At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Hendrikus Berkhof: (b. 1914, Netherlands – d. 1995) University professor, systematic theologian.
Arthur James Balfour: (b. 1848, Scotland – d. 1930) Ist Earl of Balfour, British prime Minister 1902-1905, occultist, Zionist. 1892-1895 he was the president of the Society for Psychical Research. The Balfour Declaration (1917) called for the establishment of a Jewish homeland.
Joachim of Fiore: (fl. 12th Century, Italy) Joachim was the Abbot of Corazzo, Italy. He explained the Revelation of God to man in Trinitarian terms with human history divided into three distinct eras, that of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He believed the world would unite in peace around the year 1200, when he felt the Age of the Holy Spirit would begin.
Athanasius: (b.ca 293 – d. 373) Theologian, Bishop of Alexandria., ascetic., anti-Arian. He was the first writer to name the twenty-seven books of the New Testament as they are in use today.
George Mueller: (b. 1805, Prussia – d. 1898) He was a preacher in England who founded five orphanages while never asking for money or support and taking no salary. He and his wife, Mary, ran their orphanages totally on unsolicited donations.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Church Bulletin and Pulpit Announcements, Part 4
I don't know if any of these are real or not. They are from those sheets we've all seen, passed around by hand from one person to the next. A sentence says, "These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services."
1. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
2. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
3. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
4. Ladies' Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
5. The vicar would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
1. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
2. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
3. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
4. Ladies' Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
5. The vicar would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Church Bulletin and Pulpit Announcements, Part 3
I don't know if any of these are real or not. They are from those sheets we've all seen, passed around by hand from one person to the next. A sentence says, "These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services."
1. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
2. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
3. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceed will be used to cripple children.
4. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
5. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
1. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
2. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
3. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceed will be used to cripple children.
4. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
5. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Church Bulletin and Pulpit Announcements, Part 2
I don't know if any of these are real or not. They are from those sheets we've all seen, passed around by hand from one person to the next. A sentence says, "These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services."
1. MIss Charlene Mason sang, "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation."
2. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
3. Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
4. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
5. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
1. MIss Charlene Mason sang, "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation."
2. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
3. Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
4. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
5. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Church Bulletin and Pulpit Announcements
I don't know if any of these are real or not. They are from those sheets we've all seen, passed around by hand from one person to the next. A sentence says, "These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services."
1. The Fasting and Prayer Conference includes meals.
2. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
3. Ladies, don't forget the jumble sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
4. Remember in prayer the many who are sick in our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
5. Don't let worry kil you off - let the Church help.
1. The Fasting and Prayer Conference includes meals.
2. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
3. Ladies, don't forget the jumble sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
4. Remember in prayer the many who are sick in our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
5. Don't let worry kil you off - let the Church help.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The German Shepherd
Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) has been nicknamed by some Italians as il pastore Tedesco, "the German Shepherd," because the Pope is the shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church and because many originally feared his reputation as a ferocious "guard dog" of doctrinal purity.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Christian Sailing Ministry
A Christian sailing ministry? Why not? We are called to exhibit our Christian values and witness in whatever situation we find ourselves. Sailing is a sport strongly associated with the Bible as the way Paul and his associates went from place to place on their missionary journeys.
Sailing fosters teamwork, closeness to God's natural order, and is a venue for Christian sailors to exhibit that their faith is compatible with yet another human endeavor. We don't all need to be professional ministers; we can be witnesses where we are, doing whatever it is that we do. (1 Corinthians 7: 17-24)
Led by sailing manager Steve Thompson, the Morning Star Trust is a Christian sailing charity based in Chatham, Kent, in England. They take bookings from individuals and groups for their tall ship, the Morning Star of Revelation, and their training yacht, the Dayspring.
http://www.morningstar.org.uk
Sailing fosters teamwork, closeness to God's natural order, and is a venue for Christian sailors to exhibit that their faith is compatible with yet another human endeavor. We don't all need to be professional ministers; we can be witnesses where we are, doing whatever it is that we do. (1 Corinthians 7: 17-24)
Led by sailing manager Steve Thompson, the Morning Star Trust is a Christian sailing charity based in Chatham, Kent, in England. They take bookings from individuals and groups for their tall ship, the Morning Star of Revelation, and their training yacht, the Dayspring.
http://www.morningstar.org.uk
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Film Comment: Crash Test
The viewer comments on this film on both The Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) and on Netflix (www.netflic.com) were in total agreement. Everybody hated it. Most thought it was one of the worst, most boring films they ever saw. They attacked it's talkiness, it's almost total lack of action, the ultra-cheap low-bugetness, the less than stellar acting, the minimal plot, the fact that the car crashes didn't involve any cars crashing, and on and on and on. I actually liked this film and I think the others totally missed what it was about. They would probably agree.
