Pop Culture Christians - Issues Watch

Florida State QB Claims He is God

2005-06-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Florida State quarterback Wyatt Sexton was escorted to a hospital in Tallahassee after proclaiming he was God. Wyatt stretched out in the middle of the street, hopped on a car and otherwise drew attention to himself before yelling to police that he was the Almighty One. He then came to his senses, correcting his identity. He wasn't God...He was the Son of God!

Obviously the youth has some issues, but why is it that people in these situations always say they're God or Jesus Christ? Why not Michael Jackson or Mike Tyson?

Team Jesus Christ At the Air Force Academy

2005-06-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

According to the Washington Post, a task force appointed by the Pentagon to examine the religious climate on the campus of the Air Force Academy reported last week to acting Air Force Secretary Michael L. Dominguez about its findings, and a public report is due soon. Are Christians being persecuted yet again? No, actually. This time, Christians are being accused of being the persecutors.

Among recent claims being made against the Air Force Academy are:

- A chaplain instructs cadets to try to convert classmates by warning that they "will burn in the fires of hell" if they do not accept Christ.

- During basic training, freshman cadets who decline to attend after-dinner chapel are marched back to their dormitories in "heathen flights" organized by upperclassmen.

- A Jewish student is taunted as a Christ killer and told that the Holocaust was the just punishment for that offense.

- The academy's head football coach posts a banner in the locker room that proclaims, "I am a Christian first and last. . . . I am a member of Team Jesus Christ."

The Post reports that although the specifics of these cases are being disputed, officials at the academy do admit there is a problem on campus with religious tolerance.

Wow, talk about firepower and marching orders for those who are waging war against Christianity...

Darwin Losing Traction, Popularity Says Historian

2005-06-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

In a column currently running on the Forbes web site, eminent British historian and author, Paul Johnson, argues that the Darwinian brand of evolution is "becoming increasingly vulnerable as the progress of science reveals its weaknesses. One day, perhaps soon, it will collapse in ruins."

http://www.forbes.com/columnists/free_forbes/2005/0620/039.html

He goes on to explain that with each passing day it becomes more clear that physics and science can't fully explain how the universe was created and that whether you believe God is a person, power, aura, what have you, it's getting increasingly difficult to believe he doesn't exist in some form.

Is the theory of natural selection being evolved out of popular opinion? What do most Americans think of it now? What's coming next in this debate? What does this mean for evangelism?

"Special Baby" - Face of Jesus in Ultrasound

2005-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

European tabloids are now reporting on a special baby born less than a month ago in the United States. Erica Brazier was struggling with a difficult pregnancy and was being evaluated for high-blood pressure when officials at Toledo Hospital in Ohio discovered something abnormal in an ultrasound they had taken. They saw the face of Jesus.

The image can be viewed at the following links. The first has better pictures and comes courtesy of The Sun, a UK publication. Also below is a link to a story from one of the first U.S. outlets to report on the ultrasound.

Baby Aaliyah was born a few months early but is healthy. Her mother feels that the ultrasound is proof that she's very special as well.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005250380,00.html

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/news/050305_NW_r2_ultrasound_image_likeness.html#

Urban Gospel Music to Save Our Youth?

2005-06-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

What’s The Word (WTW) Magazine, an online urban Gospel music magazine is sponsoring a nationwide campaign promoting urban Gospel music. According to the magazine, 95 percent of people in America who become Christians do so before the age of 25. The publication is alarmed by declining numbers of professing Christians, even as the U.S. population grows. Believing that urban Gospel music can be an effective tool to reach more young people, the magazine is embarking on a nationwide campaign promoting the art form.

The magazine's press release regarding the campaign is a bit dramatic, claiming that "if the church doesn’t reach them, someone or something else will."

First, is Christianity deteriorating as they suggest? If so, is urban Gospel music really a major part of the solution? I find that hard to believe. I'm also unsure of what impact a promotional campaign for this music genre will do for reaching the youth of our country. That being said, what are the most effective ways to reach today's youth, especially when using a form of art or entertainment? And if Christianity is on the decline, how do we reverse the trend?

