Would You Have Said What He Said?
From Randy Alcorn’s blog Eternal Perspectives.
Atheist Christopher Hitchens knows what a Christian is
In a recent interview, Christopher Hitchens, the fervent atheist and author of God Is Not Great, showed he has a much clearer understanding of what it means to be a Christian than the Unitarian minister, who claims to be a Christian, interviewing him.
Marilyn Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make a distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?
Christopher Hitchens: I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.
Click here to read the rest of the interview.
Are we as clear about what it means to be a Christian as an atheist? Would we be so bold as to say what he said in response?
Clearly he gets it. He just needs to see the power of Grace and the testimony of Christians walking in truth and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Confession Time
Not confession in the literal sense of the term. I may need that as well but not in this space.
I have always spoken my mind here without holding much back and sometimes felt like I’ve been a little too honest. Today I need to process and get some things out of my head. As always I welcome your thoughts. I don’t know where this post is going I’m just mind dumping. So consider that fair warning.
In late 2008 I got very discouraged with some of the things being said in relation to the elections. The way I chose to deal with it was to fast all things political for as long as needed and focus on the one thing that can bring real change. Building the Church.
I was so pleased to hear my pastor tell the congregation yesterday. God’s plan is for us to operate in our gifts and there is no plan b. After the elections last year Dutch Sheets, in a letter to his partners, made the comment, God had a plan 50 years and 50 million baby’s ago it was us. These two statements go the heart of what I’m passionate about. Equipping the Saints.
I understand theologically God does not “need” us as much as He has chosen to work in and through us. Jesus modeled this plan as He walked purposefully to the cross while entrusting the message of salvation to 12 men. That is our task. raising up those who have been entrusted to us, calling out their gifts, making sure they are equipped, and then giving them permission to serve with a covering.
This is my foundational message. 2 Timothy 2:2, teach the teachers to teach.
Recently I separated my political thoughts into a different blog so I could keep this one solely for the purpose of ministry. Last week I posted 3 times concerning Conservatism and Christianity on this blog and began to feel bad about it. It is nearly impossible to separate politics from other aspects of our lives. They are completely intertwined.
I am very busy meeting with young men, serving on a couple of boards, helping different people with social media, as well as preparing for worship team retreats, writing a book, and trying to write songs. All good things but it begs the question:
What things, of eternal significance, should I focus on? In what areas should I focus on building the church? It all runs together and gets a bit confusing at times.
As I read other blogs they are mostly focused on one thing. Should I drop the political discussions and focus on building the church? Should I stop doing all but one thing and do it with all of my passion and effort? Religion and Politics are the two things we are told to avoid however Religion and Politics are two of the most important things we should be talking about. (don’t be too literal with that last sentence)
I realize Most of my problems are between my ears and because I’m in a safe place to deal with my pathologies God is bringing them to the surface. It’s good but hard. I’m developing a lifestyle of prayer and fasting that I’ve never understood before.
I am so thankful for my family especially my amazing wife who believes in me beyond my ability to understand. And thankful for friends who love me enough to tell me the truth.
Pastor Brady finished yesterday with this comment. “God has more gifts to give than people willing to use them” I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to spend time on things good but not eternally significant. If your still here after 600 words thank you. I’ll keep you posted.
Background and Context for the Tebow SuperBowl ad
Stuart Shepard talks with Gary Schneeberger about how the ad came about, how it was paid for, and what the theme is.
If you don’t like football you will be able to see the ad on the Focus on the Family website after the game.
Frontier School of the Bible (update)
From Carmen Carpenter on Facebook,
Many have wondered what has transpired with Frontier School of the Bible’s situation with the State of Wyoming. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools like Frontier by removing their religious exemption. Some of the effects of that statute were negated when Frontier School of the Bible was granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of all post-secondary religious schools in Wyoming. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption.
Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators. The legislative session begins February 8th.
Thank you for your prayers.
The following is a copy of the post on FSB’s facebook page:
Please pray for Frontier!
Hi everyone! Here’s an update on our situation with the State of Wyoming. All this is happening starting next Monday and through the month of February 2010. PLEASE PRAY WITH US! It’s been awesome to see the positive response we’ve had lately but we know it is GOD and GOD ALONE that will work through this situation! “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
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If you are a resident of Wyoming and would like more info on how to help, please call the school – 307-834-2215
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What is the situation?
