Everything That's On My Mind - Culture

Random Links

Pastor Bob — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 13:20:46 GMT

Ben Witherington seems to be on a pilgrimage of sorts this summer. His recent post about the city of Ephesus is excellent. It must be nice to have summers off.

Scot McKnight's series "Letters to Emerging Christians" has been full of interesting nuggets. The most recent letter addresses how to explain the Gospel simply and accurately.I like his Kingdom focus. Rick Meigs (the Blind Beggar) posted on a similar topic recently.

Earl Creps recently wrote a very convicting piece entitled Landfill Repentance.

Mark Roberts recently had the opportunity to debate Christopher Hitchens, author of the recent book god is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything on Hugh Hewitt's podcast. He's been elaborating in a series on his blog.

Finally, Angie sent me this link. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Probably both. Yikes!

The True Thrill of Victory

Pastor Bob — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:54:48 GMT

As a child growing up in the 70's, I was addicted to ABC's Wide World of Sports. Every Saturday afternoon I would marvel at the exploits of people like Muhammad Ali, Richard Petty, and Franz Klammer. Jim McKay's voice still echoes in my head: "the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat".

While in the show's intro the "agony of defeat" was personified by little-known ski jumper Vinko Bogataj (yes, I had to look it up), I always thought that agony was most accurately portrayed by one man: Evel Knievel. It seemed like every week he was on the show performing some ridiculous motorcycle stunt; often with very painful results. He was anything but a role model, even after he stopped performing. Assault and battery, womanizing, substance abuse, weapons charges, and I'm sure much more I'm not aware of.

I'm always a little hesitant to trumpet celebrity conversions. It seems to pander to our celebrity-obsessed society. Celebrity conversions are no more significant than any other. Yet I know that such people can be used by God in unique ways to spread the gospel. Evel is apparently the latest example of someone God has chosen to use in such ways. On Palm Sunday, Evel publicly confessed his faith in Christ at the Crystal Cathedral in California, and inspired hundreds to follow his example. Like any other new believer Evel is going to have his victories and his struggles as he grows in Christ, but I pray God continues to use him in such powerful ways.

UPDATE: Apparently, not everyone can get to the Christianity Today article I linked to above. Here's another article on the same event.

An Inconvenient Truth

Pastor Bob — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:19:43 GMT

I found this interesting article today. I don't highlight this article for political reasons. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of either politician at this point. What I find interesting is the ease with which human beings are able to claim they believe something without actually acting to do anything about it. It's not just politicians, it's all of us. We're all prone to hypocrisy. It's very easy for us to point out that trait in others, but how easily do we recognize it in ourselves? Jesus' instructions ring loud and clear: we need to worry more about the plank than the sawdust.

Marketing by mockery

Pastor Bob — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:03:04 GMT

This campaign bugs me a bit. It reminds me of all the mud-slinging political ads we get around election time. Now, I couldn't care less what kind of computer you use, any more than I care what kind of hammer you use to hit your thumb. The ads would bug me just as much if they were Microsoft ads poking fun at Mac users. It's a matter of trying to win an argument by degrading your opponent through personal attacks. Yes I know, it's just humor. Just like all the jokes played on me when I was the nerd in high school. :-S

The ad campaign got me thinking, however, about the church and our "marketing". How do we "sell" people on the gospel? Do we try to degrade all other options to make Christianity look more attractive? Do we paint caricatures of other belief systems so they're easier to knock down? I hope not. The transforming power of the gospel of Jesus is all that is needed. For too long, Christians have tried to "help" the gospel by degrading everyone from homosexuals to liberals to Hollywood. It's called a "culture war". The problem is, as I said in a sermon recently, we're fighting the wrong battles and the wrong weapons.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

P.S. My Windows-based PC has a built-in camera, just like a Mac, and it works great! :-)

A kind of excellent dumb discourse

Pastor Bob — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 23:06:38 GMT

I greatly enjoyed Michael Spencer's recent essay entitled Grace and The Gospel in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” over at InternetMonk.com. I love Shakespeare's plays as well, although I originally came to them through the study of theater rather than literature. It's been many, many years since I've seen a staging of "The Tempest". I was too young to grasp what is possibly Shakespeare's most complex work. Reading Michael's analysis makes me hungry to see it again. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a decent version on DVD, so I guess I'll have to wait until the Hilberry or Stratford Festival stages it.

