Jesus Camp

Don't want to say much - but this video says a lot about many things. And I'm not going to comment.

Joke of the Day

Humor from that respected comedian of our time, John MacArthur.

Question: "Is there any room for dinosaurs in the Bible?"

Answer (from JM): "I guess it depends on how big your Bible is."

Drumroll please.

Prosperity Gospel hits the mainstream

TIME.com: Does God Want You to Be Rich? A Holy Controversy

When Time covers something like this, you know it's hit the bigtime. According to the article,

"17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of such a movement, while a full 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous. And 31%—a far higher percentage than there are Pentecostals in America—agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money."

And what about Jesus' words in the Gospels? Well the article leaves the contradiction between this doctrine and scripture without real answer. Instead:

But for a growing number of Christians like George Adams, the question is better restated, 'Why not gain the whole world plus my soul?' For several decades, a philosophy has been percolating in the 10 million-strong Pentecostal wing of Christianity that seems to turn the Gospels' passage on its head: certainly, it allows, Christians should keep one eye on heaven.

No real surprises about how popular all this is, though I was surprised to see Rick Warren listed as a major detractor to this doctrine.

In trying to be "balanced", the article ends up being vague and clouding the issue... and you end up left with the idea that there is no clarity in scripture on this topic and that the Church has not really addressed the issue clearly. Not true, even in my limited personal experience.

The crisis to me is singular: The view of God that is being propounded here is idolatory. In fact, on probing further it seems that the real God here is self. Maybe it's a reflection on a peculiarly American mindset that "I" is the beginning and end of all things.

Tozer warned his generation that the Church needed a high view of God--So much more urgent is this call today.
Some verses come to mind.

About Christ:
[Colossians 1:16]
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

From Paul:
[Acts: 20:22-24]
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Let's understand who God is as he has revealed himself to us, not as we want him to be, and tailor our lives and purpose in life to a right view of God.

Endless Heavenly Fun

This site will humor my little peabrain for hours and hours. So many sound clips, so little time. From the site:

Here are 101 versions of the song that doesn't remain the same, depending on whether it's the the Australian music hall version, the Gilligan's Island version, the backwards version, the backwards splice-and-dice quarter note version, the glass harmonica version, the Doors version, the reggae version and on and on (all MP3s). Much of this came from former FMU DJ KBC's CD of the same name, which took much of it's content from this 1992 LP.

The reggae rendering is pretty fascinating actually (Elvis?!)... as is the Doors version... remarkable parody. And the Australian music hall one is plain funny. And DOLLY PARTON? What in the world.

How could you not visit? It's something to do about heaven.
Site Link

You HAVE to be kidding me!

It seems to me I just posted about Mel Gibson only a few days ago, and called HIM nuts for his drunken ramblings. But Here's something that just takes the cake.

Now I am aware that there is a minority in India who are fascinated by Adolf Hitler, and idolize him as a great man - the niavete and idiocy of the entire thing has always made it seem ridiculous to me. This however, is a whole new level of ridiculous. Gotta admit, we Indians too can be pretty darn nuts.

Link: BBC NEWS | South Asia | Climb down by 'Hitler' restaurant

Because I need Him - Always.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

About Being Born Late

Most people who know me have this funny idea that I'm a closet hippie. Well, I guess they're right. I found a song about it too, and that makes me happy. Here's to all those closet hippies out there in the world.

I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
-Sandi Thom

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In 77 and 69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When the head of state didn't play guitar,
Not everybody drove a car,
When music really mattered and when radio was king,
When accountants didn't have control
And the media couldn't buy your soul
And computers were still scary and we didn’t know everything

[Chorus]

When pop-stars still remained a myth
And ignorance could still be bliss
And when God Saved the Queen she turned a whiter shade of pale
When my mom and dad were in their teens
And anarchy was still a dream
And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail

[Chorus]

When record shops were still on top
And vinyl was all that they stocked
And the super info highway was still drifting out in space
Kids were wearing hand me downs,
And playing games meant kick around
And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face

[Chorus]

I was born too late to a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

(I'd take the punk rocker thing figuratively, of course)

Al D'oh

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between satire and reality, but ladies and gents, this one is apparently the truth: Homer Simpson has converted to Arab. I don't need to say anything, the link is funny enough.