How to Smell Jesus - Gyms and Candles

2005-05-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

In Oakland, the gym once known as the Iron Pit now serves as a way to deliver a message of unity through personal weight training. After a run of hard times, owner Gary Shields dedicated his life to Christ and turned over his gym as well. God's Gym now provides the community with a place for flexing muscles and lifting spiritual questions. Although Shields doesn't hit people over the head with the Gospel, he does provide times when those interested can sit down and talk with him about the Bible, Christianity or Salvation.

Meanwhile, a mom and daughter team in Portland has managed to put the fragrance of Jesus Christ into candles, they claim. Burning Desire Candles captures the smells of the Bible, including scents called A Walk with Jesus, The Last Supper, The Anointing and The Tomb of Jesus.

From gym socks and sweaty benches to the relaxing aroma of candles, smells like Jesus is in the air...

Jesus Christ Superstore

2005-05-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

I recently came across one of many online retailers poking fun at all things Holy. The site is jesuschristsuperstore.net, and I hesitate to even promote its URL in fear that I will further the cause in some unintended way. What surprised me about the site was not its irreverence but more so it's popularity. Evidently demand for its assorted, satirical toys, t-shirts and games has been so high the site operators had to post the following comment regarding complaints about delayed responses to orders or information requests. "Have faith sisters and brothers. Unfortunately we have been totally overwhelmed by the response to date and out system simply hasn't been able to cope."

When I see this sort of material thriving, it tells me that people may be getting overloaded and overwhelmed by the prominence of religion in everyday life. When Jesus becomes a way of marketing products and services and yes, even churches, this sort of counter campaign will rise and prosper. Some might argue that it reflects resentment from seekers and non believers who feel like they are being Bible thumped. Is that the case? If so, what do we do to address it, if anything? I think at the least we need to keep the pulse of such uprisings, because there's a lot of real emotion behind the jokes these items deliver.

Conflicts of Church & State Create Melodrama

2005-05-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Just as time ticks down on a court decision regarding the display of the Ten Commandments in Kentucky and Texas, officials in North Carolina find themselves in federal court for placing the national motto "In God We Trust" on the front of the Davidson County Government Center. The suit argues that the sign violates the separation of church and state.

Rick Lanier, who was a county commissioner when the letters were originally hung, argues, "If you secularize and take God and our religious heritage out of [our society], then we open the door even wider to moral corruption and tearing down the very fiber that built this country."

I continue to find it odd that after a few hundred years, people have decided phrases such as this violate the separation of church and state. I think it has nothing to do with "One Nation Under God," or "In God We Trust," or even the Ten Commandments. I think it has more to do with the high profile Christianity is currently claiming in our society and the perceived influence that religious leaders have had on political agendas. It's a way to combat the growth of Christian ideals.

After all, I don't see anyone ripping up dollar bills because the word "God" is on the back or refusing to accept them as payment.

CBS Drops Joan of Arcadia for Ghosts

2005-05-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Despite critical acclaim, CBS has announced it will drop Joan of Arcadia from its lineup and replace the show with Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as a medium who relays messages from the dead. All in the name of seeking younger viewers to bolster advertising sales.

A top executive at CBS says, ''I think talking to ghosts may skew younger than talking to God." And there is a snapshot of how fickle network television can be.

If CBS is right, that a younger crowd would rather watch a medium who talks to the dead versus a girl who talks to God, what does that say about the culture of our youth? It's not a surprising theory I suppose, but how significant is it?

I Want My God-TV

2005-05-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

An editorial in the L.A. Times accuses NBC of getting religious for ratings. The column starts with the statement, "If it worked for Saul of Tarsus, Augustine of Hippo and George W. of Texas, then NBC must figure it'll work for a struggling TV network." The piece points out that in addition to Revelations, which has struggled, the network is rolling out a inspirational reality show called Three Wishes, which will be hosted by Amy Grant, and a sitcom called My Name Is Earl, which offers a Christian message in a less direct way as it chronicles the turnaround of an ex-con who wants to right his life and make amends with those he's harmed.

The writer says that the "recent flexing of Christian political muscle shows there are a lot more believers out there than the mainstream media used to recognize. This audience is grossly underserved. " In the same breath, he notes that religious television is a rare commodity overall because, "sermons are for Sunday mornings, not prime time." Basically that sex sells better that spirituality.