(Yes, yes, I know. I can just read the play...and I will. But plays are meant to be staged, not just read.)

Michael's essay got me thinking about faith and the arts again. Shakespeare spoke to the human condition. His tragedies, in particular, were cautionary tales addressing the besetting sins of mankind. Macbeth warns against greed and lust for power, Romeo and Juliet: revenge, Hamlet: falsehood and deception, Othello: envy. Even his comedies often addressed similar themes from a different perspective. We need more art like that today. Art that inspires and challenges assumptions, rather than simply feeding the monster or numbing the brain.

Nuclear Family Fission

Pastor Bob — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 20:18:42 GMT

I saw this story earlier in the week and intended to blog about it. My good friend Keith Schooley beat me to it and, as usual, is more eloquent than I could hope to be. The quick uptake is this: the nuclear family is now a minority of U.S. households. To borrow a term from economics, I believe this one of the "leading cultural indicators" of the eventual downfall of our great country. As Keith puts it, "This is the iceberg ripping into the hull of the Titanic." God help us.

What is a Church?

Pastor Bob — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:31:53 GMT

Mark Roberts has been blogging a great series called What is a Church? He started with a theological discussion of the NT definition of "church" (ekklesia), but has now begun to address the more practical applications of the definition. Today's post was particularly good. He focuses on the idea that the church is really meant be "an alternative society, a thumbnail sketch of the kingdom of God." I like this definition. As Dr. Roberts notes, however, we rarely achieve that goal.

Keith Schooley recently blogged about the issue of the Christian subculture. What's the difference between a subculture and an alternative society? I think of a subculture in mathematical terms. A subset in mathematics is a grouping that retains some elements of the superset, but excludes some elements. That is what the church has become, a subset of the larger culture. We exclude (or claim to exclude) some elements of modern society like pornography and abortion, yet retain many of the elements of modern society such as materialism and radical individualism.

An alternative society, on the other hand, is more like an intersection. There are still common elements, but there are differences that make us unique not by what we exclude but by what we include. For example, we share cultural elements such as food or the arts but we should be unique in our Kingdom focus. Characteristics such as our devotion to God, our devotion to brotherly love, the fruit of the Spirit, and our life priorities (i.e how we spend our time and money) should be the unique characteristics that define our society.

Being a subculture is easy. In fact, everyone is a part of at least one subculture whether they realize it or not. Being an alternative society, however, takes conscious effort. It's swimming upstream. That's what we're called by God to do. He hasn't called us to add religion to our already over-stuffed lives, He has called us to be transformed. Not a subset of the existing culture, but an alternative to it.

Swapping or swiping?

Pastor Bob — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 03:03:06 GMT

I ran across this article in the LA Times and it struck a raw nerve with me. It seems I'm regularly confronted by Christians who seem to think piracy is just something Johnny Depp does in the movies. Unfortunately, illegal downloading, swapping, and copying of copyrighted material (primarily music and movies) is just as rampant among Christians as it is in the rest of society. There's one very simple verse that addresses this behavior.

"You shall not steal."

“The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable”

~Brennan Manning

How to have a cellphone and still remain a Christian

Pastor Bob — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:38:25 GMT

I've been going through the archives of Ben Witherington's blog. I love the variety he has in his blogging. You never know if you're going to get a movie review, a poem, cultural commentary, or a theological dissertation. I stumbled upon this great post regarding Christians and cellphones and I thought I'd pass it along.

