Tattooed Priest

The Individual Multiplied

2011-07-31T23:06:00.000-04:00

It’s late Sunday night and I just read that a deal has been reached on the debt ceiling.

Yada, yada, yada … blah blah blah.

It’s not that the debt ceiling is not important, I’m sure it is. We all have limits on our credit cards the federal government should be no different. Of course, there was no doubt in my mind that a deal would be reached before Monday’s opening bell. This was, after all, a crisis that was largely manufactured and ugly. The debt ceiling, as can be read from a multitude of credible source, has been raised routinely for decades. It should be no surprise that the crisis was “ended” before any real damage could be done.

The biggest surprise for me was the ugliness of the debate. Especially from the Christian right. I read somewhere, The Huffington Post I think but I’m searching for the reference, one Christian organization said that social programs where not the responsibility of the government because Jesus charged the Church with taking care of the poor.

Actually he charged individuals with taking care of the poor … see any of the gospels and pick a verse for verification. “Whatever you do for the least of these …”

Earlier tonight it occurred to me that the government, the church, just about any organization is simply the individual multiplied. As the largest extension of the individual the government does have a responsibility to take care of it’s of the poor. And programs that do so should be protected. In doing so we are not, as the American Family Council would have us believe selling our souls to China.

I’m glad the whole fiasco is over … I’m glad that the early reports on the agreement include a 50/50 split between domestic and defense spending cuts. Maybe now we can focus on a real crisis … unemployment, war, or homes.

The Truth Stings

2011-07-30T10:08:00.000-04:00

"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." Stephen Colbert

And that's how the fight started ....

2010-09-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

These are jokes re-posted from an email ... not real life stories :-)

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift...
The next year, I didn't buy her a gift.
When she asked me why, I replied,
"Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"
And that's how the fight started.....

______________________________

My wife and I were watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed.
I turned to her and said, 'Do you want to have Sex?'
'No,' she answered. I then said,
'Is that your final answer?'
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, 'Yes..'
So I said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."
And that's when the fight started...

________________________________

My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school reunion, and she
kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.
I asked her, "Do you know him?"
"Yes", she sighed,
"He's my old boyfriend.... I understand he took to drinking right after we
split up those many years ago, and I hear he hasn't been sober since."
"My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
And then the fight started...

________________________________

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me
that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take
care of first, the shed, the boat, making beer.. Always something more
important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.
When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily
snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for
a short time and then went into the house.. I was gone only a minute, and
when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. I said, "When you finish
cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway."
The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.

________________________________

My wife sat down next to me as I was flipping channels.
She asked, "What's on TV?"
I said, "Dust."
And then the fight started...

________________________________

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and
slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the boat and
proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I
pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the
weather would be bad all day. I went back into the house, quietly
undressed, and slipped back into bed.. I cuddled up to my wife's back, now with a
different anticipation, and whispered, "The weather out there is terrible."
My loving wife replied, "And, can you believe my stupid husband
is out fishing in that?"
And that's how the fight started...

________________________________

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.
She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds."
I bought her a bathroom scale.
And then the fight started......

________________________________

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security.
The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's License to verify my age.
I realized I had left my wallet at home.
I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later.
The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt'.
So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.
She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me' and she
processed my Social Security application.
When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office...
She said, 'You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability, too.'
And then the fight started...

________________________________

My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.
She was not happy with what she saw and said to me,
"I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly.
I really need you to pay me a compliment.'
I replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect."
And then the fight started........

Book Review: The Naked Gospel

2010-06-01T21:44:00.001-04:00

The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley

I don’t often but books down until I’ve finished reading them. Even the bad ones; I struggle through every page, sometimes in excruciating agony, but I generally end up at the end. This is especially true of books I get for free. This month I somehow received four books from Viral Bloggers so I feel obligated to read each one to the end.

I may not make it with The Naked Gospel, which is sad because I enjoy being naked.

It seems to me that Farley’s Naked Gospel is one that he’s made up. Made up, that is, with a great deal of help from the apostle Paul. Farley’s basic premise is that in Christ we have “freedom.” Freedom to do, freedom to be. Things like the Law or Guidelines for Christian Living and such are all part of the Old covenant. In the New Covenant we are simply free.

I found it somewhat ironic that Farley’s new, Naked Gospel was based not on the gospels, synoptic or otherwise, but on the writings of Paul and the unknown writers of other epistles. In fact, I would guess that, though he would never admit this (wait actually he does), the teachings of Jesus are part of the old covenant and not relevant for Christians today. So ‘Naked’ is actually a completely new gospel. Please turn with me to Naked, Chapter 14, verse 4.

The Sermon on the Mount make you feel guilty? That’s ok Farley tells a parishioner. The Sermon on the Mount may have been Jesus’ greatest moment; its principles may have been his ‘stump speech’ through most of his ministry. BUT, says Farley, it was not for you, you in this case being New Covenant folks. It was written for the religious elite and Jews who were still under the old covenant. No guilt necessary because the Sermon on the Mount contains rule and those rules no longer apply.

