A Christian Nation
Just read an interesting article on Relevant about Christian Libertarians. Can’t say I wholly agree with that political view, but there are some interesting ideas. one thing that article got me to thinking about was the idea of the U.S. as a “Christian Nation.” It is a favorite phrase of many of our political leaders and those who aspire to lead. Personally, I don’t think there is any such thing, at least in the sense that a nation is governed in a truly Christian manner. I simply do not believe that government and Christianity are all that compatible. Government is too concerned with practical concerns to I think fully address and deal with the generosity and kindness that are essential to Christian values. But. If it...
What fruit?
I read this today: Luke 3 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (ESV) As I was reading this parable a couple of things occurred to me. The first is that the tree isn’t expected to bear fruit without the work of the vinedresser. The second is that there seems to be a limit to how long the master...
The best gift
I was thinking today about the best Christmas gift I ever received (other than Jesus, cuz of course He is the real answer.) When the subject of best gift ever comes up, I am sure most of us have a memory or a story of what our favorite gift would be. I harder question for me to answer is “What is the favorite gift you have ever given?” I had to think a bit on that one. This is supposed to be the season of giving, and yet so often I think more fondly on what I have received than on what I gave. So what do you think? Is it just me or are we all just a bit too selfish? Not to sound to hokey, but I think the best gifts I have ever given are the ones I made. One year, my wife and I made photo frames for a bunch of our family. Another...
Some more music
So, we have been writing a lot about music lately, but I thought I would give it one more shot because I have been on a Sufjan Stevens kick for awhile now. For those of you who don’t know about him, he is a “musician who is a Christian” as opposed to someone who writes “Christian music.” He is pretty folk-y, lots of banjo, acoustic guitar and such. And he does a superb version of “Holy, Holy, Holy” on his Christmas album. Anyway, one reason I am on this kick is that I am obsessed with two of his songs in particular. One is “Casmir Polanski Day,” which I have repeatedly proclaimed one of the greatest Christian songs ever written even though it is horribly melancholy and in the end the...
Christian Pacifism
Last week marked the 10th anniversary of hostilities in Afghanistan. In other words, our desire for revenge has been killing people for 10 years. Is it ever right for Christians to support war? I know that there is the idea of a “just” war, and I know that there is a lot of war and genocide in the bible. One of the blogs I have been reading posted on the idea of how the Just War theory is applied in the real world. I found it very interesting and thought provoking. You can find it Here:http://peacetheology.net/2011/10/06/pacifist-reflections-on-the-just-war-tradition/ My question today is when, if ever, do you think it is appropriate for Christians to go to war? Let me know in the...