Why don't people cringe when they hear God's name blasphemed? Why don't most people feel disgusted when they hear Jesus' name used as a curse? I began pondering this question after I first started watching Ray Comfort's evangelism encounters.
He often questions the person he's speaking with whether they blaspheme God's name. Most people say they do but seem not to think much of it. Mr. Comfort assures them it is serious (because it is) and it is a violation of one of God's commandments.
While I was watching Mr. Comfort's "Noah" movie, he asked people why no one ever uses any other person's name as a curse word. Who has ever heard anyone use Buddha, Confucius, Hitler, Stalin or any other name to express anger? Would anyone use Mohammed's name as a curse word? DEFINITELY NOT! Hollywood blasphemes the name of Jesus countless times in its movies; they would NEVER.......EVER blaspheme Allah or Mohammed. Perhaps its out of cowardice.
Anyway, the point is blaspheming the God of Scripture is serious and ought not to be done. It ought not be condoned. People have gotten so used to it that most don't even realize what they are saying.
As Christians, not only should we not engage in blasphemy but we should be more conscious of what we appear to condone by our actions.
Do we pay (last time I checked, movie theatre tickets were $13 each!) to watch movies which blaspheme God's name over and over again (e.g., The Wolf of Wall Street)? Do we buy and listen to music which does this?
It may not be easy changing one's movie watching and music listening habits; however, we live for a God who loves and cares for us and has given us the Holy Spirit to work within us. We have not been left to change on our own. Our Father is always present.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Word to the Wise
I was speaking with a close friend of mine a few weeks ago about a situation she was facing. She's an older woman who recently retired and wanted to attend Bible college. The problem was that the particular school she wnated to attend was chariging almost $1000 per credit. She considered taking out a loan in order to attend. She was conflicted regardign what she shoudl do. To go or not to go; that is the question. She spoke to a few Christians about this issue and they gave her some advice. What was the typical advice? Pray and God will give you the answer.
This is only partially good advice. Of course believers should pray always and especially while facing a major decision. However, no one offered her anything more than this. Where were the words of wisdom? Where were the words of guidance? They were nowhere to be found.
When her and I spoke, I told her plainly and flat out, "Don't do it." She would have spent thousands of dollars for a degree that is useless in the world of invbestment. She wanted the degree so she could work more in youth ministry. I told her she didn't need a degree to work with youth, which she doesn't. If she was seeking to understand Scripture more, she could simply read more Christian theology books or she could even apply to an unaccreditted school and learn there.
After I gave her my advice, she decided she wouldn't go thousands of dollars in debt for the school. She thanked me and was grateful that I gave her my input. She lamented how other Christians simply didn't offer any real guidance. All they said was to pray.
Unfortunately, this is very common among believers. Because many follow their emotions and wrongly attribute them to the Holy Spirit, they make decisions based almost entirely on how they feel. This is a disastrous way to make decisions. Believers need wisdom during the decision making process. We need sound counsel from those with insight and wisdom.
This is only partially good advice. Of course believers should pray always and especially while facing a major decision. However, no one offered her anything more than this. Where were the words of wisdom? Where were the words of guidance? They were nowhere to be found.
When her and I spoke, I told her plainly and flat out, "Don't do it." She would have spent thousands of dollars for a degree that is useless in the world of invbestment. She wanted the degree so she could work more in youth ministry. I told her she didn't need a degree to work with youth, which she doesn't. If she was seeking to understand Scripture more, she could simply read more Christian theology books or she could even apply to an unaccreditted school and learn there.
After I gave her my advice, she decided she wouldn't go thousands of dollars in debt for the school. She thanked me and was grateful that I gave her my input. She lamented how other Christians simply didn't offer any real guidance. All they said was to pray.
