Sociologists Study: Americans Have Four Different Views of God: Authoritative, Benevolent, Critical, Distant
…Philip Yancey…says he moved from the Authoritative God of his youth — “a scowling, super-policeman in the sky, waiting to smash someone having a good time” — to a “God like a doctor who has my best interest at heart…” If you pray to God, to whom — or what — are you praying? When... Continue Reading
The Proposed PCA Administrative Committee Funding Plan: Like a Tax Proposal from the Past
In the late 19th century Charles Hodge…complained that voluntary giving by congregations and individuals was not raising enough money…and proposed an obligatory “tithe” …. In objecting to this, Dr. Thomas E. Peck wrote probably the best critique regarding compulsory giving. After some study of this issue, I find that Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is... Continue Reading
Now What? Some thoughts after the Election on Lessons and Expectations
Euphoria swells in the hearts of many today as we hope and pray for a change in government policies which will better reflect the government we find in the Bible. I join in that hope. On the other side of the election, what can we learn? What can we expect? For the believer, our lessons... Continue Reading
The Morning After — What Does it All Mean?
The election results of 2010 will lead to big changes in Washington and far beyond. That in itself is good news. But all this must be put in a truly Christian context. The meaning of the 2010 election is destined now to be the Great Debate of the next political season. While this is true... Continue Reading
Anglicanism and Its Historical Identity
So, who really did invent the doctrine of the Inerrancy of the Bible? One of the odd things I have noticed in recent years is the historical isolationism of certain streams of Anglican evangelicalism. It manifests itself in a number of ways: a disparagement of the Book of Common Prayer; the downplaying of systematic theology... Continue Reading
Damnation by generalization. To save space, let’s call it DBG.
What is DBG? It is when I pick you up and throw you to the proverbial trash heap, because I am so sure I know exactly what you are like. Examples, please. “Republicans love big business.” “Democrats just want more government.” “Tea part activists don’t care about hurting people.” “Environmentalists worship trees.” More examples, please.... Continue Reading
Author Bill Federer warns: Islam is more than a religion
“Either God is schizophrenic or we’re not worshipping the same god,” he said. “One of the unforgiveable sins (in Islam) is to say Jesus is the son of God. It’s the opposite in Christianity … There’s no way we’re worshipping the same god.” Citing “1,400 years of track record,” author and commentator Bill Federer warned... Continue Reading
Have Democrats lost faith in faith-based outreach?
Lackluster commitment from party leaders, a failure to connect their policies with moral values, and the dire economy all explain Democrats’ lack of success with religious voters, according to politicos and faith leaders. As Democrats conduct a grim postmortem on Tuesday’s (Nov. 2) elections, some liberal leaders say one diagnosis is already clear: the party’s... Continue Reading
Researchers: Conservative Christian Voters Can’t Be Ignored
Exit polls reveal that Conservative Christian voters are a large and growing political force that “cannot be ignored,” says the Faith and Freedom Coalition. A Public Opinion Strategies survey, released Wednesday, shows that 32 percent of Americans who showed up at the polls this week identified themselves as part the Christian conservative movement. FFC says... Continue Reading
How Heaven Is Like a Small Town
I’m with Jacques Ellul on this one –cities can dehumanize…Probably community used to happen in cities, but I sense that met its demise with the death of self-sufficient neighborhoods, which were like small towns within cities. There is a tendency to idolize both one’s upbringing and the small town, and it is not my intention... Continue Reading