Why Pray? Perhaps my previous post sounded a bit harsh. Why “mock” those who call upon their Creator for a bit of help in a time of need? Skeptics have obvious reasons for doubting the power of prayer, but it seems to me that Believers should have even stronger reasons…
Researchers have just spent a whole lot of money determining that prayer does not seem to work. In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass surgery patients had no effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being prayed…
The public grade school in my neighborhood has a science classroom, but no science teacher. I’m not a teacher or a scientist, but I’ve been asked to help teach science there. You see, there’s no money in the budget to hire a science teacher. Therefore, all 350 of the children…
The current edition of Time Magazine (April 3) warns us that global warming is not just a vague fear, but a reality. The 14-page article contains disturbing photography of displaced animals and receding glaciers. The cover warns us to be “Very Worried.”
Even though I’ve often seen publishers use hyperbole to sell magazines, I am truly concerned. I am concerned even though many environmental worries have been overstated in the past.
On the other hand, I know that past warnings have generally been wrong only about when, not what. I also know that the great majority of scientists are in accord on this issue. global warming is occurring and human use of fossil fuels is a major culprit. Prudence, then, would cause reasonable people to be concerned.
I wanted to be sure to consider all perspectives, though, so I tuned into my local 24/7 Christianity radio station, KJSL, to hear the wisdom of syndicated radio host Paul McGuire.
McGuire addressed the Time article directly. “Global warming is mere mythology and propaganda of the left.” The problem, he solemnly said, is that the sun is in one of those hot cycles. That polar bears are being stranded has nothing to do with fossil fuel. He cited the work of Michael Crichton and Climate Scientist John Christy in support of his denial of global warming. Christie, according to McGuire, holds that Co2 is not a “pollutant,” and that it is a “gift to plants.” McGuire repeatedly asserted that there …
Unfortunately, no one took His photograph. Had they done so, Jesus wouldn’t have had a prayer recruiting most of his potential followers. It is hard to imagine western Europeans falling in love with a dark-skinned Savior from the Middle East, especially a Jewish one.
For many centuries, Western Europeans haven’t paid meaningful attention to dark-skinned writers, musicians, painters, architects, teachers, politicians or philosophers. In fact, they’ve openly discriminated against anyone who didn’t look “European.” Nor would Jesus have had much of a chance today (“Hey, isn’t he one of those guys who attacked us on 9/11?”). We certainly wouldn’t tolerate any dark-skinned man who told us to give up our extravagant (i.e., suburban) lifestyles.
Because there are no photographs, Believers have had much artistic license to imagine Jesus in comforting ways. Jesus always resembles the people who believe in Him. He likes the things they like. He feels their pain when they don’t get asked out to the prom. He cries for them when they don’t get that promotion. He applauds if we finish assembling the best Christmas lighting display on the block (He shouts “Way to Go!” and gives us the thumbs-up.).
But most strikingly, even though His Believers don’t resemble each other, Jesus physically looks like each of them. That’s how He looks in their dreams and prayers, as well as in publicly displayed art.