Unfortunately, this is very common among believers. Because many follow their emotions and wrongly attribute them to the Holy Spirit, they make decisions based almost entirely on how they feel. This is a disastrous way to make decisions. Believers need wisdom during the decision making process. We need sound counsel from those with insight and wisdom.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Going to College: Think Twice
College isn't for everyone. Let these words sink deep into your mind; they're true. College also isn't necessary for everyone. Why do I say this? Well, after attending 5 different colleges and universities and earning a bachelor's degree, I think I have some insight. In addition, I attended graduate school for 2 separate programs but didn't complete them. I have been researching careers and education for a couple of years and I have learned some valuable information which I would like to pass on to others.
Before you even apply to college, know what career you want to pursue. This is crucial. Granted, some people change careers one or more times throughout their lives; however, one should have a pretty good idea of where he wants to go regarding a career.
If you're unsure of what your talents are or you would like to gain a better understanding of what career paths might best suit your personailty, I strongly reccommend taking some assessments. The interest inventory and MBTI personality assessments are two useful ones.
Once you have an idea of where you want to go, figure out what it will take to get there. Some career paths require college (e.g., physicians, lawyers, optometrists, engineers, etc.); howveer, plenty don't. Research the career in and out. Find out as much as you can. Reach out to people already in the position you want to be in and ask questions. Try to gather as much information as you can in order to make a wise decision.
Don't dismiss trades. Plumbers, electricians, mechanics and others make a decent living especially if they are running their own business. These trades are often overlooked by high school graduates; this is unfortunate. Many people are naturals at fixing things and competent workers are always needed in these areas.
Distinguish between profitable and non-prfitable interests. I made the mistake of entering a graduate program because I had an interest in the field but no expectancy of how I would get a job with the particular degree. Bad idea! If you enjoy philosophy, literature, photography, marine biology, etc. seriously consider what you will ultimately do with the degree. If you major in literature as an undergraduate student, do you want to teach in schools? Do you want to go on for years of more study and debt in order to complete a PhD and teahc at the college level. Some degrees are pretty much worthless if one stops at the bachelor's level. Count the cost.
Don't spend years of your life and thousands of dollars on a degree that will not be profitable in the end. The subject may interest you but remember college is a money and time investment. You want more opportunities and money for your investment. Your don;t have to dish out thousands of dollars to learn philosophy; go to a public library and simply read the works of the world's most notable philosophers. You might end up getting an even better education this way than at the university.
Before you even apply to college, know what career you want to pursue. This is crucial. Granted, some people change careers one or more times throughout their lives; however, one should have a pretty good idea of where he wants to go regarding a career.
If you're unsure of what your talents are or you would like to gain a better understanding of what career paths might best suit your personailty, I strongly reccommend taking some assessments. The interest inventory and MBTI personality assessments are two useful ones.
Once you have an idea of where you want to go, figure out what it will take to get there. Some career paths require college (e.g., physicians, lawyers, optometrists, engineers, etc.); howveer, plenty don't. Research the career in and out. Find out as much as you can. Reach out to people already in the position you want to be in and ask questions. Try to gather as much information as you can in order to make a wise decision.
Don't dismiss trades. Plumbers, electricians, mechanics and others make a decent living especially if they are running their own business. These trades are often overlooked by high school graduates; this is unfortunate. Many people are naturals at fixing things and competent workers are always needed in these areas.
Distinguish between profitable and non-prfitable interests. I made the mistake of entering a graduate program because I had an interest in the field but no expectancy of how I would get a job with the particular degree. Bad idea! If you enjoy philosophy, literature, photography, marine biology, etc. seriously consider what you will ultimately do with the degree. If you major in literature as an undergraduate student, do you want to teach in schools? Do you want to go on for years of more study and debt in order to complete a PhD and teahc at the college level. Some degrees are pretty much worthless if one stops at the bachelor's level. Count the cost.
Don't spend years of your life and thousands of dollars on a degree that will not be profitable in the end. The subject may interest you but remember college is a money and time investment. You want more opportunities and money for your investment. Your don;t have to dish out thousands of dollars to learn philosophy; go to a public library and simply read the works of the world's most notable philosophers. You might end up getting an even better education this way than at the university.
