LINKS!
Five churchy phrases that scare off millennials…
How to avoid becoming a cult of personality (from a bunch that help keep some going).
Bringing the whole self into the church…even if you’re gay.
Some thoughts on generational poverty…
Christian singer walks out on the Grammys…
Scientists get hoot out of Creation Museum…
I liked the story of Natalie Grant walking out of the Grammys. I can’t figure out why Christians watch it in the first place bacause of all the immoral acts that can and are predictable to show up in the performances.
But sine the homosexual weddings were so heavily promoted, I don’t see how a Christian said “can’t wait to watch the Grammys””
MLD,
I didn’t know anything about the program or the gay wedding until it was over and I read about it online.
If that was indeed promoted, it’s beyond me why any Christian would watch it.
I didn’t even know about the gay marriages till it was already on. But, then again I wasn’t watching, because it has come to be expected that they will try to push their agenda on you through those types of shows. Let’s see, so far two in one month, the Rose Bowl and the Grammies. I expect there will be plenty more “gay marriage” things this year. I wonder if they will try to destroy Putin with the Olympic coverage because of Russia’s stance on gays?
My response to millennials, old people, teenagers, or anyone else about churchy stuff: If Jesus isn’t enough for ya, then I got nothing. If He is, you’ll overlook my hoky language issues.
NT Wright says…something, I guess. That really doesn’t make a lot of sense. I like the premise of God being involved, and not having to reach in from the outside, but it doesn’t hold up in the New Creation narrative that he seems to be setting up. Why did those things stop (more or less) after the apostles if we too are living in the New Creation?
I was disappointed when I clicked on the Poverty link to find Rachel Held Evans. Then I was pleased to see it was a guest article. The article was good, but the political discussion in the comments totally misses the point. Frustrating.
The grammy’s were an abomination, and I only watched a few minutes. It takes a BUNCH to offend me. I was offended.
Ken Ham is not the intellectual giant we would like to have representing Creationism, but the irony in the statements the scientists made in that article was very apparent.
Josh’s response to millennials is right on.
Plus, why is this generation being treated like some kind of special beings to which we must all change everything we do to please them.
If it isn’t the church phrases I am sure some article next week will find some other thing they dislike.
Grow up, millennials!
The ease of media consumption link is broken.
Wow, so Katy Perry went full on satanic ritual….makes me even more glad I didn’t watch the Grammies. You go, Natalie Grant!
I found this an interesting article.
http://mereorthodoxy.com/hobby-lobby-chinas-abortion-policy/
Wow, now this was a touching article!
http://evanwelcher.com/how-to-keep-your-i-do-in-the-present-tense/
There’s a reason I like the oldies! I respect Natalie Grant and her husband for leaving the ceremony. I saw pictures after the fact and this trash is acceptable to air during prime time when kids are presumably watching?
Here are Natalie’s comments from her FB page. “” I’ve tried to read all of the comments on my previous post but I can’t respond to them all. Most of you have always been so supportive and encouraging to me & I’m grateful. It does sadden me when people argue, judge and hurl insults at each other from both sides of the fence. I’m not going to engage in arguments, but just have a few things I’d like to say:
I NEVER said I left during any particular performance. I only said I left early.
I never pointed out any one particular performance, I only said I had many thoughts about the entire show, which were best left inside my head and that is where they will stay. So those who say I condemned one performance but then condoned others clearly did not read the post. What I DID say is this: I am honored to be a part of the Christian music community. I’ve had many people throughout my career ask why I never tried to go in to mainstream music and last night was a beautiful reminder that I love singing about Jesus and FOR Jesus.
I’ve judged no one. I hate no one. And I believe that every person has been created in the image of God. I will never stand on a street corner and wave a sign, I won’t use my platform to engage in political arguments that will only divide and not unite. I will continue to pray that my life will be my message. I do have my own personal convictions that I live by, and I will continue to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. (Philippians 2:12)
I was honored to be nominated for 2 Grammy awards last night. I’m so grateful that NARAS and The Grammys continue to recognize the contribution that gospel and Christian music make to the world. And I’m so thrilled for those who won in my categories. And I can say that with all sincerity.
My last thought:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus for it is the power of God who brings salvation to ALL who believe.” Romans 1:16 ”
~ Natalie
I’m sick of hearing yet one more reason why millenials aren’t going to church. I agree all of the phrases in the article are obnoxious and they turn me off too–you don’t have to be a millenial to see how lame they are–but I haven’t left the church; I just found a church in which the people don’t use those sorts of phrases. There are a million churches. Just go check them out and find one you can vaguely tolerate. It’s not that difficult.
E~ Thanks for sharing. Natalie Grant has a lot of class. We all can learn from her humility.
covered, you’re welcome. It was refreshing to read what she had to share.