It is good to see religious content making inroads to prime time television, but what happens if upcoming shows don't perform as well as Joan of Arcadia and much older religious themed programs like Highway to Heaven or Touched By an Angel? Will we see a departure from such shows in favor of sexier alternatives? And who watches such programs? Do seekers and non believers, or is this simply theatre for Christians?

The Silver Ring Thing

2005-05-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

"Who would have ever thought we would see the day the federal government would provide more than a million dollars to underwrite Christian proselytizing?" So reads a posting from the Philadelphia Daily News web site regarding a statewide abstinence program that is ripe with a Christian message. The ACLU has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for allowing the program to "preach on the taxpayers' dime." http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/11673352.htm

The program's director has even said it is more about spreading God's word than it is sex education. Does the ACLU have grounds to sue? Is the Department of Health out of bounds for supporting such a program? Christians are probably okay with it. And it sounds like good news. But how is it perceived by the community, especially with a lawsuit pending? Does it look like we're being sneaky and manipulative, riding into schools on Trojan horses?

Billy Graham Versus Religious Right

2005-05-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

As Billy Graham warms up for his 417th crusade, a feature in USA Today talks about his life and his ministry, calling his message one of inclusion.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-05-15-graham-cover_x.htm

In an editorial today following up on the profile, the question is posed about the damage the Religious Right may be doing to the ministry and how it differs from Graham's message of inclusion. The article says that as religious leaders become more involved in politics, "they risk making religion more a vehicle for exerting power over non-believers than for persuading skeptics to join the faith."

In the profile, Graham says, "If I took sides in all these different divisive areas, I would cut off a great part of the people that I really want to reach. So I've felt that the Lord would have me just present the Gospel."

Are public Christian leaders forgetting Graham's call for inclusion? Are they getting too political? Are they damaging the overall image of the Christian faith? Or are they simply defending the beliefs of the church and the Word of God? Is it more important for the religious community to actively campaign against activities that conflict their beliefs or to focus on Graham's message of inclusion? Are they cutting off the very people they are trying to reach?

Evangelicals Go Entrepreneurial Says Businessweek

2005-05-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

One of the nation’s leading business publications has dedicated the better part of its current issue to address the ways religion has become big business and how churches are using branding and other business strategies to build “earthly empires.”

Sunday Schools that look like Disney World and church cafes with the appeal of Starbucks are two examples from the article that sets up the special section. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of this magazine or checking it out online at www.businessweek.com.

This issue also talks about the success of marketing and selling Christian material, whether it be books, CDs, movies, etc. It feels like the implications of the reality the magazine paints, both good and bad, are endless. Have Christians waded too far into the cultural waters? Are we diluting the message if we treat church like a retail store or an entertainment complex? Or is this a sign of the times, a new way of reaching the lost in a meaningful way? Can we maintain the Gospel when presenting it in this fashion?

20/20 Seeks Clear Vision of Resurrection

2005-05-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Vargas will lead a 20/20 investigation later this week on ABC, as she journeys to the Holy Land seeking answers about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Did Jesus rise from the dead? That's the central question Ms. Vargas will attempt to answer as she interviews theologians and academics among others. The network will determine what we really know about what really happened that first Easter, almost 2,000 years ago.

Maybe I'm just not thinking it through, but I'm having a hard time determining the motivation for airing this story now. We're past Easter, a mile away from Christmas and I can't for the life of me align this with a current event of any sort. Not to say there is no simple answer.

I wonder what they found or didn't find and how much of an impression it will leave for those who are seeking to know more about God for the first time. I hope that Christians tune in, not because they need to know whether ABC can answer the question once and for all, but so they can anticipate the kinds of questions seekers may have the following morning.

Christianity a Running Joke on Television

2005-05-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

During a skit on Mad TV Saturday night, a group of unsupervised teenagers decide to defy parental rule by playing a violent video game. To the rescue comes "Bible Dude" who quotes random scriptures, spites a teen who tries to kiss up to him and then blows the transgressor's head off with lasers from his hands as he tells him to take some "Old Testament Judgment." Before exiting the room, Bible Guy tells all that if they are interested in violence, just read the Bible.

This is only one of several references I saw on television this weekend, including several Protestant stereotypes making their weekly appearance on the Simpsons. This week Bart was at the center of an epic battle for his soul between the Protestants and the Catholics.
Some people say there's always a glimpse of truth in stereotypes, so does Christianity bear any resemblance to the way it is satirized in prime time? Just as importantly, is that the way seekers and non believers see the church? If so, how do Christians combat those impressions?