Frontier School of the Bible is seeking to have our religious exemption restored by the Wyoming State Legislature. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools. Some of the effects of that statute were negated by Frontier School of the Bible being granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of Frontier School of the Bible and all other religious schools. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption and once again allow us to award degrees.
What can you do?
Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators
Thanks!
-FSB
Have We “Polluted” Christianity with Conservatism (3)
A few days ago I was involved in a conversation on Facebook which prompted the whole idea of this thread. A commenter said "we have polluted Christianity with Conservative Ideology".
Yesterday I asked the question: Is taking the position of low taxation an exclusively conservative position or is it a matter of faith?
Before I dive in allow me to say thank you for your comments. I am so thankful for all of you who keep me thinking correctly or thinking at all 
. Specifically Jordan; I can always count on you to make sure I am being clear and inclusive in my comments and Jim; thank you for interjecting the foundational truth of obedience to God and His delegated authority.
Now onto the point:
As Christians we have the answers for every problem on earth. God has given us the responsibility (Psalm 115:16) and the authority (Mathew 28:18-20) to steward the earth and has spoken to every aspect of life (2 Peter 1:3) through His specific revelation to His people. The Bible.
I chose taxation because there are opinions ranging all over the place and some Christians believe it is good to take from some for the benefit of others.
Same sex marriage would have been too easy. Having said that there is a very good reason for opposition to same sex marriage other than, "it’s a sin"; which is fine for Christians but the world won’t buy it.
Jim you brought up Mathew 22:21 render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. The Constitution, with guidance from the Bible, tells us what is lawful and Biblical related to taxation. Civil government needs, and has the right, to collect taxes for things like national defense, punishing evil, keeping the peace and very little else. Romans 13 is very clear on this point.
In "Americas Providential History" Mark A. Beliles & Stephen K. McDowell quote Gary DeMar:
"In the United Stated the Constitution is our "Caesar." We are bound to pay what it stipulates is our due. But neither citizens nor civil representatives must assume that Jesus gave rulers a blank check in the area of taxation…
Another word for tax is tribute. We are directed in scripture to give God a 10% tithe so any amount above that for civil government could be construed as idolatry.
Property taxes are expressly forbidden in 1 Sam 8:14, 1 Kings 21, and Ezk 46:18. With property taxes the property is in effect owned by the state and rented to citizens. If we fail to pay the rent (tax) we can be evicted. This is theft. God owns the land and gives it to us to steward. (Gen 1:28-30) The State has no part in this relationship.
Proverbs 13:22 says a good man leaves an inheritance to his children. Our estate tax system, though not expressly forbidden in scripture, makes it very difficult to leave an inheritance. Without burdensome estate and insurance planning up to 55% of our estate will be absorbed by the state at our death. this tax is sold as a tax on "the rich". It is more accurately a huge burden on family farms and small business. The rich don’t pay taxes.
There are so many more places I could go with this but it’s too long already.
Because conservatism, (not Republican party), most closely aligns itself with the Biblical clarity regarding the purpose and amount of taxation. I am a conservative. There is no Biblical, or constitutional, basis for "wealth redistribution".
Taxation for me is not a matter of politics but of faith. What part of this is "polluting" to Christianity?
Tags: Politics, Conservatism, Christianity, Private Property, Taxes, Estate Tax
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Have We “Polluted” Christianity with Conservatism? (2)
On Monday I asked the above question and received a couple of good comments between Facebook and the here.
Today I want to pose a question.
Is taking the position of low taxation an exclusively conservative position? or is it a matter of faith?
Obviously I believe it is a matter of faith which is one reason I am a conservative because I am a Christian.
I have much more to say on this topic but really would like your insight.
Chime in.
Tags: Taxation, Politics, Christianity, Government
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Have We “Polluted” Christianity With Conservatism?
Yesterday a friend on facebook made the point we should never compromise principle while being mindful of our tone. He stated the principles are not ours to moderate there is such a thing as absolute truth.
One of the comments got me thinking.
This morning I posted to my political blog “Some Things Should Be Defeated” which is a partial response but I wanted to ask the question of the readers of this blog.
