Christians Know How to Hate

This is a long one, so strap in. I've been trying to keep 'em short but I think this one is worth the long read.

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Lauren Winner demonstrates so often what people think about Christians.

The article cleverly titled "Burnt Offerings" is about a church in North Carolina that took it upon themselves to rid the world of unholy literature. Some of the books "thrown into the flames included those by supposed heretics Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and emergent church guru Brian McLaren."

What?

"Most disturbing," Winner correctly states, "Scripture itself was burned—onto the pyre flew modern translations of the Bible."

What!?

Christians, burned books!? Well, we've been doing that for some time. Wait, they burned copies of The Bible, the inspired word of God!?!

"We believe that the King James Bible is the Word of God" declares the church's website, a perfect justification for their actions.

Since I have gotten into blogging, I've come to realize something that I've always known: Christians really know how to hate well. I mean some people are haters, but we have made it dang near professional.

I am hesitant even to write this, because I am in a sense doing the same thing, hating on Christians who I think am doing something wrong. It just tears me up inside

It reminds me of Relient K's old song "Down in Flames:"

Christians--we mourn, the thorn is stuck

In the side of the body watch it self-destruct.

The enemy is much ignored

While we fight this Christian civil war.

We're cannibals.

We watch our brothers fall.

We eat our own, the bones and all.

I used to subscribe to Matthew Turner's blog Jesus Needs New PR, but I had to leave after a long time of just hearing his, to put it plainly, whining about the Church. Granted, what he had to say about John Piper is what really set me off, but my departure was a long time coming.

I find it ironic that many people take huge issue with fundamentalist Christians, attempt to embrace a more "radical," love-based ministry and outlook toward those around them, and then proceed to demonstrate the most skilled, virulent hate toward those who are part of the same body!

How can someone justify this? I could see someone saying "Look at when Jesus and John and Paul criticized people--it was when they were spreading lies or untruth about God and His kingdom." But many of the issues here are not straight-up lies, but rather simple theological disputes. "Kitchen-table arguments" my campus minister says.

If we believe the Bible (a question who's answer could be the root of this whole deal to begin with) then we know that the Church is Christ's bride. [II Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2; Isaiah 54:5] Now, is there any married man you know who will be okay with you if you despise, hate, and ridicule his wife?

Likewise, we cannot expect Christ to be okay with us degrading, despising and hating our brothers and sisters, our own body. Yes, exhort one another, but on to good works, not on to universal theology.

We do have one theology: God, 3-in-1, Jesus, his son. Came, lived, loved, died, rose, ascended. Sin is gone, death is undone. Christ will come, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess. Now go and love everyone, including the disagreeable siblings you have to live with.

"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

--1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

--and--

"Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

--Hebrews 3:13

11:11 PM 11/11

What did you wish for (if you don't mind sharing)?

What did you do about it?

Did anything happen?

11:11 AM 11/11

Make a wish, say a prayer, hope. Then go do something about it.

Make A Wish

Tomorrow is the eleventh of November, a date that is relatively unremarkable aside from the noticeable number of '1's in its denotation: 11/11.

There is a well known social inclination, you could say, to tell someone to make a wish when the clock is at the time 11:11, AM or PM, supposedly because that time has semi-magical abilities to grant the wish. One would logically assume, then, that on the date 11/11, the magical powers possessed by the time 11:11 would be magnified exponentially.

While I personally employ the excuse of magic for many inexplicable things, I think people use it as a crutch when a fine and even better tool is simply action.

That is why tomorrow, 11/11, at 11:11 AM, I am going to post, challenging you, all 4 of my readers, to make a wish and then do something about it.

That's right, hope in the prospect of whatever you wished for, but then do something to make it happen. Talk to that person, write them a letter, take a picture, fill out that application, pray, read, write--whatever needs to be done to push your life in the direction you just wished it would go.

It doesn't have to be big, it doesn't have to be impossible. Just hope, and then act.

Johnny Cash -- "Hurt"

You may not be aware of this, but I love me some Johnny Cash. I particularly enjoy his ability to take a song, cover it, and make it a whole new song of sorts, often a better song.

It's an incredibly poignant music video: Cash surveys his whole life as he bravely declares "You can have it all/My empire of dirt." I highly suggest you watch it.

Also a bit ago, Brian Fulton of the Gospel Coalition took this song and replaced the lyrics with what Christ would have said if it were his song. Pretty interesting.

A Four-Year-Old, On Tithing

I went to Elevation last Sunday with my roommate because I'd never been before and I'd always been interested. I hesitate to "review" it but I will say that it was an enjoyable experience.

In a brief snippet, Elijah, Pastor Steven Furtick's son, talked about money managagement, God's way. I thought it was awesome:

Elijah Offering Video from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Switchfoot -- "Mess of Me" Official Video

Switchfoot just released the official music video for the single from their new CD, which I have mentioned before. I am really looking forward to this album. I just got the e-mail saying it was shipped!

Again the lyrics strike me: "There ain't no drug that they can sell/No, there ain't no drug to make me well." Affirming the supremacy of Christ over idols in a bangin' rock song? Yes please.

.

Flying Apparati & Other Such Sundries

Stumbled upon (not using the website, I'm too professional for that crap) the Belgian 'Sculpteur' Stephane Halleux. He has some amazing work! I was literally caught off guard by some of his pieces. The intricacy, the detail, immaculate. Here are a few pieces:

"Flying Civil Servant"

"Batman Begins 2"

[As you can see, he's got a penchant for flying things.]

"Marathon Man"

And here is another gallery with some of his work, in addition to his website which I linked to earlier. I seriously encourage you to check him out.

[Tip o' the Hat to Cameron]

Youth Ministry

I

Youth Ministry

A lot. Seriously, what other job is built upon the principles of being as ridiculous as possible with the intent of sharing God's word and loving with His Love?

Back In The Day

So, you may think I'm an awesome person for doing this, or you may think it's a little strange, but I write my Grandma Schley. My Dad's Mom. I write her letters. And she sends me cards, WalMart giftcards and now...pictures:

First off, here is my Grandma with me, back in the day. You can't see it, but I'm actually wearing some old school, little-man, red Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars. Ballin'



Then there's me with the paps. He looks young, to me at least. But then again, he hasn't changed too much. Just more facial hair and more glasses.



Now in this one I look dang professional. I wish I had a bangin' bowtie-and-suspenders combo to wear nowadays.



Those of you who have hung out with me a bit probably have seen this face before. As you can see, I have been a slave to fashion since birth:



Then there's the typical cute smile that could mean anything from "What you're doing is funny." to "You've got a surprise waiting in my pants."