The Curt Jester has posted an excellent entry about the perils
of Christian punditry. At the end there’s a useful examination of conscience
for pundits.
For me, this is another
reminder that I need to be more gentle and forgiving in my criticisms.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should
restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Galatians
6:1 (RSV)
The New American Bible raises banality to an art form. The Good As New Bible is
a sin against the Holy Spirit.
A reader send me a link to the following story. By now I am sure many people have
seen the story about the “Good as New” Bible translation by a former Baptist
Minister. The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams is reportedly backing this
version and has said it is a “vehicle for thinking.”This version is pretty funny and I would have a hard time coming up with a better
parody then was achieved. The St. Paul quotes are strait from Bizarro world.
This question about whether Judas partook of Christ’s flesh at the Last Supper has bearing on the current Eucharistic politicla controversy.
Question from Mary on 05-27-2004:
Dear Father Why did Jesus allow Judas to receive Communion at the last Supper? Was’nt he in mortal sin at that time or was it still at the stage of being a venial sin? Thanks Mary
New Bible-based diets preach healthful eating
SHELBY, N.C. – The Rev. George Malkmus often preaches about how he believes the
world of proper eating began.
This diet isn’t just quackery, it’s bad theology.
The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.” – Acts 10:9-16 (RSV)
I forgot to mention something yesterday. Marty Minto‘s been on a bit of an anti-Catholic tirade for the last week. One of his listeners wrote in to ask if anyone who truly loved Jesus could go to Hell, even Catholics. I sent the following as part of an email to him during his broadcast.
“I was saved when Christ died for man’s sins.
I am being saved as I attempt carry my cross daily.
I hope to be saved when I face final judgment.
I love Jesus. He is my Lord and Savior. I know you feel the same way. We should work with each other, not against each other.”
He responded by saying he doesn’t think I’m saved! He said that those who are truly born again in the Spirit have assurance of salvation and to think otherwise suggests a lack of rebirth. I sent the following as a rebuttal, but he didn’t respond to all of it on-air.
Paul spoke of running a race (1 Cor 9:24), working out salvation with fear trembling (Phil 2:12), and completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (Col 1:24). Obviously, endurance is called for.
When I say that I was saved, I mean that Christ’s sacrificial act redeemed mankind. Through baptism by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are buried with Christ and are entitled to rise with Him. Salvation is a gift. In order to be saved, however, we must actively accept that gift. Furthermore, that gift is not irrevocable. If we accept Christ one day and reject Him the next, we cannot possibly expect to be saved.
When I say that I am being saved, I mean that every day is a struggle and I know I can be led astray, lose hope, and lose faith.
When I say that I hope to be saved at the last judgment, I mean that I hope to persevere in Christ until the day I die. I pray that I will be counted among the sheep, rather than the goats. Not all who say “Lord, Lord” shall be allowed into the wedding banquet of Heaven.” I pray to be one who is.
Do I have any Evangelical Protestant readers who’d like to comment on this exchange? Anybody of any denomination want to chime in? What part of what I said is incompatible with “mere” Christianity (c.f. C.S. Lewis)?