Today’s Quote 8/31/09

The church announces terrible ideas and devouring doctrines, each one of them strong enough to turn into a false religion and lay waste the world…This, if some small mistake is made in doctrine, huge blunders might be made in human happiness.   GK Chesterton

Today’s Quote 8/30/09

Dave Ramsey: “As long as Americans are comfortable with debt, we will elect officials/politicians who are too.”

Something I don’t think you want on your church website home page

Here it is, folks. Yes, it is on the front page of a church website. Really want to know about those bathrooms!!! Somehow it takes the edge off cutting edge ministry and discipleship for me. But I guess even disciples have to use the restroom!!!

The passing of Senator Kennedy

If you aren’t in Boston, then you probably are not hearing all the stories pouring in about Senator Kennedy’s kindnesses and services to the “little man.” Our talk shows are overwhelmed by the number of callers giving their version of the help he rendered. I can’t remember hearing so many stories. They go on and on. Frankly, I am moved by them. The legacy of hard work, constituency services, kind words and dignity bestowed lie hidden beneath policy debates and hard ball politics. Many very conservative politicians who are true to their cause have expressed a respect for the Senator which has caught me off guard. I can only say I am impressed.

Theology and Christian living

I have been in full-time ministry now for 40 years. At this point in my life I am asking some questions, one of which is where do good Christian come from? My conclusion is that no one theological camp produces a better kind of Christian. By better I mean a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit. These kinds of Christians come out of Wesleyans, Calvinists, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, whatever. I have spent a lot of time in theological reflection, and I should. But the life in Christ that all Christians enjoy is available to, well, all. For all my nitpicking and fine-tuning of theological systems, it appears that people who love Christ and weave a life out of trusting Him grow.

I do think that theology matters, not so much because of what it enables the individual Christian to be but more because of what it makes Christians able to contribute. If you track these movements, you will find particular impacts upon society and culture. The Reformed have powerfully contributed to the thoughtful shaping of world and life views. The Wesleyans have been salt and light in the dark places, such as the powerful influence of this movement of practical holiness in the face of the sad effects of the industrial revolution in England. The Baptists’ spirit of democracy and the elevation of the common man supported the American political revolution. The Roman Catholic social conscience has kept alive the remembrance of the poor and marginalized, and its insistence on the value of life has put steel in the spine of Christians from all branches to resist the eroding effects of secularism on dignity of life issues.

I think all of this teaches me to spend more time in teaching Christians how to abide in Christ with a bit less emphasis on crossing t’s and dotting i’s theologically speaking. Theology should be taught deeply and constantly. But in and of itself it will not save us. It is the “luminous Nazarene” who saves and those who flee to Him will be gathered into the heart of the Father.

Today’s Quote 8/27/09

“What is important in history is not only the events that occur but the events that obstinately do not occur. The outstanding non-event of modern times was the failure of religious belief to disappear.”

Paul Johnson, A History of the Modern World from 1917 to the 1980s, page 698.

Defending the King James Version

My wife thinks I need a different picture on the church website

Here is the old one. I think it will do.

New Message series-What To Do On The Worst Day of Your Life

On September 13 Pastor Don will begin a message series titled, “What To Do On The Worst Day of Your Life.” We have a lot of those kinds of days recorded for us in the Bible. I bet you already have one of those kinds of days burned into your memory banks. What did you do? What did you learn? What would you now do differently? We don’t have to learn everything we know from experience. We can borrow from other people’s experiences, too. So we are going to look at some worst days in the bible and track what God’s people did – or didn’t do. What you do on your worst day could be the turning point you are looking for.

Calvinistic evangelism – a spoof