Category Archives: Popular Christianity
Revelation
“A revelation should be revealing,” Martin Luther. The New Testament book of Revelation (or Apocalypse) is viewed in different ways: Hands Off Some folks don’t think much of Revelation. It’s either too obscure or too bizarre to be worth the … Continue reading
I Don’t Know When Jesus is Coming, but Neither Do You
A few years ago I was pedaling my bicycle down a back road when a woman driving an old station wagon full of kids pulled up beside me, matched my speed, rolled down the window and shouted, “Do you know … Continue reading
Unity
In 1997-98 the Lutheran Church (ELCA), the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), the Reformed Church (RCA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC) all approved resolutions aimed at mutual recognition and unity. When proposals of this importance are made, there are arguments … Continue reading
The Verdict? A Reply to Josh McDowell
I had been avoiding reading Josh McDowell’s Book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith, largely out of prejudice. I was pretty sure that what McDowell was trying to do was impossible, and that his book … Continue reading
Christians Differ
I was once asked: On alt.atheism we are always explaining the various kinds of atheists to outsiders. Would some Christians do us the favor of explaining the various divisions, official and unofficial, in their religion. I feel one Christian describes … Continue reading
Left Behind?
Left Behind™: A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins The volume appeared in our church library, so I checked it out. Some Christians read the Book of Revelation (from the Bible) as a … Continue reading
Characteristics of a Cult
This is a list I ran across somewhere and found it useful. INTERNAL CONTROL, amount of internal political power exercised by leader(s) over members. WISDOM CLAIMED by leader(s), amount of infallibility declared about decisions. WISDOM CREDITED to leader(s) by members; … Continue reading