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It was my hope to avoid publicly discussing this angle, but I am compelled by responsibility. I will attempt to keep as much of my opinion out of this post as possible.

I am linking to something I believe needs to be read by all. I know there are believers and non-believers alike who grace this site. Here I have often discussed the flippancy with which this country treats the voice of God. The danger in a sin-filled society is that among all our issues, we numb ourselves to truth and outside of God's order and covering, we open the door for chaos.

If there is one thing that must ring true in the days, weeks, and months to come, it's that God is not behind this, but he certainly has allowed it. As a mere human being, I cannot begin to understand why God allows what he does. On a personal note, I too wrestle with understanding the ways of this world like why innocent people are forced to suffer; or why the poor often die because of the sins of the rich; or why my 6-month-old brother had to die so tragically. And why so young? And why did I have to be there to watch it? Nevertheless, not once have my own life-tragedies shaken my faith in God.

One thing I know: God has never promised He'd be fair, but He has always promised to be just. Justice will prevail on this earth in all things. This I know.

Continue reading "The Warning Not Heeded">>>

Posted in Current Events, Theocracy | Permanent Link

 

For the record, I'm endorsing World Vision which is a *cringe* para-church organization, but nevertheless, I know them well and respect what they do. I trust their integrity. I want to know where my money is going. I will also be giving through my local congregation. I encourage all to be wise stewards of finances by being educated in your giving.

To the question of "Where is the Church?," I want to take it a step further. A few people have ratted off lists of all the churches who are giving or have recently thrown up a donation button. I think that's great and I agree, the media probably isn't going around trying write stories about all the aid the church is giving. But I am more interested in where the church is physically, emotionally, and spiritually in relation to what's taking place down South.

Pastor Wendell Smith, a prominent pastor I respect greatly in the Pacific Northwest has outlined what he believes we should be doing. I endorse this. He also discusses what some churches throughout the country are doing beyond just giving monetarily. He mentions Faith Church, a large church pastored by a friend of his, and currently submerged under 14 feet of water. Local members of the body there can barely help themselves right now, let alone minister (def: to serve). Brethren in the faith, especially those in outlying areas need to step up.

I'm telling you, giving money is just one solution to a very big problem. I like hearing about people actually doing things with their money. One reader writes:

I like hearing about this. I'm curious to know what other ways people are sacrificing for the needs of others.

Posted in Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 5 }

 

In response to Hugh Hewitt's announcement of GodBlogCon, a Christian blogger conference (also known as the place where nerds dwell), noted blogger Jeff Jarvis said the following:

And people still wonder why I'm weary of calling myself a "Christian."

In regards to "GodBlogCon," since it's taking place on my coast at Biola University in California, I may consider going--that is if they promise not to have seminars with really bad PowerPoint presentations on how Christianity is relative.

Posted in Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 13 }

 

Via Relevant Magazine:

And yet we wonder why "Politically Incorrect" didn't stand the test of time. I'm not Bill Maher fan. Not in the least. The man has a Napoleon complex beyond belief. But of this entire statement, Maher and I can agree on one thing: Christians are unenlightened because of of their faith--as a whole, that is.

Unfortunately, the first part of this statement is our downfall. The notion of a "Christian" in America is severely confusing. When I say, "Christian," it could mean a number of things, and unfortunately, it does. We live in the era of "Choose your own adventure" Christianity, or as I prefer to call it, "Mamby-Pamby."

As for the second part of Maher's statement, his assertion that Christians lack enlightenment is probably spot on. That is to say, most certainly aren't walking in the type of revelation necessary to make a dent in this world.

If Maher's notion of what it means to be "enlightened," includes tolerance, acceptance and carnality, then I reject his "enlightenment." Now in regards to "Christians" offering something the world needs, I'd say the salt needs to get some saltiness.

Posted in Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 47 }

 

While reporting on the faith of American soldiers, I just overheard Peter Jennings say the following:

"The image of a man (praying) on his knees with a weapon on his shoulder is incongruous."