Are we then, in Farley’s new gospel free to sin? Of course not. The Holy Spirit will replace out selfish desires and replace them with holy desires (or something close to that). I forgot to mention that the reason we are all free is because our sin is no longer ours. Farley is a true substitution-ist. Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross. So when God looks at us he sees not us but the holy image of Christ. We adopt, through a re-birth, Christ’s sinlessness. But Farley goes one step further. According to him our reborn self is no longer sinful and no longer desires to sin, even though Paul has a lot to say about his own sin. The source of our sins, subsequence to salvation, is an entity, an actual being, named Sin. Sin influences us, temps us, and may cause us to do things but our re-born self remains sinless. Freedom to the nth. Farley adds a rather weak qualifier that we are to try to attempt to control Sin and limit his/her influence on our lives. Freedom replaces personal responsibility.

That’s about where I stopped. Maybe I’ll pick up Naked again and finish it. Maybe, but I’m free not to.

Rev. Scott Ziegler

http://tattooedpriest.blogspot.com

www.abeachwedding.com

Book Review: The Gospel You've Never Heard

2010-05-23T20:22:00.000-04:00

The Gospel You’ve Never Heard by David I. Rudel

Honestly I was drawn to this book by its title and its publisher (Biblical Heresy Press) thinking it would be a discourse on Progressive Christian views on the gospel. Instead it turned out to be a somewhat rambling and disconnected discourse on Rudel’s struggles to make sense out of atonement theology.

I agree with Rudel’s basic premise, that Paul’s teaching of justification through faith alone is difficult if not impossible to reconcile with Jesus’ teaching of justification through works. It’s just that Rudel’s attempt to get us to this conclusion takes as many hermeneutical jumps as the evangelical preachers he is trying to counter. To be sure, Rudel has a vast knowledge of the New Testament and his biblical citations are exhaustive, however, he seems to lack a wider theological and historical-critical knowledge of the bible. Case in point, he uses John to refute atonement theology despite the point that John was written after atonement theology had been firmly established in the general church. It is a small point but it seems to me that he has John arguing against John.

Should you choose to read this book be ready for a long difficult read. Rudel’s style is wordy and overly dramatic and he uses amateurish tricks like bold print to make his points rather than allowing the text to speak for itself.

Reviewed for viralbloggers.com

Book review: The Simple Life

2009-10-18T17:57:00.000-04:00

“The Simple Life” certainly lives up to its title … with shallow advice and weak testimonies this book will neither inspire you nor lead you on any life changing quest. The authors, who seem to be publishing on the strength of the names (?), leave you wanting more about each of the topics they cover. Certainly their advice to “just pray about it,” when talking about making tough decisions has little practical application and has been written thousands of times before.

Reviewed for www.ViralBloggers.com

Saving Jesus from the Church by Robin Myers

2009-10-01T22:20:00.000-04:00

An absolutely powerful that will have an impact on your faith and spiritual journey. While reading the opening pages I thought the book would be a re-hashing of material presented by Spong, Brog and others ... a rewording of the emerging progressive theology regarding Jesus and the Christ and how the church and history as shaped our view of both. Boy, was I wrong. Meyers' voice is both profound and prophetic. He is an excellent writer who states his case with logic and scholarship. He strongly argues that it is time for Christians to stop arguing about the metaphysics of the Christ and start following, by being imitators, the teachings of Jesus.

As is my habit in my book reviews I like to include a few key passages to let the author speak for himself ...

Writing about the Sermon on the Mount (p14) "...there is not a single word in that sermon about what to believe, only words about what to do. It is a behavioral manifesto, not a propositional one. Yet three centuries later, when the Nicene Creed became the official oath of Christendom, there was not in it a single word in it about what to do, only words about what to believe!"

Meyers is especially critical about what Christianity has become which is basically a question of what can God do for me? "Bible study is offered as a series of self-improvement seminars sanctified by John 3:16. [It] has become primarily a strategy for victory, but it is an individual victory over debt, obesity, or low self-esteem [I would also add 'sin']. Not a collective victory over injustice, poverty, war, or environmental degradation. Faith has become essentially an individual transaction ..." (p20)

On the issue of faith v belief, "Only in the past 200 years has faith come to mean believing things that are increasingly easy to disprove." (For an excellent discourse on the meaning of miracles and other super-natural occurances in the gospels see Jesus, A Revolutionary Biography by John Dominic Crossan).

And finally this statement that sums up the main thought of the book, "If the church is to survive as a place where head and heart are equal partners in faith, then we will need to commit ourselves once again not to the worship of Christ, but to the imitation of Jesus. His invitation was not to believe, but to follow. " (p145)

Prayers from the Last Couple of Weeks

2009-09-29T19:30:00.000-04:00

Do more than observe; participate. Do more than believe; practice. Do more than care; help.

