What has the Bible to do with Beijing?

Last updated on: August 14, 2015 at 7:11 am By Brad Vaughn

Noll identified some of the ways people misuse the Bible to justify their political ideas. McBride urged Christians to see repentance as a political witness. What are some practical implications, especially in a Chinese context? I’ll list five. Theology Wars are Neither Just Nor Inerrant 1. Church Division Noll forces us to reconsider how theological wars over “infallibility” and “inerrancy” influence the church’s ministry. For instance, these battles have fueled church division and thus undermined the church’s ability to... Read more

Do We Need a Collectivistic Gospel?

Last updated on: August 12, 2015 at 7:11 am By Brad Vaughn

What do you think of this graph? Scot McKnight posted this over at Jesus Creed and found it confirming of a few points I often write about. Two things stand out to me from this graph. (1) Religious and Ethnic Identity Those in the top four religions listed above tend to closely link ethnic/national identity with religious faith. Thus, “To be Indian is to be Hindu.” The tendency should ring a warning bell once again for church. For example, in... Read more

Do We Sacrifice Politics By Settling for the Bible?

Last updated on: August 13, 2015 at 2:56 am By Brad Vaughn

What does politics have to do with our doctrine of Scripture? Mark Noll, one of evangelicalism’s premier historians, takes up this question in Christian Political Witness, which I reviewed previously (see Part 1, Part 2). Noll points out a phenomenon that should trouble to us all. In essence, the church compromises its Christian political witness when it settles for what is merely true, biblically speaking. In other words, Christians too frequently justify their political activity (or inactivity) on the basis... Read more

School holds midterms in forest to prevent cheating

Last updated on: May 9, 2014 at 8:00 am By Brad Vaughn

Credit: Shanghaiist.com; Image via CRIEnglish To get the full story, check out shanghaiist.com. Some of you may remember the series I did last year about cheating not only within Chinese culture, but also within Chinese churches. For those who missed it, see below “There is no fairness if you do not let us cheat” – Chinese parents Why Chinese Pastors Cheat “But cheating is a part of their culture” – says Christians We cheat students when we confuse grace and... Read more

The Political Witness of the Chinese Church

Last updated on: August 14, 2015 at 10:47 pm By Brad Vaughn

Previously, I reviewed the book Christian Political Witness (see Part 1, Part 2). Now I want us to apply some of its insights. Therefore, I’m starting a new series in which I will consider the Christian political witness of the Chinese church. It is important to remember what is meant by “politics.” In a prior post, I said that “politics” concerns power–– influence–– in a public setting. Therefore, the topic is much broader than political parties and elections. Does the... Read more

Is the gospel a "how to" message?

Last updated on: August 14, 2015 at 7:05 am By Brad Vaughn

The gospel is not so much the message how one gets saved; rather, it is the message one must believe in order to be saved. If you understand the contrast I make in that last sentence, then you understand one way that we should differentiate the “plan of salvation” from the gospel itself. Most people do not separate the two; however, I suggest this is a major problem in the church today. In this post, I’ll explain the distinction. Later,... Read more

A Review of Christian Political Witness (Part 2)

Last updated on: May 6, 2014 at 8:30 am By Brad Vaughn

In the last post, I reviewed the first few chapters of Christian Political Witness. The authors lay the solid theological foundation for the essays that follow. They all argue that being biblical necessarily entails being political in a more comprehensive sense than most people think. What does this look like practically? This is the subject of chapters 5–12 in CPW. In the coming weeks, I will look at a few of these essays in detail, applying them to the situation... Read more

To be Biblical is to be Political

Last updated on: May 3, 2014 at 1:33 pm By Brad Vaughn

Over at Jesus Creed, Part 2 of the “Christian Political Witness” series has been posted. It is called “To be Biblical is to be Political.” I first introduce the book I’m reviewing: If you think that the gospel is not political, read Christian Political Witness. This book will fix that misunderstanding. This and the next post give a broad picture and critique. Over the coming weeks, I will examine in more depth a select group of chapters, suggesting some of... Read more

A Review of Christian Political Witness (Part 1)

Last updated on: August 14, 2015 at 10:44 pm By Brad Vaughn

If you think that the gospel is not political, read Christian Political Witness. This book will fix that misunderstanding. Today, I will review Christian Political Witness (IVP), which edited by George Kalantzis and Gregory Lee. Why review this book on this blog? I explained my thinking in the last post. This and the next post give a broad picture and critique. Over the coming weeks, I will examine in more depth a select group of chapters, suggesting some of practical implications... Read more

Is the Chinese Church Political?

Last updated on: August 14, 2015 at 7:02 am By Brad Vaughn

Let me introduce you to a new book called Christian Political Witness (IVP, 2014), edited by George Kalantzis and Gregory Lee. In the next few posts, I’ll offer a broad overview and critique of the book, i.e. a more traditional book review. Over the coming weeks, I’ll run a new series offering a more detailed “practical review,” which will attempt to apply insights from Christian Political Witness in a Chinese context. This sort of review is appropriate for any book... Read more