of life as an infant are a bit foggy, but I do vaguely recall that my parents put a great deal of emphasis on success. One day, they removed all the sharp-edged furniture from my path, lifted me onto my feet, then gently coaxed me as I staggered across the room. Little by little, day by day, they helped me succeed in the challenging art of walking on two pudgy feet, and—before long—I became a full-fledged biped.

Have you seen the slogan, "No Boundaries"? "No Boundaries" is a pop-culture catchphrase that has a bold sound and a big problem. Even though it sounds gung-ho, it actually contradicts a Biblical principle that is fundamental to success in life. A proper understanding of "boundaries" is one of the most critical lessons for a young person to learn.

How can anyone explain the popularity of the recent bestseller book series, Fifty Shades of Grey, and the subsequent movie? Though the books and movie portray a value system that would seem alien to any sincerely practicing Christian, polls show that the book has been read by as many as nine percent of American women who call themselves Christian. What is the appeal? Could it be, at least in part, that the very premise of the title—"shades of grey"—captures the worldly human desire to see right and wrong not as absolute, but as situational and relative?

For most young people today, church and religion has little importance in daily life. Compared to school, social media, popular entertainment, sports and other diversions, church is neither attractive nor relevant.