The world continues to change at a furious pace. But one thing doesn’t change: the Gideons Bible. Case in point: this resident of my hotel room. The book is bound in the standard ugly brown color that identifies the Gideons as surely as yellow identifies a taxi cab. Little better is the translation. The New […]
culture
Jesus you’re my … superhero?
Paul famously summarized his missionary strategy in 1 Corinthians 9:22 when he wrote: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” The strategy may have been definitive of Paul, but it certainly wasn’t original to Paul. After all, it was God the Son himself who […]
How long, O Lord? An Advent meditation on suburban injustice
“Americano. Grande. Extra room.” The emphasis was crucial. Failure to include it and “extra room” could easily become mere “room” resulting in three shots of espresso hopelessly diluted in excess hot water with no room for cream. It was a delicate balance, one that I thought I’d secured by the carefully placed emphasis. “Americano. Grande. […]
God wouldn’t use that kind of music … would he?
In my last article I argued that Christians excelling at their various vocations provides the benefit of expanding the Christian plausibility framework which in turn makes things a little easier for the apologist. I concluded the article with a token example: metalcore band Times of Grace and their 2011 album Hymn of a Broken Man. While the […]
It’s not easy being Osteen
There’s an old joke about a chauffeur who drives a quantum physicist to an important speaking engagement. Just before they arrive the physicist says “Listen, I’m exhausted and still jeg-lagged. I simply must get some sleep. Why don’t we change outfits, and you can go up on the dais and read my lecture and I’ll […]
Lament for the Video Store
In the early twentieth century well meaning missionaries introduced the steel axe to the Yir Yoront aboriginal society of Queensland, Australia. And why not? The steel axe was a far superior piece of technology and would greatly improve life for the Yir Yoront. Or so the missionaries thought. Unfortunately the stone axe’s role in Yir Yoront […]
Christians singing pagan songs … and liking it
Star 2 critiques my defense of Christians singing and enjoying “pagan” songs like “White Christmas” by asking the following (presumably rhetorical) question: “What is biblical about singing pagan songs that do not reflect the reason for Christmas, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to save sinners?” There is so much wrong […]
This movie goes on and on and on: A pious reflection on boredom
Who hasn’t sat through a critically acclaimed but painfully boring or otherwise unpleasant film simply because (a) it is supposed to be good and (b) you already paid your money to see it? Two nights ago my wife and I paid for a 48 hour rental on our PVR. The film was critically acclaimed, had […]
Is Peter Pan satanic too?
Olabode Ososami has continued his tirade against Harry Potter. Sadly, he has also taken to deleting the comments of those who are critical of his views, a move which tends to make dialogue rather challenging. In his first article he ominously warned against watching the HP films: spiritually, it will cost a Christian everything … […]