Managing a healthy blogroll is something of a lost art. Now that blogging has integrated with social media I sometimes question the value of a good blogroll myself. It used to be that having a good list of blogs and websites others could click to, and being linked to from the blogrolls of others, increased your chances of being viewed and considered a useful destination. Continue reading
Noah: The Movie
I must be the only blogger left that hasn’t had something to say about the Noah film currently playing in theaters. Nope, haven’t seen it so I can’t write a review. I can say with certainty that the film does not represent an accurate retelling of the biblical story of Noah found in Genesis. The filmmakers were clear about that from the beginning, so the claims movie goers are being lied to is exaggerated. This infographic attempts to clarify some actual facts regarding the true story of Noah:
The Noah movie has incredible graphics and a dramatic story. The list of facts above is biblically accurate but boring. Is there a compromise?
Presenting for your viewing enjoyment: The True Story of Noah
I give this film 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up!
Happy Monday
Monday’s here, are you ready for it?
The Happy Monday folder is bursting at the seams so we’re going to share 6 or 8 quotes, scriptures and images and save the rest for another time. If they keep stacking up all week we may need to clean house. And away we go… 
Why Have I Not Written a Book?
Admittedly that’s not a question I’ve been asked. That’s okay, I don’t really have a good answer.
When I was in college I latched onto the idea that we are created in God’s image. I went as far as puling some commentaries on Genesis off the shelf at the library and taking a few notes. You can’t write a whole book on the first two chapters of Genesis, not one that anybody wants to read anyway. That might be a good leaping off point for exploring man’s relationship with God throughout the whole Bible, but at the time that was the only idea I had: we are made in God’s image. Continue reading
You’re Right, I Must be an Idiot
Don’t you love it when non-Christians, atheists, gay-rights activists, etc. reference the Bible and tell you that you’re reading it wrong? “Most of the Old Testament was negated and set straight by Jesus” and “You go out and stone a bunch of people, I’ll be living to please Jesus in the meantime” are on the list of things I’ve been told. I was told “the Old Testament pretty much doesn’t matter anymore” and the evidence for this claim was Jesus responding to the question about the greatest commandment. Kudos for knowing Jesus’ answer to that question; Love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. A second is just like it, love your neighbor as yourself. This was an example of Jesus setting things straight.
The problem is that Jesus responded by quoting the Old Testament. Continue reading
Happy Monday
It’s opening day boys and girls for Major League Baseball. Now that’s what I call a Happy Monday! Meanwhile March Madness continues April 5th:
Did Noah Preach?
I was reading Jon Bloom this morning at the Desiring God blog. The title of the post is The Folly of what Noah Preached and it compares the message preached by Noah to the New Testament sermons of which Paul said “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV) He draws a parallel between Noah’s sermon to repent and get on the ark and our sermon to repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In both cases judgement was announced and a plan of salvation offered.
Desiring God is one of the few blogs I read that does not allow readers to comment. So here is my comment: I can’t find evidence that Noah preached any such sermon. It’s just not in the Bible. Bloom’s post is based on Hebrews 11:7 which reads: Continue reading
The Funny Thing About Propitiation
“Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to soteriology, propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ.” Charles C. Ryrie
One of things I like about the ESV is that it doesn’t necessarily do away with all of the old sounding words. Some words, like propitiation, are good words to use and the modern reader may need to look up a definition or two as necessary. The KJV uses propitiation three times, once in Romans and twice in 1 John. The NIV does not use this word all, in the case of Romans 3:25 calling Christ the “sacrifice of atonement.” Continue reading
Movie Review: God’s Not Dead
UPDATE: God’s Not Dead opened in the top five at the box office.
There are two types of “Christian movie” and both have their pros and cons. Big Hollywood films (I’m looking at you Noah) have the budget for things like famous actors, directors and really good special effects. But although the target audience is Christians the people making the film are often not. Noah hasn’t opened in the U.S. but I have a feeling it’s going more like 300 adapted for Christians and less like the Genesis narrative. The other type of movie is made by Christians but on a much smaller budget. What you get is unknown or has-been actors and really shallow script writing. I run the risk of hurting some feelings here, but I’m about to be honest (if Flywheel or Facing the Giants are your favorite movies ever, close this webpage). Those movies left me with the distinct impression that having faith and saying enough prayers will allow me to sell all my cars and/or win every football game this season. And after winning all the football games, despite having several losing seasons in a row, my wife will stay and our family will be happy and healthy. What happens if a faithful Christian loses a business, or every football game? What if I repent and say lots of prayers and my wife still leaves? Or loses the baby? While these films may be inspirational, it leads many to be critical of the Christian film industry. Continue reading
Happy Monday
I’ve been driving a bus full of church kids around all weekend; attended 3 worship services preached by Ergun Caner, violinist Jaime Jorge performed at church Sunday morning, saw the movie God’s Not Dead last night. Monday morning is like life in the real world again. So let’s do that Monday thing we do here.
