Month: April 2011
The World Wide (Religious) Web for Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Psychologists discover “a statistically significant trend toward narcissism and hostility in popular music. As they hypothesized, the words ‘I’ and ‘me’ appear more frequently along with anger-related words, while there’s been a corresponding decline in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and the expression of positive emotions.” I am personally outraged at popular music’s narcissism and anger. Just kidding! Although I wonder what level of narcissism is present in contemporary worship songs. Al Mohler offers insights about why conservative churches are growing. Sure, evangelical churches are growing and the mainline churches aren’t. But what if the country as a whole is growing at … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The World Wide (Religious) Web for Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Rod Dreher writes, “This poor old world, weary of words and endless strife, religious and otherwise, doesn’t need more theological books, sermons, doctrinal discourses and debates. It needs more saints. And more storytellers.” Defending the Constitution, and the Right to Be a Jerk. It’s about Terry Jones, natch. Why conservative Christians shouldn’t give Ayn Rand a pass. How should we talk about God online. Advice from James. (And contrary to this op-ed writer’s uncertainty, James wrote James.) James Nuechterlein: “It is the assurance of the gospel that should free Christians from the compulsion to grasp for the illusory assurances that … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The World Wide (Religious) Web for Monday, April 25, 2011
In response to Rob Bell’s book, Love Wins, Time magazine asks, “What If Hell Doesn’t Exist?” If it doesn’t, Jesus has some explaining to do. Plus, a financial angle on the question…because evangelicals must preach an unpopular doctrine because of the loads of cash it brings in to churches, right? Sheesh! When will Time run an Easter cover story that actually supports a Christian doctrine, rather than question it? FWIW, here’s my review of Bell’s book: “Is Rob Bell a Hell-Believing Universalist?” Over at the New York Times, Ross Douthat asks, “Is Tony Soprano really in heaven?” He goes on … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Monday, April 25, 2011
What I Gave Up for Lent
I gave up Diet Coke for Lent…successfully, I might add, unlike last year’s unsuccessful Lenten fast. So I celebrated the end of Lent with a Diet Coke for breakfast, followed by a fabulous worship service at SeaCoast Grace Church. Continue reading What I Gave Up for Lent
Christ Is Risen!
He is risen indeed! Continue reading Christ Is Risen!
The World Wide (Religious) Web for Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Here are ten religious posts that caught my eye today: Lee Strobel discusses how Easter killed his faith in atheism. If you’re interested in the topic, check out N. T. Wright’s exhaustive study, The Resurrection of the Son of God, which—at 740 pages is not merely exhaustive but exhausting…to hold, anyway. Or read Michael Licona’s The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, which is 22 pages shorter. President Obama hosted an Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House, and a reporter can’t help but note a political angle (in the penultimate paragraph). Personally, I cheer the president’s statement of … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Wednesday, April 20, 2011
President Obama’s Remarks at the 2nd Annual Easter Prayer Breakfast
This morning, President Obama delivered the following remarks at the 2nd Annual Easter Prayer Breakfast. I’ve bolded my favorites. _____ The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release April 19, 2011 Remarks by the President at Easter Prayer Breakfast East Room 8:39 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. Please, please have a seat. Well, it is absolutely wonderful to be here with all of you today. I see so many good friends all around the room. Before I begin, I want to acknowledge one particular member of my administration who I’m extraordinarily proud … Continue reading President Obama’s Remarks at the 2nd Annual Easter Prayer Breakfast
“Does the Old Testament Endorse Slavery? An Overview” by Paul Copan
Here’s Part 1 of Paul Copan’s three-part series on the trick issue of slavery in Scripture. This article was published in the spring 2011 issue of Enrichment, the journal which I edit. I interviewed Paul about his book Is God a Moral Monster? here. Continue reading “Does the Old Testament Endorse Slavery? An Overview” by Paul Copan
Task Force for Consolidation of Springfield Schools Adopts Mission Statement, Core Values, and Considers Institutional Structure and Governance*
During its April meeting, the Task Force for the consolidation of the three resident Springfield schools (AG Theological Seminary, Central Bible College and Evangel University) made significant progress by unanimously adopting the mission statement and core values for the new institution. “All other considerations of the Task Force will be based on this foundation,” states General Superintendent George O. Wood who chairs the Task Force. The adopted mission statement says: “Evangel University is a comprehensive Pentecostal educational institution fully committed to the authority of Scripture and to shaping Spirit-empowered servant-leaders spiritually, emotionally, culturally and intellectually for impact in the global … Continue reading Task Force for Consolidation of Springfield Schools Adopts Mission Statement, Core Values, and Considers Institutional Structure and Governance*
GeorgePWood.com 