Here are some external links to things I found interesting. I don’t always agree with what’s written nor do I give full endorsement to the websites referenced… Tim
The nature/nurture studies have their place. They may explain why I behave as I do, but they do not excuse or justify my immorality. They may give me reasons for feeling the way I do, and explain why morality is such a struggle for me, but they don’t change the verdict of right or wrong. They may increase my sympathy for others who struggle with different issues to me but they do not absolve people of guilt or make allowances for wrongdoing.
Biblical Theology and the Sexuality Crisis
The sexuality crisis has demonstrated the failure of theological method on the part of many pastors. The “concordance reflex” simply cannot accomplish the type of rigorous theological thinking needed in pulpits today. Pastors and churches must learn the indispensability of biblical theology and must practice reading Scripture according to its own internal logic—the logic of a story that moves from creation to new creation. The hermeneutical task before us is great, but it is also indispensable for faithful evangelical engagement with the culture.
Why Younger Evangelicals May Feel Uneasy In A Patriotic Church Service
Overall, I believe thoughtful consideration of what we communicate through patriotic services is a healthy development. Here are a few additional ideas to consider:
- American believers should give thanks to God for the blessings of our temporary earthly citizenship, as long as we emphasize blessings of belonging to the eternal, multinational family of God.
- When people in our culture are celebrating the benefits of earthly citizenship, American believers should seize the opportunity to communicate solid, biblical teaching on the distinction between earthly and heavenly citizenship.
- As American believers express gratitude for this nation, we should be careful not to diminish the value and worth of other nations.
- Pastors and church leaders should make it clear that American believers have more in common with Arab believers in Iraq and Syria than they do with their unbelieving next-door neighbors.
- There is something beautiful about a congregation that shows respect and gratitude to people who have served their neighbors well. When we recognize veterans or law enforcement officers, we are lifting up ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things for the good of their communities.
Christians and July 4th: Celebrate with Kingdom Lenses – Not Americanized Ones
So, let’s celebrate together on July 4th, but let’s do so with Kingdom lenses on. Enjoy the lights in the sky and the wonderful food. Enjoy the wonderful people of America. But, for those who follow Jesus, how can we subvert tendencies like the idolatry of flag pledges with humility? This, and many other questions that this day raises, will need to be handled with generous love towards those who disagree with us, while not compromising our true Kingdom allegiance.
How Churches Became Cruise Ships, Part Two
The church can learn an important lesson from this delusion: Relevance backfires when it overshadows your uniqueness. Not every cruise line has succumbed to this temptation, nor has every megachurch. Some, however, find the accolades of cultural relevance too affirming, and the pressure to fill thousands of seats every weekend too demanding. They will spend millions of dollars for state-of-the-art theater equipment, will stock their children’s departments with Xboxs and 3-story playgrounds, and even run live Twitter feeds during worship. Churches that can’t afford these “wow” factors or a tattooed pastor with electric personality, may still feel the pressure to run an expanding array of programs normally found at a community college or YMCA all to attract consumers away from their devices and health clubs to the church.
Baptism: When Does God Make a Decision?
So what if the preacher carrying the certificate to the courthouse is run over by a train on the way there? What if the man and woman meet as the only two people on a desert island, which is far away from anyone and yet subject to American law under the United Nations’ charter? Can they marry contrary to law?
Did God consider them married on Friday or Monday? I mean, if they’d not filed the certificate at all — not ever — they’d not be married under the laws of many states (and our hypothetical desert island).
But in the eyes of the state, and surely God himself, it all relates back and happened Friday night — in anticipation of the certificate being filed. Because it was going to be filed.
I am struck by the fact that our culture disregards the “role model” for the “role idol” where everything celebrities do is worshipped including their unseemly behavior and outward expressions.
Laura Nichol: Rethinking capital — it’s more than money
In talking about her four forms of capital, the place to start, actually, is a shift in language. When we work with boards and leaders, we often find that they focus a lot on language about the past. Our work is to shift them to language about the future, which is about possibility. Once they begin to frame everything in possibility, then the second frame is to move to investment in capital, particularly for nonprofits. That’s a different way of thinking for them. They’re used to thinking about raising financial capital. That’s where they focus their time and energy. But we’ve found that by getting them to focus on three other forms of capital — network, service and intellectual capital — and then helping them understand how they can raise those forms of capital, they become energized and more committed.
The Only Six Words Parents Need to Say to Their Kids About Sports—Or Any Performance
It gets even better. Researchers Bruce Brown and Rob Miller asked college athletes what their parents said that made them feel great and brought them joy when they played sports. Want to know the six words they most want to hear their parents say?
“I love to watch you play.”
That’s it. Nothing aggrandizing like “you’re an all-star,” and nothing discouraging like “here are a couple of things I noticed that you can work on.” Just “I love to watch you play.”