Conservative Christians: Persecutors not Persecuted

Last updated on: January 13, 2013 at 10:43 pm By James F. McGrath

It is interesting to see what else has appeared in the blogosphere since I posted about conservative Christians' persecution complex this morning. Christopher Skinner shared the news today that Cedarville University is now apparently trying to rid itself of its philosophers, having successfully ousted Michael Pahl, much as other institutions recently did in the cases of Christopher Rollston, Anthony Le Donne, Peter Enns, and others. Meanwhile, an update on what such Christians consider “persecution.” Branson Parler at the blog Think... Read more

Christians and Persecution, Then and Now

Last updated on: January 13, 2013 at 8:10 am By James F. McGrath

I find it both sad and laughable at the same time that both Protestants and Catholics are claiming that they are being persecuted when their views are no longer taken for granted by others, or they are not given access to a particular platform to promote their views. Having recently completed a study of the Book of Revelation in my Sunday school class, the persecution of Christians during the reign of Nero is the first of many instances of real,... Read more

The Dalek Lama

Last updated on: January 12, 2013 at 7:10 pm By James F. McGrath

Doctor Who, religion, and a bad pun. I couldn't not share it! Read more

The Exciting World of Churchgoing

Last updated on: January 12, 2013 at 1:56 pm By James F. McGrath

I think the takeaway message of the above cartoon by Dave Walker is this: Churches regularly hold special events for the purpose of having something interesting and enjoyable to invite someone to who does not attend the church. The subtle message is that what church is normally like is uninteresting and unenjoyable. Now, having been to churches where every sermon was evangelistic, I want to say that it is absolutely appropriate that the typical service be aimed primarily at those... Read more

The Sinister Tentacles of Young-Earth Creationism

Last updated on: January 12, 2013 at 11:46 am By James F. McGrath

This cartoon from Answers in Genesis, shared on Facebook by Ken Ham and drawn to my attention by a friend, gets things precisely backwards in an important sense. While it is true that what one thinks and considers outside of church will impact what happens inside it, that is neither surprising nor to be avoided. But when it comes to wrapping someone in tentacles that keep them from seeing and hearing the truth when they encounter it, that is... Read more

Gods Aspiring to be Human, Humans Aspiring to be Gods

Last updated on: January 12, 2013 at 8:08 am By James F. McGrath

This post will focus more on Fringe than Doctor Who or Sherlock Holmes, but this quote that came to my attention is relevant to a key element in the show. The original words of the quote in their exact form are: Sherlock Holmes is a human being who aspires to be a god and the Doctor is a god who aspires to be human. The source of the quote is a Q&A session Steven Moffat participated in. It seems like... Read more

Requiem, by Oskar Lindberg

Last updated on: January 11, 2013 at 10:35 am By James F. McGrath

My Course on How to Use the Internet

Last updated on: January 11, 2013 at 8:25 am By James F. McGrath

The new semester at Butler University begins on Monday. My course on the Bible is at the same time a course on how to use the internet. The need for training in such skills is illustrated well by this image that has been circulating on Facebook: Whether or not to take advantage of the accessibility of information and literature is a choice we all must make. There are so many classic books available in electronic form perfectly legally as they... Read more

La-Z-Jesus

Last updated on: January 10, 2013 at 9:54 pm By James F. McGrath

Oh, the symbolism of this item is poignant, even if it is a spoof: Via The American Jesus (HT Hemant Mehta) That’s exactly what so many Christians do with Christianity. It talks about being crucified with Christ, about taking up one’s cross, about selling all one has and giving it to the poor and following Jesus. And we find ways of turning it into something that we can be comfortable with, something that allows us to be the victors, instead of... Read more

Doctor Who: The Light at the End (a 50th Anniversary Special Release)

Last updated on: January 10, 2013 at 3:18 pm By James F. McGrath

Big Finish has announced its 50th Anniversary audiobook release: In November 2013, Big Finish will be releasing Doctor Who: The Light at the End, a very special 100-minute story to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who. Tom Baker (1974-81), Peter Davison (1982-84), Colin Baker (1984-86), Sylvester McCoy (1987-89) and Paul McGann (1996) will all reprise their roles as, respectively, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors, whose paths suddenly intersect when they face imminent destruction. “We wanted to... Read more

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Why was Jesus' eating with tax collectors controversial?

Select your answer to see how you score.