How We Got Into This Mess in the Middle East

I studied Islam and the Middle East for a class I took recently. I want to pass along the basic understanding I gained as to why relations to the U.S. and other western powers are such as they are in that part of the world. It is, of course, rooted in history. One of Islam’s primary values is that of justice. Though they don’t totally agree with them, Islam has often been tolerant of Christians and Jews, since Islam is based on them. Muslims have thought that God wanted them to rule, and to bring peace and justice. For a long time Jews lived better under Muslim rule than that of Christian Byzantine empire for example. At one point Islamic culture was the greatest in the world.

However the world changed with the renaissance and Continue reading →

President Bush as the #2 Threat to World Peace?

Last fall I saw this article about a poll taken of British voters about which world leader they felt poses the most danger to world peace. Apparently, George Bush was seen as the #2 threat to world peace, behind bin Laden but ahead of the Iranian and North Korean heads of state. At first, this seems shocking to Americans (U.S.). Aren’t we the ones fighting for world peace? Oh wait… that’s a bit of an oxymoron, isn’t it?

After I considered this for a bit, I began to see the unfortunate truth in it. Bush has lead the U.S. in to two wars in two separate countries, which are now both dragging on. Iraq at least (Afghanistan is uncertain) is less stable than before, meaning for one that it’s easier for radicals to have their way there. And Continue reading →

Death Penalty? (Part 2)

In a previous article, I began to discuss the question which was posed to me, “Is it wrong that we’re happy that Saddam was killed?” In that article I discussed whether the “we” in the question referred to us as Christians or citizens of the U.S. and if that makes a difference. Now I will address the primary question itself. I will be writing this article from the perspective of a Christian.

First, I think the question begs another, one of consistency. Is it wrong be happy that anyone is killed? Or is it O.K. to be happy when people who we don’t like are killed? “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” (Ezek. 33:11) I think Continue reading →

Immigration

Immigration has been a hot topic recently. To be honest, I’m not completely sure what all the issues and arguments are on each side. As I recall, last year there was some political pressure to crack down on immigration and illegal aliens. Though legislation would apply to any non-citizen, concern seems to be mostly about Hispanics and people entering the U.S. from Mexico. In response, large marches were held in many cities across the nation.

My question is, what are we (citizens of the U.S.) afraid of? One complaint I’ve heard deals with economics and jobs. Is this a reasonable concern? Economics is a two way street. An immigrant may come here and take a job, which might be seen as one less job in the employment market. However, if Continue reading →

Whose Response? (Part 1)

Recently I was in conversation where the question was posed, “Is it wrong that we’re happy that Saddam was killed?” I think this is a valid question worth addressing. However, in order to discuss it, there is one other question that needs addressed first. This article will cover this preliminary question, while I will address the primary question in a subsequent article.

The question about the death of Saddam is a politically related question, since he was tried and put to death by a government. While it wasn’t the U.S. government directly, we were certainly instrumental in bring this event about, since we were of course the ones who went into Iraq militarily, captured and confined him, and directed the setting up of the government who Continue reading →

Movie Review: The Second Chance

I had heard quite a while back that Steve Taylor was working on producing a movie. Being familiar with his work, I was certainly interested to see what he came up with. I finally saw this film, titled “The Second Chance,” a couple of weeks ago. For those of you unfamiliar with Steve Taylor, he is a recording artist who has been performing since the mid eighties. Several years ago he started the record label that was responsible for the popularity of Sixpence None the Richer and Chevelle. Additionally, another popular musician, Micheal W. Smith, played a lead role in this film.

First off, the movie isn’t designed to just be entertaining. I didn’t feel the story had as clear of a resolution as the typical movie, though the fact that all Continue reading →

Addendum to Previous Post

When I wrote the last blog, I forgot to include an important part. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I had the whole thing figured out. A main part of why I wrote it was that there are some friends of mine whom I’m concerned about. No, I’m not saying this from an, “I’ve got it all together and so I’m going to make sure everyone behaves” standpoint. In fact, I’m concerned about myself too.

So my question is, how do we go about bringing this up with people? I think it’s a delicate subject, because it sounds like you’re being judgmental. I want it to be more like, “Hey, since I care about you I’m concerned because I’m getting this feeling that you may run into trouble in this area. Are you doing o.k. and is there some way I can help you Continue reading →

Fighting to Keep Each Other Out of Sin

I’m finally getting around to blogging about something that’s been on my mind for a couple of weeks. There have been a couple of situations relatively recently which have been catalyst for me considering these things. The first question is, what do you do when someone you know commits a significant sin? I’m thinking about cases where the person isn’t totally apathetic, but rather where they know they’ve sinned and know they shouldn’t have. What do you do? Do you come down on them and lecture them about how bad it was and how you can’t believe that they did that and how they must do better in the future? Does that really help? I mean, they already know they shouldn’t have done whatever it was, and feel guilty about it, so does being harsh Continue reading →

Effective Evangelism? (Part 4)

Part 3

Our Message to the World

In my experience, many christians fall into one of two categories: the first is one whose faith, no matter how devout, has little effect on their life as a whole, and so they are pretty much the same as the average unbeliever in their beliefs and values. The other group are ones who do feel that their faith should effect their lives, but tend to get caught up rules and externalities. What seems to be most important is keeping the outward appearance of purity and perfection. In either case, what is demonstrated is not the life changing good news that Christ proclaimed. In one case, you have faith not making a difference, and in another it seems to make the wrong kind of difference.

So in one manner of Continue reading →

Effective Evangelism? (Part 3)

Part 2

Road Blocks to Evangelism

I dare say that unbelievers may well be afraid of joining us today, but for far different reasons. They fear that they may be judged and unaccepted as they are. I have also heard that they are actually afraid they may become worse people! Christians are often seen as being judgmental, close minded, hypocritical, and unloving. While this may not accurately reflect all christians, at the same time stereotypes don’t just come out of the blue. There are certainly christians both in the past and now who have had these characteristics, even though they would likely try to argue the accusation. While it’s hard to say how many christians fall into one category or another, I believe that there are certainly Continue reading →