The best description of Crash Test (2003) is that it is an Australian minimalist science fiction/horror/political film, with a strong stress on the political. The bare bones plot is this: a man is kidnapped by the Motorkore Corporation and surgically altered into a human crash test dummy named 171096. When he awakens, his training begins. The training consists of being encouraged to run full speed into a brick wall on command. At first, the wall is padded with a mattress, then a quilt, then a thin piece of styrofoam, and finally the naked bricks are exposed. Run into the wall, it is your friend.
What has happened to you is good. You are part of a team and we can do great things together. To be a successful crash test dummy you must give us total and absolute obedience. Run into the wall, it is your friend. The system never fails.
Many people, myself included, think that western culture is heading into the direction of an enforced uniformity based on totalitarian and even fascist impulses by "those who know what is best for us," what Pope Benedict XVI calls the "dictatorship of relativism." Carried to the most extreme ends of its logic, the belief that there are no moral absolutes can declare that those who insist on absolutes (Christians, for example) are outsiders, even criminals, guilty of Hate Speech, intolerance, of not fitting in. There is a real danger of persecution of those who fail to "get with the agenda."
The best description of Crash Test (2003) is that it is an Australian minimalist science fiction/horror/political film, with a strong stress on the political. The bare bones plot is this: a man is kidnapped by the Motorkore Corporation and surgically altered into a human crash test dummy named 171096. When he awakens, his training begins. The training consists of being encouraged to run full speed into a brick wall on command. At first, the wall is padded with a mattress, then a quilt, then a thin piece of styrofoam, and finally the naked bricks are exposed. Run into the wall, it is your friend.
What has happened to you is good. You are part of a team and we can do great things together. To be a successful crash test dummy you must give us total and absolute obedience. Run into the wall, it is your friend. The system never fails.
Many people, myself included, think that western culture is heading into the direction of an enforced uniformity based on totalitarian and even fascist impulses by "those who know what is best for us," what Pope Benedict XVI calls the "dictatorship of relativism." Carried to the most extreme ends of its logic, the belief that there are no moral absolutes can declare that those who insist on absolutes (Christians, for example) are outsiders, even criminals, guilty of Hate Speech, intolerance, of not fitting in. There is a real danger of persecution of those who fail to "get with the agenda."
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Touchdown Jesus
I read the news reports on the destruction of Touchdown Jesus and immediately thought of Notre Dame University football. This isn't that Touchdown Jesus. The Notre Dame one is a mural visible from Notre Dame Football Stadium in which Jesus has upraised arms. The "legend" is that Jesus cheers every touchdown by the football team.
The destroyed statue is actually the "King of Kings," a 62 foot tall upper torso of Jesus with His arms upraised to Heaven. The locally popular name comes from the fact that the positioning of His arms is the same as that of a football referee signalling a touchdown by a football team.
The plastic foam and fiberglass statue was built over a steel frame and placed on an island at the head of the baptismal pond of the Solid Rock Church, a 4000 member non-denominational congregation in Monroe, Ohio. The statue was struck by lightning on 14 June 2010 and erupted into flames down to its base. To see a picture of the former statue go to http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9786
The destroyed statue is actually the "King of Kings," a 62 foot tall upper torso of Jesus with His arms upraised to Heaven. The locally popular name comes from the fact that the positioning of His arms is the same as that of a football referee signalling a touchdown by a football team.