***

Be generous with the gifts of your spirit: patience, kindness and gentleness.

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Grant us the gift today of being patient with everyone, so that we can be like you. This morning, Lord, make us understand your compassion.

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Teach us today to recognize your presence in all men, most of all, in the sorrowful and the poor. – Lord, sanctify your brethren. Grant that we may be at peace with everyone today, and never repay evil actions with evil.

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"Let us live decently as people do in the daytime." - Romans 13:13

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"Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners..." Matthew 11:19

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"Give work to laborers today, bread to the hungry, consolation to the sad, and grace and salvation to all men."

Reflections on Acts Chapter 3

2009-09-12T22:10:00.000-04:00

Last week I heard a sermon on Luke Chapter 3 (you can read the entire chapter at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%203&version=NIV ) but here is a Cliff’s Notes Summary.

Peter and John are headed to the Temple in Jerusalem, when they are about to enter through the gate a man who was crippled since birth catches their attention. Peter looks at the man, who returns the look with hopeful eyes thinking that he is going to be given some money, and says, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Immediately the man jumps to his feet and begins praising the Lord. He walks with Peter and John into the temple where the people recognize him as the beggar and are amazed.

Most preachers see the walking man as the miracle … A crippled man walks, we serve the God who heals and this healing is available to you, if you just have enough faith. Excuse my sarcasm but blah blah blah … we’ve heard that all before. A literal interpretation of this story forces us to think something like, “what a lucky guy, he was born crippled but now he gets to walk. Someday, if I’m lucky enough (or blessed enough or have faith enough) I’ll experience the same kind of supernatural healing. Our souls maybe moved but come Monday the feeling is gone and we struggle to remember what the preacher preached about or how the hell that applies to our lives.

I think the literal interpretation misses the true miracle of this story. There was a reason that this crippled man was left at the gate of the temple each day. In Judaic culture, which includes Temple Theology and The Law, this man was considered unclean (not pure) and as an unclean person he is forbidden to enter the temple. Notice the text says that this man was crippled since birth; so not only is he unclean … he comes from a line of unclean people. Simply put, someone in his family tree had committed a sin so egregious that it caused him to be born crippled. Under Temple Law he was forever an outsider, rejected by God and man.

So if a crippled man walking is not the miracle then what is?

Glad you asked.

The true miracle is that Peter and John take the man by the hand and lead him into the Temple. An act so outside the norm that it’s no wonder the people inside the temple were amazed. They lead him in not as one who is broken and outcast but as one who is loved by and accepted by the One who is Love. In fact, I would assert that this was the only miracle that took place that day. Notice verse 11, “While the beggar held on to Peter and John …” Why would someone who could walk and jump and dance need to hold on to anyone? And why would anyone in the temple notice him if he were walking? They wouldn’t. Like Peter and John he would have blended in with the other men worshipping and making sacrifices. But when the crowd sees Peter and John carrying this crippled beggar (read unclean, rejected, outcast man) into the temple they run over to demand an explanation. To paraphrase Peter’s response he says, “You thought that Jesus was dead but I am here to tell you that His work will continue … this man whom you rejected stands here before you as a child of God.”

On that day Peter was saying that the message of Jesus, that is radical hospitality, unconditional acceptance of the unclean, and unwavering love would continue. Peter, as the new leader of the followers of The Way, took the message to the heart of Jerusalem and said, “You thought this message died with Jesus but I am here to tell you that it will continue …. I saw and experienced firsthand how Jesus touched people and changed lives and me and my friend John here are ready to pick up the cause” (again the paraphrase is mine).

What I took away from the sermon that day was not that, “Jesus heals” but that kingdom that Jesus started would continue to follow his example of unconditional love and acceptance. Invitations to his table would continue to be handed out to everyone regardless of …. Anything. All are welcomed at his table. All can share in the feast. And all can enter into the Temple.

The challenge to our faith today is not can I believe that a crippled man can walk? But rather can I muster the faith to accept the unacceptable; to love the unlovable? Can I invite the outcast into my temple? Can I invite them to eat at my table? I don’t know but I am working on it.

Health Care Reform - 5 facts about the anti-reform mobs

2009-08-05T16:32:00.000-04:00

Health insurance reform is about our lives, our jobs, and our families -- we can't let distortions and intimidation get in the way. We need to expose these outrageous tactics, and we're counting on you to help. Can you read these "5 facts about the anti-reform mobs," then pass them along to your friends and family?

5 facts about the anti-reform mobs

1. These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line. A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.

2. People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies. These crowds are being riled up by anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan and scare voters. But as the President has repeatedly said, health insurance reform will create more health care choices for the American people, not reduce them. If you like your insurance or your doctor, you can keep them, and there is no "government takeover" in any part of any plan supported by the President or Congress.

