We’ve been talking lately about the origins of Christianity and how it retains power even today. There’s one truth above all others, as far as I can see it, regarding this religion: without coercion, Christianity never would have gotten big.
There’s a new way for Christians to engage with doubt: a defanged, controllable, tamed doubt that they can defeat. Sort of.
Christians’ weird way of engaging with virginity is a big problem in their culture, as well as a sign of something seriously wrong at its core. Some recent events have reminded me anew of that dysfunction.
We’ve noted in the past (extensively, really) that Christian media sucks. And their preferences for visual art are no exception. Waverly Giles tried to make something that was off the beaten track, something that might challenge the viewer a little more than the usual Olan Mills-style portrait sitting or awkward family photo, and she got smacked hard for her impertinence.
A lot of things have changed over the years for me, but one of the things that hasn’t is my great love of Thanksgiving. There’s something about this holiday that makes me really happy.
I’m reading this weird little sermon transcript about “The Difference Between Calvinism and Reformed” and it’s making me think anew about the big problem with denominational fights: namely, that their proliferation and quarrels only illustrates the lack of validity for Christianity’s claims.
We are not helpless. Nor are we without resources.
LifeWay Christian Resources has put out an interesting survey called The State of Theology. Alas (for them), this survey illustrates evangelical leaders’ very worst fears about their flocks and the very future of their religion.
Often we see Christians offer suggestions that don’t actually help the problems they see. Those suggestions almost always center around giving them back the dominance they have lost and letting them try to recreate the Good Ole Days they think existed back before liberals and feminists wrecked everything. And they don’t usually understand that their suggestions not only don’t work but also highlight endemic issues with their religion.
WWJD? Obviously he would insult those who are suffering; malign those who are hurting; laugh at those who are reeling in pain. We know this because his most faithful ambassadors are showing this behavior to us right now this second.