Donald Miller, author of one of the greatest books I’ve ever read, Blue Like Jazz, prayed Monday night at the Democratic National Convention. Surprisingly, Paul Edwards, didn’t like this. You can see his post here.
I think I would say Donald Miller is more courageous than he is naive. Now, I’m not really into picking sides in politics. I think we Christians should be concerned about issues not parties. That being said I love the fact that Don was willing to say yes when someone asked him to pray. To listen to political/christian talk radio (unfortunately, they’re basically the same thing), the Democrats would not even understand the concept of prayer much less have someone pray at the convention.
I have a lot of respect for Don and applaud him for doing this. Although, I must say I also very much respected Cameron Strang’s decision. He describes his thought process here.
**Update: Paul Edwards now says about Don, he “highly doubt he is even a Christian at all.” You can read it in the comments here.
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This is a great video from Pensacola Christian College. It’s a song all about free will. It’s a song purely supporting their doctrinal stance. Take that, Mark Driscoll, John Piper and you other reformed guys. See if you can come up with a better song than this for Calvanism!
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Found this great post by Dan Kimball. I have posted it in full below. Fund it via Todd Rhodes at Monday Morning Insight. Makes you wonder if what we fight over in church now is worth it?
“I love tracing origins of how things developed and why we do or think the things we do today. I have taught a class on worship at 2 different seminaries and when I was preparing for those, I did a study on the origin of various instruments used in worship. It turned out that the organ was quite a controversial instrument in it’s time.
As time went on, there remained a high suspicion of the organ in the church. They would only limit it to sounding off the pitch for the church singing of chant. So only a single note was allowed to be played because of it’s worldy association. Eventually, they weren’t as scared of the organ and began using it like we use it today. It’s so ironic that in more recent culture, the organ was so associated with what church music sounds like – that there are arguments when the organ is removed by people who are used to it. So there was an argument to get it into the church, and arguments to get it out of the church.
When you study history, you realize that forms and expressions of worship have always been changing. Culture has influenced worship practices and styles – and so much of what we do in our church gatherings today stems from a specific point in culture and what was happening at that time.
I just read a transcript from a sermon by Nicky Gumbel and in the sermon he included two letters written from individuals in churches, who were complaining about the song selection and music.
One letter said:
“I am no music scholar, but I feel I know appropriate church music when I hear it. Last Sunday’s new hymn – if you can call it that – sounded like a sentimental love ballad one would expect to hear crooned in a saloon. If you insist on exposing us to rubbish like this – in God’s house! – don’t be surprised if many of the faithful look for a new place to worship. The hymns we grew up with are all we need.”
This letter was written in 1863 and the song they were concerned about was the hymn “Just As I Am“.
Another letter said:
“What is wrong with the inspiring hymns with which we grew up? When I go to church, it is to worship God, not to be distracted with learning a new hymn. Last Sunday’s was particularly unnerving. The tune was un-singable and the new harmonies were quite distorting.“
This letter was written in 1890 and about the hymn “What A Friend We Have In Jesus“.”
A popular radio station here in Detroit was talking about the McCain-Obama “debate” at Saddleback yesterday. They were asking the ridiculous question, “Who is the better Christian?”
Someone called in and said that a Christian only has one choice in this election and that is the pro-life candidate. Is this really true? Does this guy speak for all Christians? Certainly not.
It seems that many Christians today only care about one issue – abortion. Or two issues – abortion and gay marriage. As if those are the only two issues the Bible talks about. In reality, homosexuality is very rarely mentioned in the Bible and Jesus never even remotely alluded to it.
In fact, Jesus talked WAY MORE about poverty and the poor than he ever did about the sanctity of life. Christians should absolutely be pro-life (which, by the way, includes more than just an unborn child), and Christians should also consider helping the poor a high priority.
But abortion is a more emotional issue, and “celebrity” Christians and organizations have played up that emotion to the point where many people consider this the only issue. I think Christians are sorely misguided if they vote because of only one issue.
Let me make this clear: JUST BECAUSE A CANDIDATE IS PRO-LIFE DOES NOT MEAN A CHRISTIAN HAS TO VOTE FOR THEM.
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Why Can’t I Own a Canadian?
October 2002
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this?
Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? – Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted fan,
Jim
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H. L. Mencken
“For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the-not-worth-knowing.”
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Something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately: What does it mean to be a Christian? What is the definition of a Christian? Who is in the family and who is “out”?
There are so many different denominations, sects, philosophies of “Christianity” that I wonder what should be included and what should not be.
Is it enough to be a follower of Christ? That’s it. Trying to follow Jesus in everything you do. Is that enough to be a Christian or is there something more? Do you have to believe in a literal six day creation? Do you have to believe the Bible is the final authority? Do you have to believe that Jesus was virgin born? Do you have to believe that the King James is the one true Bible? Do you have to believe that women should not wear pants?
I am sure you get the point by now. We tend to think people are Christians if we feel comfortable with who they are and what they believe. Once we become uncomfortable we begin to question their authenticity.
I guess the real question is, “Who would Jesus consider one of His disciples?” What would His criteria be?
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I’m really excited about the new series at Westwinds Church in Jackson, MI. You can read more about it at Dave McDonald’s Blog. It’s the kind of thing more churches should have the courage to talk about. It’s something that many pastors personally will talk about but will never dare to bring up in church.