3. Their actions are getting more extreme. Texas protesters brought signs displaying a tombstone for Rep. Lloyd Doggett and using the "SS" symbol to compare President Obama's policies to Nazism. Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office. Rep. Tim Bishop of New York had to be escorted to his car by police after an angry few disrupted his town hall meeting -- and more examples like this come in every day. And they have gone beyond just trying to derail the President's health insurance reform plans, they are trying to "break" the President himself and ruin his Presidency.

4. Their goal is to disrupt and shut down legitimate conversation. Protesters have routinely shouted down representatives trying to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, and done everything they can to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information. One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.

5. Republican leadership is irresponsibly cheering on the thuggish crowds. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a statement applauding and promoting a video of the disruptions and looking forward to "a long, hot August for Democrats in Congress."

It's time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous. Please send these facts to everyone you know. You can also post them on your website, blog, or Facebook page.

The Tattooed Priest is an Abomination!

2009-07-29T10:32:00.000-04:00

I received the following email from a Higher Authority yesterday:

From: Higher Authority [mailto:HigherAuthority@CosmicMail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 3:44 PM
To: Scott@abeachwedding.com
Subject: Stop & Desist from Serving Satan!

You were not called to Divine Service nor have you been licitly ordained as an apostolic servant of The Lord to work as an agent for Satan. You have invalidated yourself before God and are in severe disobedience.

You sir, are a self-serving abomination who is serving as a thrall to Satan. You labor to conflict, divide and confuse Christians

and keep them out of the True Catholic Church.

For this you are held bound to your rash error and false Christian gospel. You must immediately terminate your false Christianity or the confusion you attempt to sow in The Lord's House will come back onto your own house 10 fold and you will know calamity all your remaining days.

Act quickly and decisively. Repent and do penance for the rest of your life for the harm you are causing and have caused.

Do you have any idea how many of your following are now in hell because of your false teaching? They cry out for vengeance for deceiving them and for leading them to eternal ruin.

It is on your head.

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This was my response:

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He cause his countenance to shine upon you and give you peace.

As a self-serving abomination I am still call to love you in the name of the One who is love. A thousand blessings on you and your house friend.

With Warm Regards,

Rev. Scott Ziegler

Virgina Beach Wedding Company

757-641-4010

scott@abeachwedding.com

Join Me On Facebook

http://www.virginiabeachweddingcompany.com

"Your FIRST KISS is our business!"

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Readers: Any thoughts?

Book Review: A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church

2009-07-24T12:31:00.000-04:00

As I was reading A lover’s quarrel with the Evangelical Church by Warren Cole Smith, I was reminded of two spinster sisters with whom I used to attend church. Anytime soloist taped music in the service, the sisters would get up and leave. For them any departure from the piano or organ was a musical heresy of such magnitude that they could not remain in the sanctuary. Smith’s laundry list of problems with the evangelical church is long and involved. The list includes everything from mega-churches to the use of LCD projectors in the church. As an ex-evangelical, I agree with Smith that there is much to complain about in the evangelical church, my biggest complaint is the over emphasis of things like original sin and the great commission (…go and make disciples) to the detriment of the importance of love and the great commandment (… love the lord your God … and your neighbor as yourself). But I digress.

One of the basic premises Smith offers is that “ideas have consequences.” I agree whole-heartedly with this premise except to say that Smith is way off base with many of his ideas. A couple of thoughts I noted while reading A lover’s quarrel…

In the Triumph of Sentimentality, Smith dismisses many of today’s mega-church and “feel good” pastors. Of course, at the top of his list is Joel Osteen. Smith quotes Michael Horton who says, “God is not the center of his theology, the center is me and my happiness.” While this may be true about Osteen’s message (I really don’t know whether it is or not) Smith through Horton says that the message needs to be more about “sin.” Whether the message is about me and my happiness or me and my sin the self remains at the center which is theologically flawed and in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus which put love for others at the center.

The Chapter on the Christian Industrial Complex give Smith the opportunity to criticize everything from Promise Keepers (they sold t-shirts) to Christian TV to Christian music and on and on. Glaringly absent from Smith’s list of evil-doers is Pat Robertson and CBN, who get barely a mention. As the man who praised Charles Taylor of Liberia (Taylor is now on trial for crimes against humanity) and got obscenely rich off of his TV ministry one would think that Robertson would be at the top of the list in this chapter. Perhaps, and this is pure speculation, Smith and Robertson are in cahoots somehow? And this is an aside but shows the typical evangelical lack of love and propensity to harsh judgment … on page 120 Smith is talking about Bill Mallonee (a Christian musician) and says this, “…Mallonee left evangelicalism (and, it must be said, a failed marriage) behind and is now a practicing Roman Catholic …” My thought is, why must it be said that he left a failed marriage? Does it add to the discussion? Or does it just show that in Smith’s eyes Mallonee is somehow unworthy of the title evangelical?