Is it, and why?

Posted in Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 56 }

 

The spiritual history of the black community is deep and wide. In black music especially, there has always been a connection with the church. Today, your average multi-platinum black vocalist (booty shakers included), grew up singing in their local church. Nearly every single one. These people will generally be the first admit this and give all the credit to God for their talent. And while very few individuals have chosen to honor God with their lives, there is yet a certain degree of respect for Jesus Christ that is fairly common among those in the black community.

For this reason, it was no surprise to me that rapper Kanye West's song "Jesus Walks" has gained much hype over the last couple of months. The song was recently nominated for "Best Rap Song" and "Song of the Year". If you're not familiar with the song, lyrics can be found here.

The two Grammy nominations were heaped on top of the pile of acclaim and praise the song received from half of the Western Hemisphere. As though Kanye West is the first person on the entire planet to invoke the name of Jesus in a song. Although I can share in the sentiments of his album title "The College Drop Out", I'm not at all fond of West's song.

The Sun-Herald reports:

Moral values are turning up in the strangest places these days. Among the songs most honored in this year's Grammy nominations is a rap tribute to Jesus Christ -

a catchy, beat-driven rhyme that has garnered unexpected critical and commercial success in a genre best known for its profane promotion of sex, money, drugs and lawlessness.

Music critics are hailing the author of "Jesus Walks," songwriter and producer Kanye West, as the hottest new voice in rap and suggesting that his in-your-face embrace of religion signifies a break with tradition and the maturation of a musical form that has been narrowly defined by its outlaw culture.

The "Personal Jesus" trend is not new, it's just repackaged every couple of years for comfortable consumption. On the most fundamental level, West's song speaks to the universal need for Jesus. The chorus is a simple lament (not exactly Davidic, but a lament nonetheless), asking for God's strength, protection, and guidance. All of those statements are true. Things get murky around West's definiting of walking with Jesus. The medium has changed, but the "live like you want and Jesus will still endorse you" message will always be accepted as long as it's easy to swallow.

Continue reading "Jesus A La Carte">>>

Posted in Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 13 }

 

Why does the Devil need an advocate?

Posted in Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 10 }

 

Quite frankly, Americanized Christianity brings me to borderline nausea. The fickleness, the inaccuracy of scripture, the denominationalism, and the all around lukewarm nature of the "Church" is disheartening and concerning. These days, it seems you have to qualify your "Christianity" because saying "I'm a Christian" is really indicitive of nothing. In reality, "Christian" isn't really a term you see in the Bible, however "Follower of Christ" or "Believer in Christ" are. Now more than ever, I can certainly see the logic behind that.

Calling oneself a "Christian" is simply a title (and boy do we all love titles). A good 50% of Americans can call themselves "Christian" without any visible fruit. Moreover, these days, there are people who even believe they were "born" into Christianity, as though it were some gene or bloodline trait. Contrarily, calling oneself a "Follower of Christ" certainly raises the stakes and the standards. This is not merely a title, but a lifestyle that requires action, proof, accountability, and moral standards for living. To put it simply, being a true "Follower of Christ" is neither easy nor popular.

The notion of "mamby-pamby" Christianity suggests a group of people who are calling themselves "Christians" yet selectively choosing their own definitions of what "dying to self" really means. The pansy stuff that accompanies the weak-minded "believers" is troublesome. I find this reality most at work by way of the state of our nation. With key issues on the table like abortion rights and same-sex marriages (to name a few), Christians cannot afford to be fickle on anything. The agnostic and atheist Left is more militant than we are. In this era of "everybody please like me" I fear many people have succumbed to the propaganda of lies that oppose what the Bible says. In attempts to be socially accepted, we have philosophized our way out of just about everything. Discussions like "Is it really a fetus" and "People can't change the fact that they're gay" and "abstinence is unrealistic" are surfacing from the mouths of people who declare that they "Know God". It is becoming vastly clear that we are truly living in the culture of disbelief.

