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Bethany
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10 hours ago
in Is Sunday School Failing? on Think Christian
I react with similar animosity to anything Ken Ham does. I think he approaches everything with a hurtful political agenda, and don't trust anything he claims as "research" to be something I would consider rigorous. This is a good example of those problems.
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Jerod
Duly noted. There are plenty of ministries who do research that can be considered questionable. While some may not agree with Ham or Answers in Genesis, I'm betting there are some TC-ers who do. We have to have conversations about what's happening on both sides of the spectrum. That's why I posted this.
10 hours ago
in A cheery Happy 500th Birthday to a non-dour Reformer: John Calvin on Think Christian
Both. I think our concept of what counts as "faithful" and "truth" are inextricably tied to classical and enlightenment ideas of communication and the truth (see Plato on the Sophists, for example). I suspect that our theologians, especially in that era, never considered that there might be another way of thinking about it.
1 reply
nbierma
Rhetorically, though, is the simpler explanation just that excessive formality is a form of reverence?
11 hours ago
in A cheery Happy 500th Birthday to a non-dour Reformer: John Calvin on Think Christian
Nathan, I think the dry translation you are noting is a trend based on the (popular post-enlightenment) assumption that "content" and "style" are not interlinked. As you point out, tone makes a dramatic difference in how something is read, and how often it is read. Good evidence that style is more than mere decoration.
One thing I appreciated in my small engagement with original Calvin is his use of metaphor. Often very visual and evocative!
One thing I appreciated in my small engagement with original Calvin is his use of metaphor. Often very visual and evocative!
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nbierma
good points. so you think theologians just adopted the content/style dichotomy uncritically?
or was there a new wrinkle, one which plagues Bible translations: that overly literal and overly formal rendering is the most 'faithful' to 'The Truth' of the original source?
or was there a new wrinkle, one which plagues Bible translations: that overly literal and overly formal rendering is the most 'faithful' to 'The Truth' of the original source?
1 week ago
in ‘Public Enemies’ and anti-hero worship on Think Christian
Josh, I'm not so sure about your statement that the bible avoids these kinds of stories, though maybe it doesn't martyr these characters in the same way. I'm thinking of the story of Ehud, and if you identify with the Moabites like you do bank patrons, you might think of him as a kind of romantic outlaw as well. In fact, why hasn't anybody made an Ehud movie? It's got a fat king, sneaky assasination, ridiculous details... Anyway, your point is well taken, but I think it may be overstated.
1 reply
Josh
Hi Bethany - I was thinking I might get some suggestions of Biblical figures who didn't come to my mind, but I don't know if Ehud fits. He's not really a criminal, or even a scoundrel, since he's essentially been ordained by God to carry out his purpose (granted, that purpose being assassination, it does provide quite a moral quandary for Christians). As for an Ehud movie, I think you're on to something. Depp as Ehud, perhaps, with Russell Crowe in the king of Moab role?
1 week ago
in Mocking Christian Protests on Think Christian
This is definitely further evidence that making a big circus about something draws attention to that thing, which in many cases leads to the opposite outcomes from what the protestors hope. So much so that a marketing department invents outrage to sell more games! Take, for example, how David Letterman's ratings surged when Sarah Palin complained about a joke he made.
I will take issue with your use of the words "mock" and "make fun of". I don't think this protest is a parody, I think it's an attempt to manufacture real controversy. In politics they call it astroturfing.
I will take issue with your use of the words "mock" and "make fun of". I don't think this protest is a parody, I think it's an attempt to manufacture real controversy. In politics they call it astroturfing.
1 reply
LeoDanvin
Quit thinking like "Christians" and start thinking like CHRIST!
Christians have been at the center of hate and protesting against the world for centuries. NONE of this is what Christ taught.
Christians have been at the center of hate and protesting against the world for centuries. NONE of this is what Christ taught.
