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 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.
Subtitle: Fear and Darkness
On June 26, 2005, I attended the 9:00 a.m. service of the first Evangelical Free Church of St. Louis County as an amateur anthropologist. The large physical church is a spacious modern structure that appears to seat about 2000 people. As I approached the parking lot I encountered the “Church police.” Wearing safety vests marked “police,” they directed traffic into the large parking lot. Large and expensive automobiles populated the parking lot. I attended the early service. Another service was scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m.
I sat toward the right side of the pews, facing across the large expanse toward the large stage where the services was to be held. I immediately noticed the large stage and extensive stage lighting of the nine musicians on duty. They performed several songs at the beginning of the service, many of these having a gentle beat and lush harmonies characteristic of 70’s folk rock. The 70’s were probably the era during which many of the worshipers in came of age. Most of the adults looked to be between 35 and 55, all of them squeaky clean and looking content. There were almost no elderly people to be seen. That’s too bad, since the evangelicals have invested good money on first rate cushions are kind to old bones.
Every churchgoer I saw (there were probably 1500 people in the building) was Caucasian. Several hundred of the worshipers were wearing T-shirts printed with a quote from Proverbs 9:10: “The fear …
Many of us don’t consciously choose some of the most important aspects of our lives. This includes the choice of religion. Many people claim that we don't really choose the religion we end up following. After all, many of us end up adopting the religion of our parents. Is there…