The plastic foam and fiberglass statue was built over a steel frame and placed on an island at the head of the baptismal pond of the Solid Rock Church, a 4000 member non-denominational congregation in Monroe, Ohio. The statue was struck by lightning on 14 June 2010 and erupted into flames down to its base. To see a picture of the former statue go to http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9786
Monday, June 21, 2010
Glasses
You've heard of people who view life through "rose-colored glasses;" they see a good side in every event, often in a way that looks naive or namby-pambyish to other people. Often people claim to be wearing no glasses of their own, viewing life fully aware and logically. Not true. Everyone wears glasses of one sort or another. Everyone has some sort of worldview, whether it assumes that the world is utterly meaningless, or declares with the moral relativists that there are no absolute truths, or sees the world as a struggle based on race or social class or economics, or sees the world as a competition in which the winner accumulates the most stuff, or believes that the world as a living and evolving organism in which we are all components, or feels that all our problems would be solved if we only had the right thinking or the right politics, and on and on and on.
Christians need to openly declare which glasses we wear. Not Democratic, not Republican. Not black, not white. Not American, not European. Not rich, not poor. Not educated, not uneducated. Not Alabama, not Auburn. Not old, not young. Not liberal, not fundamentalist. Not Baptist, not Catholic. Not anarchist, not fascist. Not ..., not ....
The "glasses" that we as Christians must wear are the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit who will help us to view everything through the eyes of Christ. Remember that for Christians "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21) and that we have the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
An excellent article about the Mind of Christ can be found at http://www.pbc.org/files/messages/4807/3577.html
Christians need to openly declare which glasses we wear. Not Democratic, not Republican. Not black, not white. Not American, not European. Not rich, not poor. Not educated, not uneducated. Not Alabama, not Auburn. Not old, not young. Not liberal, not fundamentalist. Not Baptist, not Catholic. Not anarchist, not fascist. Not ..., not ....
The "glasses" that we as Christians must wear are the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit who will help us to view everything through the eyes of Christ. Remember that for Christians "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21) and that we have the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
An excellent article about the Mind of Christ can be found at http://www.pbc.org/files/messages/4807/3577.html
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Juno Whips It
The two Ellen Page (b. 1987, Canada) movies, Juno (2007) and Whip It (2009) are usually seen as female empowerment films. I loved these two films and agree, but see another consistent theme, strong families headed by men who take seriously their responsibilities as fathers.
In Juno, a teenager has to respond to finding herself pregnant. The "boy" is Paulie Bleecker (Michael Cera), an immature and nerdishly nerdy nerd. I mean it; nerd.
Fighting back his urge to punch Paulie in an unhappy place, Dad (J.K. Simmons) decides instead to support his daughter Juno in whatever decision she makes.
At the abortion clinic, Juno can't stop thinking about what the lone protester outside, a Chinese girl (Valerie Tran) has told her. Juno makes her decision; to bring the baby to term and place the child with a family she chooses. Her dad supports her all the way.
In Whip It, Bliss Cavendar is destined, according to her mother (Marcia Gay Harden), to be a beauty pageant queen, just like Mom was. Mom is going to make sure of it.
Seventeen year old Bliss unhappily works as a waitress at the Oink Joint, a barbecue diner, and dreams of escaping little Bodeen, Texas ... and her mother.
While on a shopping trip to Austin, the nearby big city, Bliss sees THEM; roller derby girls, and her future opens up before her. She pulls out her long discarded roller skates and actually makes the team roster of The Hurl Scouts, eventually becoming their star player.
At the height of her success, everything suddenly unfolds until Dad (Daniel Stern) decides that his role as Father is more important than the unrealistic fantasies of his wife and his own indecision and cocooning from real life. He chooses his daughter and his family.
Neither of these movies are Christian films, but there are two things I find significant about these comedies.
1. The fathers are treated as important to their families. In much of modern entertainment in films and television, the father is presented as absent, disinterested, or as an ineffectual doofus. Think of Al Bundy.
2. The main characters, Juno MacGuff and Bliss "Babe Ruthless" Cavendar, take responsibility for their own lives. In much of modern culture, everything is someone else's fault. I'm the way I am or I did that because ... 1,2,3,4, etc.
In Whip It, Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig) tells Bliss to "Be your own hero," In other words, don't depend on someone else to straighten out your life. You have to make the choice.
**************************************************************************
The movie title, Whip It, refers to a classic roller derby move in which two players skate arm in arm and a third holds onto the outstretched leg of the second skater, who whips the third skater forward at a very fast speed.
In Juno, a teenager has to respond to finding herself pregnant. The "boy" is Paulie Bleecker (Michael Cera), an immature and nerdishly nerdy nerd. I mean it; nerd.
Fighting back his urge to punch Paulie in an unhappy place, Dad (J.K. Simmons) decides instead to support his daughter Juno in whatever decision she makes.