In the chapter on Body Count evangelism Smith praises as an authentic revival the First Great Awakening and condemns as superficial the Second Great Awakening. He reserves special condemnation for Charles Finney (who he also credits for planting the seeds of the Mormon church(p.143) ) and through some pretty complicated steps, Billy Graham who expressed admiration for Finney. I’m no big fan of huge crusades but I think most would agree that Graham has done a great deal of good in the world. Smith also condemns Graham b/c Graham stated that it will be up to God whether or not the Hindus, Muslims, and others get into heaven or not (p.145). Smith wants unqualified condemnation and first class trips to hell for all outside of his brand of Christendom but like Graham, I’d like to leave that up to God.

It’s almost laughable that in the Great Stereopticon Smith condemns the use of overhead projectors and video in church (remember the spinsters?). According to Smith, the preached word is God’s approved method of message delivery. All other delivery methods be damned. Funny, but productive? No. Helpful? Not even close.

Finally in the chapter on True Religion Smith states that the original church grew without any of these gimmicks or gadgets and the church today should follow it’s example (p. 209). Really, there was no technology in the first century? Though Paul’s messages often were tailored to his audience, one only need to read about his sermon to the altar of the unknown god or his quoting of “your poets” to know that Paul was culturally relevant, Smith seems to reject anything that is new or different.

In the introduction, Smith says that the hardest part of writing a book is looking for quotations to use. To me this says that Smith set out to write an inflammatory thesis and then looked for tidbits from others to support his position. In the end he adds nothing but complaints to the discussion. Don’t waste your time with this book.

A Lover’s Quarrel with the Evangelical Church

Share your Resurrection Story

2009-04-12T09:37:00.000-04:00

He is Risen!

Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. The return to life from death. As I reflected on the resurrection I was struck by the thought that all of us have experienced resurrection in our lives. A time when all seemed lost and hopeless, when we felt as if we were dead. And we have all experienced rising from adversity and turning our lives around; times when we were able to tap into the Christ spirit that lives within each of us and experience a resurrection.

In celebration of Easter I want to invite everyone to share their resurrection story here. Maybe you've overcome addiction, or heartbreak, or financial loss, or the loss of a loved one. You suffered through your death and were able to return from it. That's the story I'd like to hear.

Respond below and share with us all.

Conversation with a Friend

2009-04-06T15:37:00.000-04:00

My good friend posted the article "Few Christians Have Biblical Worldview" as a note on his Facebook page and he and I engaged in a spirited debate as to its merits. I enjoyed the discussion so much and thought that there was much that others could learn from it that I posted it here (with Larry's permission of course).

I think that for Progressive Christianity to grow this type of discussion between the adherents of the traditional ways and Progressives is necessary. For to long we Progressives have remained "believers in exile," keeping our mouths shut rather than speaking up for the emerging dicotomy. As followers of The Way, we have a responsibility to emphasize love over legalism and grace over rules.
Sorry for the formatting errors ... the text did not copy from FB very well.

Larry-Lars Lovell's Notes

Larry-Lars's Notes|Notes about Larry-Lars|Larry-Lars's Profile

Few Christians Have Biblical Worldview

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 11:09pm

(This is an article written by Chuck Baldwin--a pastor who is willing to stand up for truth and righteousness. This research from Barna is telling of the poor state of affairs of the Christian Church. This shows that Christians, overall, have little to no genuine knowledge or love for Scripture. Certainly individuals are to blame, but so are these so called pastors like Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, Bill Hybels, et al.--and those who try to emulate them-- who are leading sheople into ignorance, paganism, political correctness, and even apostasy. Pastors like this have watered down the Truth! The church has become a social club seeking to be mega and cool. The Messiah that I read about in Scripture was not trying to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy; He was calling people who are serious about serving the Father and a life of selfless holiness! The Messiah, sent to bring salvation, called people to a changed life and to a set-apart way of living. It seems too many Christians are more concerned with American Idol and the rest of the entertainment world than they are with learning and living out Scripture! To this article, I say a resounding, hardy AMEN!!!)

Few Christians Have Biblical Worldview

The prolific pollster George Barna just released another startling survey:
among America's professing "born-again" Christians, only 19% possess a
Biblical worldview. That's right. Some 80% of professing Christians do not
possess a Biblical worldview.

And it's not as if Barna's survey questions were all that difficult. Barna's
criteria for determining a person's Biblical worldview were the following:

*Believing that absolute moral truth exists;

*Believing that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it
teaches;

*Believing that Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely
symbolic;

*Believing that a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be
good or do good works;

*Believing that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world
who still rules the universe today.

In the research, anyone who held all of those beliefs was said to have a
Biblical worldview. And again, even among professing "born-again"
Christians, only 19% were shown to have a Biblical worldview.

See Barna's research at:

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/21-transformation/252-barna-survey-examines-changes-in-worldview-among-christians-over-the-past-13-years

This survey helps explain a bunch!

How in the name of common sense can Christians expect to be the "salt" and
"light" to a lost and dying world when the vast majority of believers do not
even possess a basic Biblical foundation?