This important link was overlooked!!
http://news.yahoo.com/flatulent-cows-start-fire-german-dairy-farm-police-192159601.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory
Did anyone watch the State of the Union address tonight? I actually liked most of what the President had to say. I understand as an evangelical and follower of the one who loved us and gave himself for us, I should hate President Obama with a deep passion and know he cannot speak any truth. But we all know my spiritual shallowness, I do agree with one thing the most, climate change is a fact and we do want to leave a planet for our grand kids to live on. I do agree the mechanisms that are effecting our climate are extremely complex but to think we, as a species, have not impacted the global environment in a negative way is basically stupid. My point we need to be open to evidence from all sides of the issues.
I gave the president a B+ but the fact check made me think maybe a B. I love Jfk speeches and I love Ronald Reagan Speeches, especially the extraterrestrial threat speech at the UN. It really was unique would we pull together as a world if we were threatened by an extraterrestrial threat. My point we cant put each other in a box, I know I have put the church and God in a box way to many times.
Ken Ham is a bit over the top, I cant stand him in a professional sense but he is polite so I will get this out of the way. I have never heard Mr. Ham call his opponents foul names threaten their families wish ill will on others etc. I cannot say that for those that disagree with Mr. Ham. Every single time Mr. Ham has held an event he has treated his detectors with respect I E not calling them names, not cussing at them etc. I believe it is important to make this point, you see I thought evil in my heart, I E questioning Mr. Ham’s sincerer beliefs and heart and I said evil in my heart about him. I also did a few times here. Though I am sure Mr. Ham would not consider me a Christian I consider him one and this means I sinned against a brother. For that I am sorry. Someone asked if I felt YEC /ID folks were stupid and I said no, I was not entirely honest I think I did deep down in my heart. That was / is pride and I repent of that and am sorry. I tirade it does not excuse applying wrong motives to others. For that I apologize. Does that make sense I am truly trying to examine my heart with the, no thats wrong, through God’s grace I was dragged kicking and screaming to examine my pride. Yup that is more accurate.
The Grammy’s I did something really scary I chucked tv all of it satellite, cable even an antenna. I have a confession I do not miss it at all. I did keep online oldies through Netflix with my favorite series’s. I am on a Dragnet binge now. The only time I was really tripped up was I watched this show some suggested Dexter, Yuck what an awful series. But I mean star trek, Babylon 5, Law and Order. But my more favorite, please dont tell anyone as I have a cynical rep I need to upkeep. I love the spiritual movies on Netflix, the documentaries, and the cooking shows. I still love to watch RFD TV online and I have listened to many teachings on Youtube. I think TV could be a powerful media but it has sold its soul and is now 500+ channels of some good and much sadness. I rant alot and at times I make no sense but I dont like to see people demeaned that is one reason I really gave up tv because of the reality shows as well. Hope this makes some sense.
None of the reality shows are “reality” Brian. Every detail is orchestrated by the producers of these shows. They leave nothing to chance. There is an actual script that the participants are to follow that is completely written by writers.
The train wreck scenario of most of these types of shows draws in viewers.
I hate inbred Christian-ese.
But if you can’t take “unbeliever,” “believer” or “backslider” nor “the Bible clearly states” you need to take your participation trophy and…..
Repent.
The answer to cheesy Christian lingo isn’t your own independent millennial slang, it’s accurate Biblical language.
Signed, A millennial (wait, THAT term is ok?)
Basically millennials are no different than we were in our hatred of religion in the 60s and 70s it is just that the Jesus People are now spouting the stupid phrases that make serious matters sound trite and irrelevant.
Get the Gospel right and get clear on Jesus and his agenda (God help us all) and millennials will be as drawn to Jesus as we were. Religion, like politics is a spirit that morphs endlessly but always comes back like a beast with a mortal wound. We can never lose focus.
Slow this morning … let me see what I can do.
BAPTISM SAVES!! 😉
Right!
So far today I’ve seen about a hundred posts blaming believers for “watching ” the Grammys. It’s not about the porn performance of Beyonce or the Satan summoning of Katie Perry or the gay wedding IT’S ABOUT US! The religion of guilt must always prevail. We are the enemy right?
When people ask me Sunday if I watched the Grammys I will tell them “As much as I could stand. I was too busy changing the channel and getting my grand kids out of the room.” However, unless we build a new monastic system that supports self-righteous safety without media and entertainment we might have to teach our children to live in the world but not of it.
Escape could be the answer but most cannot afford it. Learning to parent and grand parent in an evil world looks like hell on earth but life is not for cowards.
I’m too wiped out to write…and i have about a hundred emails about Jacob Prasch.