Recent Surveys Attempt to Report Levels of Christianity

2005-05-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

We have become a nation of polling. Want to know what Americans think about turtles? Someone has probably conducted a survey on it. So, it comes as no surprise that polls on Christianity and religion abound. Below are a few samples of recent polls taken to gauge the level of spirituality in the U.S. You'll notice some support each other, while others provide conflicting outcomes. So is Christianity in growth mode and proliferating our society as some of the data below would suggest? Or are the number of unchurched growing while the Christian religion loses ground, as other studies indicate?

Survey of 100,000 freshman shows that four out of five reported an interest in spirituality and three in four were searching for meaning or purpose in life and discussing that with friends. Separate survey of college students showed that 44 percent called themselves religious, 35 percent said they were spiritual but not religious and 18 percent said neither.

About 26% of students say they are born-again Christians, 80% discuss religion or spirituality with friends, 79% believe in God 57% have questioned their faith and 69% pray, according to the Higher Education Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles.

According to a recent Gallup Poll, fewer than half the 1,002 youths polled knew that Jesus turned water into wine at the Cana wedding, and nearly two-thirds couldn't identify a quote from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount or the relation of the road to Damascus to the Apostle Paul's conversion. About one in 10 thought Moses was one of Jesus' 12 apostles.

In 2004, 84 percent of Americans identified with a Christian religion, according to Newsweek.

According to a Gallup Poll, 46 percent of Americans now identify themselves as evangelical, or "born again" Christians.

In a Newsweek Poll, 76 percent of Americans polled believe Jesus was the son of God and 75 percent believe that Jesus was the Messiah, sent to Earth to absolve mankind of its sins. And a 78-percent majority believe in the Resurrection, that Jesus rose from the dead after dying on the cross.

A 2003 Harris Poll found that about 90 percent of those questioned said they believed in God. About 84 percent said they believed in the survival of the soul or something like it. (But only 69 percent said they believed in hell.) Close to a third said they believed in reincarnation.

The vast majority of Americans oppose the removal of the Ten Commandments from public buildings and "In God We Trust" from U.S. currency. But most also oppose the idea of making Christianity the country's official religion, according to a poll by the Barna Group, a Ventura, Calif., consulting firm.

A total of 43 percent think Christianity is the fastest-growing religion in the world, with 37 percent correctly identifying Islam, according to a survey by the Council for America's First Freedom.

A 2005 Gallup Poll found that slightly more than six in 10 Americans planned on attending Easter services.

The percentage of Americans who are unchurched grew from 21 percent in 1991 to 34 percent in 2004, a Barna Group study shows.

Playstation, Porn & Prophecy

2005-05-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

New entertainment options related to Christianity are cropping up this week. Crave has introduced The Bible Game for the the PS2 and Game Boy Advance and expects it to be available in October. One version will feature 1500 questions and 20 mini-games based on the Old Testament. Another will be a hybrid platformer/trivia game with seven levels of forest, snowy tundra, desert, and tropical island. The characters must protect the Armor of God by answering questions from the Old and New Testaments over three difficulty levels.

Meanwhile on the small screen, Joan of Arcadia is now available on DVD and hopes to extend its popularity through the new channel. It's probably the highest rated show on TV today dealing with issues of faith, as God appears to Joan through different people in her life.

And then we have a documentary film on the xxx.church.com called "Missionary Positions." It follows two young pastors who created an online only ministry for people addicted to Internet pornography. The film is showing in Northridge, California at the West Valley Independent Film Festival on Saturday, May 14 and recently won “Best Documentary-Silver Medal” at the Nashville film festival. Major Hollywood distributors are negotiating to put it in regular theaters later in the year.

Now how's that for variety? If ever you needed a good example of how "Christian themes" of one sort or another are active within our culture...there you go.

What Would Jesus Eat?

2005-05-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Look out Jenny Craig. The latest diet guru is Jesus Christ? A growing number of Christian diet plans are getting high visibility in mainstream bookstores. In addition to What Would Jesus Eat, there is The Maker's Diet, The Hallelujah Diet and Body by God.