Of course, many mainline Protestant denominations lost their allegiance to
Biblical truth decades ago. And now it seems that a majority of evangelical
churches are consumed with the politically correct doctrines of Prosperity
Theology and Entertainment Evangelism. Old-fashioned Bible Christianity has
been replaced with avant-garde movements such as the Emerging Church,
Purpose Driven Church, Seeker-Sensitive Church, User-Friendly Church,
Meta-Church, ad infinitum, ad nauseam. (AMEN!!!)

The result of this departure from Biblical Christianity is that some 80% of
professing Christians today do not hold a Biblical worldview and are,
therefore, impotent at being the "salt" and "light" that our Lord requires.

Let's face it: without a Biblical worldview, these modern "born-again"
evangelicals are walking around with pagan, Christless worldviews. Instead
of the Bible, socialist talking heads, globalist media moguls, hedonistic
entertainers, political hacks, and humanistic academicians are the ones to
most influence their opinions, philosophies, and mindsets. (AMEN!!!!!)

And just whose fault is it that our churches have become so riddled with
infidelity and apostasy? The preachers, obviously.

Instead of standing up on their own hind legs and proclaiming, "Thus saith
the Lord," without fear or favor, they are falling all over themselves
trying to emulate Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, and Bill Hybels. Instead of
preaching with the fear of God in their hearts, they preach with the fear of
the I.R.S. and the G.O.P. in their hearts. Or, worse than that, they "tiptoe
through the tulips" for fear of their own church members. (AMEN & AMEN!!!!)

I will say it one more time, if America's preachers would stand up in their
pulpits every Sunday and not be afraid to preach the truth (and courageously
relate it to America's everyday problems and challenges including our
political problems and challenges), the ship of state could be turned around
overnight! As the pulpits go, so goes the nation. And right now, the pulpits
of America are leading our country over the cliff!

George Barna's research is tremendously revealing--and disconcerting. It is
a sad day when many unbelievers seem to have more character and conviction
about the foundational principles of constitutional government, liberty, and
independence than do professing Christians. But then again, if Christians
cannot be trusted to understand and revere the Sacred Text, how can they
understand and revere the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution,
and Bill of Rights? (Another AMEN!!)

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com

(c) Chuck Baldwin

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Scott Ziegler at 7:50am April 1

Luke 6:42 (New International Version)

42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Matthew 7:1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged."... Read More

Wow a study to tell Christians that they are not Christian enough b/c they don't answer correctly on a 5 question quiz. To me this is simply incredulous. Jesus taught the followers of The Way that the world would be changed by their radical love for each other not by their adherence to these five principles that Barna mentions in this survey.

Maybe emergent and seek-sensitive churches are growing b/c they offer a love that is closer to the love that Jesus offered. I think Jesus would have run from the type pastor described above and go hang with the people he felt most comfortable with, the sinners and cast-aways.

Randy Speight at 8:02am April 1

The problem with some seeker sensitive churches is that they water down the truth to reach the "seeker" adding their own twist losing the truth, almost adding to the scripture. I speak from experience.

Scott Ziegler at 9:31am April 1

Isn't that what every church does? Conservative churches add rules for "holy living." Liberal churches add, pentecostal churches add, the Catholic churches add. People read and interpret scripture according to how the spirit leads them. Everyone is on a journey and that journey has many different paths but the destination is the same. That's why I try to live by only one rule that I feel also answers all theological questions,
"Luke 10:26-28 (New International Version)

26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
... Read More
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]"

28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

Jesus commands nothing else, no creeds to accept, no prayers to pray ... do this, Jesus says (or to use Larry's words above, Thus saith the Lord) and you WILL live.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:26pm April 1

If you think that this study is just reflective on the few questions on the quiz then you missed the point. Furthermore, anyone with eyes to see and a love for the Truth of Scripture can clearly see that too many "Christians" today are much more like the world than they are the Messiah. I hear nonbeliever on a regular basis talk about how worldly... Read More many Christians are today.

This is not about what I think or what Chuck Baldwin thinks, this is about what is revealed to us in Scripture--the Word of God.

And why is it when one speaks of living holy lives and can see fruit is not holy that another uses Matt. 7:1 out of context? Scripture is clear: followers of the Messiah and those who are sons and daughters of the Almighty--the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--are called to a life that is holy--set-apart, different from the world.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:32pm April 1

So, what does loving God with all that we are look like? According to Scripture, we are told those who love God will keep His commands/instructions. Just the phrase, "keep my commands" is repeated 172 in Scripture. It is easy to say, "all we have to do is love God and nothing else." But what does that look like? You cannot separate keeping His... Read More instructions/commands from loving Him. Impossible, at least according to Scripture. And it is that very thinking that has caused this worldliness of the Christian Church. The mentality or do whatever you want, just love God. That shallowness is what is the slippery slope for too many Christians. No, the five question are not the direct indication of a worldly Church, the rotten fruit that is shown daily is the indication.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:34pm April 1

