There Really Is An App For Everything

Are you a Christian and need help debating an Atheist?  There's an App for that.
Are you an Atheist and need help debating a Christian?  There's an App for that.

The App wars have gone to a whole new level.  Apps like Bible Thumper (an App for religious skeptics), Fast Facts, Challenges, & Tactics and The Atheist Pocket Debater have taken the App war to a whole new level.

In a dozen new phone applications, whether faith-based or faith-bashing, the prospective debater is given a primer on the basic rules of engagement — how to parry the circular argument, the false dichotomy, the ad hominem attack, the straw man — and then coached on all the likely flashpoints of contention. Why Darwinism is scientifically sound, or not. The differences between intelligent design and creationism, and whether either theory has any merit. The proof that America was, or was not, founded on Christian principles.

Really, we need an App to do this?  Here's something novel...take a course on logic...take a philosophy class.  Even better yet, pick up a book and read it.  In my opinion, any of these will actually serve you better than an App you may or may not use and you might actually learn something.

Between my Droid and iPad, I have dozens of Apps...some games, blogging programs, and various other stuff like Foursquare and Tweetdeck.  There is little overlap between the Apps on my Droid and the Apps on my iPad.  The one thing that overlaps is I have the YouVersion of the Bible on both.  Nothing on debating, especially Atheists. Have we really gotten to the point where we can't argue without the aid of an App?  Are we that lazy as a culture?  Does anyone else think this is getting a little out of hand?

I mean, I can understand why these Apps are so popular.  We're a society of instant gratification.  We want it now.  We don't want to wait to read a book or to learn philosophy.  It will be interesting to see how Apps continue to change our culture...for better or for worse.

You Say God Is Dead? There's an App for That | The New York Times

New Brand of Christian Movies

To get to the movie section at Lifeway Christian Store in Bridgeton, Mo., customers pass by shelves of books, CDs and greeting cards. The rack of Christian DVDs isn't huge, but it's twice as big as it was a year ago and "growing all the time," said manager Francine Evans.

Some of the Christian titles these days, she said, tackle "touchy subjects" such as drugs, domestic violence or abortion.

"These are movies that deal with issues that real people deal with," Evans said. "Sometimes that's what's necessary to reach people for God. But the seals are needed. They're a good idea."

The seals Evans anticipates are part of a new system developed by the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Dove Foundation to gauge the Christian values in films that contain sex, violence and drugs.

HT: Joel

Warnings About Sex, Violence Come To Christian Movies | The Huffington Post

Rape and Incest Part of God's Plan?

Earlier this year, Tea Party darling Sharron Angle had this to say about abortion.

MANDERS: Is there any reason at all for an abortion?

ANGLE: Not in my book.

MANDERS: So, in other words, rape and incest would not be something?

ANGLE: You know, I’m a Christian, and I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives and that he can intercede in all kinds of situations and we need to have a little faith in many things.

You can listen to the audio here: Sharron Angle on Abortion

I'm not a big fan of the Tea Party, but this does raise an interesting question: Is rape and incest a part of God's plan?

There is no doubt in my mind that God can take something bad and make something good happen out of it. If this is what Angle means by the statement "God has a plan and purpose for each one of our lives", then I have no qualms whatsoever about her statement. To me, this implies a loving God that meets us in the dirt and muck of life...a God that meets us in our pain and suffering and walks with us.

Unfortunately, this is not the only way to take this statement. The other way implies that God's plan for some of us is to be a victim of rape or incest. This view, makes God the author of evil and runs contrary to the attributes of God. This is a view that Christians cannot support.

So is rape and incest a part of God's plan for us? I don't think so. If that's the case, Angle can have her god, because the God I know and worship is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. And because God is good, God cannot plan for something evil to happen to us.

Sharon Angle is Against Abortion in the Case of Rape or Incest | Think Progress

Review: Jesus Manifesto

The church has lost sight of Jesus. It is time for the church to restore Christ to His rightful place within Christianity.

I recently received a review copy of Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola. I have previously read some of Sweet's books, but this was my first experience with Viola. Because I have read some of Sweet's other books, it was fairly easy for me to see his influence in the book. I was not at the same advantage with Viola.

My first thought as I read the first few pages flashed to The Naked Gospel (see my review here) which the author has the tagline "Jesus plus nothing." (Note: I have nothing against the this tagline).

Sweet and Viola make the following claim:

Christians have made the gospel about so many things-things other than Christ. Religious concepts, ideas, doctrines, strategies, methods, techniques, and formulas have all eclipsed the beauty, the glory, and the reality of the Lord Jesus Himself. On the whole, Christians today are starved for a real experience of the living Christ. (Back Cover)

Sweet and Viola state that there is a "massive disconnect in the church today, and...the major disease of today's church is JDD: Jesus Deficit Disorder." (xvi) I couldn't agree more. I consistently hear all this talk about getting out of the pews and doing things, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, if one has the right focus. In this book, Sweet and Viola aim to get rid of the the church's Jesus Deficit Disorder and get the church to re-focus on Christ.

The real eye opener for me was Chapter 5, A Ditch on Either Side. It was here that I saw the problem. Sweet and Viola state there are two popular approached for following Jesus today, theological rationalism and theological ethics. Theological rationalism focuses on doctrine, theological ethics on ethical behavior. The authors state,

According to Scripture, Jesus Christ (and not some doctrine about Him) is the truth. In addition, Jesus Christ, and not an ethic derived from His teaching) is the way. In other words, both God's truth and God's way are embodied in a living, breathing person-Christ. (80)

This statement is going to offend a lot of Christians, but that doesn't take away from the truth of the statement. Many times, we reduce Christianity to the right doctrine (as defined by man) or the right ethic (as defined by man) and fail to look to Christ.

