culturewar

Religion & Politics

Few topics are able to stir the ire of people as much as a discussion on religion and politics.  In fact, I’m sure some are reading this article that might normally skip by this page because the title caught their attention.  However, before I address the relationship between religion and politics, I would like to …

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Top 10 Christian Myths

If  you’re growing, you must be doing something right. One is in good standing with God so long as He can find his name written in the book…The United Church Directory. God wants you to be happy more than he wants you to be holy. Teenagers must have a Youth Minister and be a part …

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Last World War I Survivor

While watching the History Channel the other night, my children began asking me a few questions about World War I (I think they thought I lived through it).  Anyway, I was telling them that when I was their age, I knew many World War I veterans.  It just so happened that the very next day, …

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JoePa

Say It Ain’t So, Joe!

By now, most everyone has heard that the legendary college football coach, Joe Paterno has been fired from Penn State.  The reason for Paterno’s firing is his involvement (or lack thereof) in a child molestation case involving one of Paterno’s coaches.  Jerry Sandusky, one of Paterno’s assistant coaches is  now facing 40 charges in a …

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astro

Time Capsules

When I was a child, I was really intrigued by the concept of time travel.  I loved H.G. Wells, “The Time Machine,” and I enjoyed watching a number of other movies that had astronauts somehow finding themselves hurled through space to another time.  Although time travel is just fantasy and will never be achieved, when …

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Religion & PoliticsTop 10 Christian MythsLast World War I SurvivorSay It Ain’t So, Joe!Time Capsules

Jan
23

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus (A Response)

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Recently, Jefferson Bethke did a video that he posted on YouTube, and that video has gone viral.  In his video, Bethke affirms his reasons for hating religion while loving Jesus.  His words have resonated with many people.  This “new” and “fresh” take on religion and Jesus, is really not new at all.  I’m old enough to remember some of the same rhetoric being spoken in the 1970′s.

The problem I have with Bethke’s video is that he has created a false dichotomy between religion and Jesus.  He pits the two at odds against each other on opposite ends of the spectrum.  The things that he identifies in his video that appall him, appall me as well.  But instead of addressing and opposing the abuses of religion, he opposes religion.  Instead of  contrasting “false religion” and “Jesus”, he contrasts “religion” and “Jesus.”  Thus he sets Jesus against what he came to establish (Matthew 16:18), and he labels as “worthy of hate” that which James says is “pure and undefiled” (James 1:27).

If I may, I would like to illustrate his mistake with a poem of my own.  Now I know I’m not young and hip, in fact I just turned 50.  So you won’t ever see me on YouTube in a leather jacket reciting the words to this poem.  But if you can identify the problem with my parody, you can identify the problem with Bethke’s video.

Why I Hate Marriage, But Love Intimacy
What if I told you that Jesus came to abolish marriage.
That in terms of seeking justice, saying “I do” is a great miscarriage?

Marriage is an institution that everyone thinks is right,
But from all I’ve ever seen it results in one ongoing fight.

Within the “sacred” bonds of marriage, “holy” vows are broken,
Saying to “love, honor, and cherish” are nothing more than tokens.

In marriage, honesty is scarce, lying and deception reign,
Jesus calls for a transparency that only marriage can feign.

Before you stand at the altar and say your “I do’s,”
You better consider first if you want Jesus opposed to you.

It’s love that Jesus seeks, not some formal institution,
Throw marriage aside, stand with Jesus, let’s start a revolution.

If Bethke wanted to call out and expose false religion, more power to him!  But if he wants to call out and expose false religion under the name of “religion,” then I for one must speak up in defense of what I love.  I would suggest that Mr. Bethke might retitle his video as, “Why I hate false religion, but love Jesus.”  Or even better yet, do a video telling us “Why I love religion and Love Jesus.”

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Jan
21

A Display or a Demonstration?

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While living in Kentucky, we lived about 20 miles from the Corvette plant and the Corvette Museum.  When one visits the Corvette Museum, he will see dozens of Corvettes on display.  They’re beautiful to look at but one thing is for certain…none of those automobiles on display are for demonstration.  They are for display only.  While the displays were really nice, if they really wanted to grab my attention, they would have let me take the car for a short demonstration.

