A disappointing read
I recently picked up a book at the library by a well-known "Evangelical" author. Although I normally don't read these type of books, this particular book made a claim to explain why the Evangelical church must "war" against the homosexuals ("war" is actually used on the cover to describe the conflict between Evangelicals and Homosexuals).
Sadly, the book had very few biblical references, but instead would quote from other evangelical essays. This included partial statistics, which were not pulled from a study that we could reference and possibly refute, but instead, were simply statistics quoted from someone else's prose. Mostly, it repeated over and over that homosexuals are the enemy, and that they have an insidious plan to destroy America and The Family.
Worst of all, the author frequently claims to be upset to be referred to as a "bigot" his foundation as a "hate group", and yet continues to throw hateful rhetoric, and surely by his books and other programs, encourages others to do the same.
I have no issue with this author stating his opinion. The issue I have is that he claims to spread the "gospel" (although NOT the good news of the Christ), and incites hatred in his followers. "Beware the yeast of the Pharasees", Jesus the Christ tells us (Matt 16:6,11; Lk 12:1). This author has the ears of so many - what if they spread the good news (evangelos) of Christ rather than hateful rhetoric? Who's kingdom does this author work to establish?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Be Strong and Courageous!
I'm finishing up a reading of Deuteronomy, and find myself reading the commissioning of Joshua Easter morning. There is the parallel between Joshua and Jesus, in that they share the same name (both anglicized, one from the Hebrew & one from the Greek), and Joshua is often stated as a "type" of the coming Christ.
But this morning, I am struck by a familiar phrase found in Deu 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous!". This first of all stands out, as it is often repeated in the restating of Joshua's commission in the first chapter of the Book of Joshua. But this morning, I am reminded of events several thousand years later - a messenger of God standing before an empty tomb, telling those few who did not desert Jesus (even when it seemed all was lost) not to be discouraged, frightened.
God's Kingdom is not as we may expect it in our minds. "Prepare to be amazed" Isaiah tells us of God's work (Isaiah is another translation of "Jesus", by the way).
Be Strong and Courageous! God's Kingdom is at hand!
I'm finishing up a reading of Deuteronomy, and find myself reading the commissioning of Joshua Easter morning. There is the parallel between Joshua and Jesus, in that they share the same name (both anglicized, one from the Hebrew & one from the Greek), and Joshua is often stated as a "type" of the coming Christ.
But this morning, I am struck by a familiar phrase found in Deu 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous!". This first of all stands out, as it is often repeated in the restating of Joshua's commission in the first chapter of the Book of Joshua. But this morning, I am reminded of events several thousand years later - a messenger of God standing before an empty tomb, telling those few who did not desert Jesus (even when it seemed all was lost) not to be discouraged, frightened.
God's Kingdom is not as we may expect it in our minds. "Prepare to be amazed" Isaiah tells us of God's work (Isaiah is another translation of "Jesus", by the way).
Be Strong and Courageous! God's Kingdom is at hand!
Monday, January 15, 2007
The Bible ... Literally!
About a year ago, a good friend who I don't see as often as I like asked me a question that caught me off-guard:
"Do you believe the Bible literally?"
It still seems unfortunate to me (although all is in God's hands) that I missed the chance to respond - we were walking into a restaurant when the question was posed, and by the time we reached our seats, the subject had changed.
But ever since, it's been a question that I have been trying to answer. It begs more than a simple "yes" or "no". And it will take much, much more than a single blog entry!
But one bias I must admit, one supposition that I firmly believe - the Lord God, our creator, loves us dearly and wants us to receive His Grace. The canonical Bible as we have today confirms this, although I base my supposition not on what I've read, but what I have witnessed in my life.
Given that supposition (a bold supposition by any admission), I hope to use this blog to further explain, and examine, how I understand the Lord's Word and "literally", the modern American Bible.
About a year ago, a good friend who I don't see as often as I like asked me a question that caught me off-guard:
"Do you believe the Bible literally?"
It still seems unfortunate to me (although all is in God's hands) that I missed the chance to respond - we were walking into a restaurant when the question was posed, and by the time we reached our seats, the subject had changed.
But ever since, it's been a question that I have been trying to answer. It begs more than a simple "yes" or "no". And it will take much, much more than a single blog entry!
But one bias I must admit, one supposition that I firmly believe - the Lord God, our creator, loves us dearly and wants us to receive His Grace. The canonical Bible as we have today confirms this, although I base my supposition not on what I've read, but what I have witnessed in my life.
Given that supposition (a bold supposition by any admission), I hope to use this blog to further explain, and examine, how I understand the Lord's Word and "literally", the modern American Bible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)