The term “Christian art” has never sat well with me. I mean, what exactly makes a piece of work Christian? In spite of the ambiguity, variations of the term are bandied about on a regular basis: Christian music, Christian books, Christian films, etc. But the conjoining of those terms often leaves me befuddled. Maybe one day [...]
Ministerial indiscretion is commonplace, and having trafficked in pastoral circles for many years, I’m usually not surprised by it. However, the explosive controversy surrounding Ted Haggard’s resignation has hit me hard. Haggard pastored one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America, rubbed elbows with James Dobson and other luminaries in the religious right, and was [...]
Is there some law that prohibits old guys from attending concerts? No, not concertos. I mean rock concerts. Didn’t think so. So CD and I strapped on the hardhats last night and trudged into Mordor. Okay, it was only Los Angeles, but it felt like Mordor. The House of Blues, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, to be [...]
Okay, I guess you can tell that this issue troubles me. This is my sixth and final post on the subject but, in all honesty, the resolution is still fuzzy. Church history is marred with division and debate — some of which, it can be argued, was nece- ssary. Perhaps we ARE, as the Emergents suggest, [...]
Wikipedia identifies seven key values and characteristics of the Emergent Church: Missional living Narrative theology Generous Orthodoxy Christ-centeredness Biblical Interpretation  Authenticity   Conversation/Dialog Foundational to most of these traits is the Emergents’ desire to reach the postmodern world. Postmodernism is a vast, complex system of beliefs that arose in the late twentieth century, which challenges many common [...]
Insites is a series of online interviews I’ve conducted with authors / thinkers / webmasters whose sites I frequent and recommend. There’s a wide variety of topics here — from politics to pop culture, literature to religion — for kiddies of all ages. Enjoy… * * * COACH’S MIDNIGHT DINER Coach Culbertson THE WITTENBURG DOOR [...]
Perhaps the two most oft-repeated charges leveled against the Emergent movement have to do with pluralism and mysticism. The group is viewed as a clearing house of beliefs and practices — some of which diverge from, and push the envelope of, traditional fundamentalist theology. Thus far, I’ve suggested that Calvary Chapel has made generalizations about the [...]
One of the reasons for Calvary Chapel’s denunciation of Rick Warren is what they perceive as Warren’s “endorsement” of the Emergent Church. In an email from Rick Warren to Lighthouse Trails Publishing, however, Warren denies any affiliation: . . .Zon- dervan publishers asked me to write a commentary on an “Emerging Church” book, although I am definitely not a part [...]
As a young Christian, The Seduction of Christianity rocked my world. Written in 1985, author Dave Hunt warned about a vast spiritual deception that had infiltrated the Church and undermined the Gospel. He took no prisoners, calling out prominent leaders like James Dobson and John Wimber, indicting certain forms of prayer, healing and worship. According to Wikipedia, Hunt believes occult [...]
This series remains one of my most linked. Originally in four parts, I’m conjoining them under one heading for easier reference. * * * Calvary Chapel recently discontinued selling all items connected with Rick Warren’s mega-best-selling Purpose Driven Life series. The notice stated: “The teaching and positions of Rick Warren have come into conflict with [...]