Surely we see the difference between a “display” and a “demonstration.”  A display is just for looks.  A demonstration invites you to sit in the driver’s seat and take it for a spin.  A display is superficial, a demonstration makes the sale.

With that in mind, have you considered the cross of Jesus?  The cross of Jesus has often been called a “display” of  God’s love.  Yes, it was a display of God’s love, but it was more than that.  It was a “demonstration!”  God didn’t just sent a message, he participated in it!

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

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Jan
20

If Jesus Couldn’t, Why Do We Think We Can?

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Expectations have much to do with our contentment.  Those who place unrealistic expectations upon themselves are generally discouraged, and feel as though they are a failure.  I’m convinced that if people had proper expectations, they would not be so soon moved to discouragement, depression, and despair.  An obvious step to “reeling in” our expectations is to understand the fact that “if Jesus couldn’t do something, we need to stop believing we can.

Consider:

  • Jesus couldn’t make his own family believe that he was the Son of God (John 7:1-6), so why then do we beat ourselves up for sometimes failing to do the same?
  • Jesus couldn’t avoid sadness and sorrow (Isaiah 53:5), so why do we sometimes act as though we expect life to be a bed of roses?
  • Jesus couldn’t go without rest (Mark 6:31), so why do we feel guilty if we aren’t on the go 24/7?
  • Jesus couldn’t avoid making enemies (John 15:18), so why are we so surprised when people hate us for our faith?
  • Jesus couldn’t cause all men to repent (Matthew 23:37), so let’s be content with our best efforts.  We can’t obey for others.
  • Jesus couldn’t even forgive all men of their sins  though he was willing (John 8:24; Luke 17:3), so why do we think we can forgive those who will not repent?

Maybe the first step to contentment is in shedding the guilt that comes from the unrealistic expectations we place upon ourselves.  After all, if Jesus couldn’t do it, why do we think we can?

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Jan
14

I’ve Been Wrong All This Time

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For years now, I have preached that we never stop learning.  I have taught that one can spend a lifetime studying, and yet still learn something new.  I have also taught that one can be convinced he is right about something, believe it most of one’s life, only to learn that it is not true.  This phenomenon happened to me today.  You see, for my entire life, I have thought that a person is old when he reaches the age of 50.  Well, today I have learned that this just isn’t true.

And you thought it was something more, didn’t you? :-)

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Jan
09

Did You Think To Pray?

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Consider the following truth: “Jesus went more readily to the cross of Calvary than we do to the throne of grace in prayer.”

But why is that so? Is it because of a lack of faith?  A spirit of independence?  Carelessness?  Yes, yes, and yes.

Friends, when I meditate upon that opening statement, I am put to shame.  What about you?  Well, if you’re like me, you have a choice to make.  Will you go your own way and act as though you were never confronted by this truth, or will you decide to do better?

If my Lord could willingly face the horrors of the cross, then surely I can with more consistency approach the gracious throne of God with my petitions and intercessions.  What about you?  Give it some thought.

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Jan
05

The Problem With Some Christians…

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With very little observation necessary, one can easily see that not everyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus is committed to the task of discipleship.  Apparently, “Easy-beliefism” has salved the consciences of those who are unwilling to bring their lifestyle into conformity with their desires.

Take a close look at the list below.  Do any of the items describe your thinking or lifestyle?  Could the word “they” be replaced by the word, “I?”  Give it some thought.

  1. They revere the Bible, but they don’t read it.
  2. They believe the 10 Commandments, but they don’t know them.
  3. They love God, but they don’t abhor sin.
  4. They want a crown, but they don’t want a cross.
  5. They want a Savior, but they don’t want a Lord.
  6. They want a harvest, but they don’t want to sow any seed.
  7. They want the right to pray, but they don’t.
  8. They want Hollywood to clean up it’s act, but they go to all the movies regardless.
  9. They want to go to Heaven, but they don’t want to go to church.
  10. They want to be served, but they don’t want to serve.
  11. They want to die the death of the righteous, but they live the life of a sinner.
  12. They want spiritual growth, but they don’t want to feed on his word for nourishment.
  13. They want a relationship with Jesus, but they don’t want to be tied down to a church.
  14. They want a preacher to “tell it like it is,” but they do as they please.
  15. They want God to be 1st in their lives, but he always comes in 2nd to their social calendar.

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