Dr. R. Scott Clark explores the neurobiological “dopamine effect” that fuels addictions to gambling, porn, and social media. He discusses the severe consequences of compulsive gambling and highlights historical theological warnings against “wasteful gaming.”
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Hi Dr. Clark,
I’m listening to your recent podcast episode on this very topic at I type. Really good stuff! I wanted to ask a question, but I’m not sure if this is the right space to do this. Regardless, it is on the larger topic of the Christian and entertainment.
I’m wondering if you would do an article covering fiction books and reading. There seems to be a very wide range of views on what is acceptable and what is not in terms of what Christians may or may not read. The most comprehensive view I have heard is by Carl Trueman and Todd Pruett on “The Mortification of Spin” – episode titled “Christians and Lit.” The larger Christian readership of John Updike is also something I have found somewhat surprising, given the sexual content.
I’d love a larger discussion on this topic. Obviously, figures from Baxter to Spurgeon to Octavius Winslow and beyond have condemned fiction reading. I am an English major, and I particularly engage critically with texts that would definitely not fall under the label of Christian, such as the poetry of Rimbaud. How should I and Christians in general think about these things?
Again, thank you for your ministry!
Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech QB) under NCAA investigation for gambling. He’s getting treatment for gambling addiction.
https://www.livenowfox.com/news/texas-tech-qb-brendan-sorby-seeks-treatment-gambling-addiction