Friday, February 14, 2014
It's "Think" Not "Feel"
When I was living in California, I pointed out to a friend of mine there that so many people substitute the word "think" for "feel." For example, this particular friend would very often say statements, such as "I feel this isn't the right way to go" or "I feel like you would play better if you hit the ball this way." What my friend really meant was that he thought these things. How does one "feel" that a particular answer to a question is right or wrong? How does one "feel" that in order to improve at a particular sport or task, one must change certain bad habits? This is nonsense.
In a day where feelings are paramount to most other things, people have largely replaced the correct word "think" for "feel." I mistakenly thought (or should I say "felt") this was only occurring in CA; I was wrong. Now that I'm back living on the east coast, I see this frequently. Typically, it's common among white yuppies but others do this as well.
I suspect this is the case because our culture has inundated us with notions of sentimentality and emotionality. This is why we see policies put forth at colleges, workplaces, etc. that care so much about offending people. This is the cardinal sin of our time. Our society has preoccupied itself with making sure no one feels offended at any time or in any place. Actually, it's a one way street. It is only certain types or groups of people who are worthy of being protected from offense. Homosexuals, blacks, Muslims and others are among these protected groups of people.
Indeed it is sad that we have come to this point in our day but the reality is we are here. But perhaps the next time you hear someone incorrectly using "feel" for "think" you can ask him what he means by that. Generate a discussion and point out his incorrect usage. Some people are so enmeshed within their surrounding culture that they don't even realize they do this.
In a day where feelings are paramount to most other things, people have largely replaced the correct word "think" for "feel." I mistakenly thought (or should I say "felt") this was only occurring in CA; I was wrong. Now that I'm back living on the east coast, I see this frequently. Typically, it's common among white yuppies but others do this as well.
I suspect this is the case because our culture has inundated us with notions of sentimentality and emotionality. This is why we see policies put forth at colleges, workplaces, etc. that care so much about offending people. This is the cardinal sin of our time. Our society has preoccupied itself with making sure no one feels offended at any time or in any place. Actually, it's a one way street. It is only certain types or groups of people who are worthy of being protected from offense. Homosexuals, blacks, Muslims and others are among these protected groups of people.
Indeed it is sad that we have come to this point in our day but the reality is we are here. But perhaps the next time you hear someone incorrectly using "feel" for "think" you can ask him what he means by that. Generate a discussion and point out his incorrect usage. Some people are so enmeshed within their surrounding culture that they don't even realize they do this.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Power of Propaganda
It is amazing to think of the mind-shift which has occurred so rapidly within America. In particular, the moral relativism and propagation of redefining marriage is astounding. How could these, among other things, happen so quickly? My answer: mass media (i.e., television, music, internet, etc.)
Television has had an extremely major part to play in the moral shift. I rarely meet anyone who reads for pleasure. That is, most people I come across only read when they are enrolled in a class. Otherwise, they will not pick up a book. What is their alternative to reading? Television of course. The more people I meet the more I realize how much television consumes the time of Americans. Hours are spent gazing upon many of the dumbest shows ever produced. You can feel your brain slowly melting while watching such trash. Because television, music and the internet consume the time of so many people, it is not surprising that some would use these outlets to spread propaganda in order to win over converts to their cause(s).
For example, the acceptance and celebration of homosexuality in the media is ubiquitous. Shows are put out there in order to make the American public desensitized to the immorality of homosexual practice. Years ago, homosexuality wasn't put on a pedestal as it is today. It was kept on the down-low and seriously frowned upon. Now, it is shoved into everyone's face and those who aren't on board are threatened with lawsuits.
It amazes me how easy it is to dupe people so long as certain tactics are employed. Constant exposure to a given type of person, behavior or whatever will numb the public. Throw out some catchy slogans, play the victim card and BAM! You're well on your way to moving the people towards your side of things, no matter how repulsive or heinous your behavior might be.
Beware mass media. For real. Don't buy into what your see and/or hear. I believe many of these celebrities and television stations are paid off by wealthy homosexuals or people sympathetic to homosexuals and that is why they shove this garbage down everyone's throat. From grade school, to college, to music, to television shows, to internet, to movies, to places of employment, certain leftist dogma is being forced upon many individuals. What a shame.
