Archive for February, 2008
Costumes?
Posted by thetenthleper in Church on February 26, 2008
What are the implications of Christians getting dressed up in fine clothing to go worship a man who was homeless while on earth?
Rick Ritchie is My Homeboy
Posted by thetenthleper in Election/Predestination on February 25, 2008
I found this GREAT quote in another blog that I felt compelled to share. The word “EXACTLY,” preferably followed by exclamation is the best response I can give to it.
“For those who have grown up under the prevailing teaching in American churches (I mean Arminianism), Reformation theology often comes across as unusual. Even when it does not, it is often passed off as a peripheral issue. “I don’t care how I was saved, I just care that I was saved,” is a common response from those who assume that they can know that they were saved when they don’t know how. This is no side issue, however. Wrong principles on this issue will always lead to disaster, in this life if by grace not in the next.
If you want to discover just how pervasive Arminian principles are, just check to see how many clear biblical passages you have been systematically taught to misinterpret. How many times has the verse “Behold I stand at the door and knock…” (Rev. 3:20) been taken to be Christ standing at the door of our hearts asking us if we will let him save us, when it is Christ standing at the door to the church in Laodicea? How often have we heard that “God has voted for us, Satan has voted against us, and we cast the deciding vote” when Romans 8:31 teaches that if God is for us who can be against us? We are told to make a decision for Christ, but we say that we do not want to be bothered with hearing about what he has decided about us.
If the introduction to Reformation theology is causing some grief, do not be surprised. That is normal. To find out that God has no interest in allowing our destiny to remain in our hands is a scary thought when we trust ourselves more than God. It might cause sleepless nights. It might inspire heated arguments. We might wish to avoid these for the sake of love-but love of what? Certainly not God. God is the primary one to whom we relate, and he will not have one of his creatures loved above Himself. To avoid dealing with central questions concerning salvation out of love is not spiritual, it is carnal. Any time spent on these issues will be worthily spent.
Read about these things. Do not assume that since these arguments have been going on for centuries, there must be no solution. You might be surprised to find that at least at the level of basic principles, the Bible is quite clear. The fact that the debate has run on for centuries does not mean that equally clear minded Christians could not come to agreement, but that there are spiritual factors that prevent Reformation principles from being accepted. The old Adamic nature loves itself above God and wants to be captain of its own destiny. This, and not God’s lack of clarity on vital issues, is why the conflict continues. If you wish to become convinced of this, take and read.”
-Rick Ritchie, from Modern Reformation Magazine
The Pope of Protestantism: Brief Thoughts on My Previous Post
Posted by thetenthleper in Politics/Culture on February 25, 2008
No doubt the findings in the article from my previous post have caused concern among many people in the church over the past few years. Young Christians today, while not necessarily liberal, are far from being as conservative as many Christians in this country have tended to be. Is this a cause for concern? Not necessarily. Honestly many Christians need to chill out about this. I found that article to be, at the very least interesting, and at the very most encouraging. While I am conservative when it comes to abortion and gay marriage and believe the Bible is pretty clear on such issues, I’ve become very turned-off by those who use these two issues as their sole basis of judgment. Issues addressed in the article (drugs, alcohol, sex, environmental causes*, health care, poverty) are huge issues. Poverty especially, which finds significant attention in Scripture. None of this is to say that abortion and gay marriage are insignificant issues, but rather that it is Scripturally irresponsible to focus merely on these two issues.** Honestly, its rare if not improbable to find a candidate which is fully in line with Scripture on every single issue. We’re not voting for the Pope of Protestantism. Depending on your slant of glass half-full or half-empty, as Christians we’re voting either for the best choice or the lesser evil. The American government isn’t the church. We don’t need it to be.
*- A cause which, contrary to much belief, is about far more than just being a tree-hugging hippie.
**- If we were to prioritize political issues by frequency of mention in Scripture, homosexuality wouldn’t even come close to poverty.
Shifting Values of the American Christian Youth
Posted by thetenthleper in Politics/Culture on February 17, 2008
Are Young Evangelicals Skewing More Liberal?
A younger generation of evangelical Christians is coming of age — and as they head to the polls, they are breaking from their parents and focusing on a broader range of issues than just abortion and gay marriage.
This weekend at a concert and a rally in New York City, a huge gathering of Christian youth came together to decry the coarsening of culture.
“What should be done to stop glamorizing the things that are destroying my friends, your friends — like drugs, alcohol and sex?” cried a young evangelical.
The top three issues these young evangelical Christians said they most want the presidential candidates to address are Internet pornography, media glamorization of sex and drugs, and children orphaned by AIDS. Abortion and gay marriage were not at the top of their list.
Many of those who did rank abortion as their number one issue also said their favorite candidate was Barack Obama.
When asked if they were bothered that Obama is pro-choice, one young evangelical responded: “Maybe a little bit, but it’s all personal preference. I mean, you can’t really pass judgment on someone because that’s their belief.”
This is a significant departure from the older generation of evangelicals.
Only 40 percent of evangelicals younger than 30 call themselves Republicans, according to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. Two years ago, 55 percent of them did.
The study also found that they are more interested in environmental causes, improving health care and combating poverty than their parents.
Observers say traditional leaders like Pat Robertson and James Dobson are now being replaced by more moderate leaders like mega church pastor Rick Warren — and by a young generation with a much broader agenda.
ABC News’ Dan Harris reported this story for “World News.”