At the abortion clinic, Juno can't stop thinking about what the lone protester outside, a Chinese girl (Valerie Tran) has told her. Juno makes her decision; to bring the baby to term and place the child with a family she chooses. Her dad supports her all the way.
In Whip It, Bliss Cavendar is destined, according to her mother (Marcia Gay Harden), to be a beauty pageant queen, just like Mom was. Mom is going to make sure of it.
Seventeen year old Bliss unhappily works as a waitress at the Oink Joint, a barbecue diner, and dreams of escaping little Bodeen, Texas ... and her mother.
While on a shopping trip to Austin, the nearby big city, Bliss sees THEM; roller derby girls, and her future opens up before her. She pulls out her long discarded roller skates and actually makes the team roster of The Hurl Scouts, eventually becoming their star player.
At the height of her success, everything suddenly unfolds until Dad (Daniel Stern) decides that his role as Father is more important than the unrealistic fantasies of his wife and his own indecision and cocooning from real life. He chooses his daughter and his family.
Neither of these movies are Christian films, but there are two things I find significant about these comedies.
1. The fathers are treated as important to their families. In much of modern entertainment in films and television, the father is presented as absent, disinterested, or as an ineffectual doofus. Think of Al Bundy.
2. The main characters, Juno MacGuff and Bliss "Babe Ruthless" Cavendar, take responsibility for their own lives. In much of modern culture, everything is someone else's fault. I'm the way I am or I did that because ... 1,2,3,4, etc.
In Whip It, Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig) tells Bliss to "Be your own hero," In other words, don't depend on someone else to straighten out your life. You have to make the choice.
**************************************************************************
The movie title, Whip It, refers to a classic roller derby move in which two players skate arm in arm and a third holds onto the outstretched leg of the second skater, who whips the third skater forward at a very fast speed.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Ultimate Tube
Ultimate Tube (http://www.ultimatetube.com/) is a Christian social networking site similar to the secular You Tube. Anyone may share and upload content. The site includes videos, audios, songs, images, screensavers, screenshots from films, religious images, videos of sermons, videos posted by Christian ministries, and Christian-targeted Google advertisements. There are currently 3071 members
Friday, June 18, 2010
Shocco Springs
Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Alabama presents a natural setting for religious retreats, meetings, and conferences, accommodating groups of up to 1500. The site has modern hotel rooms and log cabins. Wireless internet access is available for those who want to "rough it" but stay in touch.
http://www.shocco.org/
http://www.shocco.org/
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Lost Books of the Bible: Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in the Bible. Some have assumed that it belongs to some other psalm or is a fragment of a longer lost poem. In some ancient copies of the Bible is is put into 116 or 118.
Rather than being a fragment, Psalm 117 may be complete as it is and may be what it appears to be: a call to worship.
Rather than being a fragment, Psalm 117 may be complete as it is and may be what it appears to be: a call to worship.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Seen on a Bumper Sticker in Birmingham
"Honk if you love Jesus. ... text message if you want to see Him today."
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Rachel Saint: (b. 194, Pennsylvania, USA, aka: Nimu) Bible translator in Ecuador. She translated the New Testament into Waorani and succeeded in evangelizing the previously hostile and xenophobic tribe which had earlier killed her missionary brother. The tribe calls her “Nimu,” which means “star.” They eagerly await seeing her again in heaven.
Rings: (fl. Late 20th Century) A homeless man in Ocean beach, California who is an ex-addict, ex-convict, and ex-alcoholic. He lives in his truck and uses his government check to feed other homeless people.
Harry Rimmer: (b. 1890, USA – d. 1952) Presbyterian pastor,author, archeologist, creationist, evangelist. In 1941, he predicted that Israel would soon be reborn as a nation.
Kevin Michael McKeehan (b. 1964, Virginia, USA, aka: Toby Mac) A Christian rocker/rapper and former member of the rap group dcTalk. He has been awarded four Grammys.
Montanus: (fl. 2nd Century) Montanus was a heretic in Turkey who spoke in tongues and declared direct revelations from the Holy Spirit. At times he claimed that he spoke as God. He was assisted by two prophetesses, Prisca and Maximilla. A major convert to Montanism was the theologian Tertullian.
