USA Today has an interesting story about Earmarks in today's paper. Earmarks are spending provisions attached to another unrelated bill to benefit a lawmaker's district and elevate his political stature. Another name for this practice is pork spending. Democrats made this an issue in 2006 and USA Today credits that campaign issue as one key factor in Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives. Now Democrats are using Earmarks to help freshmen Democrats viewed as vulnerable in the 2008 campaign - all of the 49 freshmen Democrats have sponsored or co-sponsored an earmark in the current proposed spending legislation.
"Democratic candidates accused GOP incumbents last year of abusing earmarks. Patrick Murphy attacked then-congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., during a debate for failing to make the "tough decisions" on a transportation bill heavy with earmarks, the Bucks County Courier Times reported. Now a representative, Murphy sponsored $11.8 million for local projects and businesses - fourth-highest among House and Senate freshmen. In an e-mail, Murphy pointed to new rules requiring earmark sponsors to be disclosed for the first time. The House also requires members to disclose each earmark recipient. Murphy said he makes "no apologies for fighting hard for my district.""
And politicians wonder why they have approval ratings just below used car salesmen?
Read 'Earmark' Cash Aids Democrat Freshmen in USA Today.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Understanding Christian Suffering
In 1 Peter 3:15-22 the topic turns again to the suffering of Christians. The suffering Peter has in view here is that opposition or persecution that comes from doing what is right. He is not talking about being inconvenienced or when we rile others by being annoying. The key phrase in these verses is "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts." Simply put Jesus suffered for our cleansing and spiritual health, if He suffers for us we may be called upon to suffer for his name. The Christian is one who takes the path of following Jesus and that means he is our Lord. We belong to him and are not our own. Our tendency is to look out for ourselves, avoiding confrontation and conflict, especially if it will cost us something. The work of Christ in us is putting to death our flesh, which is that sphere of human will and activity which is opposed to God. It is only as we sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts that we have direction for doing what is right and for understanding the opposition we will meet. Baptism is the sign that Christ is our Lord and symbol of his washing of our hearts. Baptism reminds us that we are not our own Lord but have submitted to Christ.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Intimidation and Trouble
"Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled" (1 Peter 3:13-14).
Peter was a realist. He understood that Christians could be perceived as a source of tension as well as a source of blessing in the world. Even when Christians are obedient to Christ and blessing their neighbors there are those who will be threatened by this behavior because it is counter cultural and upsets power structures. Some authorities will have a vested interest in the way things are. The Christian lives by a different standard: obedience to Christ. A militant atheist like Richard Dawkins sees Jesus as a threat to the authority of science (though I do not). The racist is threatened by Jesus because God desires to bring good news to every tribe and nation. So the view of the Christian is to fear the authority of God and to obey Christ. If we encounter blessing or we suffer for the sake of righteousness, God is honored in each circumstance. We are to live in a way that honors God, there we find life.
Peter was a realist. He understood that Christians could be perceived as a source of tension as well as a source of blessing in the world. Even when Christians are obedient to Christ and blessing their neighbors there are those who will be threatened by this behavior because it is counter cultural and upsets power structures. Some authorities will have a vested interest in the way things are. The Christian lives by a different standard: obedience to Christ. A militant atheist like Richard Dawkins sees Jesus as a threat to the authority of science (though I do not). The racist is threatened by Jesus because God desires to bring good news to every tribe and nation. So the view of the Christian is to fear the authority of God and to obey Christ. If we encounter blessing or we suffer for the sake of righteousness, God is honored in each circumstance. We are to live in a way that honors God, there we find life.
Monday, December 10, 2007
What Kind of People?
Some cynics dismiss the Bible and Christians as hopelessly out of touch with the times or malicious hypocrites. Many critics of Christians and the church rage against what they see as moralism forced down upon them. When I read a passage like this one, 1 Peter 3:1-12, I wonder what our families and churches would actually be like if we followed Peter's call for holy living? Wives whose adornment is their character and faith rather than the latest fashion. Husbands who cherish their wives and respect them. Blessings and humility in our relations with neighbors and friends. Who wouldn't want to live in a community that looked like this? Maybe Christians are out of touch with the times. Maybe Chesterton was right that Christians are the real rebels. I would like to see more Christians living out of step with the times and in step with the Apostolic witness to the Risen Lord.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Gospel of Judas - According to National Geographic
The New York Times is reporting that the Gospel of Judas Iscariot story reported by National Geographic was not all it purported to be. Hat Tip to Michael Sammamish at the Moral Christian blog. You can read the NY Times story here. The story is written by April DeConick, a professor of Biblical Studies at Rice University and author of The Thirteenth Apostle: What the Gospel of Judas Really Says.
