Why I am intolerant…

You’ve seen these, right? They truly bother me . So much so that I sometime contemplate running cars with this bumper-sticker off of the road (I know, I know, I’m repenting and joking). Why, you may ask? Because the bumper-sticker doesnt really mean what it says.

Let’s break it down. We’ll call each worldview by the letter it’s supposed to represent. So:

C = Islam
O = Pacifism/ Peace
E = “Gender equality”
X = Judaism
I = Wicca / Pagan / Bah’ai
S = Taoism / Confucianism
T = Christianity

And let’s use a very broad definition of “coexist”: living together without calling for the destruction of each other. Here are the problems with that:

C wants to kill E, X, T, and (by implication) O. If they achieved the world they wanted, I and S would also no longer exist.
O doesn’t allow for effective resistance or defeat of C.
E stands in direct opposition to C, X, and T, and accuses those who speak against them of hate speech. Also, they’re trying to edge X and T out of public arena in favor of their own agenda. (They’re afraid C will be offended, so they get less trouble. See the first point) E is actually very, very intolerant.
X’s existence is threatened not only by C but also by O, who invariably supports C over X.
I and S are statistically insignificant and are mainly on there to complete the bumper sticker.
T is who the bumper sticker is really arguing against, but poses no physical threat to any of the others.

Historically, T has brought about more tolerance (“coexistence” if you will) than any other movement. A fair share of pain and suffering have been brought under that um But the kind of “coexistence” the people who make this sticker envision is one where at least X and T are completely marginalized.

Being an immature 30 yr old prideful, dogmatic reformed young man I wanted honk at people driving cars with this sticker while shaking my fist. Just as suddenly as frustration wells up my heart that same heart also begins to break, not because I’m appalled at the driver for having the bumper sticker, but because the depravity of our culture tells us that the only way “peace”, and “hope” can be obtained is by conglomerating all apparent “truth” together. Post-Modernism denotes the idea that truth is not objective but subjective. Truth does not identify things as they actually are, truth identifies what I want it to be. What’s true for me is true, and what’s true for you is true for you. Having a culture that fully embraces this definition of truth presents complete opposition to the general message of the Bible. While the depraved man cries out for “COEXISTENCE” Christ cries out for allegiance to him alone to the glory of His name forever. In this we find our “peace” and our “prosperity” that we long for so much.

What say you?

Stairway to Heaven?

The sculpture, by Spanish artist Eugenio Merino (Madrid, 1975), represents a Muslim worshipper, a Catholic priest and a Rabbi. The three of them are immortalized in the act of praying, each one in his own fashion: the Muslim bending, the Catholic kneeling and the Jew standing. The piece comes with the controversial title “Stairway to Heaven”. To a closer look, we see that the books of the three religions are inverted: the Jew prays with a Koran, the Christian with a Torah ( תורה ), and the Muslim with a Bible.

The artist obviously defends his work: “It is not a work of art meant to offend. My idea is the coexistence of the three religions, joint in a common effort to reach God, in a literally way. I think the message is positive.”

Is the sculpture anti-Semitic, because it suggests once again the stereotype of the Jewish people ruling the world, standing on top of the column, closer to God? Or should that be taken as a compliment?
Maybe the sculpture is anti-Islamic, since the Muslim is crushed at the end of the pile. Or should that be taken as a compliment, meaning that Islam is at the base of world religions?
And what about poor old Catholicism, squeezed in the middle, the eyes closed? Or maybe the column is not meant to suggest a hierarchy?

How should we read this piece?

Restoration and Salvation

Yesterday, I came across a post on my Twitter feed about Tiger Woods and I was intrigued. The reason I read the post is because they are a blog that focuses on “scandalous movement of radical grace in life and leadership”. I absolutely love this idea and subscribe to it wholeheartedly but I have one problem that I’m starting to observe… there is no Jesus. Let me explain with my comments on the blog.