Badr Shamshoon anyone?!

[Danny, if you still read this blog, this one's for you. Will either disgust you or make you shoot soda out of your nose - either way someone will be disgusted]

[THIS UPDATE DEDICATED TO DANNY]

Mel Gibson is nuts.

Some of This article by TIME magazine's (jewish) Joel Stein cracks me up.

Excerpt:

Until Gibson told his arresting officers that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," I didn't realize that was our thing. If it is, let's drop it. I would have thought that the guy who made Braveheart, The Patriot, Gallipoli and When We Were Soldiers and has directed some of the most violent, angry scenes in cinema would love war. But I guess he doesn't.

And most of all, we have to stop this finger wagging at Gibson. Endeavor agent Ari Emanuel has written that no studio should work with him anymore. Bad call. We don't want to get in a battle here. In a popularity contest between Mel Gibson and Jews, it doesn't look good for the Jews. Better we laugh this off, maybe respond with a gibe at the Australians, like how they make simplistic, overly fruit-forward red wines. Then we all have a chuckle and subtly suggest another dead language for him to teach himself for his next movie. We've got to give that guy as much busywork as possible.

At first I couldn't care less, but after some reading I honestly think the uproar over someone like Gibson's remarks is justified.

In all seriousness, I truly believe that whatever your political view of Israel, anti-semitism in any form cannot be tolerated. The history of the matter has forever settled that. Read through documents relating to the holocaust, and any living breathing human being should see why.
http://remember.org/
http://www.jewishgen.org/Forgottencamps/Camps/
Nazi Experiments & Doctors

Guess the Psalm

OK, so I know it's a tiny bunch of people who read this blog, but here's something for entertainment. I am posting 5 different verses from 5 different Psalms, and they're from "The Message" one of the most terrifyingly hilarious translations ever.

Without googling, guess what Psalm the verse might be from - (I've only chosen from the first 25 Psalms) Each verse is from a different Psalm. Extra credit for which verse it might be:

1: An easy one

God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.

2: Not so easy

Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed. Treat me nice for a change; I'm so starved for affection.

3: I promise, its a verse:

How well God must like you— you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

4: Think a little

See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses?
But we're making garlands for God our God.The chariots will rust, those horses pull up lame— and we'll be on our feet, standing tall.

5: One last one, maybe I'm being a little tricky here

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

Thoughts on Joy

If there is one place or person you can go to to discover and learn about the importance of Joy in the christian life, John Piper would be that kneejerk resource. I've been listening to a series of sermons by him from Desiring God radio titled "when I don't desire God". In the message I am listening to today Piper referenced a statement by CS Lewis, wherein Lewis emphasised the fact that our pursuit is not for the emotion of Joy. It is a pursuit of joy in God. Otherwise joy would be an idol. There is no value in joy by itself. The object is not a state of our own mind, but something outside ourself.

However, Piper reemphasised this, and this is the point of this blogpost, that our pursuit is of God does not remove the necessity for our pursuit being joy in God.

Three reasons why we should pursue not just God, but joy in God:

1. It's God's Idea.

Deuteronomy 28:47,48
Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.

What a terrifying verse to come to grips with. God is not just earnest about people serving him, he wants people to come to him with joy and gladness - which is found in Him. He commands joy, and holds out wrath for those who are not joyful in Him.


2. God is glorified not merely by how we think about Him, but our experiential relationship with him.

Doctrine alone is not glorifying to God - "even the demons believe and tremble", James says. All the right thinking about God is not as good as Satan's thinking, yet he hates God. Doctrine is important, but not without delight.


3. People don't awaken to how desperate their condition is before God until they measure their hearts condition by their delight for God.

We tend to function by a "do" benchmark. Steal, lie, gossip, read, look, think. Instead we should be probing hearts about delight and desire. This section was the what inspired me to make this posting, so let me quote Piper from the sermon itself:

What is your default activity when there's no pressure on you? What is your heart reflexively drawn to? Those are the things that damn us! It isn't adultery... I mean, good grief it does not take a lot of will power to stay out of bed with another woman! But, not to have a desire to look at a picture - desire: that's damning.