This is another case of a journalist's desire for an exclusive story leading to bad decisions. National Geographic used their own experts and restricted access to the text so they would get the story first. The problem is that led to getting the story wrong as well. Judas is not a hero, he is portrayed as a demon in the gnostic text. The author of the ancient text was trying to undermine the story of Jesus by portraying him as sacrificed to the king of demons rather than the supreme God. DeConick uncovers at least one act she refers to as "egregious" - "a single alteration made to the original Coptic." In other words one or more of the National Geographic scholars removed a word from the original.
Lot's of questions here. Why did the National Geographic Society behave this way? Why did the media rush so eagerly and uncritically to repeat this story? I suggest two possibilities: the desire to be first on the story and second a desire to find an alternative to Jesus as portrayed in the Bible.
In my opinion two factors
This is another case of a journalist's desire for an exclusive story leading to bad decisions. National Geographic used their own experts and restricted access to the text so they would get the story first. The problem is that led to getting the story wrong as well. Judas is not a hero, he is portrayed as a demon in the gnostic text. The author of the ancient text was trying to undermine the story of Jesus by portraying him as sacrificed to the king of demons rather than the supreme God. DeConick uncovers at least one act she refers to as "egregious" - "a single alteration made to the original Coptic." In other words one or more of the National Geographic scholars removed a word from the original.
Lot's of questions here. Why did the National Geographic Society behave this way? Why did the media rush so eagerly and uncritically to repeat this story? I suggest two possibilities: the desire to be first on the story and second a desire to find an alternative to Jesus as portrayed in the Bible.
In my opinion two factors
Fear God, Honor the King
Peter has been writing to Christians dispersed from their homeland, instructing them on how they should live as exiles in their new homelands. One theme that emerges from this letter is that Christians live with a type of dual citizenship. The Christian is a citizen of heaven, longing for the presence of God and a citizen of the nation in which they live on earth, though ultimately a stranger on a sojourn there. In 1 Peter 2:13-25, the Apostle speaks to the matter of governing authorities and how Christians should view the rulers and laws of the land in which they live. The priority for the follower of Jesus is to do good and silence those who would oppose them. They are to live as free men and as servants of God. He sums up this attitude with the phrase: fear God, honor the king. That summary provides clarity as we live with our dual citizenship. We respect the government but we fear and worship God. This wisdom has stood the test of time and provides the standing which helps Christians avoid two errors: accommodation to the government of the moment and the temptation to renounce human governance.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Five Kinds of Christians
Leadership Journal has published the results of a survey commissioned by Christianity Today and Zondervan Publishing, titled Five Kinds of Christians. The study was intended to analyze the 70-80% of Americans viewed as mainstream Christians. Leadership Journal reports three critical issues that have emerged in the study.
1. The local church is no longer considered the only outlet for spiritual growth.
2. Churches must develop relational- and community-oriented outreach.
3. Lay people have to be better equipped to be God's ambassadors.
No kidding.
How much did Zondervan and Christianity Today pay for this survey? Whatever it was they paid way too much. At any point in the last three or four decades they could have drawn the same three conclusions. It has been a long time since the local church has been the only outlet for spiritual growth for 70-80% of Americans who believe in God. Does the calendar at Christianity Today still read 1957?
We have known that 80% of Americans believe in God for a long time. Studies for decades have shown this to be a stable number. We have also known for quite some time that about half that number are actually regular church attenders. There is nothing new here.
We need better leadership in the church. Yep.
We need intentional, relationship building outreach in the community. Yep.
People bring people into the church. Yep.
Could have said all this in 1980. Christianity Today and Zondervan continue to think behind the curve.
1. The local church is no longer considered the only outlet for spiritual growth.
2. Churches must develop relational- and community-oriented outreach.
3. Lay people have to be better equipped to be God's ambassadors.
No kidding.
How much did Zondervan and Christianity Today pay for this survey? Whatever it was they paid way too much. At any point in the last three or four decades they could have drawn the same three conclusions. It has been a long time since the local church has been the only outlet for spiritual growth for 70-80% of Americans who believe in God. Does the calendar at Christianity Today still read 1957?
We have known that 80% of Americans believe in God for a long time. Studies for decades have shown this to be a stable number. We have also known for quite some time that about half that number are actually regular church attenders. There is nothing new here.
We need better leadership in the church. Yep.
We need intentional, relationship building outreach in the community. Yep.
People bring people into the church. Yep.
Could have said all this in 1980. Christianity Today and Zondervan continue to think behind the curve.
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