Meet Barb, a single, attractive woman in her late 20s. Barb and a few friends decide to take an exotic, tropical vacation to Thailand. There, they stay at a beach hotel and have a glorious time swimming, exploring, and partying. One night, Barb has a little too much to drink and, against the objection of her friends, accepts a ride back to the hotel from a local Thai man in the bar. On the way, he stops the car, pushes... Read more
This quiz is especially designed for evangelical readers (though anyone can take it) because it’s a good reminder of something evangelical Christians tend to forget. Most of the questions are based on verses you probably memorized in Sunday School, but for the less familiar ones, the answers are only a click away. It’s not cheating to look up the linked answer! And now, without further ado, let’s play What Does the Bible Say About Good Works? Directions: fill in the... Read more
In a recent post, I made a claim that if Jesus were here today, in the midst of the pandemic, he might wear a mask. The pushback I got from evangelicals was intense. I wrote about some of it here – but that was just scratching the surface. Evangelicals’ comments revealed, again and again, how they think, and how they think God thinks. Essentially, they were proclaiming what it means (and doesn’t mean) to be a Christian. Problem is, much... Read more
We need to talk some more about evangelicals and Covid, don’t we? Last week, I posed the question, “would Jesus wear a mask?” It’s an important mind exercise, since evangelical Christians have been some of the most staunch, vocal opponents of masks and Covid vaccines. I suggested – with biblical backing – that perhaps Jesus would wear a mask. I expected some pushback, and sure enough, they pushed back. As I studied evangelicals’ comments, several themes emerged. The world needs... Read more
Let’s talk about Jesus and masks. You know how some people have friends that span the political and ideological spectrum, and they always have the most lively Facebook debates? Yeah, you know. So one of my eclectic friends (I’ll call him Tony) posted this: When we use our Christian platform to suggest that wearing a mask for the sake of others is asking too much of us, we are trivializing the Christian idea of sacrifice, and the very idea of... Read more
Where was the Kingdom for 400 years? I’ve been reading a lot lately about the history of slavery in America, and how Christians participated in the practice – and even defended it biblically. I’ve learned how some enslavers evangelized their enslaved people, in hopes of making them docile; how others forbade Bible reading, lest the enslaved get wind of the Exodus story. I’ve always been uncomfortable with the way the Bible seems to condone, or at least tolerate slavery. I... Read more
Human rights advocates have been using the word “apartheid” to describe Israel for years, but sometimes it makes folks uncomfortable. It’s not a word to use lightly. Is it legitimate? In fact, as long ago as 1961, the prime minister of South Africa declared, “Israel, like South Africa, is an apartheid state” – and he should know. In the 1980s and 1990s, a number of academics (some of them Israeli) also used the word. Especially after Israel implemented a checkpoint-and-permit... Read more
I’m reminded of an incident in my previous (evangelical) life – a Frank Peretti moment that may or may not have included angels and demons. I’d been with my CCC (conservative Christian community) for probably seven years, when one of our number – call him Dave – decided to run for a local office. A very local office in a small town. He asked us, the CCC, to help him with his campaign. We canvassed the neighborhood, some of us... Read more
Today, let’s look at another teaching of Jesus that has been disinfected and repurposed by evangelicalism: Jesus’ brief narrative on the “narrow gate.” In Matthew 7, Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” In Sunday School, I was taught – see if this... Read more
Growing up evangelical, I was taught that heaven is reserved for all who sincerely believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept him as Savior through his work on the cross. I memorized the verses that support this doctrine. I was also taught to obey those in authority (oh boy, was I taught that), along with the Scripture to prove it. And I was taught that “good works” are useless – and all applicable verses were duly memorized.... Read more
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