Newspaper reports quote one Christian radio host who says, "If you want the world to notice Jesus, it helps to look and live like Jesus. We don't do this so we can look in the mirror and be more attractive. We do it so people can look at us and see Jesus."

Okay, so gluttony and sloth are two of the "seven deadly sins" and combined they account for lots of extra weight. But are washboard abs and a trim tummy in any way a true reflection of Jesus? Seems like a great way to market a diet, but I don't buy the argument that people see Jesus in us because we're skinny. For believers, maybe these diet books are the final guilt trip needed to lose some weight. For seekers or non believers, it may be taken as, "Great, now God is telling me I need to lose weight before I can be seen as a child of His." Am I jumping to conclusions, or do you agree there is some danger here?

Anne Rice Sinks Her Teeth Into the Gospel

2005-05-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

Vampiress Anne Rice takes a sharp turn from her stories on blood sucking creatures of the night to write a biblical account of Jesus' early years in his own words. The book will be out in November, published by Random House. It is called, "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt."

The only similarity to her usual work is that her subject matter is the immortal. Will Rice do a good/accurate job of depicting the early years of Christ? Will her regular fans read this book, and if so, will some people be exposed to Jesus in a new way?

I wonder what her motivation is in pursuing this project. I'm unaware of her religious position and her specific beliefs. But I have to think that this will be a positive work of art if approached the right way.

Jesus Can't Get a License...In West Virginia

2005-05-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

The West Virginia DMV has denied a middle-aged man who now goes by Jesus Christ a driver's license. The gentleman has many other legal papers under that name, including a Washington, D.C. driver's license. The man has yet to receive a new birth certificate reflecting the name change, and West Virginia law requires drivers to show a valid birth certificate to receive a license.

In a world where many Christians are afraid to be identified as a Christian by their actions and attitudes, it's somewhat refreshing that Mr. Christ wants to be identified with the Lord literally. I don't know what his religious beliefs are, and whether his name change is out of sarcasm, mockery or adoration, but his apparent willingness to be guilty by association is a powerful testimony.

Churches Out of Control?

2005-05-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

A pair of churches making headlines for all the wrong reasons are giving cynics additional firepower to denounce the religious. In Waynesville, North Carolina, nine church members were removed from the church after refusing to support President Bush. The pastor has since called this a great misunderstanding and "welcomed them back" last Sunday.

Meanwhile, a group from Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, has been voicing its disdain for homosexuals by protesting outside seven churches of varying denominations, carrying signs that say "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for 9/11." The group's protest has been driven by a play depicting the beating death of Matthew Shepard, a gay man. The church's pastor, Fred Phelps, is portrayed in the play because he led a picketing group at Shepard's funeral.

Are these churches as far off the beaten path as it seems at first glance? Definitely not the depiction of the church that Christ would likely endorse. How widespread is the damage from instances like this? People don't need many excuses to attack the church, and these situations have loaded them with legitimate ammunition once again.

OC Delivers Message on Eye for an Eye

2005-05-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

Any of us who turns the television on more than once a week probably has to confess to watching either Desperate Housewives, the OC or both. I've been known to fall in the last category when time permits. Last night, during a two-hour, suspense-packed, special episode, the OC delivered us a Bible-based lesson...sort of.

Through a series of events, that includes Spring Break, Miami, a game of shuffleboard and an eating contest, Seth (one of the main characters for those of you who may not be familiar, or willing to admit you are familiar, with the show) finds himself on a big stage, partaking of whip cream from the chest and stomach of an attractive girl. Unfortunately for Seth, the girl's boyfriend has journeyed to South Florida with his "Bible study" crew chasing down his runaway love. The gang catches Seth in the act and the boyfriend informs him that it's time to "meet his maker" as he gives him a lesson on why what Seth and his girlfriend did was wrong in the eyes of God. He also mentions that his girlfriend will likely burn in Hell.

At this point, you figure that the guys are going to rough Seth up for his transgression, but as the camera cuts away and we enter the next scene, Seth is walking down the street covered in whip cream. He turns to his friend, Ryan, and remarks that they "really take that eye for an eye thing seriously."

Okay, so the OC had a little fun with overzealous Bible boys from a religious college. Was it a deep dig, or just an attempt to interject some Holy humor on the show? Do you think viewers identified with the stereotype the show put forth? Is this harmless?