Brother Alice, take two

Pastor Bob — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 18:13:51 GMT

"I'm a true believer in God and Satan. I may be one of the only people in the world that believes that Bible stories are literal. I literally believe that there is a character named the Devil who is definitely out for you and me. He's out there to get you and me to look away from Christ."

~Alice Cooper in the Toronto Sun

You're not alone, Alice. You're not alone.

HT: Thunderstruck

Science proves water is wet

Pastor Bob — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 02:06:59 GMT

This will echo a previous post but once again the academic world has proven what intelligent people already knew, that explicit song lyrics can encourage early sexual activity. As the father of a pre-teen girl, I've seen what other parents allow their kids to listen to and it makes me want to cry. The general response is usually "they don't understand what it's really about, so it doesn't really matter." My response to that is twofold. First, kids understand A LOT more than we give them credit. Usually, the statement "they don't understand" is made from ignorance, anyway. You don't know what your kids understand unless you talk to them about it, and too many parents don't take the time to do that. Second, once you realize they really DO understand, it's too late. Pandora's Box is open, you've already allowed them to set the pattern.

It's never too early to begin teaching our kids how to guard their hearts. Parents need to control what their kids are listening to / watching / reading. They may give you a hard time now, but in the end they'll be glad you did.

Independence Day

Pastor Bob — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 01:58:32 GMT

Independence. Our country was founded in a fight for independence. To this day, our society worships at the altar of independence. Herbert Hoover called us a country of rugged individualists. From John Wayne to John McLane, the great icons of our society are the lone heroes who save the day single-handedly. The problem with this is, the idea of independence is completely contrary to the design of God. We’re designed to be dependent.

Right from the beginning, God said “it is not good for man to be alone,” yet right from the beginning man has tried to go it alone. American society, however, is unique in its obsession with individuality. In his book Against the Night (out of print) Chuck Colson compared the rise and fall of Rome to modern western society and concluded that the barbarians are at the gates and a new “dark age” is upon us. The beginning of the end, Colson argued, was the rise of individualism; when man became “the fixed point around which everything else revolved.” The U.S. is the primary purveyor of this kind of thinking, and unfortunately the church has often been infected with the same kind of thinking.

Mutual inter-dependence is a central theme of scripture. Beginning with Cain’s question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” the resounding answer has been “Yes!” This flows through to the New Testament, where Paul reminds us that we are all members of the Body of Christ, each one dependent on the other. Individualism is not something for Christians to celebrate, it is something for us to un-learn. We are designed by God to be reliant creatures, who live and breathe community. Our dependence on God and on the community of faith he has placed us in is central to who we are.

To be clear, I’m talking about independence; not individuality. Individuality is God-designed diversity. No one can look at His creation or the scriptures and not understand God’s love for diversity and individuality. Too often people confuse the two. Individuality is something to be enjoyed and celebrated. Independence, however, is a mindset that is contrary to everything that God teaches us. Dependence is a forgotten virtue, especially in American society. We’ve forgotten (or maybe never learned in the first place) how much we need each other, and how much we need God.

Don’t get me wrong, I love our country and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. We should be thankful for and celebrate the freedom we have. As Christians, however, we must remember that our ultimate citizenship is in the Kingdom of Heaven. We cannot confuse American values with godly values, for they are often in conflict.

All the news that's fit to...

Pastor Bob — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 01:36:28 GMT

I’ve heard it said that the last person who knew everything (i.e. all the accumulated human knowledge at the time) was Erasmus. Of course we have no way of confirming that, but the fact remains that it is no longer possible for one person to absorb all the information that humanity has gathered. We all have to specialize in one way or another. The challenge today is incredible volume of information available to us. How do we filter for the important stuff and not be distracted by the trivial? How do we find reliable sources of information?

Joe Carter’s latest post over at the Evangelical Outpost got me thinking about this. His post focuses on the news industry, which in my opinion is becoming more and more irrelevant. I was in college studying broadcasting and working at the college radio station when USA Today began to be popular. I remember my professors decrying it as “McPaper,” fast-food news without any meaningful content. I don’t know if that was the beginning of the end or if it goes back to Edward R. Murrow, but news has become entertainment rather than information.

