Religion

JJ Heller is probably a new name to many Christian music enthusiasts. She was to me when I heard her song “Your Hands” as I was facing the impending loss of my Dad. It is such a beautiful song that really touched me during that dark time, and certainly after Dad died. Recently, I heard another of her songs, “What Love Really Means”:

This is a beautiful, moving song about how the Lord loves us for who we are. It’s the discussion in the comments, though, that got me to thinking. Read the rest of this entry »

“Will a federal emergency-medical-treatment law be rewritten to mandate that all hospitals provide abortions?”

Read more here.

We realize our blog readers are among the brightest in the country. To test your religious knowledge, please take this quiz. Feel free to let us know your score.

http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/index.php

A recent conversation I had has gotten me thinking about Jackie Gleason, who died in 1987. Although I was only in my early teens, something he said really struck me as not quite right. As best as I can remember (I can’t find the quote online), he said in one of his last interviews, knowing he was dying of cancer, something to the effect of “I can’t believe in a God who would send me to hell.” Whether or not that was his exact quote, that’s a common sentiment these days, and is just as wrong now as was back then. Read the rest of this entry »

National religious leaders release historic declaration of conscience

The Manhattan Declaration was released on Nov. 20, 2009, and was signed by 152 prominent religious leaders of our time. The document gives a very clear message to Christians on three fundamental truths that have been challenged in today’s society.

These truths are the sanctity of life, the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Those of you who visit the Pilgrim’s Progress site know all three of these truths are valued by the editors, and we do our best to preserve them by reporting and offering commentary on relevant issues to life, marriage and religious liberty.

After reading through the Manhattan Declaration, I have decided to feature some of the passages I found insightful. I plan to do this in segments with this blog entry focusing on passages from the Preamble and sections of the Declaration that uphold Life:

Read the rest of this entry »

I recently “retweeted” (if you don’t understand what that is, don’t worry about it right now :) a quote from Tom Coburn in which he said, roughly, “you can’t love through the Federal Government.” In response to that, I was asked what the difference was between giving to a charity, and “giving” (through taxation) to the government. That seems like a fair question, so I’d like to address it a little more fully. Read the rest of this entry »

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.

-The author of Hewbrews, The Bible

One of the more popular religious games to play, for both the sectarian and the secular, is “What kind of politician would Jesus Be?” Would He be a Republican or a Democrat? Sometimes this branches out into more a economic realm with would He be a capitalist or a socialist? This former flavor of the discussion was recently brought op on twitter. Since 140 characters at a time is a tough format in which to have a serious discussion, I thought I’d try to share my thoughts in longer form here. Read the rest of this entry »

I hate to link to a gossip article, but in a recent article in the gossip section of the NY Daily News, Brad Pitt, when asked if he believes in a “higher power” emphatically, says “no.” Here’s the quote from the article:

I’m probably 20 percent atheist and 80 percent agnostic. I don’t think anyone really knows. You’ll either find out or not when you get there, until then there’s no point thinking about it.

His last sentence strikes as a very dangerous stance to take. If he’s right, and there is no God, then he dies, his consciousness ends, and he’s OK. If he’s wrong, though, then he’s going to come face to face with a god of some sort. Or many, for the sake of argument. If this god (or gods) judges on actions, then perhaps he’ll be fine. Maybe this deity doesn’t really care, say, and sends him back in another body, then, again, perhaps he’s OK. But, if we Christians are right, that there is a God, that sin is a real problem, that God will judge and punish sin, that Jesus paid that penalty for us on the cross and that we must place our faith in Him, then Pitt is in real trouble. He won’t be able to point to all the children he and the woman that’s not his wife that he lives adopted. He won’t be able to point to any charity work he’s done. As with everyone else, The Lord will look only at how Pitt stands in relation to Jesus Christ. If there’s no relationship there, then there will be no mercy, and Brad Pitt will be held culpable for his sins.

If all of that’s true, and I’m convinced it is, then the time to worry about is now. Post-modern, wishy-washy thoughts on the existence of God are worthless when you’re standing at the judgment seat, so, Mr. Pitt, with all due respect, now is the perfect time to think about the existence of God.