Kingdom of Heaven

2005-05-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

The latest blockbuster from director Ridley Scott takes us way back to the crusades for an epic battle between Christians and Muslims. Critics are offering up mixed reviews in general, but specifically there seems to be a difference in opinion between Christian reviewers and mainstream reviewers.

As I was commuting to work this morning, scanning the radio dial as usual, I caught two reviews of the film. The first was a Christian station, who rates movies on a "family friendly" scale. They rated Kingdom low because of graphic violence, a sexual scene and a lack of biblical accuracy in the portrayal of Christians. Seconds later, I was getting my first dose of news on National Public Radio, when I heard a second review of the film. This time much more positive, clamoring about the director's ability to capture history and the fact that the movie feels like it was ripped from today's headlines. I guess in some ways it might feel just so.

I haven't yet seen the movie, but plan to this week. I'll be interested to judge for myself whether Christians and Muslims are portrayed accurately and what the underlying messages in the film really are. In the meantime, feel free to let me know what you think.

Regardless of thumbs up or thumbs down, Kingdom is another marquee film driving conversations of Christianity and the latest in a string of rich theological debates coming to us from "Holy"wood.

54th National Day of Prayer

2005-05-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest. President Bush had to bring it to my attention today that it was indeed the 54th National Day of Prayer. During a speech honoring the event, President Bush thanked the Almighty for the gift of freedom. Before catching a snippet of his talk while enjoying homemade meatloaf at a New York style deli, I was oblivious. Was I alone? How do Christians celebrate this day? How do seekers? Is this event gaining in popularity?

The Theory of Intelligent Design

2005-05-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

Upcoming hearings by the Kansas Board of Education regarding science curriculum will squarely address the theory of intelligent design, including the question of what role religion plays in it. In recent years, this theory has been trying to push its way into public school education.

According to its definition, the theory of intelligent design, " holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection. ID is thus a scientific disagreement with the core claim of evolutionary theory that the apparent design of living systems is an illusion."

Some detractors of this growing movement say ID is simply, "bad theology repackaged as science," or that it is "God in disguise."

Is this movement a way of packaging God in a scientific manner and marketing religion to the academic masses? Could this be considered religious propaganda, funneled to students to combat evolution theories? What promise does it hold to counter evolution and should Christians be concerned about the possible negative reactions from the general public?

A few links:

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/11560285.htm

www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org

www.aaas.org/news/releases/2002/1106id2.shtml

Sign Says: Hell is Real

2005-05-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

About halfway between Cleveland and Cincinnati, heading South on Interstate 71, a large billboard just off the road caught my attention last weekend. "Hell is Real," it proclaimed in bold, black, building length letters. For effect, the "H" in hell was a deep crimson.

Such billboards are not uncommon along our highways, but what signal do they really send to weary travelers? What about the words, "Hell is Real" as a message to the masses? Is it more or less effective than the infamous series of billboards several years back with quotes from God, such as "We need to talk."?

At first pass, the billboard really didn't paint the picture of the church that I'd personally like to present to seekers. It didn't at second pass either. Or at third pass. It began to feel like I was crossing signs for Hell as often as the golden arches of McDonald's. The last time I checked, the church wasn't about selling fire insurance. But do people see billboards and other marketing messages of this nature as delivering contradictory messages? Do they automatically associate such signs with the greater church? I bet many of them do.

Faith Keeps Teens Afloat While Lost at Sea

2005-05-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 30, two teenagers who had been lost at sea for six days without food or fresh water "were spotted by fishermen more than 100 miles from where they started, clinging to their small sailboat," the Associated Press reported this week.

Their miraculous story was chronicled by many media outlets, including Good Morning America, which had the two boys on with Charlie Gibson today. Josh Long and Troy Driscoll's account of their perilous journey at sea was peppered with references to God, their faith and their family, as well as continual prayer.

In one of the print media interviews, Long said, "I think it was a test from God, this whole experience was. And that was to test my faith and my best friend's faith and the faith in my family." Driscoll, who was much worse off physically following the rescue said he actually asked God to "take him" because they just didn't want to fight anymore. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/11540263.htm

Obviously, most people will thank God or make a reference to prayer following such a traumatic event, but the focus of these two teenagers was squarely on such subjects. It's a story that will no doubt be told in churches around the country in coming weeks, but how will it be discussed in other circles?