I used to be a news junkie. I read the newspaper, watched CNN (this was pre-FoxNews), and listened to talk radio all day long. In the end, I don’t think it was really profitable. Joe may have it right, it may be no better than watching the mindless sitcoms. All the news outlets use the same sources anyway. They just wrap it up in different clothes. I still listen to the news on the radio (WWJ) in the morning to see if there’s anything “breaking” that I need to know about. I still read the Sunday newspaper, at least some of it. They’re not my major sources of information anymore, though.

These days I try to focus on gathering information that helps me be what God has called me to be…a pastor, a father, a husband, a friend. Blogs are an interesting new tool for that kind of information gathering. They’re not a perfect source either. There are far, far too many for any one person to read. They can suffer from the same problems of triviality, and many are untrustworthy sources or have a particular axe to grind. I’ve found a few blogs that focus on the kind of information I need. By paying attention to the books they quote, the sources they cite, their links and blogrolls I find other possible sources.

I’m curious. How do my many (hee hee) loyal readers filter the noise of our information culture to find relevant information?

Christian unity and doctrinal purity

Pastor Bob — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 01:33:25 GMT

I really sympathize with Mark Roberts, who is one of my favorite bloggers. For those of you who don't read Mark's stuff, he's a PCUSA pastor who is much more conservative theologically than the majority of his denomination. It can't be easy watching your fellowship slip from its commitment to biblical principles. I appreciate the honesty and gentleness he has shown in his response to the recent changes in the PCUSA.

I can't imagine that any thinking person would always agree 100% with every decision made by their fellowship. I know I don't always agree with the decisions of the A/G. (NOTE: I said decisions, not doctrines :-) As Christians, however, we're called to submit to one another out of love. Of course, that's infinitely more difficult for someone in Mark's position, where the changes address "hot button" issues.

It's a constant struggle for any thoughtful, sincere Christian to stand firm while showing gentleness and love, especially when it comes to disputable matters. I'm speaking on what I think is a "disputable matter" tomorrow, so I suppose I'll get some practice...and so will our church. Pray for me as I pray for Mark. :-)

C.S. Lewis does it again

Pastor Bob — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 01:31:16 GMT

This is really cool.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20 (NIV)

The blogging caveman

Pastor Bob — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 01:25:37 GMT

I don’t think I’ll ever understand the feminist agenda. Why is it that they insist on defining a woman’s value by her earning power? Elizabeth Vargas recently resigned from anchoring the CBS World News Tonight to have more time for her family and the child she is expecting. She made it abundantly clear that it was her choice and she wasn’t forced out or fired, yet the feminists can’t accept that. They can’t understand why anyone would do such a thing; she must be lying for the network, they say. How incredibly narrow-minded. Motherhood is the most valuable and influential occupation anyone could have. Salary.com has calculated that a fair wage for the average stay-at-home mother is over $134,000. In the end, that means the feminist agenda is all about money. I suppose they won’t be satisfied until moms are actually paid a six-figure salary.

It seems to me the logical conclusion of the feminist agenda would be a society without marriage altogether. Anyone wanting children would go to the local reproductive clinic and hire a surrogate mother; whoever carries the child to term should be paid too, after all. Then once the child is born, a nanny would need to be hired and paid a lucrative salary for raising the child. Pardon me for being a Neanderthal, but I don’t want to live in that kind of society. I’ll stick with God’s plan, thank you very much.

Now for any readers who don’t know me personally, I will clarify that I don’t mean that women shouldn’t have careers. I’m simply saying that the feminists should (but never will) recognize the power, value, and appeal of good, old-fashioned motherhood.

BTW, my congratulations to Elizabeth Vargas and her husband Marc Cohn. Marc is one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters. May their child arrive healthy and be a great blessing to their home.

