tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post3709044224591174103..comments2024-03-01T21:01:15.174-06:00Comments on Biblical Christianity: Hither and thither 7/22/11DJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-23933810442082113252011-07-26T18:06:33.792-05:002011-07-26T18:06:33.792-05:00Trogdor: Agree with #2. I'm not against the ...Trogdor: Agree with #2. I'm not against the changing of that name, although I don't hold any prejudice towards it.<br /><br />I would have prefererd though, that they just change crusade to something else. Campus Club for Christ or something less blurry than "Cru."Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-58879159725750518012011-07-26T13:22:53.583-05:002011-07-26T13:22:53.583-05:00Is it still alright if I weigh in on the sole topi...Is it still alright if I weigh in on the sole topic of this focused article? OK then. There are different aspects of the Crusade name change that we should probably keep separate for clarity.<br /><br />1) What they changed it to. I'm not a huge fan of the name CRU - the campus ministry I was saved through changed to that shortly after I left, I wasn't a huge fan then, now I'm generally apathetic towards it. It's basically an obama of a name - the name itself inherently means nothing, the meaning will come from what they do. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - although I can imagine people getting mad at the early church for going with a meaningless name like "The Way" (and plenty of cults have really good biblical names). The name will take its meaning from what the group does.<br /><br />2) About dropping the word 'Crusade'. Unhesitatingly in favor of this. Look, we can debate the merits of the Crusades, and whether the term itself should be an offense to certain non-believers (especially muslims). But that would miss the point. The fact is, it is an obstacle preventing many people from even listening to the gospel. Attempts to witness to such people (again, largely muslims) will be immediately derailed to heated debates about the crusades, the appropriateness of using the term (I had more than one compare it to talking to a Jew while part of a group with 'holocaust' in the name), etc. Instead of proclaiming the gospel, you wind up debating 1000-year-old politics.<br /><br />1 Peter <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:20-21,%203:13-17&version=ESV" rel="nofollow">several times</a> makes the point - if you're going to suffer, let it actually be for Christ. The same principle should apply to our witness. If someone is going to reject it, let them actually reject the gospel. Don't put something else out there that gives them a convenient excuse without ever being confronted with the full truth. I've been threatened by muslims for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus the Son of God, and I've been threatened for being associated with a 'crusade'. Neither is fun, but at least with one I know I've been faithful.<br /><br />Let's consider Paul's example on this in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2016:1-3&version=ESV" rel="nofollow">Acts 16</a>. He wanted to take Timothy with him, but Timothy was uncircumcised, which would infuriate the Jews. Were they wrong to be so upset? Sure. Did Paul just take him along as-is, give the Jews a ready excuse to reject everything out of hand? Of course not. Paul, the great proponent of freedom with regard to circumcision, refused to let Timothy's foreskin stand in the way of the gospel. He weighed the value of Timothy remaining intact versus the likely offense it would cause, and broke out a knife (cf 1 Cor 9:19-23).<br /><br />Anything non-essential which has proven to be a hindrance to the gospel can and should be on the chopping block. The name 'crusade' undoubtedly did. Don't shed any tears to see it go.trogdorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452996348717802065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-841184502440767262011-07-23T16:29:52.704-05:002011-07-23T16:29:52.704-05:00Chris,
1. I don't listen to Pastore's sh...Chris,<br /><br />1. I don't listen to Pastore's show every day, but I get the sense that he is trying to be friendly and gracious with his guests/callers (to the point where he'd call them "bro" even if they were atheists) so that they will let down their defenses and be comfortable and say what they really want to say. <br /><br />2. That being said, one of Pastore's personal heroes is Dallas Willard. I know very little about Willard other than he is associated with the concept of "spiritual formation", and whenever Pastore has Willard or other guests who supports "spiritual formation" on the show, the subject matter kind of goes over my head. And after having read <a href="" rel="nofollow">this review of Willard's book</a>, it doesn't surprise me all that much that Pastore takes the approach he does on his show. To his credit, Pastore has openly condemned Rob Bell's recent heretical <i>magnum opus</i>, but that's only after the book's release and not during the promo video period.<br /><br />I'm slowly cutting down on listening to his show, now that I tend to listen to my iPod during traffic, but I probably won't wean myself completely from the show just yet. Like you said, he does have some good guests on sometimes (like John MacArthur), and one time he even had on one of my friends' pastor-cousin!<br /><br />(Okay, Dan, feel free to not post this comment should you think I've exceeded the Turk Derail-O-Meter scale!)Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-20651150271626281892011-07-23T15:45:37.492-05:002011-07-23T15:45:37.492-05:00Sir Aaron - republicans like most if not all of th...Sir Aaron - republicans like most if not all of them like all other politicians are concerned about the political fallout. But reps like Boehner are concerned about the downgrade of our debt (even if we dont default which we won't unless Obama intenrionally does so) which would impact interests and affect every American that wants to buy a home and has a credit card balance.CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912897040503058967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-36319332203042666662011-07-23T13:27:08.751-05:002011-07-23T13:27:08.751-05:00@CR and @Rachael: I think Obama knows it is the R...@CR and @Rachael: I think Obama knows it is the Republicans bluffing. Rule #1 of hostage taking: Don't take a hostage unless you are willing to kill the hostage.<br /><br />Refusing to raise the debt ceiling will have very real consequences, mostly short term. But nobody is quite sure what the extent of those consequences will be and so Republicans are unwilling to risk that running up to an election. Obama, on the other hand, doesn't appear to have much to lose.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-63037285451537143302011-07-23T13:16:42.054-05:002011-07-23T13:16:42.054-05:00I've been a supported of Campus Crusade for Ch...I've been a supported of Campus Crusade for Christ for several years now. I've been supporting specific missionaries and felt it was important to bring the gospel to College Campuses and nobody else was really doing it. I knew about the seeker sensitive mentality that infects it as it does most evangelical circles these days, but again, nobody else seemed to be doing campus evangelism so I kept supporting it. (Plus I was hesistant to defund a particular missionary family because I know how desperately they depend on the money).<br /><br />I'm disturbed by the name change and even more disturbed that they would bring in Bill Bright postmordem to defend it.<br /><br />My wife and I are discussing whether we will pull our funding and move it elsewhere. And it is with a heavy heart that I even consider it.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-10287864004728513632011-07-23T13:09:41.520-05:002011-07-23T13:09:41.520-05:00I loved the word "crusade" and think som...<i>I loved the word "crusade" and think some people hogtie it to the worst possible historical understanding of that word. This type of neglect of history, lazy categorization and being frightened of words, I just don't understand</i>.<br /><br /><i>Personally I am struggling to understand the problem with the Crusades. Strikes me as a perfectly valid use of force to keep the Holy Land under Christian rule</i>. <br /><br />Put me down as an Amen. To add, there were many crusades. Almost twenty if recall correctly. Some of them were simply to repel the muslim invaders who were taking over Europe. The embarrassment to Christianity came from Catholic superstitious dogma directed and promoted by the Pope that said you'd earn special divine dispensations for you and your family by fighting.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-81759560102304323742011-07-23T13:09:27.290-05:002011-07-23T13:09:27.290-05:00I think Geithner and Obama are putting our country...I think Geithner and Obama are putting our country at great peril by playing "Chicken Little" with the "sky is falling" talk about default. They ought to be reassuring the market and our creditors that no matter what, we'll be making the interest payments on our debt and we will <em>not</em> default under any circumstances.<br /><br />Instead, they are fomenting a premeditated panic for political gain.Paula Bolyardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05567777774272590296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-8824591187692009372011-07-23T13:05:51.584-05:002011-07-23T13:05:51.584-05:00meant to say, hurt a lot of Americans, not "m...meant to say, hurt a lot of Americans, not "money" - have not had my third cup of coffee yet, only got up an hour ago.CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912897040503058967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-3687470988692738182011-07-23T12:54:34.171-05:002011-07-23T12:54:34.171-05:00@Rachael - we'll see what happens with the deb...@Rachael - we'll see what happens with the debt talks. The President and the Treasury Secretary hold all the cards of which budget cuts they could force. They could choose cuts that would politically damage most Republicans since the media is on their side. They don't have to cut social security and we could still make our debt payments.<br /><br />The other risk is a debt downgrade. Not as bad as a default (which we won't do unless Obama wants to) but it could send interest rates higher and cause investors to panic. Boehner doesn't want to send interest rates higher because that would hurt a lot of money and he knows the Republicans will probably get blamed by the mass media machine.CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912897040503058967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-60387006335086033082011-07-23T12:36:09.478-05:002011-07-23T12:36:09.478-05:00Susan,