It’s like having multiple sinus infections…
Why yes, Frosted Flake, it is about us, if we are intending to be salt and light. If everyone who in the USA who claimed to be a Christian followed the rules of basic Christian morality and didn’t watch this stuff to begin with that would have been the end of it long ago. But we compromised for the sake of entertainment and supported Hollywood and we are reaping what we have sowed.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
I believe Christians in America have lost our saltiness and as far as the culture goes, we are no longer good for anything and we are being thrown out and trampled underfoot.
FF,
I’m helping raise an 11 year old…and doing so within this culture is the most daunting thing I’ve ever dealt with.
Christian concepts of sexuality are completely antithetical to those of the media and entertainment and there is no one yet wise enough to explain to an 11 year old the reality behind all those images and words.
I try to keep him outside as much as possible… 🙂
I agree with Xenia – how could a Christian not? I purposely do not watch shows like the Grammys just because history tells us something vile will be inserted into the show.
I also didn’t watch it because Law & Order SVU was having it’s marathon on opposite it with their Grannies marathon – old SVU’s that had guest stars who once young in their prime are now older ladies – like Ann Margaret, Susan Anton and Cindy Williams.
Get it Grannies up against Grammys.:-)
But you know some shows, geez, the naked lady shows up for no reason and you had no reason to expect it — what are you going to do?
Xenia,
I worked in Hollywood for several years and believe me, I did the salt and light thing. I have some evangelistic mileage on these old bones. I have great respect for you and appreciate your exhortation.
Frosted Flake, I appreciate the efforts of anyone who tries to be salt and light in Hollywood.
Michael,
My daughters 8 year old son comes to her after a Viagra commercial and asks “what’s an erection that last more than 4 hours?” I’m not being funny. That will take a fine piece of parenting in a scary world.
Thanks Xenia. We have to address the darkness in some way, shape and form, least of which, making excuses for them in name of relevance. What fascinates me to no end is how the church becomes per-occupied with itself in the way that it addresses the world. Rather than speak into the darkness, we criticize the light for how it speaks, or for its silence. It happens from both sides of the aisle. We all believe we are right and that humility is a virtue for the other guy.
@27
LOL….a fine piece of parenting indeed! 😉
FF,
I had to answer that one about the same age…my first response was going to be “a blessing”, but I thought better of it. 🙂
We’re confronted with this stuff daily…and kids do not have the informational or emotional base to comprehend even the best answers.
There have been times when I’ve asked him to simply trust that the answers would make no sense for another few years…and to move on to things that do.
Yes, I believe that this is Satanic and for Xenia’s amusement…straight from the pit of hell.
The grand example is that of Paul, the evangelist/ missionary who walks the street of the city square and “saw” the mediums, statues, false gods and tradesmen and turned it into a sermon. Athens became a target for the gospel. When I church planted many years ago that was the model I looked to. It worked. Great discussion, because a fresh definition of evangelism can only help us interpret this crazy new world.
FF,
I think there may be a difference into going into the dark world to evangeli=ze, set up new churches etc – vs sitting on the couch and inviting the darkness in.
@31
In reading classic literature, it is obvious that God was cultivating His witness for the eventual arrival of the gospel message through the common grace of what the philosophers called reason or the logos. Xenia and I spoke about this a little the other night regarding Justin Martyr. I think we need to identify the areas in our culture where God has given His common grace and use them as a platform to present the gospel.
Michael, your #21 is funny! What is a little frightening is that anyone cares enough about what Prasch says to e-mail you about it. I guess that’s why the delete key was inented… 🙂
I remember reading in one of Colson’s books written many years ago, where he shared his embarrassment with a major TV network executive (back when there were just the big 3)
He said if the guy would only have more wholesome programs he would beat the competition because the majority of the nation would prefer that to the trash. (Sort of the silent majority argument). And remember this was sometime in the early 1980s.
The guy pulled the Sunday night ratings from the prior week, where one network showed Chariots of Fire and the other 2 showed typical sex and violence programming – and of course Chariots of Fire was a distant third in the ratings.
He asked Colson “So where was this majority you claim exists last Sunday?”
Colson said he had no answer to the exec. What could he say.
Obviously, it has not gotten any better in the last 30 years…
MLD,
Point well taken. It is one thing to be called into this mess and another to just hang out in it.
fyi,
Whoever fed Prasch gave him enough to strike a chord in more than a few people.
All of whom emailed me. 😉
We find it easy to marginalize the Prasch/Bryson contingent…but to our own folly.
“Christian love disposes a person to be public-spirited. A man of a right spirit is not a man of narrow and private views but is greatly concerned for the good of the community to which he belongs, and particularly of the city where he resides” . ……Jonathan Edwards
“He asked Colson “So where was this majority you claim exists last Sunday?””
They were in Sunday night church! That’s where I used to spend Sunday nights in the 80s.
Michael, were you aware that the article about the creation museum was from 2009?
I wondered if it was resurrected to disparage AIG and Ken Hamm before the upcoming debate on 2-4-14 at the museum.