Sacred Ink

Pastor Bob — Tue, 30 May 2006 01:09:24 GMT

Well, my last post was probably a bit controversial, so I suppose another one can’t hurt. Only three people read my blog anyway.

Well, it’s Memorial Day and I’m thinking about monuments. Keith spoke Sunday and mentioned the monuments of the Old Testament. Jacob, Joshua, Samuel and others erected monuments of one kind or another to remind themselves and their ancestors of an event where God intervened in their lives. These monuments were permanent reminders of what God had done for them. Today, nations build monuments to commemorate events or people, but how do individuals erect monuments to God’s goodness? We live in such a mobile culture that we can’t really erect our own monuments. People generally don’t stay in the same place long enough for a monument to be a lifelong reminder.

My grandfather had a “monument” of sorts. It was on the wall of his home near the front door where he would pass it every day. It was a simple frame containing the name “Jesus,” the name spelled out using all sorts of pills he took for various health problems before he accepted the forgiveness of Christ. God healed him of those health problems and the “monument” was a continual reminder of what God had done.

How do modern people create permanent monuments to remind them of God’s goodness, no matter where they go? Pastor Chuckk (yes, he spells it with two k’s) Gerwig has created a web site called Sacred Ink that is a great example of how some people answer that question. I love his site. Traditionally evangelical Christians have had a very negative attitude toward tattoos, for a number of reasons. I don't. In fact, I have my own permanent monument to God’s grace and mercy. Some people use tattoos as an act of rebellion, but the same can be said for clothes, hair styles, motorcycles, etc. Pastor Chuckk’s site shows that others, like me, use them as permanent reminders of God’s love.

Tattoos clearly aren’t for everyone, but monuments are. Each follower of Christ needs to find ways to be constantly reminded of God’s goodness, mercy and grace. We are prone to forgetting, and forgetting what God has done is the first step toward ingratitude, bitterness, and eventually apostasy. The Hebrews of the Old Testament used rocks and tassels on their garments. What will you use?

Words mean things, part 2

Pastor Bob — Thu, 25 May 2006 01:04:25 GMT

There’s been a bit of a firestorm in the Godblogsphere (who invented that term, anyway?) in the past few days. The spark seems to have been Mark Driscoll’s new book, Confessions of a Reformission Rev and Tim Challies review of that book. I haven’t read the book, but I have seen a few of the quotes that people are up in arms about. I’ve read other things Driscoll has written and he certainly doesn’t mince words. He has gone a bit overboard a time or two, IMHO. However, one could probably say the same about the apostle Paul. The question seems to be, how blunt is too blunt? Where do we draw the line on language? What qualifies as “unwholesome talk” or “obscenity” and what doesn’t?

Just how blunt was Paul? There are those who persuasively argue that Paul’s language was “colorful” by modern standards. I’m no Greek scholar, so I won’t weigh in on that question. In truth, even the scholars are guessing anyway. There’s no way for us to go back and determine exactly how Paul’s original audience would have reacted to his language. Even if we could, it’s not that helpful. Language is constantly changing, and it is totally dependent on the culture in which it is used. The same language is interpreted differently in different regions, or even by different people in the same region. What is considered coarse language by some is normal speech for others.

For example, the British slang term for a cigarette is a very inflammatory term here in the States. I could probably use the word “darn” in a Sunday sermon and no one would blink an eye, but change one letter and I would probably hear a few gasps…even though they essentially synonymous. The same comparison could be made between the words “poop” or “crap”* and Tony Campolo’s famous scatological expletive. I remember hearing Campolo’s “You Don’t Give A ____!” sermon in person as a young man. There were certainly a few gasps around me, but that was the intended effect. Was it effective use of language or simply gratuitous vulgarity? I suppose it depends on who you ask. I wasn’t offended, but I’m sure there are those who were.