Rachel Saint: (b. 194, Pennsylvania, USA, aka: Nimu) Bible translator in Ecuador. She translated the New Testament into Waorani and succeeded in evangelizing the previously hostile and xenophobic tribe which had earlier killed her missionary brother. The tribe calls her “Nimu,” which means “star.” They eagerly await seeing her again in heaven.
Rings: (fl. Late 20th Century) A homeless man in Ocean beach, California who is an ex-addict, ex-convict, and ex-alcoholic. He lives in his truck and uses his government check to feed other homeless people.
Harry Rimmer: (b. 1890, USA – d. 1952) Presbyterian pastor,author, archeologist, creationist, evangelist. In 1941, he predicted that Israel would soon be reborn as a nation.
Kevin Michael McKeehan (b. 1964, Virginia, USA, aka: Toby Mac) A Christian rocker/rapper and former member of the rap group dcTalk. He has been awarded four Grammys.
Montanus: (fl. 2nd Century) Montanus was a heretic in Turkey who spoke in tongues and declared direct revelations from the Holy Spirit. At times he claimed that he spoke as God. He was assisted by two prophetesses, Prisca and Maximilla. A major convert to Montanism was the theologian Tertullian.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Preacher in a Can
"Canned, but never stale." Joel D. Smith of Thomasville, North Carolina, is a Christian Academy school teacher and is the Preacher in a Can. The presentation looks silly but Smith is a legitimate supply preacher primarily in the State of North Carolina. He leads retreats, seminars, revivals, and serves as a guest speaker, interim pastor, vacation replacement, etc. and has available hundreds of previously prepared sermons from which churches can choose. He also can prepare sermons for specific needs.
On his website (http://preacherinacan.com ) Smith lists his employment and educational history and his Top 10 Beliefs; conservative, trinitarian, and evangelical.
On his website (http://preacherinacan.com ) Smith lists his employment and educational history and his Top 10 Beliefs; conservative, trinitarian, and evangelical.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Testamints
When I first saw this I thought it was a joke; an online Christian dollar store which sells Christian candy (including sugar-free candy) in Bible verse wrappers. They even sell chocolate crosses instead of chocolate Easter bunnies!
The Christian Dollar Store (http://www.christiandollarstore.com) sells Christian-related items much like the merchandise sold at Dollar Tree or Dollar General including the incredibly popular stretchy rubber bands which assume other shapes when they are not stretched.. The store offers t-shirts, clothing, etc and also sells novelties, seasonal items, and holiday gifts.
The site is run by the Ross family of Zanesville, Ohio.
The Christian Dollar Store (http://www.christiandollarstore.com) sells Christian-related items much like the merchandise sold at Dollar Tree or Dollar General including the incredibly popular stretchy rubber bands which assume other shapes when they are not stretched.. The store offers t-shirts, clothing, etc and also sells novelties, seasonal items, and holiday gifts.
The site is run by the Ross family of Zanesville, Ohio.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saint Francis of Assisi on Preaching
"Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." Giovanni Francesco Bernardone (aka: St. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Christian Online Encyclopedias
I just found these so I haven't had time to search them well yet. They seem to be similar to, but much smaller than, Wikipedia.
Theopedia
http://www.theopedia.com/
Wikichristian
http://wikichristian.org/
Theopedia
http://www.theopedia.com/
Wikichristian
http://wikichristian.org/
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Nobis: (b. Wales - d. 873/874) Bishop of St> Davids in Dyffed, Walws. Relative of Asser, Bishop of Sherborne.
Wulsige: (fl. 892) Bishop of Sherborne.
Koyama Kosuke: (b. 1929, Japan – d. 2009) Theologian seminary professor, missionary in Thailand, He taught a form of Liberation Theology and sought a Christian-Buddhist dialogue. He thought that instead of being academic, theology should be accessible to peasants living in underdeveloped countries.
Jessie Hale Downs (b. 1917 – d. 2009) aka. “Mama Downs,” “Sister Jessie.” Co-founder with her husband, of the Jimmie Hale Mission in Birmingham, a mission to homeless men. Jessie’s Place for Women and Children is named for her.
Vincent Damon Furnier (b. 1948, Michigan) aka: Alice Cooper. Shock rocker, rock singer, songwriter, broadcaster, film actor, restaurantuer.
Nobis: (b. Wales - d. 873/874) Bishop of St> Davids in Dyffed, Walws. Relative of Asser, Bishop of Sherborne.