Television has had an extremely major part to play in the moral shift. I rarely meet anyone who reads for pleasure. That is, most people I come across only read when they are enrolled in a class. Otherwise, they will not pick up a book. What is their alternative to reading? Television of course. The more people I meet the more I realize how much television consumes the time of Americans. Hours are spent gazing upon many of the dumbest shows ever produced. You can feel your brain slowly melting while watching such trash. Because television, music and the internet consume the time of so many people, it is not surprising that some would use these outlets to spread propaganda in order to win over converts to their cause(s).
For example, the acceptance and celebration of homosexuality in the media is ubiquitous. Shows are put out there in order to make the American public desensitized to the immorality of homosexual practice. Years ago, homosexuality wasn't put on a pedestal as it is today. It was kept on the down-low and seriously frowned upon. Now, it is shoved into everyone's face and those who aren't on board are threatened with lawsuits.
It amazes me how easy it is to dupe people so long as certain tactics are employed. Constant exposure to a given type of person, behavior or whatever will numb the public. Throw out some catchy slogans, play the victim card and BAM! You're well on your way to moving the people towards your side of things, no matter how repulsive or heinous your behavior might be.
Beware mass media. For real. Don't buy into what your see and/or hear. I believe many of these celebrities and television stations are paid off by wealthy homosexuals or people sympathetic to homosexuals and that is why they shove this garbage down everyone's throat. From grade school, to college, to music, to television shows, to internet, to movies, to places of employment, certain leftist dogma is being forced upon many individuals. What a shame.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Faith vs Wolrdview
I think there is an important distinction which needs to be made nowadays between the difference of Christian faith and Christian worldview. Let me explain. These days, one can run into many people who will claim they "love Jesus" and attend church; however, if one were to probe deeper into this person's affection for Jesus, oftentimes one will discover the person's worldview to be completely at odds with Scripture. The individual will affirm and endorse homosexuality, same-sex "marriage", relativism, "all roads lead to God" notion, people are good and other ideas that do not coincide with a biblical framework of reality.
I do not doubt that there are genuine followers of Christ who happen to be completely ignorant of what it means to cultivate and develop a biblical worldview. The church and parents are mostly to blame for that. What one doe snot see very often is a follower of Christ who has trusted Jesus for his salvation after recognizing his own sinfulness and gradually crafting an outlook of reality that is explicitly biblical.
Cultivating a Christian worldview means behaving and thinking in such a way that aligns with what the Triune God of Scripture commands and teaches. If God says "...a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh," then that excludes any relationship which wants to be deemed marriage as unacceptable. That is, any relationship falling outside the boundaries of a man and a woman is not marriage. Yet it is not uncommon to find self-identifying Christians which will not hold fast to this biblical teaching. They will jump on board with the world and promote the redefinition of marriage to include homosexual relationships.
It seems the root issue for some Christians is the authority and inspiration of Scripture. If one believes the Bible is full of errors, contradictions, etc. then one will not take seriously what it proclaims about the world. However, for the faithful follower of Christ who believes God has spoken to His creation through special revelation, they ought to be more intentional about developing a Christian worldview. For those doubting the authority of the Bible, I suggest they read books and articles by men of faith who have dealt with this issue a long time ago (e.g., James White, Greg Bahsnen, among many).
It is extremely vital for Christians not to be sucked into the deception and foolishness of the world. When one listens to the news of current events which are happening within our very nation, it is truly disheartening. Animals valued more than humans; babies being killed within a mother's womb; indoctrination within colleges and K-12 schools; the list goes on. As Christians, let us read the Bible and think deeply how what we read carries over into our society today. Granted this is not always easy but it is sure worth the effort.
I do not doubt that there are genuine followers of Christ who happen to be completely ignorant of what it means to cultivate and develop a biblical worldview. The church and parents are mostly to blame for that. What one doe snot see very often is a follower of Christ who has trusted Jesus for his salvation after recognizing his own sinfulness and gradually crafting an outlook of reality that is explicitly biblical.