As usual, I find myself in the middle between extremes on this topic. Am I going to use any of George Carlin’s “Seven Dirty Words” in a Sunday sermon? No. Are certain four letter words automatically a sin to utter? Not necessarily. Are we free as Christians to use any language device in any situation? Of course not. Should we judge each other’s faith based solely on our use of language? I won’t even dignify that question with a response. Christians do far too much judging as it is.

I don’t believe there is a universal list of “bad words” we need to avoid. Words convey meaning, and it is the meaning that matters. I can easily engage in “unwholesome talk” without using any questionable euphemisms whatsoever. On the other hand, I will admit that in private conversations with friends I have occasionally used “colorful metaphors” to accurately convey my meaning and I don’t believe I crossed the “unwholesome talk” threshold. I believe the answer is found in this: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26 NIV) Our language should not be our master, but we should always be the master of it. Any word used carelessly can be harmful, especially words spoken in anger and without self-control. Our words should always be carefully chosen, “full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Not enough salt and the food is bland and unmemorable, too much salt and the food too harsh for the palate.

*I wouldn’t be surprised if some of my readers may even find this term offensive, but that just proves my point. The KJV contains the word “piss” in a number of verses (don't follow that link if you're sensitive to crude language), but you wouldn’t believe (or maybe you would) the reaction I got when as a young man I used that term in front of my pastor.

Screwtape on The Da Vinci Code

Pastor Bob — Mon, 08 May 2006 01:02:12 GMT

The Screwtape Letters has long been one of my favorite books. That probably reveals something about my character...although it's no surprise to those who know me well. I've always loved playing the role of "the devil's advocate." (Boy, that really sounds bad.) Over the years, many authors have tried to take up the mantle of C.S. Lewis and translate other missives of old Uncle Screwtape. The latest is Eric Metaxas in his essay Screwtape on The Da Vinci Code. He does a decent job, but no one will ever match the original. It's like someone trying to imitate Shakespeare. It's fun, but it never quite matches up. Still, it's an enjoyable read.

Pre-porn

Pastor Bob — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 00:45:45 GMT

I can't believe that anyone will be surprised by this, but there's now "proof" from academia that sexy media is a siren call to promiscuity. It never ceases to amaze me what parents today allow their sons and daughters to watch/wear/listen to. An entire generation of kids is becoming completely desensitized to violence and promiscuous sexuality. I shudder to think about the cultural and spiritual ramifications.

Friend of Sinners

Pastor Bob — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:27:44 GMT

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)

Ex-Stripper Spreads Gospel to Those in Sex Industry

Thoughts on the eve of the Oscars

Pastor Bob — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 20:14:53 GMT

It’s with some trepidation that I begin this blog entry. As Brian McLaren has outlined recently, trying to address the issue of homosexuality is a minefield for those of us trying to accurately represent both the truth of God’s word and the truth of His love for sinners. With this year’s movies like “Brokeback Mountain”, “Transamerica”, and to a lesser degree, “Capote”,* Hollywood has brought this issue to the forefront like never before. Many in the Christian community have decried the purported agenda of these movies. On the eve of the Academy Awards, I offer a few observations on the issue of homosexual behavior.

Homosexual behavior is sin. There is no honest, literal reading of scripture that can come to any other conclusion. However, it is not a “special” sin. It is no different to God than the sins we find “more acceptable” like divorce, lust, or greed. As fallen human beings, we classify sins. Those who are overcome by sins that we ourselves are tempted by receive our understanding and mercy, whereas those who are overcome by sins that we are not tempted by are more likely to be condemned and ostracized. God has no such categories. Spending time browsing the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is no less repugnant in God’s eyes than homosexual activity.
We need to learn how to listen, even to viewpoints that we disagree with. Listening, discussing, and caring will not “compromise” the Gospel. Quite to the contrary, how can we expect anyone to listen to our viewpoint if we are unwilling to listen to their viewpoint? Spreading the Gospel does not require silencing the voices of dissent; the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to overcome all opposition. Have we learned nothing from church history?
Can we as Christians please refrain from joining the fraternity of the perpetually offended? Do we really want to be associated with PETA, NOW, Greenpeace and the rest of the professional protest industry? When I read scripture, I don’t see Jesus or John or Paul or James or Peter decrying the decay of Roman society or calling for political change. Picket lines and press releases do not help spread the Gospel. The fires of revival are not fed by political action; they are fed by prayer, devotion, and holiness.