Wulsige: (fl. 892) Bishop of Sherborne.
Koyama Kosuke: (b. 1929, Japan – d. 2009) Theologian seminary professor, missionary in Thailand, He taught a form of Liberation Theology and sought a Christian-Buddhist dialogue. He thought that instead of being academic, theology should be accessible to peasants living in underdeveloped countries.
Jessie Hale Downs (b. 1917 – d. 2009) aka. “Mama Downs,” “Sister Jessie.” Co-founder with her husband, of the Jimmie Hale Mission in Birmingham, a mission to homeless men. Jessie’s Place for Women and Children is named for her.
Vincent Damon Furnier (b. 1948, Michigan) aka: Alice Cooper. Shock rocker, rock singer, songwriter, broadcaster, film actor, restaurantuer.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Three-Self Patriotic Movement
The Three-Self Patriotic Movement is the "patriotic" (government sanctioned) Christian Protestant church in the People's Republic of China. The three "selves" are self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation. All the selves basically mean Chinese, not foreign. In other words, Chinese controlled. The church was formed in 1892 and took its modern form in 1951 under the leadership of Y.T. Yu (1893-1979). The government has, from 1954 onwards, held tight control of the movement, spawning the development of many illegal unregistered home churches during the period of 1966-1979 when all religious activity was banned. The TSPM was restored in 1979 by the government. Unregistered house churches remain illegal in China.
The TSPM promotes five basic doctrines: the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, Jesus' dual nature as both God and man, Jesus' Death and Resurrection, and the Second Coming.
The TSPM promotes five basic doctrines: the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, Jesus' dual nature as both God and man, Jesus' Death and Resurrection, and the Second Coming.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Are We Not Men?
On 14 April 2010, I posted a comment on the film, Island of Lost Souls. The "happy" paradise built by Dr. Moreau (Charles Laughton) begins to fall apart when his man-animal hybrids begin to ask, "Are we not men?"
Island of Lost Souls is a very perverse film which can be uncomfortable to watch even today. Many considered it to be a frontal assault on the prevalent political and religious order. The film was banned in some places and in Australia it received the N.E.N. designation: "not to be exhibited to natives;" the aborigines or "Bushmen."
The motivation for the N.E.N. designation was the same as that which produced laws in the pre-Civil War American South which made it illegal to teach slaves to read. Many especially did not want the slaves to read the book of Philemon.
********************************************************************************
You can read more about this film and others which stretched moral, political, sexual, social, religious, and ethical boundaries in:
Island of Lost Souls is a very perverse film which can be uncomfortable to watch even today. Many considered it to be a frontal assault on the prevalent political and religious order. The film was banned in some places and in Australia it received the N.E.N. designation: "not to be exhibited to natives;" the aborigines or "Bushmen."
The motivation for the N.E.N. designation was the same as that which produced laws in the pre-Civil War American South which made it illegal to teach slaves to read. Many especially did not want the slaves to read the book of Philemon.
********************************************************************************
You can read more about this film and others which stretched moral, political, sexual, social, religious, and ethical boundaries in:
Doherty, Thomas, Pre-Code Hollywood. Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema 1930-1934 (NY: Columbia University Press, ca. 1999)
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Roberts Group
The Roberts Group was founded in 1971 by Jimmie T. Roberts, a former Pentecostal minister. The group has never taken an official name but is known by several: The Brethren, The Brothers and Sisters, The Church, and The Garbage Eaters (members get all their meals by collecting food from garbage dumpsters). Roberts is referred to as "the Elder" or "Brother Evangelist," and makes all decisions for the group. Roberts makes no claim to deity and lives the same simple life as his followers.
Members of The Brethren see the world as hopelessly corrupt and believe that they are the end-times remnant of Jesus' church; all others are deceitful and wicked. They live a vagrant, migratory lifestyle, sometimes taking odd jobs for spending money. The men all wear beards and the women wear long dresses and do not cut their hair. Women are restricted to the traditional female roles of cooking and child rearing.
In their theology, the group is millenial, apocalyptic, and strictly puritan. Married members remain married but no new marriages are allowed since these are the end-times.