To know that my heart has to change, my whole structure of motivation has to change, my whole priority of treasuring things in the world has to change: I'm damned! There's nothing I can do - I feel totally devastated by this inditement.
[direct quote]

Brothers and sisters - far be it from us to think that we have arrived in any sense. It is ironic but essential for us to realise that we are debtors to the Grace of God even in this. Without his help we cannot and will not delight in Him as we should. So let us run, flee to heaven and beg in broken contriteness: Lord, help us delight in you alone. May He touch not just our lives, but our hearts.

How to Be Invisible

TIME.com: Eye on Science - Science Blog Archives - How to Be Invisible

Seriously? What? Like, we're in technological territory that defies the imagination. Someone has actually worked out the theory for an invisibility cloak! Of course, actual invisibility is a little ways away, but still... the fact that it's theoretcially possible? Actually a little disappointing.

You see, at this rate there's going to be nothing left to the imagination! If these people keep inventing, we'll have no fantasies left!

Not really. The human imagination is quite, um, imaginative - we'll find something to fill out fantasies with. I'm just happy to be blogging after so long, so excuse me. The article however is 100% real. I checked the date and it ain't April 1.

More Bollywood Based Bounties

Lads and ladies, help. Is there a twelve step program? I'm hooked. Here's another keeper.

Bollyhood

It speaks for itself. This stuff is hilarious. Because it what it says we know is true.

The Rise of India

ABCNews did a feature on India when Bush visited, and I just found it. It's a great balanced outsiders view of where India is today, and what India can be in 50 years. It's more complicated, sure, but this guy doesn't have the usual bias.

Snippet:
"You see an explosion of 50 years of pent up aspirations. If you want to know what India feels like today, it's very simple. Pull out a Champagne bottle, shake it for an hour, then take the cork off. You don't want to get in the way of that cork."

Mallu Humor of the Day

There's a state in India, down south, called Kerala. It is known as God's own country. The language they speak (they claim) is The Heavenly Language. Well their accents are heavenly too. We lovingly call these folks "Mallus" (short for malayalis, their language is called malayalam)

This clip takes the cake. Don't listen if you have respiratory trouble or heart problems, The laughing might kill you. (So... is that a lie? lol)


Mallu Hot Stepper

*thanks Sarah!

Lying and the Bible - Part 1/3

In a recent conversation with a good friend, the age old issue of whether lying is ever justified was raised, and later I felt like I needed to do a systematic approach in the understanding of the matter.

In addition, I don't want to trust just my own intellect, which is my tendency. Where spiritual matters are concerned, as much as I can I want to rely on the Word of God. If it is undogmatic, I want to be undogmatic. If it is clear, there I want to take a stand.

Outright, I am of the opinion that lying is not justified. But rather than start from that presupposition and give a list of proofs, I want to try and use scripture to gain an understanding. Scripture first, then hypotheses. Of course, my biases probably will show through, but I hope as a whole the logic will be unblemised.

Some Fundamentals

What does the Bible say about lying?

A few passages come to mind.

Exodus 20:16 - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Titus 1:2 - in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.

Heb 6:18 - so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Rev 21:8 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

There are a lot more passages about this throughout scripture, but I think these are sufficient to get an idea that we are commanded not to lie, and that lying is s sin.
God is a God of truth. But as His children, we we are urged to imitate God.

1 Cor 11:1 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Peter 1:16 - since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

God is our standard for morality. If he is perfectly holy, then we are called to be perfectly holy (whether we can be is not the issue, what we are commanded is). Our sanctification is the process of us becoming like Christ in all his perfection.

The standard is very high. Immediately I realize I cannot attain it. But the difficulty does not mean I stop working out my salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Because it is GOD who is at work in me, not my own effort, so that I can will and act for his good pleasure. I'm not alone in this endeavour (Phil 2:12,13), This is a wonderful manifestation of Grace.