Yes, we live in a society that is in decline. Yes, voices we disagree with are getting louder and louder. Yes, behaviors that God calls sin are becoming more and more acceptable in our culture. The answer is not political power; the answer is Holy Spirit power. Our calling is not to protest, but to make disciples. Our message is not one of condemnation, but one of love.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:9-10 (NIV)

* Full disclosure: I have not seen any of the three movies mentioned above. The only one I have any plans to see is “Capote”. In fact, as I look at the list of Oscar nominees I realize I have seen very few of the nominated movies this year and none of the Best Picture nominees, which is surprising to me.

Bono on artistic inspiration

Pastor Bob — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:33:27 GMT

(I started reading Bono: A Self-Portrait in Conversation over the holidays. I'll probably blog on it a few times as quotes grab me.)

“The world demands to be described, and so, painters, poets, journalists, pornographers, and sitcom writers, by accident or by design, are just following orders, whether from high or low, to describe the world they’re in.”
~Bono

This reminded me of a blog entry I made a while ago on the arts. I've always been more of an artist-wannabe than a true artist. I have a great appreciation for those who have the talent and drive to "describe the world they're in." I think Bono makes a great observation here, that all artists are just following orders. The question is, where are those orders coming from? That's not to say that only Christians can create God-inspired art, nor that all art created by non-Christians inspired by Satan. The point is, nothing is created in a vacuum. Only God creates "ex nihlo", with no outside influences.

The fact is, all of us are under the influence of both Good and Evil. Whether you're painting the ceiling of some chapel in Italy or grinding out the day in some bland cubicle, what you do/think/say is influenced by the things around you. None of us are an island, no matter how hard some try. We do, however, have a measure of control over how we are influenced by these things. That's why it's so important to walk through this life with brains and spirits fully engaged.

When I owned a sailboat, I could choose to allow the wind to push me where it was blowing, or I could use the tools I had (a sail, a rudder, a brain) to choose my path. I couldn't change the wind, but I could change my course. The same is true in life. We can't change the influences around us, but we can choose the direction we allow them to drive us. The question is, are you choosing or drifting?

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

"Gotta Serve Somebody" - Bob Dylan

Sometimes, there's too much on my mind

Pastor Bob — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 19:14:49 GMT

I got off on a tangent in my sermon this morning, and unfortunately I'm not sure I ended up making much sense. I still think the point is valid, I just didn't express myself as well as I'd have liked. The point I was trying to make had to do with the lack of critical thinking when it comes to art within our society, and particularly within the Christian community. Artistic endeavors seem to have gone to one of two extremes, either treated as mere entertainment or propoganda. This trend seems to have created a society that seems to ignore the viewpoint of the artist and the message being communicated.

Art is an expression of the artist's soul. Art is informed by the artist's worldview and that worldview (right or wrong) comes through in the art that is created. This is true whether the artist is producing radical political performance art or churning out the latest cookie-cutter blockbuster for the local cineplex. We ignore that fact to our peril, because everything we consume influences us. We can choose to control its influence on us, or we can simply allow ourselves to be tossed about by each viewpoint we hear.

We can't (and shouldn't) try to simply ignore any art from worldviews we disagree with. It would be pointless to try, we can't avoid it. Besides, there's good and bad in all art, even art created with the best intentions and worldviews. There's bad theology in some beloved old hymns, not to mention current CCM. There's a current CCM song that says when you're sad, "angels in heaven cry with you." It's a sweet sentiment...but it's totally contrary to God's Word.

The key is for us to live life with brain and spirit engaged at all times. As Paul writes, "Test everything. Hold on to the good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)