Subjects
deconstructionism
Feb 23, 2022: Faithwire: California Pastor Samuel Rodriguez Condemns ‘Atmosphere of Deconstructionism … And Relativism’
California Pastor Samuel Rodriguez warned this past Sunday against the “atmosphere of deconstructionism, anarchy, chaos, and relativism” that has gripped the present age, urging ministers to speak truth from their pulpits.
California Pastor Samuel Rodriguez warned this past Sunday against the “atmosphere of deconstructionism, anarchy, chaos, and relativism” that has gripped the present age, urging ministers to speak truth from their pulpits.
Nov 22, 2021: Baptist News Global: Jesus and deconstruction
I shared a meme recently on Facebook to a page dedicated to discussion about house churches. It’s a site with lively discussion on issues broader than church and religion, but usually, the Christian faith comes through. I have no idea who originally made the statement, but the meme reads: “Deconstruction is the revival that evangelicals have been praying for. They just don’t have the eyes to see it.”
I shared a meme recently on Facebook to a page dedicated to discussion about house churches. It’s a site with lively discussion on issues broader than church and religion, but usually, the Christian faith comes through. I have no idea who originally made the statement, but the meme reads: “Deconstruction is the revival that evangelicals have been praying for. They just don’t have the eyes to see it.”
Idolatry
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Judging
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In our postmodern culture, the most quoted and widely recognized verse is not “For God so loved the world,” but “Judge not.” Being judgmental is seen by the world as the cardinal sin, the epitome of hypocrisy that Christians have a corner on. But it’s not just the world that’s quick to label Christians as “judgmental.” Some Christians are often all too ready to call other believers judgmental. There’s a growing trend I’ve noticed and have become concerned about: namely, that people who are anti-judgmental are SO judgmental of anyone else they perceive to be passing judgment. One, they’re often wrong; two, they’re just as harsh as those they condemn and continuously assume the worst. It’s interesting when these attitudes come from people who pride themselves on their tolerance and constantly condemn others for being judgmental. Isn’t calling people hypocrites, when you don’t know them, their heart or their motives, somewhat judgmental? This subject came to my attention several months back when I shared this on my Facebook page: We are losing a sense of unique reverence for God. Terms such as “awesome” were once reserved for God, but now describe a good catch, new music download or a tasty corn dog. Several commenters were quick to assume that I was judging those who used the word “awesome” and trying to make people feel guilty from speaking from their hearts, or they indicated that I was promoting legalism. An EPM staff member and I made clarifying statements in reply to some early comments, but other critical comments came in from those still assuming the post was “judgmental.” (By the way, I welcome comments on my Facebook page from those who disagree with me, as long as they’re respectful of others.) But unfortunately, this “judgmental about those who are deemed as judgmental” attitude isn’t limited to social media. It transcends to doctrinal beliefs such as hell, in which those who believe what Jesus said in Scripture are accused of not being like Jesus. Meanwhile, those who don’t take Christ’s words about hell seriously commend themselves as being like Jesus. (Since Jesus taught the reality of eternal hell, who are we to think we’re too loving to believe there is such a place? Do we think we’re more loving than Jesus?) I would encourage everyone to do this: don’t believe the worst, and be slow to label others as “judgmental.” Show respect and treat others with dignity. Above all, please don’t condemn people by presuming you know their motives. James 1:19 puts it this way: “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” |
race
Feb 24, 2022: Adventist Review: Should Christians Be Color-Blind?
Color blindness is a simplistic framework for relating to the complex realities of contemporary life. It often betrays our inability to see God’s image in those not in our image—whose color, culture, and ethnicity are different from ours.
Color blindness is a simplistic framework for relating to the complex realities of contemporary life. It often betrays our inability to see God’s image in those not in our image—whose color, culture, and ethnicity are different from ours.
| 1960s Civil Rights Movement and the Prosperity Gospel The black church played an instrumental role in the landmark legislative victories of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s. However, there were unintended consequences that came along with those victories. From the shadow of emancipation until the dawn of desegregation, black communities contained the full depth and breadth of black existence – doctors, lawyers, teachers, musicians, artists, day laborers, share croppers, winos, and petty thieves – the whole gamut of black life. When blacks were allowed through legislative victories to move out of predominately black communities into “better” white communities, the members of the community who were best equipped to take advantage of this “opportunity” were the most educated and affluent. Over time, black communities were depleted of precious resources leaving the makeup of the communities more homogeneously poor and undereducated. The families that left were still culturally tethered to their former communities by one institution – the black church. These families could not get the authentic black church experience in the suburbs and many families had been tied to these institutions for generations. The black church was a spiritual and cultural lifeline to those who left. The church desperately needed those families as well. The churches needed to do all that they could to keep the “tithes and offerings” from leaving along with the exodus, so some adopted the prosperity theology as a way to draw back the affluent who wanted the black church experience and have them comfortably fit in with the “least of these”, the undereducated and impoverished from the community. The prosperity ministry held up the affluent as role models and also may have assuaged any anxiety or “survivor’s remorse” that they may have had when returning to a decaying community. This is a dangerous mix. Any hierarchy implied or otherwise in a spiritual institution based upon material possession is a disaster waiting to happen with the poor and disenfranchised ultimately paying the price and stuffing the coffers as they wait their turn to be blessed – pyramid scheme 101. --Andre Kimo Stone Guess |
