by Bret Capranica | Jun 1, 2005 | General Theology
Read today’s blog by Dr. Mohler on the new “Universist” religion developed by University of Alabama student, Ford Vox (Item two in Mohler’s blog today). His religion seems to be the religious organization of postmodern thought. What is facinating to me is not that his group already boasts 7500 members, but that the group’s aim in developing “fellowship” between those who absolutely reject absolute truth is already very appealing with even so-called “Christian” groups. “Whatever works for you,” is the mantra of postmodern religious belief. Truth is liquid in the realm of reality. Mr. Vox has not developed a new religion. Actually, he has simply begun to organize one that already exists, even among many professing...
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 22, 2005 | Culture, General Theology
No, I am not one of those who attempts to find Christian or moral themes in movies like Star Wars in order to commend them to you and your family’s viewing. The article referenced, however, uses the recent release of George Lucas’ final movie in the Star Wars’ saga to discuss the age old theological (it is more theological than philosophical) issue about a person’s essential nature. Are we born good or evil? Popular culture postulates ideologies, not just entertainment, even through entertaining movies like Star Wars. The article notes, How about it, George? Was Anakin born bad? “No,” Lucas told The Associated Press. “That”™s why most people got upset about “˜Episode I.”™ They said, “˜Well, he should be a monster.”™ But he”™s not a monster. He has sort of heightened skills and awareness, and he”™s smarter than most people, but at the same time, he makes rather bad decisions.” Lucas’ response about his movie character reflects the idea that many have about our human nature. Many believe that we are essentially good, but our environment and personal “bad decisions,” lead us astray. One psychologist quoted in the article says, No one is born with a Napoleon complex. Yet our genetic raw material does establish tendencies for how each person will respond to environmental factors, said Alan Hilfer, a child psychologist at Maimonides Medical Center in New York. “We come into the world with a personality, a character. Some kids are more irritable, some more sensitive, some kids are easygoing,” Hilfer said. “We all come in with a particular set of biological pieces to make up who we are....
by Bret Capranica | May 18, 2005 | Culture, General Theology
The Weekly Standard article referenced was written by David Gelernter, a senior fellow in Jewish Thought at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. He laments the lack of the public schools’ acknowledgement of how much of early American history is saturated with biblical references. The article is a good read. However, if the Bible is properly undertood, I’m not sure even the Weekly Standard would want to elevate it in public dialogue and give it a prominent place in our public education system. If the Bible is the record of God bringing ultimate glory to Himself by saving sin-saturated people through the life, atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:1-10), would this satisfy the moralism many conservative American commentators seek to press the Bible into? The Bible is not primarily about theocentric ethics. The Bible is primarily about God’s elevation of Himself through Jesus Christ and changing people from Christ-denying sinners into a population who proclaim His excellencies through salvation in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9-12). Even our Christian ethics have as their central aim the glory and supremacy of God through the person of Jesus Christ. Is this really the message Mr. Gelernter wants the American youth to know, embrace and spread? I’m up for...
by Bret Capranica | May 16, 2005 | General Theology
See Dr. Albert Mohler’s review of Professor Mark Lilla’s essay in the New York Times (registration required) from Sunday. Mohler’s review is titled: “Mark Lilla Wonders Why Evangelicals Won’t Get With the Program–and Liberalize.” (Posted today at 3:13 a.m. ET. NOTE: He had already posted another blog at 2:48 a.m. ET – wow!). As always, Dr. Mohler is brilliant in his analysis and critique of contemporary issues in theology and...
by Bret Capranica | May 15, 2005 | General Theology
Here is another result of following false religion. The exaltation of cows. Don’t get me wrong, I am originally from a “cow town” (Amarillo, Texas) and I now live in a dairy area. I have smelled, seen and savaored cows all of my life. But Hinduism’s veneration of cows is virtual madness. This article is a good description of one of the temporal consequences of...