Continue reading "Mamby-Pamby Christianity">>>

Posted in Technology, Theocracy | Permanent Link | Comments { 59 }

 

John Kerry Politicians have no shame. When it comes to earning the "black vote", everytime an election rolls around, all of a sudden, everyone remembers how "religious" and "deep" and "spiritual" they are, and church appearances abound. If I were a pastor, I'd charge their shady behinds to come speak to the congregation. The cynical part of me is tempted to think some of them actually do. To be clear, I'm not a fan of campaigning from the pulpit; not even when I am in support of the candidate. To be more specific, I detest it. It is abuse and misuse of God-given authority and influence. I use the term "pulpit" loosely. In this case, it was the 124th Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention, which took place this Thursday in New Orleans. Jesse Jackson was there, and you better believe John Kerry wasn't too far behind (reg required).

It doesn't take a child prodigy to realize that the "black church" (I hate that term) is largely Democrat. This is because the black community is largely Democrat. It can therefore be deduced that the predominately black "National Baptist Convention" was a safehaven for John Kerry to practice his choir-preaching. It's amazing how bold people get when they know they have nothing to lose. John failed to realize that sometimes the choir is more jacked up (vernacular translation: in a very bad condition) than the congregation itself (those of us who were raised in church know what this means). The choir folks, has issues.

Continue reading "John the Baptist">>>

Posted in Politics, Race, Theocracy | Permanent Link

 

There's lots of talk these days about Jesus being a so-called liberal. Ascribing modern-day political affiliations to historical Biblical figures (more specifically, the central figure to all humanity and King of Kings and Lord of Lords) is just plain blasphemous and self-serving. I have also heard it said that Jesus was for social justice. In fact, even I have said this myself. Although, I said it with the caveat that the idea of "social justice" as we know it today is not exactly indicative of the true heart and spirit of mobilization and empowerment I saw in Jesus' ministry. Unfortunately, today the words "social justice" conjure up the sensation of dry heaving libcrap.

Some weeks back, in part three of my epic saga "Why I'm Not a Republican" I mentioned my disappointment in much of the Republican party's attention to the yes, dare I say it, the disenfranchised. That opinion still stands. Is it the government's job to feed the poor, heal the sick, and set the captives free? Well, no. However, it is their job to facilitate an atmosphere where outside agencies can move effectively in this respect. In order for this to take place, actually recognizing the problems of our society is necessary.

Here in Seattle, we have this nomadic homeless camp called "Tent City". They go around Washington, copping lawn space (by permission) to establish their literal "tent city" of homeless people. Generally, it is churches that offer up their property for the nearly 70 homeless people to live on for an agreed amount of time. Much uproar has been made as Tent City once existed in the inner-city, but has now begun making its way into the lovely Seattle suburbs; home of the card-carrying Republican. They are not happy.

I am merely using the issue of homelessness as an example of one of the epidemics facing our society right now. And let's be honest, if your city is anything like mine, being "homeless" has become somewhat in vogue. On an average day, you might see some trusafarian white kid with university tuition fully-paid, sitting on the street corner panhandling because it's "cool", or because they've disowned their parents. I have written in the past about my complete lack of tolerance for anyone who is unwilling to get off their tail and make life happen.

I offer the Tent City analogy for a reason. Recently, City Council approved a plan for Tent City to occupy space in Woodinville, Washington; a community with million dollar homes. They were outraged, as I may be too, although watching their outrage has been far more entertaining and indicative than anyone would have thought. There is however, a greater picture here; It's the idea of being forced to deal with the poor. There was once a time when on any given day, I could arrange to locate myself in a place where I wouldn't be forced to deal with the decay of American society on a daily basis. These days, it's everywhere.

So what is social justice? What is our responsibility to it? And who's leading the pack?

Posted in Culture, Politics, Theocracy | Permanent Link