Hang on you say, what about the exceptions? Well, I'm trying to do this a step at a time, and exceptions or complications, however you want to call it, will come later.

So what is a lie? Starting with the bare bone definition, a lie is an active action. You lie simply when you speak what is not true. Even when we speak of "not telling the truth" we are usually not talking about a passive witholding of information, but of untruth being spoken. This is the first aspect of the issue that I want to deal with.

So far, my simple mind is devoid of further issue and I'm happy to submit to scripture - speaking untruth is forbidden. I want to be like Jesus, and this is his demand. I cannot lie. the issue is so far uncomplicated.

Lying and the Bible - Part 2/3

Exceptions?

The first rude awakening occurs when the accounts of Rahab and the Egyptian midwives are thrown at me. Both are examples of people who spoke actual untruth. Both were commended in some way by God. The question is raised whether this can be used as an exception to God's rule of lying.

Rahab: Joshua 2 tells us a wonderful story of God's eternal Grace. A prostitute saw the glory of God through His works for Israel, and she believed. I love verse 11.

11 And as soon as we heard it [of God's power through Israel], our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.

In Joshua chapter 2:5,6 we are presented with this woman, Rahab who speaks untruth in order to save the Jewish spies who are hiding in her house. Her belief in the God of Israel led her to help the spies, and lying was a part of this help. At this point, there would be no real problem. Lying is a sin, and therefore what she did was a sin. The end does not justify the means. We would put this down to another testimony of God's grace in a weak sinner.

There are two verses that raise questions. The first on is Hebrews 11:31.

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

With regard to the issue at hand, there is no explicit connection. This verse is talking about Rahab's faith in the God of Israel. No mention or endorsement is made of her actions. I believe this verse is a comment on Rahab's attitude in Joshua 2:11. Additionally, we can use a previous verse in the chapter to shed light on our understanding of what was this faith of Rahab.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The second passage about Rahab could raise a few more questions.

James 2:25 - And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

We begin to wonder - was Rahab justified by works, including her lie? This would allow for an argument that said cetain kind of lying is justified. I think the problem arises when we come to a text and try to understand from it what it was never intended to prove or disprove. My solution is simply this - lets look at the passage and understand it's meaning and implications in context.

a. What is the passage about?
We find a clue about this from verse 14 of the same chapter

James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

The point is the one that has been made by great theologians from the ages since the reformation - that we are justified by faith alone, but that faith is NOT ALONE. Deeds must follow our belief. Action proves that we truly believe. Rahab is one of the examples.

b. So why this controversial person as an example?
Why Rahab? Does her inclusion beside Abraham itself mean that all her works on behalf of the Israelites was justified? Lets look at the passage contextually again. First, Abraham is mentioned. He is the father of the Jewish nation. He is the called out one. His is an example of an insider if there ever was one. But to reinforce his point, James puts forward a rank outsider, a pagan, a prostitute, an outcast. And he shows us that even though she had faith (As we have seen in Hebrews 11) her faith was not alone. She staked her life on her belief that Yahweh was Lord. What a set up for his final statement in the chapter - "faith without works is dead".

c. What about her works is justified?
Sticking with the words of scripture, James 2:25 mentions specifically that Rahab welcomed the spies and sent them another way. In simple terms, she helped the people of God. This help was the evidence of her faith. We do not see an endorsement of her lies, or even that somehow she was OK in allowing the soldiers of Jericho to believe that the Jews had come to her for prostitution. All those issues are subsidiary, and not even dealt with in James. We need to say what scripture says and be quiet when it speaks nothing about an issue.

I am reminded of David, the "man after God's own heart". I struggled for a long while with the fact that though David is upheld as one of the great ones in the OT, his life is filled with immorality, inconsistency and lack of faith. What about Abraham? He is noted as an example of justification by faith, and yet the major part of his life is characterized by disbelief and lack of trust. Was there a different standard for these? Did God somehow allow those things then for them, because the situation was different? No! Once again, we see that God is steadfast in his love and gracious to all. His grace covered them ultimately through Christ (Rom 3:21-26)

The Egyptian Midwives:

Exodus 1:19-21 - The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

A similar principle applies here, the favor of God cannot justifiably be used to endorse lies. We have seen God rewarding faith similarly in Abraham, David and Rahab, the weakness of the sinner is covered by Grace. Vs 21 elaborates - they "feared God" and God blessed them.