I for one, will attempt to demonstrate my love for my Father by keeping His commands as I live a life that is set-apart (holy) and righteous. That is why the apostle in Galatians. declares that it is Messiah in me that allows me to live a life that pleases our Redeemer and Salvation. Messiah did not come to give us freedom to live as we want, He came so that we could live a life that is pleasing to the Father.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:44pm April 1

Emergent and seek-sensitive churches are growing, but that is not an indication of depth and truth. Yes, they are successful organizations, but we are called to be holy, not large organizations. They typically water down the truth to get people to come--that is dangerous. Furthermore, no church or person should be setting the standards for holiness, that is the job of Scripture. Allow Scripture to interpret Scripture--1 Peter 1:20.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:47pm April 1

The standards for holiness are not set by a person or church, but already given to us in Scripture. Read 2 Peter 1:2; 1 John 2:3-6. Scripture does not need anyone's interpretation, It interprets itself. And John is clear--as well as many other places--sin is the transgression of the commands (1Jn 3:4, 24). Please answer this: why is it some ... Read MoreChristians try really hard to be more like the world, but little energy to be more holy? Read all of 1 John. All throughout Scripture, it is His standards/instructions/commands that show us how to live a set-apart life. David in Ps 119 reminds us of the same.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 11:36pm April 1

Scott, the five questions don't make one a holy person any more than a thermometer gives someone a fever, it only measures it. And it doesn't make any difference what the "churches" do-- "Isn't that what every church does? " What is important is what the Almighty says in His Word.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 12:59am April 2

"The problem with some seeker sensitive churches is that they water down the truth to reach the "seeker" adding their own twist losing the truth, almost adding to the scripture. I speak from experience.'

Amen! Well spoken. I am not sure how this has happened, perhaps being a mega church and "growth" at any expense has over taken the authority of Scripture.

Scott Ziegler at 8:48am April 2

Sorry Larry - I hear a lot in you statements about living a holy life, by following the "commands" of God but I read very little about love in you comments. (Since I once knew you well, I know that you are a loving person - so I know that love is not absent from your walk). The type of Gospel that you are espousing - from my Progressive perspective anyway - leads to bondage. Bondage to a prescribed set of rules that to some are evidence of a holy life.

I believe that Jesus would have been seeker sensitive. I think he would have spent a great deal more time with the seekers then he would have spent with the righteous. His life as described in the gospels is evidence of this.

Why should it not be our radical love for others that separates us as holy? Love that says, "come to me ... no matter what your current state?" Grace will transform a person into what God wants them to be ... not adherance to any set of rules or laws.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 12:26am April 3

Scott, yes, holiness is directly connected to guarding/keeping the commands/instruction of God as recorded in Scripture. Furthermore, there is a direct correlation to loving God and keeping His commands as I shared earlier. It is Scriptural. You cannot separate love for God and obedience. It seems your thoughts are more influenced by "Progressive" thought than Scripture. Scripture is very clear about loving God and keeping His instructions. Refer back to the previous posts.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 12:31am April 3

Progressive thought--i.e., liberal, humanist thinking is far from being truly progressive, actually, it does not progress man or society, it regresses mankind--is not Scriptural, it is liberal thinking that is actually guilty of stripping a Biblical worldview from the Church. It is the same liberal thinking that has been a part of causing this ... Read Morecountry to progress more and more into socialism/communism--see my other note. It's the same liberal mentality that will continue to destroy what is left of this country and the Biblical worldview in this country. Anything that goes directly against the clear teachings of Scripture cannot be truly progressive. Scripture is very clear, loving God is directly related to keeping His commands/instructions. Again, refer to previous posts, read the Scriptures referenced. If you think the Messiah came to set us free to do whatever we want without any regard to the teachings of Scripture, you have totally missed the boat. Just read 1 John.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 12:38am April 3

Scott, true love and true holiness go hand and hand. And God;s Word is clear that we must keep His commands/instructions to be holy--set-apart. Question: do you sign state marriage licenses for those whom you marry in the chapel? Why? That's legalism! Why do you have no problems with the 2 million laws or man, but you have a problem with God's... Read More command/instructions/laws?? David absolutely disagrees with your assertion that the commands of God are a burden--read Psalm 119. Besides, please tell me where you read that the commands of God a re a burden?? And why would God give His people a way of living that is a burden?? This whole "progressive" mentality makes no sense in light of Scripture. As for me and my house, we will serve (and obey) the Lord--not progressive thought.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 12:44am April 3

God gave these commands BECAUSE He loves us. How can the Creator of this universe give bad law, but the politicians of this world give good law?? Progressive thinking encourages you to embrace man's law, and condemn the Almighty's law. God's law is NOT a burden, it is a delight and it leads to a full life. Just as a 8 year old child thinks ... Read Moreparents is placing a burden on him/her with their rules, but it is what is best for that child. That child is misguided to think is such a way. To think that keeping God's commands/instructions is a burden is like thinking like a child. This progressive thinking is VERY dangerous and certainly not Scriptural. Scott, think about what path this is leading you down. It is with love that I seek to guard/keep His commands, and I am not burdened at all. Holiness and keeping His commands in no way displaces love or grace, actually it encourages it. I choose Yahweh's instructions over man's progressive liberal thinking any day.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 12:46am April 3

Scott, two questions: why did the Messiah use parables? And, where is it recorded that God's commands are a burden?

