The Bible is our Authority
November 28, 2005
When we forget this critical fact, or when we try to fudge our way around it, we end up with stuff like this:
It’s Getting Really Weird Out There
Look, I really applaud J. Lee Grady for his courage in printing something like this, but I have to suggest that the more we focus on experience, and the less we focus on the Word of God, the more we will get into these kinds of fixes. Let me say two things on this point, the positive first, and the negative later: one, I sincerely applaud the fine charismatic pastors who, though I might disagree with them on the “charismatic” gifts, attempt to ground their belief in the truth of God’s Word. Chuck Smith is a wonderful example of a godly man in this camp, and there are many others. Two, while ridiculous things such as this can and do happen across the broad spectrum of Christian faith, giving the name of Christ a black eye in the process, it does seem that there is more of it happening in charismatic circles, and it seems clear to me that this is due in no small measure to two factors: one, the proliferation of independent churches in charismatic realms, with “independent” often being synonymous with “no accountability”, and two, the emphasis upon experience absent a sure grounding in and submission to the Word of God as being regulative of experience.
I’ve not been able to get off the mailing list (and I’ve tried!) of “Spread the Fire” magazine, straight from the Toronto Vineyard (or whatever they’re calling themselves these days). The emphasis now (watch for the emphasis to change, of course, as the experience-seekers hit upon some new “revelation”) is “soaking”. Though I should probably just toss it in the trash, I usually thumb quickly through the issues I get in the mail, and this current issue was all about “soaking”, which means “soaking in God’s presence” or something like that. Typically, the Bible, if/when used at all, was misused, and the emphasis was upon this soaking experience ad nauseum.
When you rely on extra-biblical things as essential to fully experiencing God, you set yourself up for the kinds of lunacy that Grady describes.
Oh, and by all means, turn TBN off…now!
Rethinking the Drug War
November 26, 2005
This article gave me pause, it really did:
Prohibition and the Legalization of Drugs
I have argued the (unpopular, particularly in my circles) proposition that we ought to treat narcotics, and particularly marijuana, in the same way we treat alcohol and tobacco, that we ought to either ban them all or legalize them all. One of my arguing points was the failure of Prohibition, and that we were seeing history repeated in the failure of the drug war. According to this article, though, Prohibition wasn’t the failure that the media would have you believe that it was, and candidly, I have to admit that if his facts are accurate, maybe a major argument I’ve used isn’t all that valid after all…
Thanks, Bret Chenkin!!!!
November 26, 2005
I really appreciate teacher Bret Chenkin of Bennington, Vermont, who demonstrates once again the snooty, haughty arrogance that we’ve found to be so typical of those on the political left. When you do things like giving an anti-Bush vocabulary quiz, you really help all of America to see typical liberal arrogance on display in a wholly inappropriate setting. It’s no wonder that homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds, when one sees the kind of nonsense that the Bret Chenkins of the world want to dish out.
From the article:
Bret Chenkin, a social studies and English teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School, said he gave the quiz to his students several months ago. The quiz asked students to pick the proper words to complete sentences.
One example: “I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican votes.” “Coherent” is the right answer.
So keep on callin’ us ignernt, ya libs; that kind of strategery just plays right into our paws!
Is This Really a Great Victory in the “Culture Wars”?
November 25, 2005
So I’m listening to Dr. Falwell on Fox (internet video; 1 year and counting with no cable/satellite!) debating Barry Lynn of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Liberty Counsel, the legal arm of his ministry (which does a pretty good work a lot of the time, by the way) has launched their “Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign“. Dr. Falwell says of the campaign, “We must draw a line in the sand and resist bullying tactics of the ACLU and others who intimidate school and government officials by spreading misinformation about Christmas. Celebrating Christmas is constitutional.” Liberty Counsel is calling upon thousands of pastors and churches to join the campaign.
Sorry, but count me out.
Look, there are some awfully silly things that do tend to happen regarding Christmas, and I’d agree with Dr. Falwell on many/most of these things. But really, does this matter a hill of beans?
Here’s what Liberty Counsel posts on their homepage as a “victory” in this campaign (you can “read about” it if you care to go to their site; see above link):
Read about the Boston Christmas tree that is donated every year by Nova Scotia. Boston’s press release claimed it was a “holiday tree,” but after pressure from Liberty Counsel, the City agreed to call the tree a “Christmas tree.”
I’m sorry; this is important? Somebody actually thinks that it matters in time and eternity whether Boston calls their tree a “Christmas tree” or a “holiday tree”? Somebody cares enough about it to “pressure” the city fathers of Boston? About this? Is this like out of some time warp or something, or some Theater of the Absurd deal?
Look, I’m all about preserving our liberties; that’s why Sam Alito’s nomination is critical. But when Christians find themselves all worked up over something like this, then folks, it’s time to question whether or not we’ve really lost our way…
Even Funnier?
November 23, 2005
My friend Matt Mitchell, who apparently has plenty of time on his hands, found this possibly-funnier-than-Found-It-on-eBay lip sync by a couple of Chinese kids who do a gut-splitting rendition of the same Backstreet tune:
Note to readers: I fully intend to get back to talking about serious things at some point in the not-too-distant, but enjoy a good laugh for now…
On eBay (With Apologies to the Backstreet Boys)
November 19, 2005
This is really funny, and if you, like me, spend any time buying/selling on eBay, you’ll find it hilarious.
European Threat Levels Raised
November 18, 2005
A great laugh courtesy of my friend Jeff Wolinski (whose funny emails I always love to receive, because they are all hysterical):
The British are feeling the pinch in relation to recent bombings and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” Londoners have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorised from “Tiresome” to a “Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
Also, the French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide”. The only two higher levels in France are “Surrender” and “Collaborate.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country’s military capability.
It’s not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from “shout loudly and excitedly” to “elaborate military posturing”. Two more levels remain, “ineffective combat operations” and “change sides”.
The Germans also increased their alert state from “disdainful arrogance” to “dress in uniform and sing marching songs”. They also have two higher levels: “invade a neighbour” and “lose”.
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual and the only threat they worry about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
This phrase comes from the 1978 "Jonestown massacre" in which most members of the Peoples Temple cult, blindly following their leader Jim Jones, committed suicide by drinking cyanide-laced Kool-Aid.
Osborne: A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God
Schlossberg: Idols For Destruction