Gay Rights Continues to Be Spotlight Issue for Religious Leaders

2005-05-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Reverend Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, Washington emerged into the national spotlight after leading mass rallies opposing same-sex unions. He also played a high profile role in a recent change of heart at Microsoft, where the software giant pulled its support of a gay rights bill shortly before it narrowly fell to defeat in the Legislature. The Seattle Post Intelligener reports that last Sunday, gay rights activists visited Hutcherson's church to "plant the seed" so that the congregation might "start to question their pastor's message of hatred toward us."

Is it fair to say Hutcherson is delivering a "message of hatred" toward the homosexual community, or is he justly standing on the beliefs of the church in a positive way?

Popular Culture - Is It An Appropriate Channel for God's Word?

2005-04-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

When the topic of popular culture emerges amidst a group of Christians, you'll likely see another Red Sea parting, with sides quickly being formed. Here's the rub. Some people of faith believe that pop culture is not conducive to sharing the Gospel and in fact is an ill advised strategy for doing so. Others counter that Jesus used the tools of popular culture when he was spreading his own message and would undoubtedly do the same today if he was walking among us in the flesh. They propose that the message doesn't have to change, but the mode of delivering it must evolve with the realities that surround us.

I have yet to take a side on this issue, but do want to propose an interesting twist. Pop culture and Christianity are being intertwined not just by those of faith, but by the world as well. What I mean by that is the world is adopting, adapting, embracing, challenging and otherwise involving Christian themes, beliefs and concepts in many different ways. The convergence of pop culture and Christianity is not solely from devices created by Christians as marketing tools for God. The secular world has allowed musical acts, movies, books, etc. to cross over into mainstream at a rate never before seen.

The secular world is seeking for the spiritual, to understand it, to learn more of it, from it. As a result, there is a new angle of culture that we must examine when determining whether or not it is a good idea to funnel God's Word through popular channels.

Question: Do those who are seeking more clarity on the Christian religion turn more frequently to the church and the Bible or to a device of popular culture?

Are Christians Pandering to a Secular Spirit?

2005-04-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

In reflecting on the recent appointment of Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, opinion columnist Charley Reese of the Orlando Sentinel expressed approval of the decision because he felt that as a conservative, Ratzinger would continue to maintain the church as a "witness to truth, regardless of what modernists and relativists think."

Mr. Reese suggests that religion, “should not try to pander to the secular spirit of our age. It should defend the timeless truths.” The majority of his column is then directed toward Christians, not Catholics. Calling many Christians spoiled brats, Mr. Reese argues that it is dangerous to impose modern preferences on Biblical guidance. He suggests that, “Christianity may well wither and die in this current flood of secularism. If so, it should die true to its roots. Trying to pander to people who hate it won't save it.”

Questions: Is Christianity currently drowning in a flood of secularism? Are Christians trying to alter the message and pander to those who otherwise wouldn’t accept Biblical truth? If so, at what cost?

Hijacking Christianity? Justice Sunday Draws Comparisons to KKK, McCarthyism

2005-04-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

61 million households in 44 states were reached by a nationwide TV simulcast called Justice Sunday last week, according to hosts Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. The objective of the program was to stop the "fillibuster against people of faith" referring to delays in the U.S. Senate on votes regarding President Bush's recent judicial nominees.

The program has drawn quite a response from detractors, including Washington Post columnist, Colbert I. King, whose scathing editorial from the day before the event is making its syndicated way through the nation's newspapers this week.

http://www.decaturdailydemocrat.com/articles/
2005/04/26/news/opinion/editorial02.txt

According to Mr. King, "The American flag was appropriated by the political right wing years ago. Now the Christian right is trying to hijack religion. " He goes on to say even more boldly that the Christian right, "are not now and never will be the final arbiters of Christian beliefs and values. They warrant as much deference as religious leaders as do members of the Ku Klux Klan, who also marched under the cross."

Mr. King suggests that the majority of faith adhering Americans should rise up against this small group of religious extremists but also suggests the Christian majority is religiously timid to do so.