Scott Ziegler at 10:57am April 3

Larry, of course it is not recorded that the commands of God are a burden. But I wonder, when I hear from the people that they follow all of God's commands, how close to the truth that is? Do you follow all of the OT commandments and all of the laws? And I don't think that I wrote that I reject God's commands ...I simply believe that some of ... Read Morethem were written for a particular people, in a particular place, in a particular time. The greater reading, and underlying theme of the entirety of Scripture is that God is love and that we are to love others. "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8. See also Matthew 22:36 and Mark 12:33 says that our love for God and our neighbors is more important then all "burnt offerings and sacrifice." Jesus said that this man was, "not far from the kingdom of God." He did not say the same thing to those that were following the law, i.e. the Pharisees and teachers ...

Scott Ziegler at 11:03am April 3

... whom he called an unwashed tomb.

I think Larry that we are on different paths that will ultimately lead to the same destination. There is a story about many who journeyed up a tall mountain. Each one was on his own path and could not see any other travelers. When they crested the mountain, each was surprised to see the others who had been ... Read Moreon the mountain. I know that you will reject this thought and worry for my soul, but I believe that there are many paths to God and we will all one day reach the mountain top. I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39. See also John 10:16 - I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Scott Ziegler at 11:08am April 3

We're just in different flocks my friend. (see my blog at http://tattooedpriest.blogspot.com for a sermon I wrote on this subject). As far as your thoughts on communism, I don't think God ordained any of our present political systems, but I do long for a system in which the hungry are fed, the sick cared for, and justice without discrimination is ... Read Morepracticed. That's not liberal or conservative, that's gospel.

P/S - I'd like to copy this conversation into my blog if that's ok with you. And I do miss being able to converse with you in person. I always valued your friendship when you lived on this coast.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:13pm April 5

Scott, you are welcome to use it for your blog.
Carrying for the needy is the responsibility of believers, not the gov't. Neither do I believe a republic or democratic style of government is advocated in Scripture. As a whole, most people, yes even Christians, place more faith and hope in the gov't than our Creator.

Larry-Lars Lovell at 8:19pm April 5

There is much to debate, but I do know three points to be accurate and true: Scripture is inerrant and the ultimate authority and guide for those who are God's children; Scripture clearly calls those children to be like their Father: holy (different than than world), loving, and righteous--as Messiah lives through them;and too many who claim to be children of the Most High, reflect more of the world than they do the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

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Book Review: Praying Like Jesus, The Lord's Prayer in a Culture of Prosperity

2009-04-01T11:06:00.000-04:00

I must admit that I hate praying. As a young christian the prayer I was most exposed to always seemed to me to be selfish. Lord give me this; heal me from this; bless me. This is the first book I have read that really teaches people how to pray. It is an excellent book about the real purpose of prayer. I highly recommend this book to everyone. A couple of my favorite passages:

"Praying like Jesus offers far more than prosperity. When prayed with sincerity, it cleanses our hearts of self-righteousness and strips our motives of self-interest. It challenges the false and inappropriate ways we approach God and each other. It reminds us of what we so easily forget - our proper relationship to God and the world." p. 25

"Rabbi Hillel posed the question, "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?" Too often we offer our prayers instead of our actions. James admonished the church with these words: 'What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs what good is it? (James 2:14-16) Praying to Our Father for the needs of our brothers and sisters should create a desire to be part of the answer." p. 43

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us, is one more call to mercy. Forgiveness is not optional. It is the foundation of a healthy relationship with God and with others. To love mercy is to be like God and to love others as God loves them." p. 96

"When in our personal and international interactions we choose judgment over mercy and revenge over reconciliation, we thwart the will of God and postpone the establishment of God's kingdom" p. 99

2009-03-22T18:18:00.001-04:00

A theology of grace implies universal salvation. What could grace mean if it were granted only to some sinners and not to others according to an arbitrary decree that is totally contrary to the nature of God? If grace is granted according to the greater or lesser number of sins, it is no longer grace. - Jacques Ellul

2009-03-09T09:52:00.000-04:00

What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8

2009-03-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

"And now this is a teaching that you will laugh at: Love, O [friends], seems paramount to me. Seeing through the world, explaining it, despising it may be crucial to great thinkers. But all I care about is to be able to love the world, not to despise it, not to hate it or myself, to be able to view it and myself and all beings with love and admiration and awe." - Hermann Hesse