For what it's worth, I have saved myse...Susan,<br /><br />For what it's worth, I have saved myself from hours of aggravation by not listening to Pastore's program any longer. I just became so sick and tired of trying to find trace amounts of truth in that silly show, and/or waiting for guests who are actually gospel-embracing Christians (of the WHOLE gospel). Rather, he mostly parades one degree of compromise or heresy after another, appearing to be objective and balanced in his discourses with with every one of his errant guests. While it is certainly fair enough to do that with a particular guest, I'd like to know why there is no objective balance on display weekly/monthly in his overall guest lineup. Interesting selections, they are, as about 80% of them all have heresy, to one degree or another, in common--or he simply invites unbelievers on the air to express their theological views without an ounce of scrutiny. Interestingly, he gives guests with liberal political views quite a debate, and I frankly agree with every word he says in such debates! But, why have I never heard a debate like this from him on heretics' postmodern abberations? In my opinion, this comes from an absence of either discretion or courage (I don't know which--maybe both). <br /><br />Pastore frequently welcomes and converses with the carnal (at best) or apostate (at worst), as though they are indeed brothers and sisters in Christ, and one thing that stood out to me is the fact that his tone/inflections so strongly and frequently affirm some of the most outrageous examples of contextualized, postmodern, emergent nonsense imaginable (intentional?). He often calls such things "cool," and he soapboxes to his thousands of listeners when he interjects his opinions about how the church really needs to adopt whatever brand of relevancy his guests serve-up on a particular day. <br /><br />Nonetheless, Pastore is enigmatic, though, because I do believe he is a Christian who loves Christ; he likewise affirms the minority number of guests who are true, gospel-affirming believers as well. So, my aggravation always stemmed from trying to figure him out (combined, of course, with the aggravation of driving Southern California freeways)."Where he is coming from on this show?" I'd ask. Ignorance? ratings? orders from the radio station boss? fear of man? or a genuine belief in so much of the junk he broadcasts to his large audience? I always hoped he would challenge even one of these erroneous beliefs and/or guests, but never. Nope. Just affirmation. Sad.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01930864320573865515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-57350397114618512822011-07-23T11:46:10.923-05:002011-07-23T11:46:10.923-05:00Re: WTG
I hope Amazon doesn't sell out of the...Re: WTG<br /><br />I hope Amazon doesn't sell out of the Kindle edition so fast.<br /><br />Re: delivery by UPS<br /><br />It seems we never get too old to be excited when UPS delivers something!<br /><br />Re: Cru<br /><br />God told <i>me</i> that Cru was a good, meaningful name because of the immediately clear association with:<br /><br />- The Tom <b>Cru</b>ise Fan Club<br />- The Penelope <b>Cru</b>z Fan Club<br />- The prophetically predicted <b>C</b>ondoleezza <b>R</b>ice <b>U</b>niversity.<br />- And, most significantly, the <b>C</b>ongregación <b>R</b>eligiosa <b>U</b>niversal <a href="http://www.edismo.com/" rel="nofollow">(see website)</a><br /><br />No...He didn't really tell me that.Robert Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03174579068882302654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-67252201020228560582011-07-23T07:20:47.695-05:002011-07-23T07:20:47.695-05:00I'm reading an article on MSNBC about the Norw...I'm reading an article on MSNBC about the Norwegian tragedies, and the suspect in custody is a self-proclaimed "'Christian, leaning toward right-wing Christianity, on his Facebook page.'"<br /><br />Yikes.<br /><br />Maybe CCC's name change to "Cru" isn't so bad after all.<br /><br />This isn't to say that I completely agree with the name change. Yesterday on the way home I was listening to Frank Pastore's program, and he had no qualms about CCC's name change to "Cru". He thought it was fine as long as it could make them more effective in their ministry. When I heard that, one thought that came to mind was that our theology forms the way we live. Will the ministry indeed be more effective because of a name change? Isn't that man-centered thinking? And speaking of being man-centered, the soft-pedaled message in CCC's <a href="http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm" rel="nofollow">Four Spiritual Laws</a> pamphlets made me think twice about handing out the pamphlets I had purchased years ago. The idea that man cannot experience God's love and plan for his life because he is sinful (cf. Law #2) misses the bigger and more crucial picture that the Lord is angry with the wicked every day (cf. Psalm 7:11, KJV). Maybe instead of a name-change, CCC can focus on revamping <i>The Four Spiritual Laws</i>?Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-46925128313158829092011-07-22T18:50:52.219-05:002011-07-22T18:50:52.219-05:00Well! Our Dear Leader isn't bluffing anymore! ...Well! Our Dear Leader isn't bluffing anymore! He just held a press conference and did the POTUS equivalent of what DS used to do when he was 3 and Candyland didn't go his way. He would pound his chubby little fists on the table and flip the game board over, sending Queen Frostine and Plumpy tumbling across the Molasses Swamp and onto the floor in a heap. <br /><br />Those were the times we'd get out the (literal) pity pot and have him sit until he was done feeling sorry for himself. I wonder if Michelle could find one in the WH kitchen and have her hubby sit for a bit of contemplation.Paula Bolyardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05567777774272590296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-21406891329871306782011-07-22T17:57:52.765-05:002011-07-22T17:57:52.765-05:00I've created a monster. A bacophobic misovalis...I've created a monster. A bacophobic misovalist monster!DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-20267825389410053252011-07-22T17:55:05.954-05:002011-07-22T17:55:05.954-05:00Isn't the point of bluffing to keep it secret ...