There is a lot of stuff in the news right now, and floating around the blogosphere. So I don’t know where to start. But let me list a few things that have intrigued me. Most of these are pretty quick hits, but I might be expanding on them shortly. First there is a story to ponder, then a story that I find scary, then one that is funny, and then one that might be prophetic.
In the “i’m not sure what to think about this yet” topic is this story
Some megachurches are closing their doors on Christmas Sunday, and at first I really didn’t think much of it. But now I have been thinking more about this topic.
While originally I could go either way, I now wonder what kind of message it sends to the rest of the world, or the culture around us? And is that important?
Also, as someone who is on staff of a church, I originally thought it was nice to give staff and volunteers time to be with their families. Especially if you are a big megachurch, and have to do 5 or 6 services. Then I started wondering about the megachurch structure, and should we be doing 5 or 6 church services anyways. This article over at Common Grounds Online mentions this. Jollyblogger also has some thoughts on the topic of skipping church on Christmas.
But at this point, I have really appreciated what Tod Bolsinger has to say on this topic, especially the quote he uses by Karl Barth in this post.
Is the shutting down of church on Christmas a very individualistic view of Christian faith in the 21st century? Is it the church’s catering to a consumeristic culture, Christian and non-Christian alike?
I could probably be swayed for arguments on either side, but I do know this. I will be going to church with my family on Christmas, because there is nothing better than for us to celebrate the birth of Christ on such a day. His birth (incarnation) is a reminder to me of the love of God, and just to what extent He went to save us.
In the “this is a scary, developing story”, is this topic
Iranian president says the Nazi Holocaust is a “myth” and that Israel should be moved to Europe.
I just find this to be a scary story. Why? I guess because it reminds me of the events surrounding WWII, and the rise of Hitler, while many seemed to be sitting around, unaware, or at least apathetic to what was going on. After reading many of the works by, and about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth, you can’t help but find similar events in their histories that resonate with some of the things going on today.
I wonder how this story will develop, and if we will be passive observors, realizing that by the time we act, it will be too late.
Hugh Hewitt has some thoughts, and historical insights.
In, “this is a really, really hilarious, photo essay”, is this story
From the blogger, Purgatorio, who brought to you the hilarious photo post called, You Might Be Emerging If, has now brought this to you, Help! I’m Going Hyper! 25 Signs that you might be obsessing about Calvinism.
Hilarious. I had been thinking about doing a post about those who are anti-emergent. But after looking at this blog from Purgatorio, all the people I would have chosen for anti-emergent show up on the list of those who are obsessed with Calvinism.
In the, “is this true, or prophetic regarding orthodoxy”, is this story
Tallskinnykiwi has some thougths about who will define orthodoxy in the 21st century