1 week ago
in Christian Singles and Sexuality on Think Christian
I know this isn't even your main point, but it reminded me of something else I should bring up: I am pretty tired of hearing that single people have so much more time and money. Maybe more than people with children, but childless married people, I think, have more flexibility with time and money because they share these responsibilities. We need to stop imagining single people as being so free and available. In many ways being single is a lot more stressful. If I can't keep my job or get another one that also has health insurance, I don't have a backup. If I don't do the shopping, cooking, laundry, I'll be hungry and dirty.
1 reply
mrben
I see what you're saying, but logically my statement is true. Leaving out for the moment the "not single, but not married" group, married people have to dedicate a portion of their time each week to each other for the relationship to succeed. Plus there are twice as many relatives to connect with.
Financially, married people, for the most part, do not share accommodation with others, and usually look to buy rather than rent anyway. (I realise that this is a generalisation). I believe statistically single people do have more disposable income, plus they do not have to seek the agreement/approval of their partner before spending money. Money is one of the key things that married couples fight over.
I'm not saying that being single is easy, nor that all singles are magically rich and have hours of spare time. What I am saying is that the statistics point towards single people having more time and money, on average, than married people. And, as someone who has been single, married without children, and now married with children, I agree with the stats.
Financially, married people, for the most part, do not share accommodation with others, and usually look to buy rather than rent anyway. (I realise that this is a generalisation). I believe statistically single people do have more disposable income, plus they do not have to seek the agreement/approval of their partner before spending money. Money is one of the key things that married couples fight over.
I'm not saying that being single is easy, nor that all singles are magically rich and have hours of spare time. What I am saying is that the statistics point towards single people having more time and money, on average, than married people. And, as someone who has been single, married without children, and now married with children, I agree with the stats.
2 weeks ago
in The Tyler Perry problem on Think Christian
I am not saying that there is no point to producing Christian movies, though we should all strive for excellence in everything we do, including production tasks like lighting, editing, acting and writing. I am, however, pointing out that movies will always be imperfect, and we should not expect them to do our work for us.
1 reply
stephanie
I'm a student at Asbury College, which is one of the best Media communications schools in the Country. We have entire classes devoted to why we should break the "Christian bubble " and be windows of God's light in a dark world. If we don't break into the realm of secular entertainment, how will we reach the Godless? I'm not saying we should sacrifice our morals or faith to get their attention. We can get their attention easily enough by being non-hypocritical, loving, and mature Christians. We have to tell the stories that they want to hear, but with a redemptive attitude. Non-Christians don't want to watch a Christian movie because "we want to convert them." So why don't we throw the ball in their court? IDK, just my thoughts...
2 weeks ago
in The Tyler Perry problem on Think Christian
True. And I don't think a "christian message" in a movie will ever do much work to convert others (to be honest, I left The Passion of the Christ questioning my faith, not strengthened in it). In my experience, the holy spirit most often works through relationships, and we can't rely on movies to do the work of showing God's love for us.
1 reply
John
Bethany - why shouldn't Bible-believing Christians offer wholesome alternatives to godless, secular entertainment? Who cares if the production values are relatively low, as long as these professing Christians are showing the rest of the universal body of believers that there is an alternative to the wicked lifestyles glorified in secular media?
And how can you say what will or will not work to convert everyone else, without omniscience? Even though I have grown enough in my faith to see the many holes and inaccuracies in the movie, I trace my salvation and surrender to God's will in my life to the first time I ever watched the Passion of the Christ. So much for your theory that a movie with a "christian message" will never do much work to convert others.
The Holy Spirit is omnipotent - who are we to declare the media in which He could or couldn't work to save the lost? When we see movies like the Passion and others that have assailed the Christian faith, shouldn't we be like the Berean Christians and search the Scriptures, comparing God's truth to what the world puts forth as truth?
Just asking.
And how can you say what will or will not work to convert everyone else, without omniscience? Even though I have grown enough in my faith to see the many holes and inaccuracies in the movie, I trace my salvation and surrender to God's will in my life to the first time I ever watched the Passion of the Christ. So much for your theory that a movie with a "christian message" will never do much work to convert others.