“Mike, I had the chance to experience both you and Jud at Catalyst a few years back and I was amazed and intrigued by both of your wants for radical grace. I also know that we [as Christ followers] are called to be a people that [prayerfully] forgive and move forward towards restoring others to where they once were, I respectfully have a different take on the Tiger Woods scandal. Tiger is definitely not Saul, but not quite David either and I too am praying for a roaring redemption with him family and return to the game. The key, I think, is his Buddhist faith. Everything he said was consistent with his renewed devotion to that – it is basically “I have to work harder and be more disciplined to renounce the desires of the flesh and make myself a better person”. Admirable, and I personally believe he meant every word, but it was a bit empty because there is no room for forgiveness, atonement, redemption in that worldview. Ultimately, I am praying for Tiger to see the truth that Christ brings to ones life. While I appreciate those who were there to support him [in the front row] and weep for the pain brought on by him to his wife and kids, we as believers need to pray not just for restoration but salvation in [Jesus] Christ.

Tigers restoration without salvation [in Christ] is useless. What do you think?

Do you call you call yourself a Christian?

Every week I read multiple Blogs and Bloggers opinions and I can tell you that there are some very interesting ones out there. This week I ran across an old blog from man named named John Smulo. He wrote a post entitled “Five Reasons I Hate Telling People I’m Christian”. As I read this simple post I was struck with this thought, I usually agree with most of his post this one I did not. So I wanted to spend some time giving my “Six Reasons I Love Telling People I’m Christian”.

It is conversation stopper, instead of a conversation starter.	When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting “I’ve been saved!” I’m whispering, “I was lost. That’s why I chose this way”
It communicates something other than what I mean.	When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride I’m confessing that I stumble, and need Christ to be my guide.
I’ll lose out on potential friendships because of the stereotypes this word conveys.	When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
‘Christian’ is associated with a lot of things, but almost none of them have anything to do with Jesus Christ.	When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught.
It provokes hurt, anger, and angst for people who’ve had painful experiences with Christians.	When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect My flaws are far too visible.
	When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name.

Despite the all of the preconceived notions that coincide with the word “Christian” I truly believe that it is my job to represent the one who saved us. The first known usage of the term can be found in the New Testament, in Acts 11:26: “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” The term was thus first used to denote those known or perceived to be disciples of Jesus Christ. In the two other New Testament uses of the word (Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16) it refers to the public identity of those who follow Jesus. I think that the word should be redefined and fought for by those of us who follow Christ. Because of my skin color many people have presuppositions on who I am and what I do/ sound like. It may not be fair but I refuse to accept those false assumptions as true, neither should we do that with Christ name. This is just my opinion I could be wrong!

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? With whom? Please comment below…..

If you have 10 minutes please..

If you have 10 minutes today please take a minute and look at this video. While doing it ask yourself this question…

What would you do if you were sailing over the place where your four daughters had drowned?

Horatio Spafford wrote this song…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esUu2C6kLu8]

Please use this video and our media content to help raise awareness and resources for those who are suffering. One of the many things that I learned at my time at WFC is that those indigenous to the country are usually best suited and most knowledgeable of the pressing needs. We all know that the local Church is the hope of the world because through us Jesus is shared. For more information on what to do please go to Ch urches Helping Churches.com.

Actually Help Haiti!

Haiti just suffered the worst earthquake they’ve seen in the last 200 years. This is a tremendous opportunity for the Church (you guys) to share from our abundant resources to help bring comfort to the Haitians in the midst of such acute suffering.

Here are a few organizations that are mobilizing to help Haiti, any of them would be great to partner with:

The Courageous Church is trying to fill a immediate (as in yesterday) need of high power, military-grade laptop computers. They also will helping to facilitate new adoptions (not already in progress) of Haitian orphans. Do you feel CALLED to ADOPT Haitian orphans? Donate by clicking HERE! or send a check or money order please consider overnighting it via FedEx, etc. and send it to:

Courageous Church
190 Centennial Way
Atlanta, GA 30313

Compassion International has 65,000 sponsored children in Haiti.

World Vision has sponsored children in Haiti & is doing disaster relief work. They also have a program for churches to get involved, “Promise Packs.”

Samaritan’s Purse is providing disaster relief supplies. They hope to have 6,000 temporary shelters up in a couple weeks & by the end of next week will be providing 500,000 gallons of clean water daily.

Convoy of Hope has a warehouse there & feeds 7,000 children daily. They are providing food & disaster relief supplies. Here are some photos of their work so far.

World Hope is mobilizing their staff in Haiti & will be coordinating volunteers and volunteer groups from the U.S. (once emergency needs have been met).