By Brent Thomas
www.ColossiansThreeSixteen.com
Awhile back, I had an interesting talk with a friend regarding the idea of where we place our Christian boundaries. He works in the music industry and of course, has a vested interest in music and the thought that surrounds it. He asked a stimulating question: have we misplaced our “boundaries” when it comes to the entertainment “filters” that we use?
Read the rest of this entry »
Well, we’re halfway there already, what with political correctness. But here in Canada, we have something called “Human Rights Commissions.” These are the equivalent of Child and Family Services for grownups. If you tick off someone else, they can complain their human rights were violated and drag you before a tribunal which may financially or otherwise penalize you. Certainly, you’ll find there’s a social penalty to face, just for becoming a defendant.
A few years ago, a rash of gay-versus-Christian cases went through the HRCs.
Read the rest of this entry »
Bernice Milton has an interesting piece on the shifting face of Evangelical Christianity in the Thursday Times Online. Noting, “The terms of engagement in America’s “culture wars” have been subtly changing since the 1990s with the economic, intellectual, social and political coming of age of many Evangelicals in the Bible Belt.” I agree with her observation and in part that is what has given birth to Humble O Radio. It’s something different because what has been the norm just isn’t good enough anymore.
Welcome to the revolution!
…No, I don’t mean what you might find up the nose of a Christian with a cold.
TheBereanCall.org’s radio program, Search the Scriptures Daily, quotes an Orlando Sentinel article from Feb 22/08 on evangelicals and global warming:
“Global warming is an offense against God….America needs our biblical outrage….we as a nation will face a judgment from God if we don’t do this.”
– Rev. Richard Cizik, National Association of Evangelicals’ vice-president of governmental affairs
Cizik has been covered by enviro mag Grist, the Washington Post, PBS’s Religion & Ethics Newsweekly and Christianity Today for his opinions on global warming. Other major evangelical leaders, including James Dobson, have called for him to be silenced or fired for his stance on the climate change controversy. According to a quote referenced by Christianity Today, Jerry Falwell brands it “be[ing] duped by these ‘earthism’ worshippers.”
Read the rest of this entry »
So who is the most important person in the Bible? Well, besides Him, of course — and his Son and his Spirit.
It’s a curious question really, and maybe there’s not an answer. There are definitely people highlighted more than others, though that’s not necessarily a measure of importance. Saul takes up a good chunk of chapters, but in the long run he seems to be more of an oops than important. David steps in and his branch takes over the whole story.
I don’t really even mean honored. Isaiah, for instance, resonates to our day as being a great prophet. But, in the story he’s more of an observer and color commentator. He’s vital as a narrator, but not as a player.
How about Noah? He’s important. If he didn’t have that faith which builds boats then the story suggests humanity would have been wiped out.
David and Noah are important, for the Old Testament parts. As is Moses. We can’t forget Moses. Or Abraham. Abraham is a rather vital guy for all sorts of reasons. Maybe we could throw in Paul and Peter and John for the New Testament — both because they were major players and because if not for these three we wouldn’t really have much of a New Testament. Thank God for the writers, eh?
These are people we know. So they seem especially important, and for good reasons. But I’m thinking there are others. I’m constantly struck by the character actors in the text. You know, the men and women who show up, say a line or two, and then disappear.
Take this lady, for instance: Read the rest of this entry »
