Beside the Point

Okay, this is about as edgy a post as I might offer, though I have argued extensively before that I am not a Puritan. Just type in "Puritan" in my search box, if you are so inclined.

Okay, this is a huge risk. Again, someone is bound to think I'm trying to make a political point, but I'm not.

I think there is a lot of good things in this video, but my sincere question is this, "What's the 'Alpha/Omega' thing about?"

Please feel free to respectfully respond anonymously, particularly if you are an avid Obama supporter.

BTW, I think this presidential campaign has exactly four (count 'em; not one) scary candidates.

Update 10/6: I'm glad I posted this, because I don't know how else I would have gotten my question asked. An anonymous poster pointed out the obvious, which I had, for some reason, not considered. Alpha/Omega is probably the name of a fraternity and these young men are expressing that they, too, can aspire to great personal accomplishments. Contrary to what others may be saying, I don't see this as more than that.

Update II 10/6: Here is a news story behind this video. It still doesn't fully explain the chant, though.

Last week we discussed the issue of church clothes. I couldn't resist posting this weird story from the Netherlands. I can hardly imagine...

Rather than update our recent post about tithing, I will make this a separate post.

What does this say to you, if anything, about Todd and Sarah Palin's giving?

Charitable Contributions:

In 2006, Sarah and Todd Palin donated $4,250 to charity in cash/check donations and $630 in non-cash/check donations, for a total of $4,880. This is 3.3% of their adjusted gross income.

In 2007, Sarah and Todd Palin donated $2,500 to charity in cash/check donations and $825 in non-cash/check donations, for a total of $3,325. This is 1.5% of their adjusted gross income.

Here is a Reuters story that asks the question, "What is at the core of America's economic problems?"

I have said here before that the amount/lifestyle of debt is not only problematic, but is probably rooted in our personal/corporate inability to fulfill the basic requirement of discipleship, according to Jesus--self-denial. And yes, I'm including myself.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

What do you think?

Update: Check out this Time magazine story. It asks if the "prosperity gospel" is somewhat to blame for the subprime mortgage fiasco.

Folks, this is really, really serious. I have felt for years that we American evangelicals are setting ourselves up to be blamed for the collapse of America. I have voiced this to more than one senior leader in the American church in the past few years, but it has fallen on deaf ears. So far, among other things, this is what those who hate us may blame us for:

1. Pursuing a $1+ Trillion war in Iraq, based on lies and a violation of classic just war theory, including, now, a support of torture. Repentance that we messed up? Not on your life! Why act like a Christian when national pride is at stake?

2. Supporting the shredding of civil liberties with the Patriot Act (and subsequent directives), led by an Assemblies of God Secretary of Justice (those who are one of us can do no wrong, right?).

3. Now, the seeming impending collapse of the American economy.

Think Jews of Germany, blamed for the cost and idiocy of WWI as well as the collapse of the Weimar economy. If we don't soon repent, I'm telling you, there will be hell to pay. Then we'll see what our position on torture will be.

I trust you understand that what I write comes from a heart of love of the Church as well as a love of Truth.

Let him who has ears to hear..."

The Christian movie, Fireproof, had a successful opening weekend around the country last weekend, particularly since it was showing in less than 1000 theaters.

As some of you regular readers know, I've asserted here more than once that universalism (the belief that all or virtually all people make it to heaven) is part of the underlying ethos of America. Yes, there has historically been strong biblical resistance to this, but I believe that resistance is weakening, and there is much to support that idea.

Speaking of "the end," I thought it might be good to be reminded of what God's Word says,

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Here is an interesting story in USA Today about Christians who continue tithing, even in the face of foreclosure and even bankruptcy.

Apparently someone used a chemical spray to attack Muslims gathered for Ramadan prayers in Dayton, Ohio. As it turned out, the room that was sprayed was filled with panicked children. Here is the story.

Some speculate that this may have been connected with the wide release (28 million copies) of the DVD, Obsession.

God forbid that anyone in Dayton (which has a strong evangelical Christian base) thought they did this in the name of Jesus.

This article is fascinating to me.

This is not deeply spiritual, but still edifying. It comes from the London Times.

Earlier this week we looked at the issue of worship attire. Here's another worship-related question.

I am honored that so many of you take the time to visit BTP, and because I do intend to continue to post thought-provoking posts, I assume the growing number of commenters will continue. Moderating every single comment before publication is time-consuming, and with my busy schedule slows down the dialogue, even becoming frustrating to those who comment.

Therefore, I am suspending comment moderation on the front side, although I reserve the right to delete comments that I find offensive, personal, use crude language, are off-topic, or whatever else I subjectively see as objectively problematic.:) This way I won't accidentally delete someone's comment in the process of moderating with my Blackberry or whatever.

This new policy (not without risk, of course) will allow your comments to immediately be posted and will allow swifter responses from those who are still on the site. So, the turnaround time becomes almost instantaneous.

So, have at it, but don't be surprised if I give a posted comment the hook from time to time.

This is a rather Penn State campus-specific story, and would probably not be of interest to most BTP readers, but it is to me.