Edit: To further elucidate, they feared God above man. So when Pharaoh commanded them to kill the Hebrew babies, they refused. This was what God blessed them for. They obeyed him rather than man. That they spoke untruth does not justify it just because they were intending good.

We need to use scripture to interpret scripture, and use the certain to interpret the uncertain, not the reverse. Lying is sin, and we do not have sufficient warrant to add exceptions to a command which is absolute.

Lying and the Bible - Part 3/3

Broader definitions of Lying

So far I have dealt with simply speaking what is true. There is a broader issue however. Deception takes many forms.

1. What about half truths?
2. What about withholding information?
3. What about simple tomfoolery, pranks, games, etc?

Firstly not all these things can really be put into one category as "lying". For instance, withholding information is many times healthy and desirable, for instance in issues of confidentiality, whether spiritual or even military. Wisdom and deception are far removed from each other.
Games are another area - both sides are aware of certain parameters within which to function. There are accepted norms. And in fact, Games have very strict rules and penalties for going outside the bounds. When someone tries to manipulate rules, he is labelled a cheat. Why? Not just because of a transgression of law - that's a foul. Cheating is when the intent is malicious.

So morality and spirituality comes in at the point of intent. If in these cases intent is malicious then sin is born. Whether in areas of Withholding information, half truths, or Game parameters.

Again, we cannot justifiably say that lying or deception is ever endorsed Biblically. Some might take a hard line and label as lies even instances where intent is
not malicious. But I think this muddies the water unprofitably.

It is important to remember that we need to be very careful how we deal with issues out of the boundaries of explicit speaking of untruth. Intent is a hard thing to gauge. But it will be the key in unravelling the matter.

For example, a child may withhold information from a parent because of fear of consequences. The intent is sinful.
But a child may also unwittingly withhold information that might have been pertinent to the issue, simply because the child did not know it was important. The intent then was not sinful.
In this case the discernment and spiritual insight of the parent comes into play.

Final Notes
I need to delve a little into some of the more subjective arguments.
A question was raised about hierarchy of God's law. The logic was that some laws take precedence over others, and for instance if I have to lie to protect someone from being murdered, then that would be justified.

A quick note about this: The only related scriptural examples I can find are these: Children are commanded to obey their parents (Eph 6:1) All people are commanded to be subject to all authorities. (Rom 13:1) However, in each of these instances these is a caveat, if you look at the verses. from this we understand that if people in authority contradict God, then we disobey authority. This is not really teaching hierarchy of law. It is an issue of hierarchy in authority. Whenever God's word is compromised, then I obey God rather than man. So I disobey man, but it is not sin, because God specifically has declared himself supreme authority. Obeying him is of first importance.

As far as lying goes, the hierarchy of authority does not apply, because God as supreme authority has commanded us to be truthful, and there is no issue of submission to any other involved.

Edit: It has been a long while, but I thought I'd add this "mindlblowing revelation" to conclude. With regard to all the exceptions to lying that we might think up to oppose what I believe is a Biblical argument, isn't there a place to say "trust God"? However difficult the situation, if He has decreed something and we seek to obey Him, Can we not rest in knowing that He will provide the means to carry out His will? Or the strength to bear the consequences of obedience to Him? These may be painful in the moment, maybe... but eternally joyous. We serve a living, caring Father. Amen?

The Waiter Rule

USATODAY.com - CEOs say how you treat a waiter can predict a lot about character

As far as the business world goes, it's a sad day if you spend half your life being arrogant and displaying your "power" and shooting people down, just to learn that you have no character...

The waiter rule is an interesting barometer. And not just for business people. Where Christians are concerned, I'd take it to the level of how you treat the lowly in general - not just people who serve you, but people who you benefit nothing from.

I find it sad that I can think of situations where people in ministry leadership fail the test. That's even sadder than a characterless CEO- It's an absolute tragedy of misguided motives.