This list will grow, as I recall and hear things to add to it....but the more I listen to radio preaching, or even talk with other Christians (around here)...there are cultural phrases in our Christian language that drive me crazy. Granted, it's all semantics, but I'm curious what effect (affect) this has on people w/o anyone even realizing it. Except me of course, because I'm a friggin genius ;)
Backsliding-where did this term come from?? I understand it's used to explain a Christian who has "walked away from the Lord", but I'm concerned, and confused as to it's effects. Is it generally simply better to say about ones life "there were times (a time) after I accepted the Lord I chose not to live according to His word".....or even something shorter if they wished...but backsliding gives to the idea that while following the Lord we are forward sliding..and I don't think anyone would describe their "walk" with the Lord "sliding". You see how we have way too many words??? Walking,sliding...UF!
Saved (getting, praying for someone to be)- to my understanding, we are re-born. To quote the bible anyway..another way of metaphorically speaking (but better) would be to say when someone was to accept salvation (which I've heard sued). The day Jesus died for our sins as the sacrifice was the day we were saved essentially. I do understand the point someone has attempted to make, but it's been taken far out of context for far too long. People have wondered from what actually happened when Jesus took the cross.
I think another thing that bothers me is the talk of the resurrection. I hope what I say doesn't sound blasphemous or something-but to my knowledge, it wasn't that Jesus was risen from the dead (because He did this while on earth and to my understanding said the apostles would be given the ability to be used in similar ways). The idea, perhaps, is more that Jesus raised HIMSELF from the dead.....whereas others were under the power of the very God he stood in place of on earth (don't misunderstand that statement please). I don't know if anyone has been raised since the resurrection....and I'm not too worried, God does what God chooses. Also, Jesus did not stay on earth and live a second life, as we can assume the others did....which is also wonderful.
I just think Christians in this culture need to dive deeper into what was actually done/said in the Bible rather than spit the same old sermon's over and over just using new anecdotes. Perhaps I'm wrong on this, and that's okay....but I feel comfortable I'm not too far off.,
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
It aint over no more!
I love the history channel...granted it's gotten about 80% military....planes, tanks...blah blah blah....but for the most part, it's been a great medium for where this world has come from. They've gotten quite tech savvy as well, using digital images to animate what happened at battles, give us a glimpse of what things may or may not have looked like. Quite cool.
HOWEVER what the hell do aliens and doomsday have to do with the Roman Empire, Queen Victoria, and the Cuban Missile Crisis??? Regularly they have programs that discuss the reality/myth of aliens, and ufo's. Stories of the Mayan calender dictating the end of the world on 12/12/2012, or something like that.....Nostradamus's' prophecies of the end of days...etc. etc. etc. I'm so tired of it. I'm sad this has become the new priority of the History Channel. I much preferred learning the location of Ghandi's underwear and Nepolian's high soled boots.
HOWEVER what the hell do aliens and doomsday have to do with the Roman Empire, Queen Victoria, and the Cuban Missile Crisis??? Regularly they have programs that discuss the reality/myth of aliens, and ufo's. Stories of the Mayan calender dictating the end of the world on 12/12/2012, or something like that.....Nostradamus's' prophecies of the end of days...etc. etc. etc. I'm so tired of it. I'm sad this has become the new priority of the History Channel. I much preferred learning the location of Ghandi's underwear and Nepolian's high soled boots.
BOO!
It's that time of year again. When children of all ages will pick a character and attempt to spend time adhereing to this character's personality. Some will dawn the being of the "black" spider man, others will try to be silly like sponge bob. Little girls will show off their princess skills, and the brave ones will put the fangs and fake blood in their mouth's and attempt to convince the neighborhood they are only out at night. Most of them will do this all for a bag, pillowcase, or plastic pumpkin of candy. That's right, it's Halloween!
Now, many many Christians forbid the joining in of this "holiday". It's a pagan holiday. Evil is represented from past to present on this very day. Nasty evil things take place specifically the 31st of Oct year after year, and Christians choose not to succumb to this behavior. Good point. However, here are mine:
Christmas, Easter, and a plethora of others actually all came from or are at the same time of "pagan" holidays. It has even been widely agreed upon (if not a fact by now) Jesus was not actually born in what we understand as December. Easter has long been a celebration of spiritualism and the new season. (among other things). Now, why or why not these are also now Christian holidays is really no concern for me....I don't really mind that we share, so long as people are willing to accept the point. Why is halloween any different? Is it because Christians haven't found a "spiritual" connection to hijack it over? Since the birth of the "house of horror" type places (the not so haunted haunted house) I would argue Halloween has become the "scare the hell out of people (literally) night" And, like other holidays, you can be a Christian and still adopt/celebrate other versions of the shared holiday. For instance, Christians exchange gifts, which is arguably not connected to the wise men brining gifts to the baby savior. Many hunt easter eggs...witch has NOTHING to do with the death or resurrection of Jesus.
