Linkathon!
Christianity Today’s Books of the Year…haven’t read any and I’m not inspired by the choices…
The new Bonhoeffer movie isn’t just bad. It’s dangerous…
There’s no such thing as a Bonhoeffer moment…
Letters To A Future Saint…well, I might buy this one…
Interview: John McCabe on Dietrich Bonhoeffer–The Last Eight Days…next years book budget is already shot to hell…
A Modest Proposal to End Insanity, Part I…Part 2…the scandal of “gender affirming care”…
Advent: a rookie Anglican guide…
Schools for philosopher- carpenters…
Five ways to boost your mental health during the holidays…
Michael Brown accused of sexual impropriety…
Men leaving Protestant churches for “masculine” Orthodoxy…
There’s No Such Thing As a Bonhoeffer Moment
I was a brand new Christian (maybe three months) wandering through a musty book store (both new and old books) when I stumbled on the theology section. On the top shelf, a paperback copy of “Discipleship” was displayed. It was new, but marked down, and fit my $2 an hour office job budget that I was working nearby for the summer. I pored over that book on my bus ride to and from work. What it taught me was faithfulness to God and His Word, the need to be in fellowship with others, and that suffering was to be expected as a Christians. I took those teachings to heart and got very serious about being a disciple of Jesus, not just happy that I had my fire insurance.
I didn’t know a thing about Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church, or his involvement with anything that was anti-Nazi. But, I knew he was a famous theologian and that he had written the truth about my new “adopted” faith. He was a serious disciple who was aware that some of his actions could get him into trouble, and he was faithful to the Lord until the end. What better “Bonhoeffer moment” could any believer ask for-to be found faithful and steadfast in the Lord no matter what the circumstances.
I liked the articles on Bonhoeffer, especially the one about the new movie.
But, good grief. Leave it to a Maga meathead like Metaxas to twist Bonhoeffer’s witness around
to suit his own political ends.
And I’ve got a link of my own about a fascinating book about DB:
Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance
Fascinating and well researched.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffers-Black-Jesus-Renaissance-Resistance/dp/1481315854/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RZ42WU6FFNIX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-sLHobd5WdR-rKuvv-tDONeUW4kepmuzDxF_x9mPMAtQVNyUuW9hXn1G0WgB04K9xP7el42bTQiSQNbN02qAn7J99OXSebysurexULQfpBuIJb6orOP5yh9jvxV1GsqFgxkMduTxO1FeNbjaMYl0_OpDUOSt_AzW-JxfMR-C-Xv1QxMcmzv3SGg46xUN06jRamsFg0fy6PuB5EekpjHTVLpfd9MoEl49QG-6rHeFwx8.4MWK6vVEhcKJqXIFj63wHEug97Af1iQpbtlwNjBaRVY&dib_tag=se&keywords=bonhoeffer%27s+black+jesus&qid=1733286329&sprefix=bonhoeffer%27s+b%2Caps%2C1445&sr=8-1
I read TLGPE in the 80s. I remember the commercials with Orson Wells before my mom moved us to the country with no electricity. I read Lindsey’s next book about Angels and even as a teen his comments about himself accruing many crowns of righteousness turned me off. It seemed, and I hesitate to use this over used term, narcissistic.
On the CT list – there’s a few on there I’ll check out, especially the New Testament Bible Commentary.
But I have to admit the gushing accolades for “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” has been strange. I got a few chapters in and it’s basically Jesus and John Wayne with music. It’s a book where Rich Mullins gets some passing references but they quote someone named “Flamy Grant.” Frankly I have no reason to take it seriously.
And man if the IHOP scandals aren’t a gift that keeps on giving… I don’t like being cynical but it was obvious people defending them had serious discernment issues, and yet it’s stunning to outsiders just how many people in those circles are having to lawyer up or resign.
I thought Wicked was nearly perfect. Never read the book or saw the stage play. I do love the Oz mythology. I’m a fan of all the movies since the original, and have read several of Baum’s books.
I also have a 21 year old daughter who wanted to go see it with me, and I don’t think anything could have killed my enjoyment that night. So I may be seeing through a colored lens 🙂
I can’t imagine reading any of the books on CT’s list, or even wading through that enormous list. I just finished The Martian this morning. It was OK. Wouldn’t really recommend it.
I haven’t seen the Wicked movie yet. I’ve seen the stage musical and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward to the movie.
On a different note, Metaxas is an a$$.
Captain’
I agree with you about Metaxes. He should go back to Veggie Tales.
I’ll offer a few books in the place of CT’s list, which was uninspiring.
Lamb of the Free, Andrew Remington Rillera –
Paul and the Resurrection of Israel, Jason Staples — it goes back to Nov. 23 but wow!
Beyond Justification, Douglas A. Campbell
The Wood Between the Worlds, Brian Zahnd
The Challenge of Acts, N. T. Wright
The Blurred Cross, Richard Bauckham
Our God Reigns, Sam Storms — On Revelation, and I am not into it yet
I am working on these… but It is a better list than CT offers
Christianity is Christ Dread
Hal Lindsay’s non-profit didn’t even rise to the tithe-level of giving…pathetic..
He was right; Satan is alive and well on planet earth.
Hal + Eric — Christian profits.
Good old Hal Lindsey (not). The man who was 95 when he died, but his mustache was only 40 (think Dick Clark). The man who had more ex-wives than editions of The Late Great Planet Earth (each with a picture of him and his then-current wife). The man (and his followers) who pretended that earlier editions of The Great Planet Earth didn’t exist to show that he was not a false prophet and THIS TIME he is correct.
