Politicians, political junkies, and social activists have not been shy about co-opting Christ for their cause. At various times, statements like the ones below have been made or insinuated by devotees of one party or the other: Jesus would be against big business. Jesus would support welfare programs. Jesus would vote pro-life. Jesus would support [...]
It’s the kind of premise that invokes one of two responses from movie-goers: “That sounds funny!” or “That sounds stupid!” You be the judge: HOT TUB TIME MACHINE follows a group of best friends who’ve become bored with their adult lives. Lou (Rob Cordry) is a party guy who can’t find the party, Adam (John [...]
The recent flap over comments made by Glen Beck regarding churches and social justice has served to illustrate the uncomfortable synthesis of those two important, yet very different, concepts. Either THE GOSPEL = SOCIAL JUSTICE or THE GOSPEL > SOCIAL JUSTICE Before I proceed, let me clarify: I’m no fan of Beck, and am not [...]
C.S. Lewis once suggested that “A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere…” Indeed. One never knows if Heaven is lurking in a story, preparing to wheedle into the subconscious and upset the applecart of assumptions. In the case of Peter Hitchens, [...]
After selling one of my crucifixes (and receiving several requests), I got an inspirational bump. Mind you, this is completely experimental for now. However, I’m having lots of fun conniving more “contemporary” takes on the crucifix theme. If I can accumulate a dozen or more, I’ll probably create an “Art” category on this blog and [...]
“Happy is the man who is not easily offended.” I’m not sure who said that, but it’s an adage every Christian should abide. Is it just me or are Christians far too easily offended? Not long ago, in a comment thread, a writer took me to task for questioning a Christian brother’s sensibilities. Certain words [...]
Monday’s Publisher’s Weekly article Christian Fiction Editors Talk Trends focused on — what else? — Women’s Fiction. Statements like the one made by Abingdon’s Barbara Scott — “Romance in any form dominates sales” — sent me scrambling for my Prozac. Thankfully, there was some good news for males who don’t much care for Romance Fiction. [...]
I have never quite figured out why secularists claim to be grounded in scientific fact, when they concede so much mystery. A good example is dark matter. From the Christian Science Monitor’s Dark Matter Revealed? Dark matter, which scientists believe makes up 25 percent of the universe but whose existence has never been proven, could [...]
Two responses have long dominated Christians’ discourse on the topic of art — separatism or engagement. The brouhaha over Avatar is a fine example. In my recent post at Novel Journey entitled Avatar and Agenda, New York Times best-selling author Eric Wilson left this comment: I think some of us, personality-wise and gifting wise, are [...]
“The glory of God is to conceal a matter, the glory of kings is to search it out” (Proverbs 25:2). Such was the “glory” of early scientists like Isaac Newton. Unlike the rampant secularism of today’s scientific community, Newton and his peers were driven by devotion to God, often doubling as theologians. On occasion, Newton’s [...]