Overall, I was fairly impressed with the book. The book was a relatively easy read and was written for the average pew sitter. I think Sweet and Viola are accurate in their assessment of today's church and the need to get back to the core of Christianity...Christ Himself. There were several times as I read this book that I stood accused of the very behaviors they were describing. This book is a great resource to pastors and lay leaders, to help get them back on course. Through the leadership, the church can right its Jesus Deficit Disorder. In other words, this book is written for anyone looking to forge a deeper relationship with Christ.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer:

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. Providing me a free copy in no way guarantees a favorable review. The opinions expresses in this review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Note: This review was cross posted at Simul Iustus et Peccator

If Your Husband Flirts...

Make yourself more attractive...at least that's the response of Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson.

CO-HOST: Pat, this is from Anne who says, “My husband has always been a flirt and loves to talk with other women he finds attractive. He says he would never cheat on me but his actions are starting to get to me. What should I do?”

ROBERTSON: Anne, first thing is you need to make yourself as attractive as possible and don’t hassle him about it. And why is he doing this? Well, he’s doing it because he wants affirmation that he is still a man, that he is attractive — and he gets an affirmation of himself. That means he’s got an inferiority complex that’s coming out. And he’s not gonna cheat on you. He’s just playing.

But you need to not drive him away or start hassling and hounding on him, but make yourself as beautiful as you can, as fun as you can, and say let’s go out here, let’s go there, let’s go to the other thing.

*Sigh*  I don't know where to begin.  "Make yourself more attractive and don't hassle him?"  Seriously, that's your answer? Anne, I doubt you are reading this blog, but do not take this advice.  Hassle your husband about it.  Tell him you don't like it.  Also, Christ seems to disagree with Robertson here.

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Now, I can only think of one reason to knowingly flirt with a member of the opposite sex...and it isn't for the conversation.

Pop culture tells us it is ok to flirt, even if your married.  Christ tells us otherwise, that we still commit adultery.  If my wife caught me flirting with another woman, I think she might castrate me.

Pat Robertson's Advice To Woman Whose Husband Flirts... | Think Progress

Jesus Cartoon=Blasphemy?

The potential thought of having modern day Jesus Christ star in his own cartoon is offensive to some Christians.

The newly formed Citizens Against Religious Bigotry said Thursday that it believes the "JC" series would be offensive. They accuse Comedy Central of a double standard in mocking Christian figures and beliefs while recently refusing to let "South Park" depict the Prophet Muhammad for fear of offending Muslims. (from the Huffington Post)

Brent Bozell of Citizens Against Religious Bigotry (CARB) had this to say:

After we reveal the vile and offensive nature of Comedy Central's previous characterizations of Jesus Chris and God the Father, we expect these advertisers to agree wholeheartedly to end their advertising on Comedy Central and discontinue their support for unabashed, anti-Christian discrimination...Why should they be supporting a business that makes a habit of attacking Christianity and yet has a formal policy to censor anything considered offensive to followers of Islam? This double standard is pure bigotry, one from which advertisers should quickly shy away. (from ABC News)

But here's my question: Why now? There seems to be some fundamental flaws with their argument. The Jesus character is not new to Comedy Central as South Park has Jesus as one of the characters. Why pick this fight now, with "JC" and not when Jesus first appeared on South Park? It makes no sense to me.

It should also be pointed out that "JC" is only being developed at this point. The series has not been given the green light, so it is quite possible it could die before it even makes it to a television near you.

As for offending someone with a depiction of Christ, I also think that ship has sailed. Again, why now?

Most churches I know of have a Jesus depicted somewhere in their building. Chances are the depiction is of a white man, with flowing brown hair and a freshly trimmed beard...something like this:



Chances are Jesus looked nothing like that. So before we go out and say other depictions of Christ are offensive, let's take a long, hard look at the depictions in our own churches.

Also, last I checked, there is this little thing called the First Amendment...you know, freedom of speech. It's been my experience that conservative Christians and conservative Christian groups like CARB have a love/hate relationship with the First Amendment. They love when it applies to them, and hate when it applies to others.

St. Paul writes,

But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. (1 Corinthians 1:23)

Yes, the message of the cross is offensive. So, if we were to apply this line of logic to ourselves (banning the offensive) then we should stop preaching the Gospel. I'm not advocating that. And I don't think anyone from CARB would advocate that either. But to protest something that might be offensive (JC) and then turn around and preach something that is offensive (the Gospel) is hypocritical.

As a Christian, I don't care one way or another about this. It's not even on my radar...probably because I do not get Comedy Central. Do I think Comedy Central should allowed to do this show if they want? Absolutely. Will I watch it? Absolutely not. I think that this is the response we need...not create a controversy around the show.

Other Posts:

• Jesus Cartoon Coming to Comedy Central | Scotteriology
• Hey, Maybe Christians Should Declare Jihad Against Comedy Central. If the Muslims Can, Why Can't We? | Zwinglius Redivivus
• Comedy Central considers cartoon series about Jesus Christ | The Church of Jesus Christ
• Comedy Central: No to Muhammad -- But Yes! to Jesus | The Washington Post
• If Christians Were Like Radical Muslims... | Zwinglius Redivivus
• Religious Leaders Unite Against Planned Jesus Cartoon | ABC News