The Holy Spirit is omnipotent - who are we to declare the media in which He could or couldn't work to save the lost? When we see movies like the Passion and others that have assailed the Christian faith, shouldn't we be like the Berean Christians and search the Scriptures, comparing God's truth to what the world puts forth as truth?
Just asking.
3 weeks ago
in “We choose love, we choose light” on Think Christian
I don't think the great commission says anything about ignoring all the other pages and pages of the bible that tell us to act justly, to help the poor and to heal the sick. If the great commission was all we needed, then we'd have dumped the Old Testament centuries ago. I'm not saying we need a marxist revolution (pretty sure I just posted on why I think we don't) or that we need to make everybody else play fair, but I DO think we need to be humbly careful about the injustices that we personally benefit from. And I think acting in a loving manner is a necessary part of preaching the gospel. If Christ's acts of forgiveness don't change the way you live your life, why would anybody listen to you talk about it anyway?
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rick
You’re right. I’m glad you brought that up. In the same passage of scripture where Jesus delivers the great commission, He says that these signs shall follow them that believe. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. When John’s disciples asked Jesus if He was the Christ, His answer was “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” His commission to the 12 was to heal the sick and preach the gospel, His commission to the 70 was to heal the sick and preach the gospel. An his commission to us is the same. So often Christians excuse their responsibility by spiritualizing these passages so that healing is metaphorical or can mean anything from building hospitals to psychological counseling. Anything but what what is plainly seen in the Gospels. But that isn’t what Jesus was plainly talking about. Most of his time was spent laying his hands on thousands of the lame, crippled and diseased people. . Healing has been a significant factor in the explosive growth of the church in China, Africa and South America. And once again, the record of the apoostles, Paul, deacons like Phillip or the simple elders in the book of James is the the gospel also heals the human body through the laying on of hands. In no way are we free from our ethical responsibilities to be fair and just and support the poor. This is how we are to conduct our lives while we fulfill the great commission. And I agree acting in a loving manner is an essential part how we preach the Gospel.
And JHPot. I am agreeing with you up to a point. Don’t spiritualize preaching so much that it could be anything. Paul says, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? There is something unique and sacred about telling the story. Paul tells Timothy, preach the word in season and out of season.
And JHPot. I am agreeing with you up to a point. Don’t spiritualize preaching so much that it could be anything. Paul says, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? There is something unique and sacred about telling the story. Paul tells Timothy, preach the word in season and out of season.
3 weeks ago
in Christian patriotism on Think Christian
This is unrelated to your main point, so I hesitated to bring it up at all, except that it really bothers me. FYI, generic they is acceptable to most real grammarians.
Like Rick, I'm skeptical of people who complain about the church being too "girly" but I'm also very sensitive to when female experience is excluded.
Like Rick, I'm skeptical of people who complain about the church being too "girly" but I'm also very sensitive to when female experience is excluded.
1 reply
rick
Amen. Too often church seems to be run by an all-male bonding club. Sermons and teaching are illustrated with testosterone fueled anecdotes. My denomination (I hate to say that) was founded by a woman and still ordains women (Foursquare). Yet it still seems to be dominated by the mens club. Make no mistake, they are a great bunch of Godly guys and I love my fellowship, but I need to hear Bethany's perspective too.
4 weeks ago
in “We choose love, we choose light” on Think Christian
I agree with you that politics on either pole are not the same as the gospel. And of course the gospel is central to our christian life.
However, does that mean that we should never concern ourselves with these questions? I was trying to be critical of myself, even as I want to maintain these social values in addition to my relationship with Christ. I just don't believe they are mutually exclusive, and teasing out those questions is why I made this post in the first place.
I also think that we all have a tendency to stereotype those who are different from us as insincere and simple-minded, and though there are some of those people, most of us are doing the best that we can.
However, does that mean that we should never concern ourselves with these questions? I was trying to be critical of myself, even as I want to maintain these social values in addition to my relationship with Christ. I just don't believe they are mutually exclusive, and teasing out those questions is why I made this post in the first place.