According to the Associated Press:

“WASHINGTON (AP) — Evangelical megachurch pastor Rick Warren says the country’s largest Islamic organization showed courage when it invited him to speak at its annual convention.

Warren is the founder of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, Calif., and one of the most prominent religious leaders in the U.S. He addressed the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America on Saturday night.

He says the two largest faiths on the planet — Muslims and Christians — must work together to combat stereotypes, promote peace and freedom and solve global problems.

Warren’s willingness to show support for U.S. Muslims is a huge gain for the community, which has endured intense scrutiny since 9/11. The pastor’s appearance at the convention was criticized ahead of time by some fellow conservative Christians.”

What do you all think of this?

Christianity Today‘s journal, LEADERSHIP, has an important analysis on recently reported trends within the Church. An excerpt reads:

Spiritual growth, then, may be occurring for many of today’s Christians in non-traditional ways. Instead of attending church on Sunday mornings, many opt for personal, individual ways to stretch themselves spiritually.

There is some good news in the story, as well as some action steps that could stem the tide.

William P. Young, author of the runaway best-selling fiction book, The Shack, is coming to Oklahoma next month. Read more about it here, and pay special notice to the backlash.

Peter Jones recently attended the National Pastors’ Conference, sponsored by Zondervan and Intervarsity Press. In a brief report filed at truthXchange, he describes what Michael Horton (whom he mentions in post) so aptly dubs “Christless Christianity¹.” The report is not a good one.

(Hat tip to Brandon Dutcher)

¹ Dr. Horton uses the term “Christless Christianity” to describe that “flavor” of Christianity that likes to talk about being nice to people, etc., but avoids discussion of Christ, who he was, why he came, why we need him, etc. It’s a nice, catchy phrase that embodies the rebirth of the Social Gospel, in which salvation through Christ has been all but completely removed (and in some cases, no longer “all but”) from any teachings and we focus on making people like us. Dr. Horton probably has a better description of his term, but that’s my take on it from what I’ve heard him say. Dr. Horton podcasts regularly at the White Horse Inn if you’d like to hear more.

“The Darwin 2009 Project at the University of Oklahoma will mark the anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of publication of his On the Origin of Species with activities and speakers throughout 2009, including a March 6 speech by atheist Professor Dr. Richard Dawkins, of Oxford University, in England.

“Professor Dawkins was featured in the 2008 documentary, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, featuring Ben Stein.

“Ahead of the Darwin 2009 Project, Trinity Baptist Church in Norman is hosting the Designed for Faith: Science & Religion in Conversation Conference tomorrow, Sat., February 7, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.”

Source: Oklahoma Family Policy Council Email Newsletter.

This news story tells me there is at least one other Okie besides me who hasn’t bent over backwards to the yoga boom. The story says in part:

For Laurette Willis, there is no middle ground on yoga. She describes it as a gateway to the occult or New Age religion, and, at best, a diluted, one-size-fits-all spirituality.

The Oklahoma resident and author spent more than 20 years practicing and teaching yoga before reconnecting with her Christian faith and inventing PraiseMoves, a Bible-based exercise program that pairs individual verses with postures, some of which are similar to yoga poses.

In those two decades, Willis said yoga opened her to astrology, metaphysics, crystals, channeling, psychic readings, out-of-body experiences and other practices.

My Elijah Complex needs a reality check sometimes.

Hat Tip: BTD

President-elect Barack Obama ignited a firestorm of controversy with some by allowing Rick Warren to voice a prayer during his inauguration. More controversial, I think, though certainly less-covered, is a similar selection of homosexual Episcopal priest Gene Robinson. Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs with Liberty Counsel and associate dean with Liberty University School of Law, discusses this selection in his short but poignant column, “Obama betrays Christian voters.” He makes a really good point, with some really good zingers (“After that comment, I wonder if he heard a rooster crow.”). It’s a short piece, so I’d encourage you to read it, and by all means, pray for our next president, and pray for Gene Robinson.