<i>Isn't the point of bluffing to keep it secret and not tell people you're bluffing?</i><br /><br /><b>Yes.</b> And it also requires having a <i>plan</i>. <br /><br />And why not even one conservative politician could apply at least several brain cells to calling out that fact in any number of ways is why I'm still profoundly pessimistic about next year.<br /><br />And what in the name of all that is nutritionally holy is in that bacon <i>thing</i> at SBTS? It honestly looks like some kind of horrific Southern savory eclair. I'm telling you - if I was a donor, I'd want a word with the cafeteria lady about her strategy to turn all those young guys into human ovals (to quote a friend) before their time.Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-76614100584514139192011-07-22T17:52:43.472-05:002011-07-22T17:52:43.472-05:00"CRU" is what we've always called ou..."CRU" is what we've always called ourselves on campus... The new name simply acknowledges that. Come and see what we are doing.Kylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137758239305541715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-38067989191928459572011-07-22T17:07:12.691-05:002011-07-22T17:07:12.691-05:00Your bluffing poster reminded me of something when...Your bluffing poster reminded me of something when President Obama was telling the Republicans to not call his bluff. Isn't the point of bluffing to keep it secret and not tell people you're bluffing?CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912897040503058967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-13638949718035557902011-07-22T15:05:19.296-05:002011-07-22T15:05:19.296-05:00The Canadian incarnations of CCC changed their nam...The Canadian incarnations of CCC changed their name in 2007. For much the same stated reasons: powertochange.comNeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16625691560372353977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-47157914198041251352011-07-22T14:31:34.994-05:002011-07-22T14:31:34.994-05:00Oops, forgot the CNN article.Oops, forgot <a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/21/my-take-bible-condemns-a-lot-so-why-focus-on-homosexuality/" rel="nofollow">the CNN article</a>.Scothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16573138499478048502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-52140956515665212532011-07-22T14:30:03.401-05:002011-07-22T14:30:03.401-05:00My first thought when I came to H&T was "...My first thought when I came to H&T was "Eep! Dan and Tom broke into my mind and stole my thoughts!"<br /><br />The comments about CCC have been hitting way very very close to home for me (not in a bad way). They agree with a lot of what I was thinking and express them better than I could.<br /><br />I can add a few things to the conversation. First one, CCC says the Gospel is a high priority (Cru?, whatever). <i>However</i><br />"being relevant" seems to trump all. This is not true across the entire organization, but I could make a case that that is the trajectory.<br /><br />Also, in this CNN article I see something else to add: Bill Bright knew that the CCC name might be offensive 60 years ago. I know for a fact that the name was chosen because "God told him so." That is just beat my head against the desk frustrating.<br /><br />Julie, if you could have seen the other names being suggested, the cringe factor would be too much for H&T to contain. <br /><br />To recognize the rest of Dan's hard work this week: Buffalo burgers are <b>delicious</b>. I would take one any day over beef. Gator is really tricky; if it was wild, it will taste really swampy. I've always wanted to try emu.<br /><br />To avoid the problems that Dairy Queen will bring on, I plan to make my own, more delicious, more cookie dough filled ice cream. <br /><br />The article on Jeff Sessions was pretty good. There is always the possibility that his speak was political motivated, but at least he has facts and is willing to be honest about the problems we have. Bipartisanship amongst the top Democratic leaders seems to mean, "I talk, you agree."Scothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16573138499478048502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-66938250913265231472011-07-22T14:28:14.450-05:002011-07-22T14:28:14.450-05:00There y'go.<i>There</i> y'go.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-24949385545484043852011-07-22T14:27:42.821-05:002011-07-22T14:27:42.821-05:00Hey, how 'bout those Legos?Hey, how 'bout those Legos?David Regierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09766862583586784668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-25075427599057643892011-07-22T13:49:09.735-05:002011-07-22T13:49:09.735-05:00Crucified. ru? Gal. 2:20
"Hey dude, sorry a...Crucified. ru? Gal. 2:20<br /><br />"Hey dude, sorry about that crusade thing, here, have a copy of #TWTG"JackWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384160992033491748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-53253478637648338282011-07-22T13:37:39.343-05:002011-07-22T13:37:39.343-05:00I never know which of the 63 pieces and graphics I...I never know which of the 63 pieces and graphics I put up might become a sole focal point.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.com