SO, accept the fact that we can hijack pagan holidays, give them our own meaning, and do with them what we want, so long as we throw a church service in there ;) I'm going to dress my daughter up like a monkey and hit the methodist church!
Now, many many Christians forbid the joining in of this "holiday". It's a pagan holiday. Evil is represented from past to present on this very day. Nasty evil things take place specifically the 31st of Oct year after year, and Christians choose not to succumb to this behavior. Good point. However, here are mine:
Christmas, Easter, and a plethora of others actually all came from or are at the same time of "pagan" holidays. It has even been widely agreed upon (if not a fact by now) Jesus was not actually born in what we understand as December. Easter has long been a celebration of spiritualism and the new season. (among other things). Now, why or why not these are also now Christian holidays is really no concern for me....I don't really mind that we share, so long as people are willing to accept the point. Why is halloween any different? Is it because Christians haven't found a "spiritual" connection to hijack it over? Since the birth of the "house of horror" type places (the not so haunted haunted house) I would argue Halloween has become the "scare the hell out of people (literally) night" And, like other holidays, you can be a Christian and still adopt/celebrate other versions of the shared holiday. For instance, Christians exchange gifts, which is arguably not connected to the wise men brining gifts to the baby savior. Many hunt easter eggs...witch has NOTHING to do with the death or resurrection of Jesus.
SO, accept the fact that we can hijack pagan holidays, give them our own meaning, and do with them what we want, so long as we throw a church service in there ;) I'm going to dress my daughter up like a monkey and hit the methodist church!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Unto Idols?
I pose this question for those who know or don't know me....I feel anyone can offer their opinion on this matter....however, please do not choose to be offended by what I am about to say.
For those that read the Bible, we know about the meat that was eaten after being sacrificed unto idols, and how that was not good. But, we know it was happening. I believe that it was probably also being sold in the markets and such-and give me a bit and I'll find where it was I found whatever I found to imply this idea. Now, I've also heard that when Peter had the vision of the animals being ok'd to eat, it wasn't that God was permitting those animals that were not meant to be eaten to therefore be eaten (pig, certain fish, etc.). Rather, he was permitting the partaking of the animals that weren't forbidden to eat on face value, but those that had been used as sacrifice for pegans/idols. I heard this being spoken on, and it raised an interesting thought into my mind. It may or may not be affected by the above information, I haven't come to that conclusion as of yet.
Here's my question. It is okay that someone (me for instance) eats meat that is "halal". Halal meat, for those that don't know, is basically the Islamic version of Kosher. In Islam, how an animal is butchered as well as what is said during the butchering is what determines if the meat is halal. What is said during the butchering (in arabic) basically is saying they are butchering that animal in the name of Allah. Sort of how Christians pray that God blesses their meal before they partake. Now....first, does butchering fall under sacrafice? Second, does butchering an animal under "Allah's" name or, in God's name under the umbrella of a different religion, mean that the animal has been butchered under a pagan religion...what is the definition of a pagan god?
I would appreciate any thoughts on this matter...even if you don't know specifics about Islam...just based on what you know, or what this explains, would you constitute eating "halal" meat forbidden?
If you don't have an answer, but have some thoughts on the idea in general, I welcome those as well.
For those that read the Bible, we know about the meat that was eaten after being sacrificed unto idols, and how that was not good. But, we know it was happening. I believe that it was probably also being sold in the markets and such-and give me a bit and I'll find where it was I found whatever I found to imply this idea. Now, I've also heard that when Peter had the vision of the animals being ok'd to eat, it wasn't that God was permitting those animals that were not meant to be eaten to therefore be eaten (pig, certain fish, etc.). Rather, he was permitting the partaking of the animals that weren't forbidden to eat on face value, but those that had been used as sacrifice for pegans/idols. I heard this being spoken on, and it raised an interesting thought into my mind. It may or may not be affected by the above information, I haven't come to that conclusion as of yet.
Here's my question. It is okay that someone (me for instance) eats meat that is "halal". Halal meat, for those that don't know, is basically the Islamic version of Kosher. In Islam, how an animal is butchered as well as what is said during the butchering is what determines if the meat is halal. What is said during the butchering (in arabic) basically is saying they are butchering that animal in the name of Allah. Sort of how Christians pray that God blesses their meal before they partake. Now....first, does butchering fall under sacrafice? Second, does butchering an animal under "Allah's" name or, in God's name under the umbrella of a different religion, mean that the animal has been butchered under a pagan religion...what is the definition of a pagan god?
I would appreciate any thoughts on this matter...even if you don't know specifics about Islam...just based on what you know, or what this explains, would you constitute eating "halal" meat forbidden?
If you don't have an answer, but have some thoughts on the idea in general, I welcome those as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)