by Bret Capranica | May 27, 2005 | Culture
Please read today’s blog by Albert Mohler regarding the New York Times’ editorial on The President’s Stem Cell Theology. The editorial is another interesting read in how pluralism desires to be inclusive of virtually everything other than...
by Bret Capranica | May 26, 2005 | Psychology
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)! What is SAD? It is another disorder drawn from the objectivity of science (**heavy sarcasm**). SAD is another possible explanation for why people become depressed. According to the study, in months where there is little sunlight, the brain begins to shrink (at least it does in rats). This creates more depression-causing hormones to be released from the hippocampus. About six percent of Americans are affected by SADness. If the study were true, there would be no depression here in sunny Southern California. However, from my estimation, our sunlit culture pops prozac like Skittles and lives under the dark clouds of their depression despite the year-round sun. There must be a different depression disorder for those who live in too much sun. This report is simply another way for the poor victim of God’s creation to say, “It’s not my fault; I was just made this way; I’m not responsible” It is eerily similar to Adam’s statement to God (and about God) in the garden, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). SAD is another piece of evidence that Solomon was right: there is nothing new under the sun (or the...
by Bret Capranica | May 25, 2005 | Church History, Culture, General Theology
The land that once produced the puritans, the Wesley’s, Whitfield, Spurgeon, Lloyd-Jones and other colossal names in Christian circles has lost her joy. The referenced report is an interesting read, especially when one considers that Great Britain is a country given to the application of modern liberalism, where once she was the propagator of the gospel to the world. This secularized country now faces the results of Christlessness: joylessness. “Money worries, relationship woes and even political concerns were among the reasons given for the collection of grim faces, according to the data, collected for the cruise company Ocean Village.” Rather than examining the ramifications of Britain’s social issues, the group researching England’s joy attributed their sorrow to: “Factors such as weather, time of day and age, were all cited as being able to spark the blues.” What about England’s measured move away from the Bible, the gospel and the Lordship of Christ? While no secular survey would turn up such causes to unhappiness, it should come as no surprise to those who know the strength of the joy of the Lord. “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4. “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.” Psalm 119:14 “I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” Psalm 119:111 “I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil.” Psalm 119:162 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians...
by Bret Capranica | May 24, 2005 | Ecclesiology, Seeker-Sensitive
Our local Inland Empire newspaper (The Press Enterprise), published the referenced report yesterday about a local congregation that will do anything to “reach” people, including giving away a new $25,000 Harley-Davidson Road King. The 6500 member Crossroads Church in Corona gave away the motorcycle in the name of the gospel. “I guess they feel the bike has significant value in the people they’re trying to reach. … Barry McMurtrie is a no-nonsense kind of a guy. He’ll do anything to reach people, but he’ll also make sure they have the opportunity to know the Gospel. When he opens his Bible, there will be no misunderstanding.” The bike was given away not to a visitor, but a year-long member who won the bike through having his name pulled from a hat. Obviously with the seeker driven emphasis among contemporary American churches, this latest show should not be surprising. In fact, the article notes that such a feat is being replicated across the country. “The River at Tampa Bay in Florida gave away a Humvee in January. On New Year’s Eve 2003 Abundant Life Christian Center in La Marque, Texas, raffled off a Harley-Davidson Sportster and a Chrysler PT Cruiser to visitors and members. And Christ’s Church of the Valley near Phoenix appealed to unchurched young adults by giving away two tickets to a sold-out U2 rock concert to people who visited the church’s Web site.” All of this is done in the name of Christ and promoted as a means of attracting people to hear the gospel. However, with the gimmicks used to attract the lost, one has to wonder...
by Bret Capranica | May 23, 2005 | Culture, Presidential History
For a good read on President Bush’s experience at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, see Al Mohler’s blog today entitled: “President Bush at Calvin College.”