I also think that we all have a tendency to stereotype those who are different from us as insincere and simple-minded, and though there are some of those people, most of us are doing the best that we can.
1 reply
alvin_tsf
sorry for the late post. but i just wanna say that i enjoyed reading your article very much. judging from the reactions that you got, i fear we christians are all too serious. sipping coffe and listening to great music is one of the benefits of our freedom in Christ. analyzing how we can make our Father's world a little better, greener and safer is a wonderful gift from Him as partakers of His divine nature. so pls continue to write articles such as these that challenge not our theology but our joy in Jesus. sorry no quotes from the New Testament here. just pure encouragement for you!
alvin
alvin
4 weeks ago
in Christian patriotism on Think Christian
that is interesting, and in some ways I think uses the feminine Jesus to justify the violence of the US. I think sometimes feminization of men is used to cover over the exclusion of women, which is problematic. For example, if Chambers was writing for soldiers, was the experience of women in the period included at all?
I'm also trying to gently suggest that you avoid using the male generic in the future, as it makes some of us left out.
I'm also trying to gently suggest that you avoid using the male generic in the future, as it makes some of us left out.
1 reply
David Ker
I was being sloppy. I like generic "they" a lot and sometimes use it just to irritate grammarians. :)
I think there is a corollary trend in our churches the feminization of worship with gooshy Jesus Is My Boyfriend songs (but that will have to keep for another post).
I think there is a corollary trend in our churches the feminization of worship with gooshy Jesus Is My Boyfriend songs (but that will have to keep for another post).
4 weeks ago
in “We choose love, we choose light” on Think Christian
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear: God commands us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. To me, acting justly and loving mercy involves being concerned about issues of social justice and trying to involve implicating myself in unjust economic systems. Hence the buy local/fair trade/ go green tendency. The challenge, though, is that these behaviors also are a way of being, well, less than humble, which is my confession. Perhaps you are perfectly humble in your attempts to "pick Jesus to sit with anywhere he wants" but I doubt it, since we all live with sin.
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rick
Yeah. It’s hard to be humble when I am so progressive. I think we should follow Jesus example of promoting social justice at every opportunity and overturning unjust economic systems. I think we should resist the excesses of capitaism and the consumerist society just like Jesus did. I know I appreciate Paul’s exhortations to buy local and only fair trade. I love those passages. I want to be as green as he was because I know that that is just what the gospel is all about. The born again theology is so self-centered and fundamentalist piety. We want a gospel that produces long term social change, that deals with society, not just the individual. A gospel that raises the standard of income just like the great comission commanded. A gospel that doesn’t stigmatize loving same sex couples and keeps abortions safe and legal. Because that’s what the gospel is about. And as far as Bible thumping preachers, I agree with St Francis, preach the gospel and if necessary use words. Because, in the end, the real enemy is those fundamentalist judgemental, narrow minded christians.
1 month ago
in Christian patriotism on Think Christian
you wrote "Not for us to judge, but rather to look to our own hearts, where the Holy Spirit is transforming men created of dust and trained on the rough playground of life into the likeness of Jesus Christ."
I looked, and I found a woman. I find it interesting that all your examples are, well, as you say, "macho". Where do women fit into this understanding of Christianity? Should we also celebrate more feminine readings of God's word?
I looked, and I found a woman. I find it interesting that all your examples are, well, as you say, "macho". Where do women fit into this understanding of Christianity? Should we also celebrate more feminine readings of God's word?
1 reply
David Ker
Bethany, one thing I notice is that the image has a very feminized depiction of Jesus. It's an odd juxtaposition don't you think? My friend JK Gayle has been blogging about the feminine genius behind My Utmost For His Highest. See here:
http://speakeristic.blogspot.com/2009/06/gertru...
http://speakeristic.blogspot.com/2009/06/oswald...
http://speakeristic.blogspot.com/2009/06/gertru...
http://speakeristic.blogspot.com/2009/06/oswald...
