The Emergent Effect

I am sure the “emergent movement” is having other effects on the greater Christian world but, I think I have noticed at least one.    

It seems to me, that Christian teacher/leaders are now apologizing for their use of alliteration or whatever other device they use to help you remember their teaching.  You know what I mean, a teaching on prayer, that has 4 points all starting with the letter G, or a teaching on knowing your spiritual gifts that has 5 points that spell something that fits into a nifty little phrase like “know your spiritual SHAPE” (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience).   So anyway I am sympathetic to those who are critical of it because it sure does seem forced and even inauthentic at times.  Of course I haven’t heard anybody that upset about it.   It is usually used as a jumping off point, by way of a small example, to discuss other problems with the church (sometimes done constructively sometimes done simply to disparage).  Of course it hasn’t stopped leaders from doing it (which is probably a good thing) but now they are doing it with an apology.  The one I read from Christianity Today today was discussing the principles that guided the life of William Wilberforce.  

 ”As I studied his life, I found certain principles that seemed to shape him and the way he operated. As a hopeless, seminary trained, baby boomer, I can’t help but think in outlines and alliteration. But here’s what I discovered.”

The 5 principles were: Pardon, Purpose, Partners, Power, and Persistence. 

Find the article here.

Galileo

Galileo certainly had a serious run in with the Catholic Church, but would you believe it was his faith that made his science possible?

It is Rondey Starks contention that Christian theology made the development of science possible.  He argues quite impressively in his book, For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery, just that. 

Gravitas, Clinton or Obama?

Is it just me or does Hillary Clinton, despite all of her negatives, just have more Gravitas than Barak Obama? 

It just seems to me that even though I think I disagree more with Hillary I would rather her win than Obama (and I don’t really think there is much chance for anyone else to win).  I have a couple of reasons, (1) I think she would be better against the Islamofascist than Obama and (2) I think she would have a sympathetic House and Senate for 2 years only and then would lose control of at least one chamber of the U.S. Congress.  She would then be hard pressed to get her truly radical agenda through.  Obama seems to me to be a little more milquetoast.  He might keep the House and Senate longer because he doesn’t have quiet so many people that are truly afraid of what he might do. 

Who is your inner European?

My Inner European is Irish!

Sprited and boisterous! You drink everyone under the table.

I must admit I was pleased with my results of the quiz.  Are you pleased with yours?

 

Who’s Your Inner European?

Is this real?

It certainly appears to be and these are the names of two of West Virginia Mountaineers football players.  Just check here.