Month: March 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Warthog's
Warthog. by Michael Yon
Caring for the Persecuted Church
Power Line – Why Dont Christians Care?.
What I do know is that it is much more dangerous to publish a cartoon of Mohammed than to slice apart a Christian with a machete.
It is true we don’t talk enough about the persecuted church. And, while we are called to endure suffering, why American Christians aren’t more vocal for their government to do something for those Christians. If our nation is founded on the idea of religious liberty, then you would think we could at least condemn the world wide attacks upon Christians.
One great source for information concerning the plight of the Persecuted Church is Voice of the Martyrs.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sermon Audio.
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When Environmentalism Sounds Religious
So, in case you missed it, there’s been quite a kerfuffle about the veracity of climate change claims. In the midst of this, Al Gore wrote an op-ed for the NY Times last weekend. Overall it is unremarkable, in my humble opinion. However, he does make the following statement:
From the standpoint of governance, what is at stake is our ability to use the rule of law as an instrument of human redemption. (Emphasis mine)
Maybe its just me, but that sound quasi-religious. Suddenly environmentalism and saving the planet are about human redemption. This would explain the fervency with which the environmental movement pursues its objectives. Whether its chasing down whaling vessels, attacked SUV dealerships or lobbying for ‘human redemption,’ they pursue their goals with zeal.
This raises a significant question. It seems part of modern orthodoxy is the need to be good stewards of creation. Articles and books are written about what the Church can and should learn from the environmental movement, and how we can show Christ’s love by being more green. Yet, if many environmentalists are ensnared by this quasi-religious nature of the movement, I wonder if we really want to act more like them. Unintentionally we might be lending Christ’s name to their false religion. Perhaps, at least for those who subscribe to Al Gore’s version of environmentalism, we need to offer them real redemption. Perhaps the church needs to become more vocal about why the environment is not the most important issue in the life of anyone.
Huh?
Reading this book review got me wondering, what is ecologically sustainable prosperity? And, how is ecologically unsustainable prosperity an issue of Christian faith? Continue reading
Why Assumptions Matter
Column: Where have all the Protestants gone? – Opinion – USATODAY.com.
A friend referred me to this articles about Mainline Protestants and social issues. The gist of the article seems to be this,
But not so fast. Just look at what these mainline Protestants have championed: racial justice, equality for women, food stamps, rights for the disabled, reproductive choice and so forth. American law and society have embraced nearly every one of their issues down the line. We have largely become the inclusive, pluralistic society that these more liberal Protestant Christians envisioned.
I don’t know where to begin. So, let’s begin at the beginning. Continue reading
Mark Driscoll on Avatar
Mark Driscoll takes on Avatar from a theological perspective. Earlier, I wrote about my secular view of the movie. As an Airman, I dislike films that depict the military as blood thirsty knuckle draggers. Therefore, I didn’t want to see the film.
Driscoll’s view is much more significant, if true. If he’s right than Avatar isn’t merely offensive, it is dangerous. However, I wonder if Avatar isn’t merely reflecting the squishy spirituality of America, today. While many have rejected the traditional concept of God, they are still left with a longing for Him. They just don’t understand the longing. So, as man has always done, they attempt to construct ways to fill this longing. It may be pleasures or false religion–they are simply trying to fill the void.
Even if Driscoll is right in his assessment, I think there is hope. The hope is this: Avatar recognizes something is wrong with us, it just misdiagnosed the problem. If the culture around us can agree that something is wrong, then we have a clear opportunity to share Christ. We share the diagnosis (sin) and the cure (Christ).
Russell Moore on Outrage
Misguided Christian Outrage | TheResurgence.
What if, instead, we loved the world the way God does (Jn. 3:16), and not the way the satanic powers ask us to? What if we loved the world through verbal proclamation and self-sacrificial giving, not by seeking product placement for the Trinity? Rather than expecting our politicians and musicians and actors to placate us with platitudes to some generic god, let’s work with them where we can on “doing good to all people” (Gal. 6:10). Let’s proclaim the God of a crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus. And let’s teach our kids and our converts the actual content of the biblical revelation.
In conversations with friends, I’ve mentioned my frustration with much Christian Outrage. While often there is a kernel of truth to our political, cultural and other-al outrage, it consumes a huge amount of resources.
Think of the time, talent and treasure spent on fighting cultural and political wars. Sure, we need to stand firm for what we believe, but isn’t there a tipping point where standing firm is really an excuse for fighting back?
I wonder what it might look like if we were as passionate for evangelism as we are for the most recent Outrage against ChristTM. I wonder what it would look like if we invested ourselves into discipleship with the same fervency we invest in political and cultural battles?
Brandon Markette 