Questions: Are these religious groups and leaders out to exploit religion for their own purposes, as Mr. King puts it? Are they right in their accusations about discrimination against people of faith in this instance? Or is this a backlash against Christian leaders who have never been more prominent in the public eye and politics? What do you think the majority of Christians think about the stand taken by Justice Sunday? What about those not of faith? Are they turned off by this lobby?

Three Primary Questions Regarding Christ & Culture

2005-04-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

1. Is Christianity truly proliferating popular culture as never before?

2. And if so, is this a trend that can be effectively used by Christians to evangelize?

3. What type of reputation is our culture forming for Christ? What do seekers and non believers see?

Prime Time Revelations

2005-04-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

The hyped NBC mini-series wraps up tonight with the third and final installment. The premise: "Two unlikely partners drawn together by personal tragedy -- one who worships God and one who worships Science -- are propelled into a deepening mystery, finding evidence that the world, as predicted by The Book of Revelation, has reached The End of Days. "

Has this series been a beaon or a black hole for the Gospel? Is it accurate? Has it sparked conversations around the water cooler?

Virgin Mary Found Benath Chicago Underpass

2005-04-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Mass media reports of a wall stain beneath a highway underpass in Chicago spurred a surge of web searches for the Virgin Mary and related topics. The stain has caused traffic tie-ups and police had to block the area off after throngs of people flocked to see the natural art. Highway officials at this time plan to leave the wall alone. Meanwhile, Mary has taken a front seat in many commuting conversations.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=686666

Faith & the Schiavo Debate

2005-03-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Terry Shiavo and her family have been plastered across every major media outlet and in every daily conversation for weeks on end as the nation watches one family's tragic and unfortunate situation develop. It was only a matter of time before religion entered the picture as a major point of discussion. After all, questions of morality existed from day one of the debate. The issue is summed up well in an Associated Press account by an ethics expert, who says:

"Is there an appropriate time to pull the plug? There certainly can be, but the devil is within the details," said John Jefferson Davis, who teaches Christian ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, an evangelical school in Hamilton, Mass. "Good medical ethics requires both good principles and good facts."

There are few news stories more captivating in recent years, and religion is center stage for it. If you talk about Terry Shiavo's tribulations, the Christian perspective will not only be requested but expected.

Arrested Development Satires Moral Elections

2005-03-21T10:47:00.000-08:00

March 20, 2005 episode of sitcom Arrested Development on Fox satires a Christian tract and a virgin who is having a committed Christian relationship with her teenage boyfriend. Michael Bluth (played by Jason Bateman) tries to help his son run for class president. His kid is going up against a popular party guy, so Bateman's character pulls in sleazy brother George Oscar 'GOB' Bluth II to lead his son to victory. Uncle GOB's tactics offend the Christian girl, so she decides to help the sleazy guy, who ends up running a video about being “born again” and finding a “new heavenly father.” He wins the election in a landslide.

Later that night on Fox, the Simpsons make their latest reference to Christianity. Bart and Lisa run a stolen RV onto a ship bound for the ocean. The captain threatens to take the children with him and Homer yells for him to be sure and “raise them Christian.”

Question: Do such satirical references to Christianity help or hurt the cause?

Purpose Driven Life Frees Hostage

2005-03-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Best-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life" gains new relevance in book stores across the country after an Atlanta woman uses chapter 33 of the text to convince fugitive Brian Nichols to let her go free, several hours after he broke into her apartment and took her hostage.

If someone you know has managed to escape hearing about this book, chances are they know about it now. This is more than just a coffee table book. It's a conversation waiting to happen.

http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Articles%20Apr05/Art_Apr05_15.html

Nelly Beats Religious Protests, Draws Huge Crowd

2005-03-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

A small gang of Jonesboro ministers failed to sabotage a concert by rapper Nelly at Arkansas State University. Well-known and respected Reverend Adrian Rodgers of the Fullness of Joy Church was a leading voice among the 20 men of God attempting to divert Nelly's songs of drug, sex and violence from being delivered to local college students. The rally and protest made national headlines this week. So did the fact that Nelly still drew more than 6,300 fans to the concert.

Are boycotts a good idea in today's media environment? Do religious groups with good intentions get painted with an appropriate brush, or is the general public predisposed to think, "Oh great, now what are they boycotting?" Does it do more harm than good to the Christian image, especially when boycotts aren't successful? Is that the right question to be asking?