According to Hal and others, the Rapture would be in 1981. Or was it 2000? Or 2010? The dates keep changing and expire faster than those on milk cartons. It is hard to keep track of them. What is also interesting is that end-times hysteria/sensationalism/date speculation/etc always seems to ramp up when their are times of economic/social/cultural/political upheavals and shifts. Especially when someone who is not on the same political team as Hal and other Evangelical end-times “prophets (profits)” gets elected. And just as quickly when their team gets elected, all the talk of end-times disappears like flatulence in the wind.
These are but a few of the many reasons why dispensationalism is a flawed, incorrect, and improper
eschatology.
I wonder how all these “masculine” ex-Protestants will cope with that fact that EO priests wear cassocks (which more dress-like in appearance than pants, shirt, and clerical collar).
It is true. Orthodoxy is experiencing a surge in converts right now, mostly young men. At my small parish we’ve had many baptisms of young men, young families, and a few young women. Mostly young men, though. We have high-schoolers showing up without parents, military men, men of all colors. It’s amazing and we don’t know what to make of it except we are happy to welcome them all. Just recently an elderly married couple asked for baptism before they reached the soon end of their lives so it’s not all young people.
Every Orthodox Church I know of is experiencing the same thing. I visited a large parish in the neighboring county yesterday and asked them how things were going and they were also experiencing the surge.
Cassocks don’t look at all feminine, especially when worn by a man with a substantial beard.
Just an hour ago I read that one of my favorite YouTubers, who tells spooky stories about people who go missing in the woods, just spent 2 hours with the local EO priest and is considering converting. Never in a million years did I expect that.
Over Thanksgiving my daughter asked what was this all about. I gave her all the explanations I could think of but the final answer is the call of the Holy Spirit. Just like with me 24 years ago.
Some converts come from other Christian churches, as you would expect, but many had no religious background at all. It’s the work of the Lord, that’s all we can say.
Some of the explanations they give I will now enumerate:
1. They want a church that is hard. They want prayers and fasting. They want to confess their sins.
2. They want a church that has stability and a substantial history.
3. They want, oddly enough, apostolic succession. (This surprises me)
4. They don’t want the rock concert/ lecture style church service.
5. They believe the sacraments are true.
Basically, whatever evangelicalism is dishing up these days, they don’t want it. They are not attracted by the casual style of church and the hip sermons with cool pastors. They don’t like worship teams and fog machines.
There are several priests with YT channels that preach/teach Orthodoxy (Fr. Peter Heers, Fr. Josiah Trenham, for example) which many say influenced them. There’s Jay Dyer.
I don’t know how long this will last but we are enjoying it- and dumbfounded by it- for the length of time we have it.
May it be blest.
Xenia @ 3:20 pm,
I predicted years ago that hip sermons and cool pastors would die out like the brontosaurus.
I was right. People want substance, not empty calories (so to speak).
About the parallel universe article:
“He (the devil) always sends errors into the world in pairs – pairs of opposites…He relies on your extra dislike of one to draw you gradually into the opposite one.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
I would add that the enemy uses your love of one side to fuel your hate for the other.
Xenia,
You wrote:
“2. They want a church that has stability and a substantial history.
“3. They want, oddly enough, apostolic succession. (This surprises me)“
I think these two points are closely connected.
People want a church that is authentic. Authenticity has its roots in the original church.
I think serious Christians, who study the Bible, can see through many of the modern takes on what Christianity is and the role of the church.
I’m happy to hear about the growth you’re seeing!
Muff,
Thank you! Good riddance to those, along with the rock concerts masquerading as worship.
Dan,
I attend a Lutheran church (ELCA version).
We don’t have an alpha-male blathering on in the pulpit about his favorite hobby horse.
Ancient Liturgy and Communion is the focus of our services.
Muff,
Both of our kids were baptized in ELCA
churches. I’ve always admired their emphases
on Word and Table.
As an aside, when I first visited my parish 24 years ago, there were only maybe five or six people in the congregation. One time Fr. G. came out with the Eucharist and there were no takers so he turned around and went back into the altar with the chalice.
Today, the Church is full and the line for Communion extends all the way to the front door.
This did not happen because the parish had a membership drive or adopted a program to attract new people. We don’t even have a youth group or a Sunday school for the kids, all we have are the regularly scheduled liturgical services. (We do have a potluck meal after the Sunday morning service.) The service last Sunday was exactly the same as the service 24 years ago. Our priest has faithfully showed up and served the liturgy and the other seasonal services every week without fail (except for occasional travel and illness) no matter how many people came.
No microphones, no speakers, no sound board, no screens, no power point, no pews, and a derelict web site that hasn’t been updated in years. Until last week, no internet connection.
Fr. G’s homilies last about ten minutes and it’s mostly a few remarks about the day’s Gospel or Epistle reading, or maybe a few remarks about the Saints commemorated on that day. Sometimes he reads a homily from a book of homilies. Everything he says is heartfelt but he doesn’t say much.
I mention this because the surge does not seem to be the result of human effort, other than Fr. G’s faithfulness.
I should mention that Fr. G does conduct catechumen classes for those seeking baptism.
Y’all remember when young men were flocking to Driscoll for “masculine” Christianity?
Josh
“Y’all remember when young men were flocking to Driscoll for “masculine” Christianity?”
Yes, and I also remember many positions that you took in these threads over the years. The zeal of a convert is annoying; the zeal of an ex-convert tends to be sad and cynical…
Think you misread me there Duane. I’ll step away.
Josh
If I did misread you, my apologies…
This video with Jonathan Pageau and Fr. Josiah Trenham addresses some of the things I have written about in this thread. It’s a bit on the long side but has something for everyone, even a critique of Christian nationalism for Michael.
https://youtu.be/nSlZMeYD-PE