Cultivating a Christian worldview means behaving and thinking in such a way that aligns with what the Triune God of Scripture commands and teaches. If God says "...a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh," then that excludes any relationship which wants to be deemed marriage as unacceptable. That is, any relationship falling outside the boundaries of a man and a woman is not marriage. Yet it is not uncommon to find self-identifying Christians which will not hold fast to this biblical teaching. They will jump on board with the world and promote the redefinition of marriage to include homosexual relationships.
It seems the root issue for some Christians is the authority and inspiration of Scripture. If one believes the Bible is full of errors, contradictions, etc. then one will not take seriously what it proclaims about the world. However, for the faithful follower of Christ who believes God has spoken to His creation through special revelation, they ought to be more intentional about developing a Christian worldview. For those doubting the authority of the Bible, I suggest they read books and articles by men of faith who have dealt with this issue a long time ago (e.g., James White, Greg Bahsnen, among many).
It is extremely vital for Christians not to be sucked into the deception and foolishness of the world. When one listens to the news of current events which are happening within our very nation, it is truly disheartening. Animals valued more than humans; babies being killed within a mother's womb; indoctrination within colleges and K-12 schools; the list goes on. As Christians, let us read the Bible and think deeply how what we read carries over into our society today. Granted this is not always easy but it is sure worth the effort.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Pain and Gain
I watched Marky Mark and the Rock's movie, Pain and Gain last night. I was mostly disgusted by it. Not because of the unnecessary foul language or perverted and unfunny jokes, but because of the Rock's character. Once again we have Hollywood portraying Christians as morons.
The Rock's character is a man who supposedly became saved while in prison. Throughout the movie, he is seen attending strip clubs, using foul language, sniffing coke, abusing alcohol and participating in serious criminal activities. He's a hypocrite. Isn't this the media's favorite portrayal of Christians? It sure is.
The Rock's character is also depicted as an idiot. He says some of the most dumb statements and seems to have the intelligence of a high-school kid. He is also shown acting out ridiculous scenes, such as displaying his supposed power to convert anyone by placing his hand on one character's head and commanding him to believe in Jesus.
I'm so tired of trash like this. I'm a bit surprised that the Rock would even take on such an offensive role such as this. I wonder if he, Marky Mark, the director Michael Bay or anyone else in the cast would consider doing another movie similar to Pain and Gain but this time instead of a Christian being mocked throw in a Muslim instead. I wonder how that outcome will be.
You won't see this happen because #1 Islam is a politically correct privileged religion. Any negative criticism whatsoever will not be heard by the media. #2 these people do not have the guts to do such a thing for they know (or should know) that mocking or making fun of anything related to Islam is almost suicidal. Like Bart Ehrman said, when asked if he would ever write a textual criticism related book on the Quran, "I'll write one when I stop valuing my life." Hollywood is full of cowards.
The Rock's character is a man who supposedly became saved while in prison. Throughout the movie, he is seen attending strip clubs, using foul language, sniffing coke, abusing alcohol and participating in serious criminal activities. He's a hypocrite. Isn't this the media's favorite portrayal of Christians? It sure is.
The Rock's character is also depicted as an idiot. He says some of the most dumb statements and seems to have the intelligence of a high-school kid. He is also shown acting out ridiculous scenes, such as displaying his supposed power to convert anyone by placing his hand on one character's head and commanding him to believe in Jesus.
I'm so tired of trash like this. I'm a bit surprised that the Rock would even take on such an offensive role such as this. I wonder if he, Marky Mark, the director Michael Bay or anyone else in the cast would consider doing another movie similar to Pain and Gain but this time instead of a Christian being mocked throw in a Muslim instead. I wonder how that outcome will be.
You won't see this happen because #1 Islam is a politically correct privileged religion. Any negative criticism whatsoever will not be heard by the media. #2 these people do not have the guts to do such a thing for they know (or should know) that mocking or making fun of anything related to Islam is almost suicidal. Like Bart Ehrman said, when asked if he would ever write a textual criticism related book on the Quran, "I'll write one when I stop valuing my life." Hollywood is full of cowards.
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