Has Christianity been polluted by Conservative ideology?
The implication is conservative positions on things like the environment, healthcare, the size of government, and the role of the military may be right or wrong but do not represent a Christian worldview.
Those of you who’ve read this blog for awhile know what I’m going to say but I’m not going to say it…..yet.
I want to hear what you think first.
Real Heroes
It’s one thing to see stories like this on TV but when it’s someone you know it really brings it home.
Aaron and Tanya have been in this process for a long time and when they found out they could bring their boys home they could have just focused on themselves and that would have been fine but that’s not what they did.
With the help of Messenger International where Aaron is the CFO they chartered a 737 and brought home 80 children. They are considering other flights as well.
Watch this clip from the NBC nightly news and then go to the Messenger International website to see how you can help.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Hope International Schools
Just got home from a board meeting with Hope International Schools.
I met Joel Vanderkooi when he was an attorney for Mountain States Employers Council while I was the HR manager for Messenger International.
Joel had a vision to reach the world for Christ by planting schools. When he felt like the time was right he approached me to sit on the board. it has been an honor. Amazing to watch the hand of God on this family as they follow God’s call on their lives.
They have met with very significant difficulty and have stood firm in the face of it knowing they are called and God is the source and the substance of everything they need. They hope to open this spring and are well on their way.
Tonight we had our meeting on a Skype video call and were able to meet the teachers. I was so blessed as they introduced themselves, almost half of them through an interpretor, and spoke of how the school was an answer to prayer and how blessed they were to be able to serve God in this way.
They have an immediate need for a principle so they can finish the licensing process. As well as financial help until the school is fully enrolled and able to sustain itself. Then it’s off to plant the next one.
We have set up Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and WordPress sites if you would like more information.
Please pray for them and if you know of a great principle with a huge vision let us know.
“Leading” Worship
One of the themes I am seeing around the blogosphere and on posting boards is the idea a worship leaders job is to simply worship. People will either follow or not but it’s not the responsibility of the worship leader.
I couldn’t disagree more.
Though there is some truth to the notion that we can’t make people follow and we definitely can’t make people worship however; the idea that the leaders job is simply to stand and worship in front of people couldn’t be more wrong.
Our job as leaders begins well before we stand on the platform in front of the congregation. Every situation is different and we need to make sure we are seeking God for what He wants to say to His people. When were in leadership we must consider every revelation or communication from the Lord as to whether it is for us or for the people we are leading.
We must live in the secret place. Seeking Him and His desire for His people. Leading worship is not about choosing 5 songs in the same key or chord family. It’s not about doing what were, necessarily, comfortable with. It’s about going to the mountain and hearing God’s heart for His people.
After spiritual preparation it’s about preparing your craft. Whether it’s an instrument, your vocal, a video, a congregational reading, or whatever we must prepare ourselves. Remember we must be about excellence not perfection. Excellence is about offering our best not being perfect or even the best.
When we show up to the service we should invite the Holy Spirit to ruin our preparation. We should have been listening to Him through our preparation but it is so critical to invite Him to disrupt the service. Make it clear to Him and the worship team that we are going to go with Him wherever He goes.
Finally when we stand on the platform in front of those who Jesus bought with His own blood, those who He loves so much He would rather die than be without, we must engage them. We must draw them into the secret place with us. Not by manipulating emotions but by being genuine, leading them to the throne and then getting out of the way. Having been with Jesus we should know where they are and what He has given us to say to them should connect with them right away.
I understand sometimes it’s hard work. There is an enemy who knows the power of God’s people in unity worshiping the living God and is actively at work to disrupt that activity. I am not saying if we follow the right formula everything will work. Sometimes it doesn’t. But if it doesn’t it’s not because we weren’t prepared and haven’t done everything within our control to make sure it does work.
Eddie Espinosa says “worshiping in front of a congregation is like eating a 5 course meal in front of starving people”.
Leading worship is about going somewhere and taking as many as will come with us. This is not a passive activity but a very engaging, purposeful, passionate activity. We cannot take responsibility for how “good” the worship was but we must take responsibility for being prepared and engaging God’s people.
Please don’t embrace false humility in any form but especially when it comes to the responsibility of leading God’s people in worship.
My Songs
