Feign Outrage and Cry Persecution: A Failed Christian Business Model

Nod your head if this sounds familiar.  A marginally Christian organization comes under scrutiny for one reason or another.  An outraged Christian “leader” cries persecution and calls for a “day of support.”  We do our Christian duty and shop till we drop (or eat till we burst).  The Christian organization has record one day sales and the day is saved.  



This cycle has repeated itself in various ways several times this last year.  We saw it with Chick-Fil-A and now with Hobby Lobby.  We saw it earlier with the Family Research Council and today we are rallying around the NRA and our God given right to own as many guns as we can get our hands on.  We tell ourselves that we are doing it to “fight the good fight” but in reality I believe that we are doing it out of fear.  We are told that the world will end or that the character of our country is at stake if we don’t get out there and spend money.  We solve problems, not as Christians, but as consumers and fear-mongering is good for business.

Fourth Week of Advent: Love

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.  And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

This week we light the Advent candle of Love.  We remember the love of God for all mankind and look forward to the day when that love has its fullest expression at the end of history.  We long for the day when love is truly the new law and we patiently and diligently work to make that a reality sooner rather than later.  Followers of Christ, compelled by love, expand it’s borders each and every day.  

Advent Week 3: Joy

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more.  Matthew 2:18 

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22

This week of Advent we are supposed to light the candle of Joy.  It is supposed to symbolize the joy that we feel at the coming of Christ and the joy we will experience when he finally sets the world right at the end of all things.  It is supposed to be an inspiration to us to embrace the good news that will be a great joy to all people.

It is hard to be joyful today.

Second Week of Advent: Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  Ephesians 2:17

First week of Advent: Hope

"The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering."  Exodus 3:7

"The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned."  Isaiah 9:2

Advent began around the 4th or 5th century as a way to celebrate “the arrival” of Christ.  Like Mary we wait expectantly for the coming birth of Christ and like all our brothers and sisters before us we also wait for Christ's final coming at the end of history.  We celebrate what God has already done and look forward to what he is going to do in the future. 

No easy answers

I take it as a compliment when people ask me questions about theology and the Bible.  It conveys a great amount of trust on their part and I am happy to be able to aid them in their spiritual journey.  I am thankful for the influence I have been granted in people’s lives.  This truly is a gift from God.

Becoming a Better Internet Citizen: Disagreeing agreeably

We have seen a fair amount a disagreement on the interwebs in the last few weeks.  I am sure that we will see plenty of it tonight after the presidential debate and I am sure it will not end there.  In the last few months we have had dustups over gun control, gay marriage, free speech, and the location of Romney’s binders full of women to name a few. 

Regardless of your level of eloquence or passion on a particular issue you have probably disagreed with someone at some time.  This is not a bad thing!  You have a right to advocate for yourself and be heard.  There is nothing wrong with this but how and why you do it makes all the difference.