Members of The Brethren see the world as hopelessly corrupt and believe that they are the end-times remnant of Jesus' church; all others are deceitful and wicked. They live a vagrant, migratory lifestyle, sometimes taking odd jobs for spending money. The men all wear beards and the women wear long dresses and do not cut their hair. Women are restricted to the traditional female roles of cooking and child rearing.
In their theology, the group is millenial, apocalyptic, and strictly puritan. Married members remain married but no new marriages are allowed since these are the end-times.
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/169-roberts-group-garbage -eaters
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brethren_(Jim_Roberts_group)
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Messianic Prophecies from the Bible: They Will Give Him Vinegar for His Thirst
“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Psalms 69:21
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted [thereof], he would not drink. … And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled [it] with vinegar, and put [it] on a reed, and gave him to drink.” Matthew 27:34,48
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Christian Cowgirl
http://www.christiancowgirl.net/ is a site which features articles about equine ministries from across the United States, devotionals, contests, riding camps for children, Christian horse-themed e-cards, reviews of books and magazines, jokes, games, photos, polls, message forums, horse/riding industry news, member tweets, etc.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Models for Jesus
http://www.model4jesus.com/ is a site featuring a group of Christian fashion models who say, "Be a model, don't just look like one." They declare that a woman can be a positive role model in the modern world without compromising her beliefs. "A woman who knows her self, her true assets and her limitations will be able to become a woman of wisdom."
The group conducts workshops to teach women how to be true role models for younger women and not to conform to shallow standards of "beauty." They teach women to see what God thinks about real beauty. Fashion shows are presented for fundraising purposes.
The group conducts workshops to teach women how to be true role models for younger women and not to conform to shallow standards of "beauty." They teach women to see what God thinks about real beauty. Fashion shows are presented for fundraising purposes.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
A Telling Gravestone
In Ribbesford, England, there is a grave marker in the town cemetery for a woman named Anna Wallace. Ribbesford is a tiny village (2001 population: 237) in northern England in Worcester.
"The children of Israel wanted bread, and the Lord gave them manna; Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife, and the Devil gave him Anna."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Names in the Bible: Hannah
Names in the Bible is a recurrent segment in this blog.
Hannah: Hebrew for “grace,” or “favor.” She was a beloved but barren woman who became the mother of the prophet Samuel as recounted in 1 Samuel 1:1-2 - 2: 1-10.
Hannah: Hebrew for “grace,” or “favor.” She was a beloved but barren woman who became the mother of the prophet Samuel as recounted in 1 Samuel 1:1-2 - 2: 1-10.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
What Does It Mean?: Psalm 137:9
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Is a recurrent segment in this blog. The meaning of certain Biblical verses is not always readily apparent to modern readers. Sometimes the answer to the problem is cultural, or linguistic, or philosophical. Sometimes no one knows what it means and we have to accept that full understanding will only come when we meet the Lord.
That is in the Bible? Yes, it is, in a psalm about the grief and rage of exiles snatched up by the Edomites, “daughters of Babylon,” and carried away to a strange land. The exile’s homeland has been raped and destroyed.
This psalm is an accurate representation of the feelings of the defeated and brutalized Israelites crying out in rage to God, asking Him to give them vengeance against their oppressors. The final two verses, 8 and 9, are hateful curses directed at the oppressors. The psalmist is crying and screaming but has not yet received an answer from God.
There is disagreement among scholars as to whether the next Psalm (138) is related to 137 or not. Psalms may be a collection of totally unrelated poems and songs, but 138 is a prayer of thanks for an answer which God has provided. Those who believe that the Psalms are a collection might see the placement of 138 after 137 as the work of an editor or collector.
“Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.” Psalm 137:9
That is in the Bible? Yes, it is, in a psalm about the grief and rage of exiles snatched up by the Edomites, “daughters of Babylon,” and carried away to a strange land. The exile’s homeland has been raped and destroyed.
This psalm is an accurate representation of the feelings of the defeated and brutalized Israelites crying out in rage to God, asking Him to give them vengeance against their oppressors. The final two verses, 8 and 9, are hateful curses directed at the oppressors. The psalmist is crying and screaming but has not yet received an answer from God.
There is disagreement among scholars as to whether the next Psalm (138) is related to 137 or not. Psalms may be a collection of totally unrelated poems and songs, but 138 is a prayer of thanks for an answer which God has provided. Those who believe that the Psalms are a collection might see the placement of 138 after 137 as the work of an editor or collector.
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