Oct 31, 2015 | Theology, Uncategorized
But wait, I thought it was Halloween. Well, there would have been no Halloween with ghosts and ghouls and candy galore if not for Reformation Day. There is some argument among scholars as to whether Halloween has solely pagan or Christian roots. It is indisputable, though, that without the November 1 holiday (holy day) of All Saints Day (instituted by Pope Gregory III in the eighth century to honor all saints and martyrs), there would have been no Halloween. The day before came to be known over time as All Hallows Eve, and eventually become Halloween.
So how does Reformation Day come into the picture? On this day in 1517 Martin Luther, dismayed by what he considered some corrupt practices in the Catholic Church, penned what has come to be called the 95 Thesis. He then nailed it to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. What was a common means of entreating intellectual debate in the 16th Century, written in Latin and not the vernacular, ended up starting a Reformation that turned the Western world upside down.
A brief 5 Minutes in Church History by Stephen Nichols gives a concise explanation of why this day turned into Reformation Day.
Jul 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
The new book by Atlantic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, in the form of a letter to his son, has been greeted with a rapturous reception that brooks no dissent.
What everyone says about the literary power of Between the World and Me is correct. It is, in part, the story of the creation of a writer, and one with undeniably formidable gifts. But if you refuse to simply stare at the book in wonder as one who admires Michelangelo’s David and subject it to even minimal critical scrutiny, you will realize that it is profoundly silly at times, and morally blinkered throughout. It is a masterly little memoir wrapped in a toxic little Philippic.
–Rich Lowry, “The Toxic Worldview of Ta-Nehisi Coates”
Jun 20, 2015 | Uncategorized
As Christians we live in interesting times. Western cultural elites and much of public opinion do not much like us anymore. We are stereotypically, supposedly, narrow minded, self-righteous, hypocritical, judgmental, all those traits the dominant culture has programmed Americans to believe about us for decades. It comes as no surprise, then, that many average Americans believe that these character traits now describe most Christians. Mind you, most “average” Americans do not probably know or interact intimately with any or many conservative evangelical Christians, so cannot justly make such judgments. But in this case the actual is much less important than the perceived.
We are especially horrific when it comes to the issues of homosexuality, veritable bigots because, well, we believe about marriage what everyone in the universe believed it to be until about 15 minutes ago. We are commanded to be “tolerant” or we will not be tolerated. And this in the name of love; don’t you know that Jesus was all about love?
It is fascinating that the devil has decided to use love as the latest Christian heresy. (more…)
Jun 13, 2015 | Uncategorized
The most important of such institutions, according to Christian teaching, is the family. And that institution is being pushed more and more into the background. It is being pushed into the background by undue encroachments of the community and of state. Modern life is tending more and more toward the contracion of the sphere of parental control and parental influence. The choice of schools is being placed under the power of the state. Modern life is tending more and more toward the contraction of the sphere of parental control and parental influence. The choice of schools is being placed under the power of the state; the “community” is seizing hold of recreation and of social activities. It may be a question how far these community activities are responsible for the modern breakdown of the home; very possibly they are only trying to fill a void which even apart from them had already appeared. But the result at any rate is plain–the lives of children are no longer surrounded by the loving atmosphere of the Christian home, but by the utilitarianism of the state. A revival of the Christian religion would unquestionably bring a reversal of the process; the family, as over against other social institutions, would come to its rights again.
–J. Gresham Machen, Christianity & Liberalism (Keep in mind this was written in 1923!)
Jun 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld got attention this week for saying he understood why other comics such as Chris Rock have stopped performing on campuses beset by political correctness, trigger warnings and “microaggressions.” He said young people cry “racism,” “sexism” or “prejudice” without any idea of what they’re talking about.
How did that happen? It happened because weak school administrators and academics empowered tireless activists who forced all of American history and life through the four prisms of class, gender, ethnicity and identity. What emerged at the other end was one idea—guilt. I exist, therefore I must be guilty. Of something.
–Daniel Henninger, “Bye, Bye, American History: Professors and historians urged opposition to the College Board’s new curriculum for teaching AP U.S. History.”
Jun 9, 2015 | Uncategorized
This past Saturday there were two historic events in sport. One captured the thrill of victory, the other the agony of defeat. (If you are old enough the latter phrase sounds familiar–or if not since it’s 2015 you can check out Youtube–It comes from the old ABC Wide World of Sports intro of a ski jumper in a terrible wipe out as an example of such agony.) The thrill of victory was the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, American Pharoah; the agony of defeat was Tiger Woods shooting the highest score in his professional golfing career, an 85 at Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament in Ohio. He finished last of those who made the cut, and shot his highest score for a tournament in his professional career. (more…)
But wait, I thought it was Halloween. Well, there would have been no Halloween with ghosts and ghouls and candy galore if not for Reformation Day. There is some argument among scholars as to whether Halloween has solely pagan or Christian roots. It is indisputable, though, that without the November 1 holiday (holy day) of All Saints Day (instituted by Pope Gregory III in the eighth century to honor all saints and martyrs), there would have been no Halloween. The day before came to be known over time as All Hallows Eve, and eventually become Halloween.
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